Split

14

“Uh, excuse me, may I ask what you’re doing?”

                She lifted her glance, her yellow eyes, stunning. Literally. I couldn’t move forward, nor could I turn. I began to panic. What was going on? She slowly leap down for the car. Barely making a sound, she stood before me. Her yellow eyes now more of a bright orange almost like a cat. She placed the apple in my hand and began to walk away.

                “Keeping apples in the heat… makes them go bad, you know.”

                After a moment, I could move again. My knees felt weak. I looked down at the apple. Completely unharmed. No bite, no bruises. I looked up. Was she waiting for me? Did she know I’d come back for it?

                I brought myself to my feet, and went into an all-out sprint. If I was fast enough, I could catch up to her!

                I turned the corner. Nothing. She was gone. I sighed, and began to walk, but I felt like I was being watched. Watched by the same eyes. I turned and looked into the tree, it was empty. Then, the feeling was gone.

Still holding the apple, I hurried back to The Blast. I wasn’t sure how long I was out, but it seemed like an eternity. Opening the front doors, the building had a chill to it. No one in sight, but Easter decorations lay on chairs, on the floor and hanging from the walls.

I shivered. How things could change so drastically within a short amount of time frightened me. I walked my way to the back, throwing away the apple on the way.

                After a long conversation with Jake as to how to decorate, James and I went about putting the rest of the stuff up. I put my feet up on the counter and sat back. Chief Catherin came in not long after. She put her coat on the coat rack, and looked over at me. I looked back at her, my bangs covering most of my view of her.

                She walked over to me and grabbed a chair. “Good morning, Leo.”

                “Morning, Cat. How do?

                “I’m fine. But, I couldn’t help but to notice, your bangs are in your face more than usual today. What did you do?”

                I looked up at her. How did she …. I put up my hand. There was no point in asking. She has children of her own, I shouldn’t be surprised. I slowly moved my bangs from my view, and reviled my forehead to her.

                James came from across the room to get a better view as well, and to laugh. “Ha! It’s still funny.”

                “Oh, shove one.” I said to him. “Think you can help me out, Cat?”

                Catherin thought for a moment, before shoving her hand in her purse. “Not sure how you feel about make up, but that’s all I have right now.”

                James began to laugh even louder. “Now, you have to wear makeup? What universe god did you piss off this time, Leo?”

                “Ah, shuadup. You think you can make it look better, Cat?”

                “I can make it look better, yes, but if there is any pain, I won’t be able to do anything about it.” She pulled her hand out of her purse, and began to powder and pat away at my forehead.

                She threw her things back into her purse, and pulled out a mini mirror. “How does it look?”

                I smiled slightly, and nodded to her. It looks like the bruise was never there. How she accomplishes some things, amaze me.

                “Alright. Well, I better get into the back. I’m a bit behind now on the cooking. Either of you hungry?”

                “Nah,” I said as I waved my hand. “I ate before I left the house.”

                James sucked his teeth. “Well, if he doesn’t eat, I will.”

                I put up my hand and waved to them as I closed my eyes. It wouldn’t be until around noon until we get serious masses. Maybe a person here and there, but nothing major.

                I continued to think this, until I felt a presence in front of me. For a moment, everything was still. “You know…”

                That voice… I know that voice… I opened my eyes and caught sight of Xenilla standing before me, with her hands on her hips. “It’s rude to keep a girl waiting, sleeping on the job no less. Have you no shame?”