Collide

by Shelly Crane

  He threw an afghan that was lying on the back over me and I felt him smooth my hair back. I could hear Jeff telling the other Keepers about the Muse and heard the anger in their voices as they looked at me and protested and conversed about it, understanding now the events that had transpired and the dead-on-my-feet appearance.

  They all discussed things I could no longer hear. Mumbling turned into just white noise as I drifted off, unable to fight any longer the sleep that came for me.

  When I awoke next, I was in the van again, my head in Merrick’s lap in the middle seat. Phillip was driving and there were headlights behind us, I could see them in the rearview mirror. No one seemed alarmed which meant the others were joining us. I tried to sit up but Merrick held my shoulder down.

  “Just rest, honey. We’re almost there.”

  “Everything work out alright?”

  “Yes, Miss worried about everybody but herself.”

  I laughed a tired laugh and I licked my lips. I touched my finger to them, asking. He smiled crookedly and bent down to kiss me, picking my back up just a little bit to reach.

  His lips were extremely warm and comforting as he kissed me quickly and softly.

  “I love you,” I said before collapsing, laying my head back down on his lap.

  “I know,” Merrick said, a smile in his voice.

  I fell back asleep with Merrick twirling a curl of my hair in between his fingers.

  We made it back and I roused just as we entered the steps to the bunker, being carried in warm arms. Suddenly I was scared, feeling tension in the air.

  Merrick’s arms were tense around me and I was afraid of what him and Jeff might do to Marissa, not giving her a chance to explain. I just had a feeling she wouldn’t purposely do this to me to hurt me. I could already hear the yelling as I became more coherent. I lifted my head and looked around.

  Merrick saw me and tested my feet down to the floor, making sure I could stand first. Jeff and Marissa were at it and everyone was watching, worried and not knowing what this blow up was for.

  “I’m sorry!” she yelled “I thought she needed to find it on her own. I haven’t known I had this gift but just a few years, you know, and my Keeper died before he could really even show me much more about it. I thought that it would be easier for her this way. Usually when I tell people, they don’t listen anyway, they think I’m a freak.”

  “She brought you here,” Jeff boomed, “has been nothing but nice to you. You knew what would happen and you let it happen anyway. And Merrick. Merrick had to watch her go through that not knowing what was going on either. You are a selfish girl!” Jeff yelled and made a slow advance inching Marissa’s way.

  Everyone glanced at Merrick and I, still not knowing what was going on, but no one would dare interrupt Jeff at this point. I couldn’t remember a time he ever looked so angry. I felt kind of proud he was defending me, but Marissa looked so innocently young and unknowing and utterly frightened by Jeff’s behavior.

  Maybe that was part of the Muse disguise.

  “I’m. Sorry. Ok. I won’t do it again. I just... I thought you wouldn’t let me be here if you knew I was a Muse and then when ya’ll were leaving, I couldn’t just let you go without telling you. You needed to find them.” She pointed at the newcomers behind us, then looking at me. “Sherry, I’m sorry. I should’ve said something but, I was scared. I’m sorry, really sorry. This is why I was so reluctant to come here with you in the first place. Can you forgive me?”

  “You don’t have to answer her, Sherry. She knows I won’t hurt her. I wouldn’t anyway but not only is she a Muse, she’s still a Special too. We’re stuck with her,” Jeff said looking more calm but still upset.

  He must’ve known how I’d react.

  “It’s fine. She’s telling the truth and we did find them.” I pointed to the newcomers. “That’s what’s important.”

  Merrick squeezed my hand and shook his head, his jaw clenched. If I could see his eyes I would bet they were rolling. He thought my understanding for others was a weakness. That I was too trusting. He was just a little biased. Besides, they were no different. The Keepers weren’t violent and revengeful. Why would he expect me to be?

  “I am sorry. Is there anything I can do to help tonight?” Marissa said, her head hanging down.

  “You’ve done enough but...yes. We have a lot of unloading to do. We have some new roommates.” Jeff motioned for her to go upstairs and waved his hand for a few others, apologizing to the newcomers on his way out for yelling.

