The Facility of Norm

Lu woke up staring into large amber cat-like eyes. She jumped away from the face, and the girl flinched away from her.

She was very tall with long, thin, slightly gangly looking limbs. She had very short brown hair and a curious but secluded expression like a cat. Her face was unreadable, who knew what this girl was thinking?
Despite the girl just saving Lu's life, she was still cautious of her.

"Who are you?" Lu demanded, giving her fiercest face. She winced at the pain in her leg.

"I could ask you the same question, you know." The girls quiet but authoritative voice surprised Lu. She sounded a lot different than when she was shouting at the bus

"Fine. You saved me, so I might as well answer your questions." Lu sighed." I'm Lu Stevens."

" Nice to meet you. I'm Jynx." The cat-like girl looked like she wanted to ask more,but didn't after glancing down as Lu's bleeding leg." Let's get your cut washed and bandaged,shall we?"

Lu nodded." Thank you."

Jynx stared down at her. " You can thank me when your cared for."

Lu nodded to her.
"Can you stand?" She gave her a worried look and gently brushed her fingers down Lu's wounded leg.
Lu contemplated for a moment before glancing up at Jynx sheepishly. "I may need some help,". Lu reached up and grabbed Jinx's thin arm for support.

Jynx draped one of Lu's arms across her shoulders and helped her hobble off the bus.

At first, Lu was pretty confident that she could stand on her own, but when she placed her wounded foot down, Jynx gave her a serious look. "Don't stand on that foot. I haven't had a chance to really look at it, and you might cause permanent damage if you're not careful."

Lu gave her an apologetic look." Sorry."

Jynx didn't reply, she just helped Lu down a dark muddy path, surrounded by leafless trees. It wasn't raining so much anymore. It had calmed to a light drizzle that tickled Lu's back.
Neither her nor Jynx seemed up for conversation,so Lu let her mind wander. Who exactly is this stranger, anyway? She's so much like a cat, too. Lu found herself wondering if Jynx was part cat or something. After coming up with a couple of theories, Lu decided she'd been reading too much fantasy books. Lu glanced at Jynx, who was seemingly concentrating on the path and the woods surrounding them.

Lu briefly wondered why she was never concerned about the monsters and such when others were around. Maybe because she figured they'd protect her? Then the foaming and snarling face of that creature flashed through her head, sending a jolt of fear down her whole body.

Jynx must have noticed, because she gave Lu a concerned look. " Don't worry, we're almost there. Just hold on and I'll bandage you and get you some clean clothes."

"Oh, okay. Thanks again." Lu said, glancing down at her mud covered outfit. Her curly blue hair was quite a mess, also. Lu wouldn't mind a shower, but that might be asking for too much.

" Who was that man yelling when we left? Do you know him?" Jynx gave a quick glance.

"Yeah,why?" Lu asked. Had Jynx recognized her father? He did run a little gift shop in the corner of town, so maybe Jynx had gone there.

"I feel like I know him." Jynx replied simply.

"He's my dad. Maybe you know him from the little gift shop he runs in town. It's called Little Things." Lu elaborated.

"Ah,yes. I didn't know he had a daughter. How old are you?" Jynx said.

" I just turned fifteen." Lu said." How old are you?"