Heaven, Hell, and Earth

Chapter 20

Charlie stared at the marks on her wrists in horrified confusion. Where did these marks come from? She hadn't of cut herself, and why were they shaped like crosses? What was happening to her?

She quickly grabbed a wash cloth from under the bathroom sink and used it to wipe away the blood.  The injury bled more than what was expected of it's size. This frightened her.

But no, no she couldn't become afraid. Not too afraid. If she did then it would trigger the burning, scorching, starlight that existed within her. She would set this entire building ablaze and destroy everyone inside including Niffty.

"I have to be calm." She told herself. "Stay calm. Don't get excited."

However she couldn't just ignore these mysterious and unusually shaped wounds that appeared from out of nowhere. This definitely wasn't something normal which meant there was only one person she could possibly turn to. So she picked up a phone and dialed a familiar number.

"Solomon Karras's office." The voice on the other line answered.

"Moxxie?"

"Yes. Who's calling?"

"It's Charlie."

"Oh Charlie, nice to hear your voice again. You haven't called here in a long time. Solomon isn't here right now but I can take a message."

"No. No that's alright, actually I'm glad it's you who answered. Moxxie you learned a few things about the paranormal medical field, right?"

"I'm not as knowledgeable as Solomon but I know as much as the doctors as he hires. Why? Is everything okay?"

"Yes. There's nothing really wrong but would you mind coming over and taking a look at something?"

"No but shouldn't you be asking Solomon about this?"

"I'm sure it's nothing and you know how worried Solomon gets even over the little things. I don't want to upset him unless I have to."

"I suppose that makes sense. At his age he has to watch out for his blood pressure. The last thing he needs right now is stress."

"Does that mean you won't tell him about this?"

"I'll keep it under my hat for now but if I find something serious when I come over tomorrow, I'm speaking to him about it immediately."

"That's fair."

"When should I come over?"

"1:00 PM. Meet me outside the Golden Gate diner."

"Alright then. See you there."

When she hung up her wrists started bleeding again.

"Stop it!" She cried pressing the cloth harder on her left wrist and then switching it over to her right wrist.

Knock-knock!

"Oh no." Charlie thought with intense fear. "Who is it?"

"It's Niffty." The voice on the other side of the door answered. "Sorry to bother you so late dear, but you left your wallet at the diner. I figured that it must have fallen from your purse."

"Just leave it at the door. I'll get it later."

"Charlie are you alright? You sound a little shaken."

"Everything's fine."

"Would you mind opening the door and letting me see you? Just to make sure."

"Niffty I'm okay. Really."

"Then why do I smell blood?"

"Blood? What are you talking about? There's no blood."

"Charlie I have hypersomia so I know what I smell and I'm sorry to be intrusive but if you don't open this door right now I'm calling 911."