  Danny came up to me and started to ask me something but I held up a hand.

  “Tomorrow, Danny. Please, I’m sorry...Merrick...”

  I was about to collapse. I’d never been that tired before and now that the excitement was over, it overtook me again like an avalanche.

  Merrick grabbed me up in one swift motion. I heard him tell Danny that I was ok, but Danny didn’t sound convinced. He would be angry with the Muse too.

  The last thing I remembered was being tucked into bed, under Merrick’s chin. The warmth from his body surrounded me like a blanket, making me feel safe again.

  Fairweather

  Chapter 19

  The leader, the Taker. Why is he smiling at me? Staring? I’ve done what he asked. He told me to bring him Calvin, and here we are...

  Wait.

  Where was Calvin? Why would I do that? I would never do that! Has he gotten to me? Am I under the Lighter speak or worse, a Lighter myself? It is too late and Merrick can never be with me now. A mortal enemy, a clone, a puppet. I feel the same but he’s still smiling, smugly.

  I have no shopping cart, but I’m standing in the check out line, looking at the managers loft. They turn, they all turn, they are all Lighters. Everyone’s black eyes in the store suddenly fix on me with deadly intent, and they are all dark haired, dark eyed Lighters.

  The lights in the store are off, only letting the sunlight in from the windows. It’s a shock to see this much black hair and pale skin. And now, they are moving.

  What do I do? I’m human. Do they know something’s not right, that I’m on the other side? Calvin? Where’s Calvin? I’m so confused.

  Wait! No!

  They are moving closer, feet not touching the floor, toes gliding and dragging. They are parting the way for the Taker now. He is melting through the thick glass and floating his way down to me. He opens his mouth wide, wider, much wider than humanly possible.

  The fright takes over and I’m shaking so hard my teeth rattle and then the tears come. The pleading tears.

  “Please don’t hurt me,” I beg but don’t know why I did, I’m not usually a beggar.

  He closes his mouth abruptly and smiles again, that façade of a smile. He stops dead in front of me and brushes a cold finger down my cheek and watches me intently as I shiver. Then his mouth opens again and he lunges for me in one swoop as I open my mouth to scream.

  I was screaming, waiting for the pain of whatever happened when a Lighter took you over. It must be painful. He grabbed my arms, shaking me. My eyes fluttered open for one last look before death but it was Merrick I saw.

  “Run!” I yelled at him. “He’s here.”

  He wasn’t listening, why were they just standing there. Danny, no! Why was Danny here?

  The slow fall into coherency is not fun or graceful, the embarrassment, the confusion. I soon realized that Merrick and Danny were there, in my room, kneeling over me with horror stricken faces, and I was safe in my sleeping bag, causing yet again a panic from my loved ones.

  Best to start apologies now.

  “Oh gosh, I’m sorry. Bad dream,” I explained.

  “We could tell. We’ve been trying to wake you for five minutes,” Danny spouted, sounding annoyed.

  “Are you ok?” Merrick said softly as he wiped the tears from my face with his finger.

  “Yes,” I said, sitting up and wiping my face with back of my hand. “Sorry. I’m fine, I’m just a trouble maker.” I elbowed Danny playful
ly.

  He didn’t seem amused.

  “Is this crap ‘cause of the Muse?” Danny asked Merrick, his voice dripping with aggravation.

  I knew it. I bet he had been stewing all night about this. I let out an exasperated breath.

  “No,” he said to Danny, then turned to me. “What were you dreaming about? You told me to run.”

  “Yeah, I was dreaming about a Lighter. It’s ok, I’m fine, really,” I pleaded as Merrick helped me up, Danny got up too. “Listen, please don’t be mad at Marissa. We don’t know her yet. Let’s not make assumptions, ok? Her reason last night was legitimate. Jeff freaked when he found out she was a Muse, she was afraid we wouldn’t welcome her here. Just let it go, for now, until we learn more. Please?” I pleaded, looking at Danny first because he was the one I was mainly worried about.

  “Fine. I’ll let it go...for now.” Danny hugged me tightly and looked into my face for a minute before sighing and leaving the room, not shutting door.

