She Who Minds

3

Groaning, I shift as I feel something cold press against my forehead. My skin feels hot, and I can almost feel the heat waves coming from my pores. Suddenly, I remember last night, and my eyes shoot open. A quick glance around tells me that I am in my bedroom, but someone else is too.

"Daisy! What are you doing here? Are you okay?" I attempt to shout as I sit up on the bed.

"Shhh, it's okay, I'm okay. Don't worry, nothing happened. I just got caught in a bad place, is all. You're the one I'm worried about! As soon as you pushed the guy helping me you just collapsed. Nearly scared me half to death!"

I squint my eyes at her, "There's something you're not telling me". I could always tell she's lying whenever she starts scratching at her ears.

"Trust me, the only thing I'm holding back is the urge to punch you in the face for scaring me like that."

Before I can respond with some wise remark, I find myself leaning over the bed, puking. Daisy barely has time to step back before all hell breaks loose.

"I'm only forgiving you right now because you are in awful shape."

"Good to hear," I manage to choke out before throwing up some more.

"Try to take some deep breaths, I'm going to go get a bucket and something to clean this up with."

My eyes are shut and I nod weakly. When I opened them again the vomit was gone and in its place is a bucket. A quick glance around the room told me I was alone. Daisy probably went home. My skin was possibly hotter than before, and I could barely make the effort to sit up. This could be a problem. It was dark outside now, and I could see car headlights peering through my windows as they passed by. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the light captured against an object sitting on my bedside table. I reach over and grab it along with the note left beside it.

I think this may help you -Finian

In my hands is a necklace that has a decently sized stone attached to it. It is a bright, white color that seems to glow on it's own. I try to recall every gem or mineral I can that will accurately describe what I'm seeing, but I can't think of anything. Strangely, all the pain I was feeling seemed to dissipate. It reminded me of the alley, and it reminded me of Cleo. How could three different experiences all somehow be related? More importantly, how did Finian get into my room?

I slip the necklace under my blankets when I hear my bedroom door open. I watch as my mom tries her best to tip toe into my room with a cup in her hand. The sight almost made me laugh out loud.

"Mom?"

She jumps and scrambles so she doesn't spill what she's holding. "Oh my gosh, you just scared the crap outta me"

I giggle, "Sorry."

"Well you look a million times better than you did yesterday, let me tell you. I was about ready to take you to the hospital."

"Yeah I'm not sure why I got so sick all of a sudden."

"I was going to give you this," she gestures with the cup, "To help you feel better, but it doesn't seem like you need it anymore."

"Thanks anyways though, hey don't you have to work?"

"Oh yes! I should probably get going soon, but I called in to let them know I would be a bit late," she says, leaning over to give me a kiss before turning to walk out.

"Hey mom? Do you have any idea what this is?" I hold the necklace up.

I gasp as the cup she was holding crashes to the floor, "Where did you get that!?"

"Uhhh, I just found it the other day."

She stands there staring at the stone.

"Mom?"

"I have to go," and with that, she turns and walks out of my room. A second later I hear the front door slam.

What is even happening right now? Why did my mom seem to know exactly what the stone is? I throw back the blanket and quickly root through my drawers for clean clothes before throwing on my sneakers. If there was anyone who would know, it would be Finian, since he is the one who left it for me. Maybe he would even know why my mom acted so strangely when I showed it to her. My hand hovered over the doorknob as I considered the fact that I have absolutely no idea where to find him.