Invisible

Chapter 22 Dealing With It

By Monday I'm back on the front page again. New headline 'Leanne Foster ALIVE, saves co-worker by stepping in line of fire' or 'Why Leanne Became Leah, True Story Revealed' I want to run. Al tosses the papers in the recycle bag next to the garbage without a second look, I stare after them.

"Don't even think about it." He stares at me over his coffee cup.

I shrink back in my seat. I'm full of anger and fear, it was Tori. How could it not be? She promised she'd keep my secret, how does this help her in any way?

"Bill expects you at work today and I'm driving." He announces, setting his mug in the sink.

"Really Al, I don't feel well... I just-"

"No Leah, you need to get back to work. I promise, it will help you get your mind off of everything."

Honestly I just want to quit. But instated I let Maggie and the twins hug me as they see me off. In the car I am instructed on all that I missed, I will admit that Maggie has trained Al very well in the gossip department. Harriet retired, Bell had her baby and is on maternity leave, don't ask about Larry because he didn't leave on the best terms, Sam had to recruit Jonah for the team but he made it clear with Bill that when I came back I would be back in.

My head is spinning by the time we pull off into the parking lot, where my brain completely freezes. Camera crews flood the outside and my instinct causes me to duck. Al assesses the situation and bites his lip. "Man they're fast? I'm going to drop you off by the door."

"Al, take me home. Please."

He pulls over and unlocks the doors. "Run." He instructs me.

I'm mad now, he's pushing out of love, but this is not loving. It's cruel. I get out and slam the door, running to the entrance with my baseball cap pulled low. Voices, cameras, and microphones descend on me and I try to ignore them. I get to the door and burst through, into the greenhouse. Every set of eyes is on me, I pretend I don't notice and try to appear calm as I punch in.

Al comes in and smiles at me as he punches in. "That wasn't so bad was it?"

"I hate that you just made me do that."

"Sorry. I didn't realize it would be so hard."

"Well you should have." I hiss.

"Leah, can I see you for a minute?" Bill's voice booms in a friendly tone across the space.

I duck my head and hurry across the rows of plants to his office and he shuts the door behind me. I'm suddenly stuck in a flashback... One I'm not used to.

'Pain rips through my shoulder and I fall, my body seems to pulse with a burning sting that I can't stop and I feel so afraid, so cold.'

"Leah!"

I jolt out of the scene and see Bill sitting at his desk.

"Would you like a seat?" He asks and I'm pretty sure it wasn't the first time he asked. I look down, my knuckles are white from gripping the chair back. I sit and try to look normal, try to control my racing heart.

"So... Was this what you were hiding?" He gestures to the window which now seem to be cleared. I notice the lessening of noise. "I called the cops." Bill clarifies.

"I'm so sorry. I understand if you want to get rid of me, I didn't mean to-"

"Woah, slow down there." He holds his hands out as he stops my words. "Can you still do your job?"

I nod my head.

"Good, then get out there."

I stare at him as he starts working on some paperwork. Then I stand and walk to the door.