Chapter 2

I woke up to the sound of a car door opening and slamming shut outside my bedroom window. It was still dark outside but to the East there was a break of dawn. Sluggishly I moved, reaching over to grab my alarm clock only to see that it was barely six a.m. Stretching my arms over my head I stifled out a yawn.

A knock at my door caught my attention. Leo.

"Andy," he entered my room. "You up?"

I sat up in my bed to find Leo at the foot of it. He looked at me, all business like.

"We need to be going so get ready," he gave me a nod.

It's took me a second to realize that the "we" meant him and me. "Right now?" I asked in disbelief.

He shrugged. "Valentine and his men are going to be on their way soon. We need to make sure everythin's ready to go before they get here. If we leave in the next ten minutes, we can be there by tomorrow afternoon."

"Great," I said stiffly. Ugh. But what else could I say? I had no choice in this, and even if I did, I was in no position to argue with Leo about it. I had to continue showing I was up for anything.

Leo was off to pack for the trip while I was left to scurry and pack up myself. I was an expert at packing quickly and effiently, thanks to surprise trips Leo had sprung on me thoughout our childhood. In fact, I always had a bag of toiletries packed and ready to go. The problem wasn't making record time in packing, it was what I needed to pack was that problem. I ended up packing ten of my lightest outfits and hoped wherever Leo had us going, I could do laundry.

"Miranda?"

I was putting the last of my clothes in the bad when I Jamie appeared in the doorway. She was one of the next door neighbors' children that liked being around me. She'd done her hair into braids, neat and sleek. "Hey," I said, smiling at her. She ran in the room, embracing me into a full hug. I was glad she's come to say goodbye. I would miss her and wanted her to know that. She was the closest thing to a little sister I would ever have.

"Why didn't you tell me?" She demanded before I could get a word out. "Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?"

I was speechless for a few moments. "I... I'm sorry Jamie... I was going to--"

"You're leaving me!" She said. I was astonished to see the glint of tears in her eyes.

Seeing her stormy face, I sighed and replayed the conversation of last night. I had no clue she's take it like this. "Look, I'm not leaving you forever Jamie. I just have to leave for a little bit."

Jamie turned around abruptly, breaking the hold I had on her and hurried out the door, managing to move quickly. I stared at where she'd been standing and felt terrible. How could I leave her like this? It's not fair to her. Whatever apologies there were, there was nothing to be done for it now. 

"What took you so long?" Leo asked when I returned back downstairs with my bag. My conversation with Jamie had set me back a couple of minutes, which was two minute too long for him. I didn't attempt an answer.

"I'm ready when you are," I told him. My mood shifting from what it was upstairs. "I can do most of the driving." 

"I don't mind driving all the way," Leo grabbed the bags and left outside. I followed.

When in the car Leo looked at me intently, peering down at me making me feel small. His blue eyes so identical to mine. "I don't have to tell you how important you are to me, to everyone. And how important this is for you to stay alive."

"Yes," I assured him. "I know."

"Just follow my lead, do as I say," he started up the car. "I know what I'm doing."

I stiffened. There was that note of pride in his voice, like he was the greatest thing walking the Earth. It wasn't jealousy that made my blood boil and teeth clench, I can tell you that much. My brother was still waiting for an answer. I swallowed and nodded. "Fine."

He raised his eyebrows, clearly pleased, he gave my a pat on the shoulder. It was the closest form of contact we shared in a long time. I flinched from both shock and how frustrated I was i could've snapped. "Good." He pulled the car out of the drive way and we were on the road. 

I don't know where we were driving to but it was pure agony. I was exhausted being dragged out of bed, even while Leo was driving, I couldn't fall sleep. I had a lot on my mind: Jamie, Leo being a dick, and where we were going... My thoughts spun in circles. 

When dawn came, briefly turning the desert landscape of Arizona into a blazing sea of red, orange, and copper. I gave up on sleep altogether and decided on just to power through. I was determined not to give Leo any trouble, so I worked hard to smile and nod appropriately. I was kind of hard to do while constantly gritting my teeth. He and I had bought twenty-four-ounce cups of coffee to stay up and chat for the rest of the trip. Neither one of us getting rest.

