Chapter 3

For a moment, I couldn't breathe.

Breathe, Miranda. Breathe, I told myself. It wasn't easy though. The darkness represented a thousand fears for me, a thousand problems I seem to be getting into. 

Slowly my surroundings crystallized and I regained control. Leo wasn't the only one here, after all, and I made myself focus on the others and ignore him.

Three other people sat in the room with him, two of whom I recognized. The unknown, an elderly woman which was my Nana and a short tan skinned girl, had to be my best friend, Charlie.

"Manda!" That was Charlie, here eyes lighting up with delight and a hint of concern. I loved Charlie, but I never knew she'd understand my leaving to deserve such a welcome. She looked like she would run up and hug me, and I prayed she would. Leo on the other hand was making sure I couldn't harm anyone.

Leo was always on alert, always watching for the next threat. In some ways, I found it reassuring.

My survey of the room soon returned me to my Nana, who had been watching and seemed amused by my alertness. A solemn smile spread over her features.

"Why, Miranda," she said slowly. "Aren't you going to greet us?"

Nana had the kind of appearance that could leave many people speechless, even if they knew nothing about her. Oblivious to the heat outside, the elder woman was dressed in full business attire. The blouse was a maroon covered by a navy-blue over coat, at least, but it still looked warm. Her skirt matched her over coat with some simple black heels to finish it off. 

"Hello," I said quietly.

Her smile kept it's place but a glint of sarcasm shown. "Nice to see you my dear."

"Always a pleasure." My lie sounded robotic, but hopefully it was better than sounding afraid. 

"No, no," she said. "The pleasure's all mine."

"If you say so," I said. This amused her further,

My eyes roamed around to the fourth person in the room, which was a man. I extended my hand so that at least one of us would look like we had manners. "I'm Miranda Jacobs, who are you?"

The man smiled and clasped my hand in his. I didn't flinch at the contact, even thought the urge was there. I had also realized my hands were bandaged... Leo. Unlike other people I met, his smile was genuine.

"My name is Joe Black," he said. "I'm so pleased to meet you. I've heard many wonderful things about you."

"Oh?" I arched an eyebrow and wondering who'd been talking about me.

My eyes scanned back over to Charlie, which had the same goofy face as ever. I outstretched my arms for a hug, which was not left unanswered by her. 

Introductions were made for everyone else. Nana and Joe were a little reserved, but both friendly. Leo didn't shake any hands, but at least stopped acting like a statue. He took a seat in a chair next to my bed and put on an arrogant expression, which was probably supposed to be confidence. I hope he wouldn't embarrass me.

"I'm sorry," said Nana, turning her attention towards Joe. Her eyes fierce. "Did you say your name was Joe Black?"

"Yes," said Joe. He studied my Nana curiously, no doubt having the sensation of fear surge through him. He looked unaffected by her, which was new to me. "Why?"

"No reason," said Nana. Her eyes flickered to me then to Leo. "It just sounds familiar, that's all."

I tried to steer the subject away-- and get some answers for myself. "I'm not exactly sure what's going on. I wasn't aware anyone would be joining us."

"Please dear," Nana said. "I won't be staying, unfortunately." Nana had a way of covering up her smug personality. "I simply came along to make sure this group would be arriving safely-- to meet," she continued and motioned with her hand in Joe's direction. "To meet Joe in person."

"That's very nice of you," Leo said dryly, noticing I wasn't the only one sincerely doubting Nana's motives. If I'd learned anything, it was that things were never simple when Nana was involved. She was a puppet master of sorts. She not only wanted to observe things, but also wanted to control them.

She hesitated a smile. "Well, I always aim to help others in need."

"Yeah," Charlie suddenly said. "That's exactly what comes to mind when I think of you, woman." 

Nana regarded Charlie with a cold look that would have had shivers running down my spine, but not Charlie. Nana left swiftly. Charlie had a smirk spread on her face with her head held up high and mighty. She turned her gaze towards Leo, which was fidgeting with his hands.

"You need to stay with Manda and keep her safe," she continued. "Protect her from that bag of dust. If you won't, then I will."

The look in Leo's eyes said he was skeptical. I also suspected he truly didn't believe anyone could protect me as well as he could. But even Leo couldn't be everywhere at once, and he would have to choose.

"What did happen?" Charlie asked taking my hands in her's, examining. "Are you hurt? Leo told us over the phone you had an episode but nothing like this."

"I'm fine," I said after a sharp look from Leo. "I can't really tell you how or why but," I continued. "But I know I can tell you that I don't feel anything."

There was a heavy pause in the room. 

"I was awakened by Leo, though, and then here you guys are," I glanced at Joe. "I'm pretty sure it won't happen again."

"But that's a very small possibility, which is why we have to get Andy where she is safe." Leo butted in.

 Charlie grimaced, not liking Leo's cocky remark. "When will you have another episode Manda?" Her face showing curiosity.

