Ill Met By Moonlight

Chapter 5: Close Call

Lex stared out the window absentmindedly, listening to the muffled sound of crashing water and of the house settling. Her blood had been boiling in her veins all night, making her unable to sleep. Her hands were twitchy and her eyes were beginning to become sore.

She pressed her palms against her eyes, trying to relieve them but to no avail. she didn't want to get out of bed, not because she didn't want to work but because she could feel her bones shifting, slowly changing shape. She wasn't even sure she'd be able to stand on her own, and she felt exhausted but she couldn't sleep.

Finally, she reached for her bag and searched a hidden compartment, looking for something. Her fingers finally brushed against a small bottle and pulled it out. Despite not trusting her legs, she tossed her blanket off of her legs and swung them over the edge of her bed. She tied her blindfold around her eyes and hesitantly stood up.

Her legs screamed for her to stop, begging her to sit back down. She gritted her teeth and slowly made her way out her door, not bothering to change into more presentable clothes. She stumbled down the hallway and nearly toppled down the stairs, but she managed to keep herself upright. She had to rely on the support of the wall in order to make it to the kitchen. Lex tried to keep herself quiet and not make too much noise, but a bone in her foot let out a loud snap when she took a step inside the first floor kitchen. This caused her to fall from the sudden shift, landing chest first on the floor with a loud thud. The thick haired woman gasped, trying to reclaim the air that had been forced from her lungs.

She forced herself back up, her left foot had stretched out, her heel near the middle on her shin and was only able to walk on the ball of her foot. Her eyes throbbed more painfully than before as she reached the sink, turning on the water quickly and fumbling with the small bottle but managing to crack it open. She removed the contents of the bottle and took one of the large capsules inside, popping one into her mouth, taking a handful of water afterwards and quickly guzzled it down.

She let out a heavy sigh, already feeling the effects of the medication Mother Miranda had given her. Her bones began to shift back to their regular positions. She was unable to keep herself upright and slumped to the ground, not moving and allowing her body to take back its original shape. She took in slow and steady breaths, not wanting to make too much noise. She had already fallen down and no doubt, had woken both Lady Beneviento and Lady Angie. She glanced at the clock, it was seven thirty in the morning, it wasn't even time to wake the two of them up yet.

She stayed seated on the ground for a few more minutes until she felt the last bone in her arm pop back into place. Carefully, she pulled herself up and moved silently to her room to get dressed. But on her way up the stairs, the ding of the elevator stopped her. The thick haired woman swallowed hard. She didn't look presentable at all and worst of all, had woken Lady Beneviento. She waited anxiously, staring at the corner and waiting for the Dollmaker to round the corner, but she didn't. Instead, it was Angie who had come around the corner.

The doll looked up at Lex, who was only wearing a shirt that was a size too big and a pair of sweatpants. ''Donna and I heard a noise, was that you?''

''Yes, I apologize Lady Angie, I tripped on my way to the kitchen to get some water.'' she explained, leaving out the more important detail.

''Okay then, can you try to trip quieter next time? I don't think Donna will be getting back to sleep.'' Angie turned around and went back to the elevator.

Oh crap. Lex thought frantically, climbing up the stairs and rushing into her room. She quickly grabbed a clean black shirt similar to the one she wore yesterday, except the sleeves went down to her wrists. She also changed back into her black dress pants from the day before and put on a pair of socks. Lex quickly brushed through her wild hair, trying to make it more presentable and of course, it didn't last long, her hair still tousled.