A Crack Away from Destiny

Louise

This is probably my favorite chapter, because, well... that will be explained later :)

--------------------------------------------------

When Louise woke up that morning, she immediately thrusted out the letter from its encasement within the back of the pillow case. To her great fortune and unfortunate, the letter was still there. Subsequent to reading it, she had a restless night, full of tossing and turning, and staring blatantly at the ceiling. Now that she was awake, she was finally able to make a decision - was she going or not? After all, the first person to write something to her that included a man and a coat did not exactly give her a box of chocolates with a wide smile, saying, "Will you be my Valentine?" No, that man was one to steer clear of at any and all costs. And then comes along this "Man in the White Lab Coat." Was he any different? Was he a full on psychopath? And now, he's inquiring for her to come with him - how ludicrous! Sure, she was inquisitive of the entire situation, but was she willing to risk her life to find out what was at the bottom of that rabbit hole? Louise reread the letter, just for the sake of it, and folded, shoving it into the drawer of her nightstand. Then again, he doesn't have to be a psychopath; he could just be an associate - an accomplice. For wealth perhaps? Anyone would do anything for wealth, Louise knew that, but it didn't seem like a reasonable plan. That dreadful trench-coated man was undoubtedly profoundly more intelligent than coming up with plans such as this one. This probably would've been ranked first place on the list of "Worst Plans - Ever." And besides, capturing her was one thing. Capturing her PIC, was a whole new story altogether. Still, what if he wasn't on his side? What if he was trying to help her? Louise was sure lunatics didn't provide warning notes for his or her victims - unless he was on of those really ill-minded people who thought that everyone should like them or whatever. But. If she did go, and he tried to attack her, could she... No, Louise! Everyone around you might have gone a bit loony, but as long as you're in the right mind, you'll be fine. Louise began pacing. She hadn't the faintest idea how walking back and forth would inspire any new ideas, but she was desperate. After walking back and forth for roughly five minutes, she made a decision for the better or the worse. She was going. But she was going go to prepared.

***

"I'm going onto the front porch, Mom!" Louise yelled from the hallway.

"Alright, honey! I'll be upstairs if you need me!" called her mother from above. The hammer in Louise's jacket was a lot more heavier than she realized, and it painfully banged against her hip as she thrusted open the door to reveal her large wooden porch. She winced, but held her ground. The slight breeze of spring brushed against her cheek as it swept into the trees, making them shiver in its grasp, and the grass shook restlessly as it was nearing towards it. The clouds dotted the sky in big tufts, one taking slight resemblance to a bird, and another appearing as a distorted beast, spewing out fire from it's open mouth. Rays of light smiled down from the heavens, igniting everything in its wake with blinding light. If it wasn't for all of the weaponized items hidden within the makeshift pockets of her jacket, it could have been Louise merely taking a stroll on a lovely Sunday. Unconsciously, Louise fingered the pronounced outline of the hammer sticking out from her jacket. Somehow, it provided her with some solace, knowing that if any harm were to get in her way, she had come prepared. But what if he has a tranquilizer like the police back in England? Then what? I'm fairly sure I won't be able to get to my hammer quick enough! The sudden realization made her eyes widen. No, she had to go. One way or another the favor will lie with her. Anxiously, Louise glanced down at her digital watch. It was only three-fifty five. Queer, it was. It felt as if she had stood on that porch for at least half an hour. She slumped into her swinging chair, and took comfort that the cushions were lined with fur-like texture, which Louise immediately snuggled in closer against. The thought of going into an unknown destination once again was dreadful. She had just gotten back! Louise glanced back at the white door, some of paint beginning to peel off, indicating of its age. She didn't care how old it was; it was home. And that was all that mattered. But who was this French guy? If she stayed within the safety of her home, shielded from all of the wickedness and evil from outside, where would that get her? And the trench-coated man had already proved himself to be more than capable of sneaking into her house. Suddenly Louise felt that there was nowhere that she would be able to call safe again. As the thought trailed through her mind, a black van pulled up in the front of the yard. Wonderful. Sticking to the clichéd the-guy-in-the-black-van-captures-the-defenseless-person idea. Louise fingered the hammer one more time to make sure that it was still secure. And without another thought or reluctance, she made her way over the car. Silently, the window rolled down to reveal a clean-shaven with man with unusual blue-gray eyes in casual wear of jeans and a t-shirt. Small patches of his brown hair were also beginning to turn silver.