One Of The 4400 Part 1 & 2

Chapter 4

"Wow, this is your room?" I asked, amazed. Laney's room was huge, with paintings of colored elephants strolling through a green pasture on her wall, off to the side was a book case around her size, there was electronic games off to the side where a tv was, facing the small library.

"Yeah," Laney said. I could hear something like pride in her voice. The room was amazing, especially with the two open windows on either side of the tv. They showcased the afternoon blue sky.

"This place is awesome," I complimented. "Thank you," Laney said. "Welcome," I said. Laney grabbed my hand again and led me to her bed, it was nicely made and on it was a stuffed elephant toy.

She took it and handed it to me. "This is Gracie the First," she said. I held Gracie in my hands, caressing the soft feel of the toy. "Hello, Gracie the First." I greeted. Laney giggled.

I spent over twenty minutes playing with her and Gracie. We were playing Save The Princess when all of a sudden Laney didn't want to play anymore.

"What's wrong, Laney?" I asked, concerned.

"My brother..." she sighed.

I had almost forgotten about Matt, Laney's older brother.

"What about your brother, sweetie?" I asked.

"I miss him..." she explained.

"So where's your brother, Laney?" I asked.

"He's downstairs. He's in time-out..." Lamey replied.

"Hmm... maybe I should go downstairs and convince Grandma and Grandpa to let him out, so he can play with us. .."

"Really? Awesome!" She said, grinning widely so much it was reminding me of a Cheshire Cat.

"Alright, going downstairs." I said. I walked out of her room to the top of the stairs, i was about halfway when I could hear hushed whispers from where I was. It was Holly and Vance. They were speaking to each other.

"Do you think she knows?" Holly said.

"Probably so, she's smart." Vance said.

"I feel bad, Vance." Holly said.

"Honey, why?" Vance said.

"I stole her life, I stole you from her, right now she's playing with Laney, who could've been her child!" Holly said.

"Holly, don't feel bad about this, she'll understand. She has to, you are her sister." Vance consoled.

In my mind's eye, I could see him hug her, her head against his chest, like a lover's embrace. Her crying and sniffling. At that, I felt something in my chest break. It was like glass. I didn't know what it was but I didn't dare to find out.

Just as I was going to get up and go back upstairs, I could hear Holly pull back her silent tears and say to Vance, "Alright, I won't get upset. I'll go get her."

Then I could hear her move closer to the front door and go closer to the steps, I couldn't move. I was frozen in place. Just as she turned her body to the bottom of the steps, she looked up at me, walking up and past me.

Holly was oblivious as to where I was.

In fearful shock, I turned my head to look at her as she walked past me, going up to the kids room. I felt something warm and wet hit my shoulder. I touched it with my finger and looked at it, it was blood. I touched under my nose, seeing more of it on my finger.

I had a nosebleed.

And apparently, I was invisible.

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