Twisted - Tangled Limbs Sequel (Shannon Leto Fanfiction)

Chapter 5

(Shannon's POV)

I could barely sleep and eventually gave up trying. It was close to dawn when I crept into Missi's room to check on her. The daylight broke as I stood watching her sleep. I picked her necklace up off the dresser and slipped it in my pocket. That little piece of gold had greater significance to me now since it had led me to her again. The cypress had once symbolized strength to Missi, something she'd obviously had trouble finding after her accident. She would need strength to make her way out of this bogus existence and I hoped she'd want to wear it again someday. I didn't just want my princess back, I wanted her to be whole again too.

Brittany appeared in the hallway as I exited Missi's room. We had coffee while we discussed a few more details of our plan, mainly ditching Missi's phone so Michael couldn't trace her whereabouts. Once Michael's car was gone Brittany went upstairs to wake Missi.

'But who's going to walk Ubu today?' I heard Missi say as they came downstairs.

'Ubu will be fine for one day. It'll do you good to get away. Besides, I'd love for you to meet my sister.' Brittany said.

'Okay' Missi replied reluctantly.

I went to the condo to grab the rest of my things, then returned and waited for Missi and Brittany to finish getting ready to go.

We passed an exit sign for Monterey after we got on the highway. I was tempted to take it and see Missi's reaction to the lone cypress tree that once inspired her on many levels. I thought better of it since the main objective was getting her somewhere safe. When we stopped for gas and something to eat, I called Jared with an estimated arrival time.

'Wow Brit, you didn't tell me your sister was rich.' Missi said as security waved us through the gate to my house.

'It's Shannon's place. He wanted to stop by before we visit my sister.' Brittany said.

'This is really nice Shannon. What do you do for a living?' Missi asked.

'I'm in a band with my brother and I own a coffee business. Make yourself comfortable.' I said as we entered the living room.

I went out to the kitchen and made coffee, pondering what else I could do to jog Missi's memory. Obviously being where we'd spent time together wasn't effective enough for her to remember anything. I decided to try music, as lyrics had always spoken to her on a deep level. I turned on one of the songs I knew was like a mantra to her as I returned to the living room.

I could tell Missi was zoned in on the music and I hoped it might unlock something in her mind.

'This is our band. Have you ever heard this music before?' I asked.

'Yes, I have.' Missi replied with a bewildered look.

'Do you remember when?' I asked.

'Before I moved to California.' She said.

She appeared baffled, yet it was apparent she was mulling something over. I grinned at Brittany and she smiled. Now we were making progress, no matter how small.

'This is my favorite.' I said forwarding to a song that was actually her favorite.

'I remember dangling my legs in a swimming pool.' Missi said and closed her eyes.

I turned up the volume and she started mouthing the repetitious chorus.

'I'm getting flashbacks.' She said.

'Of what?' Brittany asked excitedly.

'It's going by too quickly.' She said and appeared to be reeling from the impact.