The Axis My World Turns On

Forgiven

Carmilla's face is buried between the pillows when Laura wakes up the next morning. The sun is brightly shining through the curtains and Carmilla isn't moving a muscle, making it clear that she'll be here awhile; so, Laura quietly closes the curtains and sneaks out of the bedroom. She tiptoes down the hall until she's sure she won't wake Carmilla. After everything that's happened the past few hours, Carmilla deserves all the rest she can get. At least she can. Laura's mind is moving too much too soon to sleep anymore.

Part of her still feels guilty for her actions last night. Honey badger don't play; but, that was a little extreme. She can still feel that twinge or rage itch through her fingers, and the consequence of that twinge that makes her crave a Ziploc bag full of ice.

Maybe she could go check on Danny later, help her clean up the mess or give her a ride to the ER. Laura could never regret standing up for Carmilla-- she'd take on Doctors 10, 11, and 12 to keep her safe; but, even she can admit that she fell over the edge a bit.

She's so far into her own head that she misses Mattie watching her across the room. There's a teacup in one hand and a crossword puzzle occupying the other. Her hair is pulled back and her face is smooth, except a single arched eyebrow.

"Would you like some breakfast; or are you going to nip at yourself in my hallway for three more minutes?" Mattie brings perfectly sculpted lips to her teacup. "If so, can I offer you an entrée? Amuse-gueules aren't very filling."

Laura's eyes blink cartoonishly, and Mattie all but snorts into her morning tea. Then, a blank voice escapes the frozen fishstick. "Oh, morning, Mattie. I didn't see you there."

"You didn't see me in my house?" Mattie giggles. A giggle never felt so serious. "Are you having some sort of midlife crisis? Most reach the ability to ride without adult supervision before that happens."

"Uh-huh." Laura responds, still devoid of emotion or attention.

And Mattie has had enough.

"Laura Hollis, come sit your ass down before I add more blood to my stained furniture!"

That wakes the sleeping garden gnome. She's in the chair next to Mattie so fast she could've teleported. She cups her hands in her lap and gives Mattie her undivided attention. As she waits, Mattie takes one more long sip of tea, never taking her eyes off Laura. Her eyes flicker from Laura's eyes to her hands under the glass tabletop; but they never leave. Is she mind reading?

"Are you doing a crossword?" Laura notices, suddenly very nervous.

Mattie looks down at her book and back to Laura, "I like to keep my mind sharp with an extensive vocabulary.

"Are you going to tell me why you were frozen in time in my hallway?"

Her finicking makes her hand hurt and she winces. Again, Danny's body pops into her mind. The body she destroyed.

"I can't stop thinking about Danny...what I did to her."

There's softness in Mattie's features now, the same as the night before. How many moments like this are they going to have? Laura's starting to miss their passive aggressive relationship.

"You do not need to worry about Danny Lawrence any more." Mattie reassures her.

"Yes, but what does that mean?" Laura huffs.

"It means she's gone."

"Mattie, you didn't!"

"Not like that! I'm not a mob boss, Hollis!" Mattie rolls her eyes. "Lawrence has been hospitalized for her injuries and given financial compensation in exchange for--"