Protect

Chapter 7

She knew why she was crying. It was a nightmare. And it was horrible.

In her dream, she was in a dark and damp place. Then shadows started following her. She knew they were bad. She could feel it in her pores. She was so scared.

Then a hand held hers while she ran and suddenly she felt safe. She turned back to see Michael's face. Michael was running with her. And everything got a little less scary.

But then Michael was snatched from her. Violently. Like the wind just stole him from her. She stopped running and felt his absence. The shadows had gotten him. They stopped chasing her after they took him away. After he had faded away.

He had transformed into nothing protecting her and she felt terrible. What was the point without him? He was gone. Forever. Because of her. What was the point?

And now she was awake.

She felt no one should die for her. Not even a person who was paid to. Specially not Michael. The person who had been so kind to her. The person who knew just what to say at hard times and just when to say it. A person who had been so patient with her in such events. Events that left her feeling messy and emotionally recked.

Why was she here? How serious was this? How bad were the people trying to get their hands on her?

She heard a bump in the other room. Another bump. She should check that out.

Upon entering the room she noticed two things. First, Michael looked very normal. Calm even. Second, there were two unconscious bodies on the floor. Two very big guys.

Mae looked towards Michael for an explanation.

" They had guns." he said.

" Are they the ones chasing me?"

"Probably. But that doesn't matter. They were dangerous."

"Are they dead?"

"No." he said with a blank expression.

He went into the other room. She followed.

He started speaking,

" Theres a motel a couple of miles away. We're gonna go there."

On the drive to the next motel, Mae's stomach decided to grumble very loudly. So loudly that Michael felt the need to silently pull into a diner.

She started to say that wasn't necessary but Michael gave her a look that implied 'No matter how much you argue, you're gonna eat. God forbid I should hear that awful stomach grumble again.'

Atleast that's what Mae thought it implied. She wasn't too sure.

The diner was empty except for a waitrees.

When they sat down, the waitress informed them that the menu option was very limited. It was past midnight.

The diner promised to be a 24/7 one. But it was probably hard to stay fully commited when they get no customers after 11 at night.
But the menu was very very limited. There was no excuse.

Mae had to choose between ice-cream and casserole. She didn't like casserole but what choice did she have?

"I'll have a portion of the casserole." she said in a depleted tone.

The waitress was about to leave when Michael spoke up.

"You don't seem like you're a big fan of casserole." he noticed.

"No. But I can't have icecream after midnight." Mae said in a subtle 'duh' tone.

"Why not?"

Because she was an adult and she shouldn't make childish decisions that would make her mother nod her head. In a negative way.

"Thay would be silly. Mom would disapprove " Mae said with a smile.

He leaned in closer.

"Yes. But you're with me now. Which means you're permitted to do anything. Even silly things. Besides, God knows what that casserole will be." 

The waitress didn't look a least bit troubled about the casserole comment. Or rather insult.

He spoke again,

"Do you want ice-cream?"

Mae nodded.

" Which flavor?" he asked.

" Vanilla."

He ordered,

"We'll take one ice-cream a one portion of that casserole. Thanks."

The waitress went away. After giving Michael a sugary sweet smile first, ofcourse. Mae couldn't blame her. Michael was the guy you saved your best smiles for.

" Why would you order the casserole? " Mae asked.

They had pretty much established that ice-cream was the safe option. Since silliness was allowed.

Michael understood that.

" I don't like sweet things." he said casually.

Michael must have noticed Mae was staring at him with a astounded expression because gave a gesture with his eyes that implied ' What? What is it? I don't understand that why you're giving me that look. I don't get how unsual it is to dislike sweet things.'

' Are you even human?"

The question came out dumber than Mae intended.

" I bleed. So, yes. " he replied.

Mae felt the need to say something she had no need saying,

" Bleeding is like one of the most... un-humanly traits."

" Then, what is a good indication of being human?" he asked.

She sort of just spoke without thinking first.

" To have a weakness. For the things you love and want. For the things that give you happiness. Like ice-cream. It's impossible to dislike all sweet types of food. You're just not living enough to want or enjoy it."

She apolozised immediately after realizing what she has said.

" I AM SO SORRY. "

" It's OK. " he said with a light smile.

She was so caught off by the subtle smile that stopped speaking. He had a beautiful smile. She had just gotten a sneak preview, but what a preview.

They ate. The casserole looked horrid. Michael only ate a few bites.

When they arrived at the motel later that night, Mae fell asleep instantly. She had no idea Michael would unblinkinly stare at her for the next half hour. For reasons even he couldn't fathom.