"Hopefully not for long," Leo said.

I gave him a warning look, and seemed to realize his comment could be perceived as rude. "He's right, but I only think they come when I sleep," I said.

"Well," Charlie let the word hang for a moment. "Can we at least go out today?"

Leo groaned. "This means shopping doesn't it?" He let out an exaggerated sigh and got up. "No, anything but that."

I glance back to where Joe was standing, which he never moved. "You don't look like you've been around her before. Am I right?"

Joe's eyes went unfocused for a moment as his thoughts turned inward. "No, I suppose there are worse thing than shopping." He gave Charlie and I a nod of approval.

Leo groaned again, not happy about this. "What are the dangers?" He turned to Joe.

"It's safe," he began. "That's what counts."

I looked to Leo, sending a silent message of plead. Leo didn't like odds being against his rule, especially when it came to me. "What will happen if she has another episode?" 

I gritted my teeth, wishing he wouldn't enrage me in this. Let it go, I thought. That was too much to expect, of course, because Leo was stubborn.

"Excuse me." I rose before Joe or Charlie could answer. I couldn't sit through this conversation while other people made choice for me. I need to escape and forget about all my fears for today. "I want to go out. Charlie," I got out of bed and beckoned her to follow me into the restroom.

The door was shut right behind Charlie, who, took a seat on the counter while I stood with my arms crossed. 

"Are you okay?" Charlie tilted her head causing her medium length hair to fall. 

"I... I don't feel well. I figured some fresh air would be nice for today." 

"Of course, of course," said Charlie, looking as if she would carry me out. "Should I go get you some water and some clothes?"

"Some clothes would be nice," I said moving toward the shower. "I just... I just need a minute."

She hurried out and I heard her argue with Leo over me, which I definitely didn't want to hear. I turned on the water and watched it as it cascaded down. The warm water was welcoming, even if it was growing hotter. I took a deep, steadying breath as I stepped under the warm water, forcing myself to calm down. Everything was going to be okay, I told myself. Thinking back to who was all here, Charlie and Joe, who don't seem like bad companions, considering who I could have ended up with.

With the last of my worries dripped off my me I was out of the shower, and get dressed in what Charlie laid out for me. I wanted to see what I looked like in the mirror but the fog cloaked it. After swiping my hand across it, my eyes came into contact with a different face.

The face, of course, was a man's face. But it was faded, I could only make out small features like white hair.

"Were you ever coming back?" It spoke in that scratchy voice, like my dream, or, should I say nightmare.

I didn't answer, my body frozen, I was submerged in fear. 

"I'm not going away," It spoke again, moving closer as if it were coming out of the mirror. "You can never get rid of me."

I bit my lip and stayed where I was, too afraid to move an inch. I was almost afraid to breathe. I averted my gaze, looking away from the figure in the mirror.

"Hmm," is hummed. "You bear the mark." The mysterious figure hissed.

"What?" I quickly directed my gaze back to the figure. "You know about this? How?" I leaned forward putting my hands on the counter's edge, but, the closer I got the further the figure shunned away.

Silence fell upon us, he, whoever he or it was, wasn't answering me. My rage grew, it's a surprise my teeth weren't gone for how much I've been grinding and gritting from anger. "Tell me," I spat out.

I heard someone walking, their footsteps increasing in sound, which came to a halt in front of the bathroom door. A knock distracted me, I jumped a little from the surprise sound. "Andy?" Leo's voice demanded. "Andy who are you talking to?"

I looked back towards the mirror to greet my own reflection for once. Panic and curiosity filled me. It took me a couple of minutes to finally answer Leo. "I was talking to myself," I said.

"Okay... well were you planning to come out of there by today? Charlie won't shut up." I could hear Charlie's faint protests in the background. I smiled warily.

I stepped out to find Leo spread out over my bed, belly down. There was a pause. "That's what everyone says... but I'm still not sure it's necessary. I don't think she needs you close by, Charlie and I will be right next to her the entire time." Joe nodded his head.

"That's not the point," Leo sounded annoyed, and I was glad I wasn't the one causing it now.

"That's exactly the point," Charlie said. "You're so unfocused Teddy-- among other things, you need rest. How will you protect her when you're already fighting to stay awake."

Leo sighed heavily, rolling over and sitting up in the bed on his elbows only. "Listen. Listen and watch." Was all he said before he laid back down, closing his eyes.

I almost felt bad for Leo, Charlie nagging at him plus Joe on top of my drama. After Leo was out cold with a heavy snore to signal our exit, the two followed me out a minute later. 

Joe was standing abrupt, his arms crossed over his chest looking intimidating and defensive. There was a rigidness in his posture that conflicted with his calm expression he wore so well. I couldn't be sure, but it looked as if he was purposely positioning himself as far from us ad possible. "Only a few hours girls," he said.