  I could hear lots of voices and noise.

  “I’m sorry,” I said to Merrick again.

  “Why do you always apologize for things that don’t need one. Don’t be silly, it was a dream, honey.”

  I nodded and took the clothes he gave me to change into, kissing my forehead quickly before heading out the door. Then he stopped.

  “Do you want me to get Mrs. Trudy to help you dress?”

  “No. You could help me,” I said coyly and smiled.

  “Um, no. Trudy?”

  “No. I’m fine, unless you want to help, then I couldn’t possible do it without you.”

  His smile was bemused and he shook his head at me before leaving.

  I sighed and then blanched, beyond embarrassed. My door was open that whole time I was yelling and screaming in my dream? I could hear them which meant they could hear me.

  Jeez. The damsel in distress label was definitely taken. The newcomers must have thought I was a loon.

  I changed quickly and headed to find out what all the noise I somehow slept through was. I figured it was later because everyone was up. My eyes bugged when my watch said 6:00...Pm!

  What!?

  “It’s 6:00 at night? Are you kidding me?” I asked myself out loud, just before turning the hall into the commons room.

  When I rounded the corner I saw at least ten smiling faces, one not smiling, Marissa.

  Celeste jumped up and hugged me like it had been days, technically, I guess it had. I hugged her back, which must’ve surprise her because she started to squeeze with enthusiasm.

  The chest hugs with this girl were never comfortable but I tried, how could I not. The sweetest, doll face girl desperately cared for my safety and well being, not to mention that of my only brother.

  “Danny has been sooo worried about you. He didn’t sleep a wink last night,” Celeste said and then bit her lip.

  Uhuh . How would she know if he slept last night or not unless...

  Celeste, realizing she said too much quickly changes the subject.

  “We are adding onto the last hall. Neat huh? Now we’ll have a little bit more personal space around here. That’s where most of the guys are now.”

  “Hmm...that’ll be nice,” I said as I eyed Danny, his “I’m busted” face was full on.

  “Merrick’s there too,” she chimed.

  Nice one Celeste, trying to distract me with the mention of Merrick.

  I smiled big and made my way around the couch. Mrs. Trudy cried out a little when she saw me, startled. Everyone else seemed to try not to stare at me, making me more embarrassed. I hated it when people were so worked up over me.

  I was absolutely starving, and Trudy must have heard my stomach growling. She grabbed my hand and started pulling to the kitchen, around the people seemingly piled everywhere. The tension was really gonna build with all of us literally on top of each other but as I glanced around...

  What? What is that!

  I jerked from Trudy’s grasp and ran to the clock mirror on the wall. I let out an anguished sigh-shriek-gasp.

  Everyone turned to look, hearing my gasp. Under my eyes were huge dark circles. Huge, insanely dark circles. My skin was at least three shades whiter, which looked terrible against my features that usually were flavored by my olive beige skin. My eyes were almost golden yellow, the lightest I’d ever seen them, which made the under eye circles look that much darker.

  When I looked over myself, my arms and hands, I saw my fingernails were a sick yellow and the blue and green veins were standing out drastically in my arms and hands.

  “What in the...?” I asked my reflection, poking and rubbing at the eye circles like they will wipe off.

  “Merrick said it’s from the Mu...from yesterday. Something to do with it draining you. It should be gone by tomorrow. We hoped you’d go the rest of the day without looking in the mirror,” Danny explained smiling apologetically but I noticed how he didn’t accuse the Muse even though he started too.

  I was grateful that he was willing to try, for me.

  “Why in the world did you let me sleep til 6:00 at night?”

  “You needed the rest.”

  “Jeez.”

  I knew Marissa was still in the room so I just laughed it off and continued to walk with Trudy.

  Dinner, as everyone had already eaten, was reheated lasagna. Sweet sweet Trudy had asked Merrick what my favorite food was to make for me.

  Afterwards, instead of heading back into the crowded commons room, I decided to go and see what was up with the new hall.

