Demons of Mars

Reese's Cups

    "Jay!" An excited Jaqui ran down the stairs, into the family owned store. The house was on top, and the store on the bottom, selling merchandise and food for the small town of Vill, Washington. Jaqui ran to her brother, Jay, her long hair bouncing with her steps.

Jay, who was reading the newspaper, looked up at her with an indifferent look on his face. "What now, Jaqui?"

    "I'm going to the store!" She shouted, grabbing a jacket, and continuing to run.

    "Wait!" Jay dashed from behind the counter, and ran after her. She had been disappearing more and more, sometimes even all day, and came back with nothing she had promised to get. "Where are you really going?"

    "To the store, dork butt," She said, and began to swiftly walk off.

    "Really? What are you going to get?" Jay asked, a soft smirk forming.

    "Reese's Cups," Jaqui blurted out, and her head tipped slightly to the left.

    "But you don't like Reese's Cups," Jay crossed his arms, and Jaqui turned red.

    "I do now?"

    "Really?"

    "Yes?"

    "Is that a statement or a question?"

    "Statement?"

Jay realized his sister was going to continue being difficult, and waved his hand in dismissal. "Whatever, talk to me when you're able to trust me."

Jaqui looked disappointed, but shrugged it off, and ran to the town center. Jay, too hurt to care, walked back to the Shack, resuming his business behind the counter. It was a slow day, so a typical Monday at 2:37 during summer. A faint sigh, and he was back to reading the paper.

***

Running. She didn't know where she was running, she just ran. She did this everyday. She didn't remember where she went, why she lied, when she returned. It was automatic for her by now. All she knew was that she wanted,no, needed more. Running through the dark woods was painful, every tree branch seemed to reach out, as if to tell Jaqui to turn around now.

A faint glow in the distance was the only reassurance she needed to keep running. She didn't dare look back, for she knew she would be too terrified if she did. Just keep running,  played through her mind over and over.

"Welcome," a voice called out. Jaqui had reached a clearing. She was at the heart of the woods with her two best friends, Darren and Criss.

"Hey, Criss!" Jaqui said, excited. All of the memories rushed back. All of the hours they had spent preparing was worth it. Who could imagine being able to travel with your best friends?

"Yo, ok so we're almost ready. We just need you to buy a couple of things before we go. Are you ready?" Criss said, sternly.

"Yes, what do you need?" Jaqui was excited. Excited to escape, to explore. She hated Vill. Finally she could leave. Who would miss her?

"Here's a hundred bucks. Buy yourself something as pretty as you," Darren walked up, slapping a one hundred dollar bill in Jaqui's hand and proceeded to wink.

"Ew, I'll buy a bottle of Nair Hair Removal, it'll make you look nice," Jaqui joked,  brushing her hand through Darren's unruly hair.

"Lord knows I need it."

"Go! We need to leave soon!" Criss said, and pushed Jaqui back through the forest. And just as quickly the memories came, they disappeared.

***

"Jay!"

Jay dropped his paper, startled. The crossword he had been working on now had a large dash in the middle of it. Great.

Jaqui rushed through the door, twigs and leaves caught in her long hair. She ran past him, rushing up the stairs into their shared room. When she returned, she had a sweater in hand, and ran past him once more out of the Shack.

Jay was used to this kind of thing from Jaqui, and began erasing the mark on the crossword. She ran back in, this time taking notice of Jay.

"Oh, look who's re-"

"Jay! Here, buy yourself something as awesome as you!" She shouted, and slapped a one hundred on the counter.

"What? Where did you get this?"

"Not the time. I love you, I love you so much. Never forget that," Jaqui said, out of breath, and began running again when Jay grabbed her wrist.

"Where are you going?" He asked, concern on his face. It was enough with her disappearing, but now sentiment and money? What was happening?

"I need to go!" She said, and tried to pull away.

"Jaqu, where?"

"I-I can't tell you," she said, and looked away.

"Can't you trust me?"

"I don't know."

He was taken aback by her words. They were twins, they grew with each other, played, loved, learned. Why was she like this?

"Jaqu..."

"I'm sorry, Jay. I need to go. I love you."

And with that, she ran off.