Seeing my puzzled look, Charlie explained. "Joe will be driving us to wherever we need. This was a way to let Leo rest really. If he's really going to protect you he needs to take care of himself too."

"Oh," I said. To myself, I muttered, "This feels so wrong."

"Hmm?" asked Joe, tilting his head toward me.

I flinched, hoping no one heard me. "Nothing, I was just thinking of what to do."

"Oh," said Joe dismissively, glancing away. 

The three of us made out way to the elevator and out the lobby. Once we reached outside, the warm air Arizona offered was welcoming. But it also reminded me of how far we'd come since home. I sighed.

"Don't worry," said Charlie, grinning at me. "It'll be fun, I promise."

"Maybe you two young-lings should keep out of trouble while we're out, yeah?" Declared Joe.

Neither Charlie nor I said anything to that, but instead smirked and giggled. Getting in the car we drove to the nearest shopping center, or mall, and walked in. Joe wasn't freaking out as he should have been, taking two teenage girls to a mall. There was however a new air of impatience and irritability in him I didn't quite understand. "Well," he said, after clearing his throat. "I need to get some things. Charlie you stay close to her," he continued. "Miranda..."

He left the words hanging but looked at me meaningfully. "Be careful. Use this when absolutely necessary." Was all he managed before taking his leave, quickly, leaving me with a small dagger. Charlie and I went into the nearest dress store, got a couple of dresses for her and strait into the dressing rooms.

"So," she started. "How have you been?" She asked in a low voice. Her smiled was genuine. "I've been worried about you ever since that day you told me. No one would tell me what happened to you after you left." The last time I'd seen her, I was being brought back home from the institute. 

"I thought they told you," I stalled. "But, I was going crazy so my parents put my in an institution for the mentally insane. I'm fine now, just a few things here and there." What was a small lie between friends? Charlie was kept in the dark, I could imagine dragging her into all of this. I didn't want her to know what was actually wrong with me, that I lived in fear every time I closed my eyes, or the fact that she'd be put in potential danger because of me.

"I'm happy," she said. "You're back, and aside from these "episodes", you're safe and we're talking again." She used air quotations around 'episodes'.

"I understand," I agreed.

"Oh Manda," she sighed. "When will you stop lying to me?"

"What?"

"Don't shut me out Miranda, I worry about you. I want to help protect you but how can I if I don't know what I'm protecting you from?" She pleaded. 

"I... I don't know what you're talking about Charlie, I just told you," I said.

"How long?" She asked. "How long have you had those episodes? I know it's from that mark you try and cover up," she nodded towards my neck.

I sighed knowing I was losing a battle. "I don't know, a few months.. maybe?" I answered as honestly as I could. My hand instinctively reached up to cover my neck. "This is my thing, and believe me, I know how to deal with it."

"Look, you do what you need to do and I'll do what I need to," she began. "But I promise I'll always be here to protect you. You can bet on it." Charlie's smile appeared.

"I hope so," I said. "Because if you're not, then I, a stick with some bad a*s white ninja skills will have to." Both of us giggled at the idea of me fighting, even verbal was hard enough for me.

Charlie and I walked out of the store and finished up our shopping, heading back to the garage where Joe had parked the SUV. Getting closer to the SUV, something was wrong with the picture, where was Joe?

It was odd because he said he would be there at the time he's given us. "Charlie, do you have an idea of where Joe would be?" I asked, worry surging through me.

"I have no idea," she set her bags down and pulled out her phone, texting away. "I just sent him a text."

We stood there in silence for a few minutes, broken when Charlie snapped her phone shut.

"Something's wrong," she stated. "I'm going to go look for him, you need to get in the car and stay there okay?" She opened up the car door for me, also throwing our stuff in there.

I reluctantly back away. "No," I shook my head. "I'm going with you, he needs out help and we'll work better in numbers." I marked a point.

"Miranda," she protested--

"And I won't get into trouble if I'm with you. I'll be safe." I pleaded. "Please, the more we argue about this the worse it'll get for Joe."

Charlie shut the car door and we headed back into the mall.

Reviews

[Erin Winter]

Hey! Fellow 16-year-old here. Being about the same age, I felt a little constructive criticism was in order. You've got some truly excellent ideas and a writing style that is quite unique while still being (for the most part) grammatically correct. That's a little thing to work on. Another thing. I've noticed here and there that you occasionally use words that don't fit the effect you're trying for. Your vocabulary is, to say the least, excellent in comparison to most of the things I read no matter how old the writer is. It's just, I'm a journalist, so I'm really touchy about using proper grammar and words. I have this to offer as my advice- if you don't know exactly how a word should be used, use a simple one that could convey what you want without making errors of ignorance. Even with this advice, I'm still going to give you a solid thumbs up. Keep working on it, and I'll be anxiously awaiting your next few chapters.