  As soon as I saw them, I could see what Celeste had been was saying. The dirt at the end was being dug out and carted and hauled up the stairs to be dumped. It looked back breaking. Merrick, Jeff, Phillip, Ryan, Patrick, Max and the husbands of the newcomers were down there, barely all fitting in the hall together as it was.

  I started to turn and go but Merrick saw me and squeezed through them.

  “Hey you. Are you feeling any better? I’d hug you but...” He motioned to his shirt and I understood, head to toe dirt and looking absolutely gorgeous working-man.

  “It’s ok. I’m fine, I just wanted to check on you.” He stared with that sympathetic face I remembered and I covered my face. “Yeah. You could’ve warned me,” I muttered, muffled through my fingers.

  “Sorry. I just figured-” he started but I cut him off.

  “Yeah, Danny told me. Avoid the mirrors. So, ya’ll are gonna extend the hall, huh?” I removed my hands but pulled my hair around the sides of my face to help hide it.

  “Yes, just keep on extending and bracing as we go along to make more rooms for newcomers as they arrive. What do you think?”

  “I think you look mighty hot with a dirt mustache,” I said pulling him down for a quick gritty peck before turning to leave and was satisfied to see the smirk of a smile on his face.

  I left them to it, whatever it is, sensing there would be no more fun to be had down that hall.

  The next couple of days were spent recuperating for me, trying to get my strength back. It was like having the flu without the coughing. I felt like I had run a marathon. I wasn’t just tired, I was dead tired and achy.

  The night I slept til 6:00, I actually went back to bed at 8:30, but not before making a point to say hello to Marissa, loud enough for everyone to hear.

  Everyone else, including me eventually starting on hauling dirt and rock from the hall and carrying it out. It was backbreaking.

  We wanted to get as much done as possible so we dug farther than we needed to for our present situation but leaving plenty of room for a while. No one let me work for very long without making a fuss and forcing me to take breaks and sometimes insisting I go back up for a nap or a snack.

  I wasn’t sure if it was the tiny frame or if I just looked breakable or if it was the unfortunate events of the past few weeks that kept everyone so up-in-arms about me but I had had enough of that treatment and decided a little playful payback was in order.

  I hauled d
irt with my red five gallon pickle bucket that I couldn’t fill all the way to carry it. I picked up a handful of dirt out of the bucket on my way down the hall and threw it at Danny’s back.

  He turned but didn’t think much of it and went right back to digging. I picked up another handful and threw it at Jeff. It pelted his legs and he turned with his eyebrows furrowed. I quickly looked away to keep from laughing and him seeing me laughing.

  I dumped my bucket up topside and came back for another run. I picked up handfuls and hit quite a few others, including Merrick before I got back with my empty bucket, chuckling to myself. I made a couple more runs and then this time I was surprised.

  Ambushed.

  As soon as I picked up my first fistful to throw at Danny he got me first, dropping a handful down the back of my shirt making me squeal in mock anger.

  “Ooooh! Danny! You are so gonna get it now!” I yelled and that was it.

  That was all it took and we had an all out dirt war.

  Apparently, they had discussed it while I was dumping my bucket and had decided to ambush me.

  Everyone started pelting handfuls of dirt in every direction. Keepers, Specials, kids and nobodies, even Marissa was fighting back, her and Ryan going at it with enthusiasm.

  I had dirt everywhere. Hair, ears, clothes but I refused to give in. I threw as much as I could at anyone I saw and got as close to Danny as I could get. Then I dumped and rubbed two handfuls in his hair.

  “Aho! You are gonna pay now, little sister!” he yelled.

  Just like Danny used to do, called his big sister little.

  Then, Merrick jumped in front of me.

  “Sorry, Danny. I can’t let you do that,” he said calmly and then plopped another handful on Danny’s head.

  Everyone was laughing and shouting and screaming, dirt was flying everywhere, raining down and flinging sideways. I heard Celeste squealing incessantly about her hair but as I looked at her she was laughing hysterically as Danny grabbed her and they dumped dirt on each other.

  It was the happiest everyone has been since I could remember and it was comical that something so simple as dirt could do that.