The Marble Tower

-15-

It turns out that fit she had was a bigger deal than she though it was.

She knew that episodes were triggered by emotional spikes but she was kind of disappointed that nobody else was as excited as she was about this. Truth be told half of it was from relief. She could only assume that the other half had been triggered by that half. But she didn't tell anyone this. Maybe she shouldn't, but she missed the feeling of laughing. A few smiles and giggles had been passed between her and Ezme, but she missed the feeling of not being able to find enough air and still enjoying herself.

She even heard her aid talking to Janelle about it possible being another attack.

She was almost mad at them for being like this. She had to keep reminding herself that it was their job. They were supposed to take care of her.

And perhaps it was this annoyance that caused her to ask the question that she had been thinking about for a before her aid could make it through the door two days after the laughing fit.

"Where's Ezme?"

She paused for a minute then looked at her. "Excuse me?"

Aaliyah was stunned. She had answered. Well, she didn't answer but she had responded. Which, as unusual as it may seem, was an accomplishment.. But she was more surprised by how normal she sounded. She almost expected her sound like...

Well she wasn't sure what, but not human.

"Ezme," Aaliyah said, choosing her words carefully, noting the annoyance that was present in her voice. "They said that she would be back by now."

"We haven't heard from her." See replied (still very annoyed), "Do you expect us to know everything about her every waking moment?"

"No but-"

"Miss Aaliyah." She was angry now, "Have I not been a suitable aid to you?"

Aaly opened her mouth to respond, of course! But she stopped herself. No. She hadn't been a bad aid. Maybe she didn't talk at all but she did what she was supposed to do. She had gotten lucky with Ezme, most aids would act like how she did. And she had to think... She didn't know her. She could be providing for a family and by saying yes... she could risk her job.

"No," she finally replied, and almost to herself she said, "I just want someone to talk to."