The Rift

Chapter 5 Part 2

The sound of a door closing filled Marie's small apartment. Her parakeets greeted her and Elsa upon arrival, but their greeting was barely reciprocated by the two women as Elsa strode into the apartment, her hands clutched tightly in front of her. Marie locked her door behind them. "I don't understand," Elsa said as she turned her head slightly to the side, her face twisted in a way that showed that she was extremely bothered. "The dark figure was my mother this whole time?"

Marie scratched her head. They had already discussed what Marie had seen in the church bathroom on the way home, but she could tell Elsa still wanted to talk about it. "I think so," she answered. "She didn't really say." She cupped her chin in thought. "Maybe your mom is a spiritual being now. Didn't she show up in Ahtohallan as a spirit?"

Elsa turned around, her hands still tightly clasped together in front of her. "Yes," she replied. Marie felt her chest lurch when Elsa's demeanor fell into a state of sadness. "But why show up only to you? Why, after going to Ahtohallan countless times looking for her, after countless times begging the dark figure to show up, did she not show up for me?" She tore her gaze to the floor, her eyes filling with tears. "I don't understand..."

Marie lowered her gaze as well. "I don't know why," she said softly. "But she asked me to stay by your side."

Elsa looked up. "What did you say?"

"Um..." Marie felt herself growing hot. "I said I would, because, you know...of the whole balance thing." She could feel Elsa's eyes bearing deep into her with every passing word. Marie sighed and shook her head as she decided to give up her façade. "What I really said was that nothing made sense until you came...That I could do anything..." She blushed and looked at the floor.

Elsa took a step forward. "Yes?"

Marie swallowed a lump in her throat. "...with you by my side."

To her surprise, Elsa gently grabbed her hand and held it tenderly. Her touch ignited what felt like fire inside of Marie. "I feel the same way," Elsa said softly. "I always have." She stroked Marie's hand. The intensity of the feeling alarmed Marie, and she pulled away. Elsa lowered her hand. "Was she well?"

"She was spirit-y," Marie replied with a chuckle. Elsa laughed and winced. "Your shoulder?" Marie asked.

Elsa nodded. "May I bathe again? I think that will help."

"Absolutely!" Marie began rummaging in her kitchen shelves. "You're welcome to use anything here. The hot water runs out when the tub is half full, but I can heat some water up for you on the stove."

As Marie began filling up some pots with water, Elsa leaned against the tan counter and watched her. "I know a lot has happened, but you're still you. Still so kind and gentle."

"Well, that's good!" Marie said with a laugh. "I was beginning to wonder if I had changed or not." She bit the inside of her cheek to chastise herself. She was never good at receiving compliments. As she lifted a full pot from her sink to the stove, Marie cast a glance at Elsa. "You're still the same, too, from what I can remember."

Elsa perked up. "Have you remembered anything else?"

Marie lifted another pot onto the stove, her cheeks growing red once again. An image of Elsa braiding her hair in firelight buzzed around in her mind. "I'm still trying to process what I have remembered..."

"How are you? Wha' ya dune?"

Elsa and Marie both laughed as Marie's parakeets spoke. Elsa leaned down in front of the cage to look at them. "I didn't know they could talk!" she exclaimed. She smiled. "I'm doing well. How are you?" They replied with a sweet-sounding chirp, which made Elsa laugh softly.