It woke me in the night, a slight exhalation of foul air above me. The gentle scrape of enamel against my skin. As quickly as I turned, it was gone. A receding shadow among layered multitudes cast off from the gas lamp in front of my window. Another dream, I swear. This new house is getting to me, or my mind is getting to it. The place is too damned massive, too empty for its grandeur. It's not just the house, it's the town as well. Smiling faces, vapid, everywhere you turn. They love me, yet I am alone.
...
Tapping against the grimy window, a pale hand is followed by a ragged head in a torn white chemise. "Let me out", she croaks. I was exploring the sheds along the woodline. Work was slow at the fruit stand today, and by slow I mean nonexistent. Perhaps this will change my luck? I may have found my first friend. "Well? I'm waiting." I stumble forward and heave against the rusted hinges, falling hard with the door upon me in a cloud of dust. She tests the threshold, looks at me, and lunges for the cold shelter of the trees. "Thanks!" Sigh. I'm going to be late.
...
Riad chuckles as he plucks an errant twig from my hair. My face is on fire. "Come on. Since you're new, let me be the one to introduce you to our little carnival. Where would you like to start?" I toss between the ring of fire and the ring toss but the one reeks of sweated vomit and the other's line is down the walk. "The mirror hause?" He bows, graciously mocking. "Just try not to lose me."
...
I spin rapidly in what I think to be the center of the maze, giddy in the symmetry of this new-found world. I think I enjoy being lost. There is a wonderful liberty when you know you are completely alone. I blush ever harder as someone laughs behind me. "Is that why you were so close to the woods?" She's in black jeans and an emerald tee now. I must have spoken aloud. "I didn't see you there. I see everything in here." She ignores me, dodging between mirror panes. "Why did you run from me? Who trapped you there?" She runs faster and faster, creating a whirlwind, her midnight hair whipping in a long black streak. I fall to my knees, choking on the lack of air. As quickly as it came it went, and she is before me concerned. "Sorry. I wanted to see if I still could." Still coughing, I glare. "Why are you here? I help and you hurt. What do you want of me?" "I wanted to say thanks, properly. Didn't mean to leave you in a rush. I was a bit out of sorts, you see. Name's Elise." I take her outstretched hand. "Waterson, Cami. Moved here last week. I too am out of sorts. That's why I was talking to myself. I'm not weird or anything." Ugh. The mirrors may be pristine but the dust-caked ground did horrors to my new jeans. I cannot go around greeting people in dirty clothes. "Don't worry about it, love. You weren't speakin aloud. Anyway...I'll see you around? Get you a coffee or something." "Oh...alright." Wait a second...what? But she's gone and I can hear Riad calling for me to the northeast. I suppose later it shall have to be.
...
I feel Riad's gaze on the nape of my neck, like an unfocused laser. I refuse to look at him as we walk back to my father's house. "You ditched me as soon as we entered. I thought you said you wanted to have some fun?" He pulls my back against him and takes us to the side. In the shadow of the courthouse parking lot against the cooling bricks, I only see the gleam of his grin, knife-sharp cheeks, and deep pockets where his eyes should be. His ragged breath sets me on edge. "Riad...don't screw with me. I am not afraid of hurting you." And he lets me go. "You think I'm capable of hurting you?" His tone is offended, but whether mocking or hurt I cannot tell. His dark face is ever darker in silhouette. "I may like you, but I do not trust easily. We just met yesterday! I don't know you." I wrench myself from him. He sighs, playing the wounded card. "Not yet, but you will." Let's see...east, Bluff road. "I think I can walk myself home now. Goodnight, Riad." "It isn't safe at night!", he calls after. Hm...I think I like running too. It brings a sense of mindless clarity.
...
"I'm hoooome!" Echo...Echo...Echo... "Hi, how was your night, Camilia? Oh, it was good, Papi. Thanks for asking. How was the dinner with Martha at the Botanical Garden? It was fantastic. I'm sorry I obeyed my wife's iron fist and didn't let you come but I'll make it up to you. How about we go skating tomorrow? The whole afternoon, just me and you, like we used to..." I lay my head against the glass' cool surface. This is a pointless exercise. *DING-DONG* I take the shortcut past the pool outside, through the zoo hedges, and tackle her into the bushes before Martha opens the door. "Elise!! It's the middle of the night. What on earth are you doing here?", I hiss. A muffled gurgle is my only response. Martha slams the door with a grumbled, "Pranksters in this neighborhood at this godforsaken hour..." I slowly remove my hand from over her mouth and stand gingerly. I did not notice, but a part of me is wet and burning. "I told you I was bringin coffee." She points to the spilled tray of espresso, cream, and croissants. "Figured you could use a girl's night after what that asshole tried to do. Is there something wrong with the doorway?" "No. Nothing's wrong with it, just its keeper. Let's continue this in my room, before your coffee permanently sears my crotch."
...
(A/N: nighty night. Test study time tomorrow. Calc two and multi dimen. Wish me luck? Or don't. It's cool. )
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