Every now and then I would try and bring up last night's conversation but Leo would just block me out and turn on the radio or something, or change the subject. He did however enlighten me about something I hadn't realized-- but probably should have. "You're going to be withdrawn from school, homeschooling for you."

"What?" It was a measure of self-control to not attack my brother while he was driving. Moving was one thing but not being allowed out of the house to get an education was another. "Why?"

He shrugged. "Why not? It's the best way for me to keep an eye on you, make sure you're safe. Even if you did go to school, you'd be listed as a senior from your previous intellect. We're already smarter than those people so what's the point? It's unneeded stress Andy."

I was so stunned that I didn't even have my normal gut reaction to slap him when he concluded with his self-satisfied chuckle. 

"That's stupid," I said at last, still too shocked to come up with a better response.

"You're use to it."

"Hardly," I said choosing my words carefully. "I still have to challenge myself. And actually most of the time I was ditching because of this."

"Same difference," he replied dismissively. "If anything that just make my point more valid, no more ditching."

I didn't respond right away and instead pretended to be deeply interested in the road ahead. What he said was true. It wasn't something I learned to do, my brain developed faster, it's what I am apparently. 

I realized he'd been waiting for an answer, for me to agree with him. Regardless of my protests, I'd been quiet way too long.

"Right," I said. I murmured somethings under my breath that Leo wouldn't hear.

We arrived at a Holiday Inn around late afternoon and got to work immediately to get a room for the night. I was dying for sleep by that point, and even Leo-- despite his argumentative state--looked a little worn around the edges. But other duties such as finding a new car was afoot.

I left Leo to find us a get away car. I ordered a light dinner up to my room, relishing the alone time after all those hours in the car with Leo. A shower was really in dire need at this point. Standing under the cascading water all my worries drifted away. After the shower I stared at myself in the big mirror by the sink. I could see the light markings of my mark on my neck and shoulder. Everyday was going to be like this: a race against time. I decided to change into my pajamas then, I didn't want to be reminded of what I was trying to hide.

 I went to bed feeling melancholy, wishing I could pour out all my fears and insecurities out on someone. I was wrapped up in running away from people and things I don't understand because I'm something "special" and that needs to be protected. Enough was enough, I can protect myself.

Darkness... the feeling of being submerged under water except you can't see. I couln't smell anything. 

Hello? Is anyone there?

I could barely breathe but I was going to fight this darkness. All my fears of this were over powering but I wasn't going to show it. 

Can anyone hear me?

Silence fell upon me. I could feel however, I wasn't alone. The sensation of something darker than the place I was currently in loomed over my shoulder. The feeling of my heart sink because of this was terrifying. 

"You have me, but you can never get rid of me," a scratchy, smokey voice spoke.

What?

"Answer this and you will see," the voice let out a ghostly chuckle. "Yes.."

I don't understand

"Everyone has me, but no one can lose me," it spoke again. "What am I Miranda? Or do you prefer," the voice was getting closer and closer.

"Andy?" The scratchy voice made goosebumps on my neck form because it was right at my ear.

I.. I don't know

"How unfortunate," the voice dulled out.

I was awakened by a violent shaking of my arm.

"Andy," Leo's voice was faint. "Andy wake up."

I opened my eyes to see Leo kneeling on my bed next to me, his expression worried. Never in my years have I seen Leo look like this since out parents passing.

"Leo?"

"Andy," Leo moved and embraced my in his arms. "You're okay Andy, I got you," he cooed.

"What do you mean?" I asked dumbfounded.

"Andy," he looked me dead in the eyes. "You were screaming--" he looked down at my and gasped. "Andy what the hell did you do?"

I followed his gaze down to my hands to find then cut open with tiny pieces of glass in the wounds and blood all over the blanket. I didn't respond, I was too scared to. Nothing like this has ever happened before. What the hell did I do?