EXISTENCE

CHAPTER 7: Followers

The house was silent. In the living room stood a shirtless Adam, his younger brother Sammy, his mother, his cousin Nadia, his closest friend Rym, and the one person he told himself never to trust, Hawa.

Mimi stared at her son. "Adam! Wech bik? Is that any way to treat our guest?"

Adam glowered. "Yemma, I know it isn't my place, but there are several things I have to tell you. The first thing being, please stay out of the way!"

Mimi hesitated. She knew better than to question her son when it came to these things. She stepped back and watched anxiously.

Adam turned his attention to Hawa. "I don't know who you are, or why you're here, but it's obvious you can't be trusted. You have no right to be here."

Rym was confused. Why was Adam acting so serious? He rarely ever took on this persona, one where his eyes lose their innocence and become sharp, deadly, and focused. It was like he became an entirely different person when he was like this. She'd only ever seen this face three times in her life, and now shouldn't be one of those times...should it?

But Hawa was her friend. Rym knew she was a good person, even if she did give off some bad vibes. This was not the reaction she was hoping for, and it was not the Adam she knew since childhood.

Hawa wasn't exactly defending herself, either. She remained silent, staring intently at Adam. Something about him seemed familiar, somehow. It was as though she'd seen his face someplace before.

Adam grew impatient. "Well? Don't you have anything you'd like to say before you left?"

"Stop it!"

All heads turned to face Rym. Her face went red as she looked around and saw the curious pairs of eyes.

Adam's eyes became less intense as he faced her. "Rym, what's going on?"

Rym gulped. Why was she so nervous?

"Hawa is my friend. I don't know why, Adam, but you can't just tell her to leave like that! I thought you were open and accepting of others! I thought that you, of all people, would be able to welcome a new friend who doesn't have any other place to go!"

Adam maintained his expression. After what seemed like an eternity, he turned away.

"If you trust her...I guess there won't be any harm in it."

Rym smiled. There he was. This was her Adam.

Adam turned his head. "But I'm not going to lower my guard. Not even for a second. If what I think is true, then you better believe I'm going to deal with her."

Mimi sighed. She turned to the girls. "Well, if this little thing is all done, I'm sure you girls can go relax in Nadia's room for a bit while I get dinner ready."

Rym and Nadia looked to Hawa, smiling. Nadia grabbed her hand and began whisking her up the stairs, telling her of things to come, of conversations and secrets to be shared.

As Rym turned to follow, Mimi stopped her. "Rym, habibti."

Rym turned around. "Yes, Mimi?"

Mimi smiled lightly. "There's a good reason why my son acted harshly just now, I'm sure of it. I don't know the extent of what his powers allow him to feel, but don't hold anything against him, ok?"

Rym smiled. "I know. I'm sure he knows something we don't. I've never doubted Adam before, Mimi, and I won't start now."

Mimi nodded her head. "Oh, and make sure you let your father know where you are, ok, benti?"