The Fallen

Kevin

That night we ate in front of her TV with the whole family. Her younger brother sneered at me the whole meal, while her parents were doting on me. Occasionally, I would look away from the TV and meet Amirèe's gaze.

I didn't know these people, these people didn't know me, yet they readily welcomed me into their house. They were all kind, strait-laced, and happy, but it was their automatic acceptance of my presence that made me uneasy. More than anyone else, Mrs. Dillon worried me.

Amirèe's rash decision was understandable, she was young, smart, but too trusting. Her mom, however, was cool and calculating. I could see the gears clicking behind her affectionate gaze from the moment we met. There was something off about her, something troublesome, and I was terrified to find out. She seemed like the type of woman who could destroy your mind, body, and spirit, with a smooth and calming smile gracing her lips the whole time.

Her husband seemed competent enough, a hulk of a man in glasses and hair cut nearly all the way down. He was a funny man, someone who was respected just by the way he carried himself, and someone who was obviously letting his wife take the reins of the household.

Then there was Corey, the youngest child who looked exactly like his father. His hair was in a curly afro, and no matter how many times he straightened his glasses, they were askew at the tip of his brown nose. His eyes were wide ovals of chocolate, and he had the round features that every kid shared. He obviously disliked me, I could see it every time he cast me a sideways glance, scowling. Yet, he was pleasant enough, even saying a few words to me about the show we were watching.

Then there was Amirẻe, she quietly sat with her ankles crossed, her red and white plaid skirt graced her thighs, billowing around her hips distractingly. Her brown hair cascaded in a pool of brown curls down her back. Her red sweater was thrown across the back of her recliner, leaving her in a short-sleeved button down shirt with a red tie. She was absorbed in the show, lavender eyes locked onto the TV screen, completely unaware of my staring. She was a force of nature in the way she sat, the way she smiled, the way her eyes took in everything around her. She was nothing like me.

I was felt a jolt of jealousy turn my guts inside out. She had everything. She had looks, a beautiful family, and I could tell she was a smart person. She might've even been an athlete in school, based on her build. I had no idea why the emotion had erupted so furiously, so quickly, so overwhelmingly, but I couldn't care less. I scarfed my food down and sat with the family until the show finished.

When everyone was done Amirèe and her mother promptly grabbed everyone's dishes and brought them to the kitchen to clean up. Corey stood from his seat, he was on the couch between his mother and father, and stretched his arms above his head before going upstairs. Her father went in the kitchen, and I was alone in the living room.

I felt more at ease in that moment then I had since waking up, as if being by myself was my only comfort in a strange world. I was alone with my thoughts, forcing my mind to remember anything from before I woke up without any luck. What had happened to me? I could remember the feeling of falling, I could still feel a harsh wind on my skin and warping my mind into a pool of darkness, but nothing clear came to mind. Not knowing who I was, was the worst thing that could've happened to me. I hated not knowing.

I was so lost in my thoughts, that I didn't even notice Amirẻe had come back into the living room. "What are you thinking about?" she was standing directly in front of me, eyes locked on me as if she were trying to understand my very existence. Everything about her grabbed my attention and I had no idea why. Had I known her before? No, if I had she would've told me by now. What exactly drew me to her?

"I want to know what happened to me." I slowly trailed my eyes over her, concentrating. Remember her. I told myself, remember anything. I took in everything about her, she had freckles lightly dotting her nose, and her lips were naturally plump. Her lashes were long, and her hair wasn't dark brown, it was the soft color of chocolate milk with light caramel streaks running through it. She was small but I could see she was strong from her toned legs to her arms, which were neither frail nor flabby but smooth and had a feminine muscle. When I met her gaze, her face had turned completely pink with embarrassment. Oops.

She took a breath before breathing, "You really have no idea? You're not faking?"

"Why would I? I wouldn't get anything out of lying." I unconsciously ran my fingers through my hair.

"It's just," She bit her bottom lip, "You have this weird air around you, and I can't help but wonder if you are who you say you are. There's only one high school here, and I haven't seen you there once. No one is searching for you, because I f they were there would've been an Amber Alert the second you disappeared. It's like you appeared out of nowhere..."

"You don't trust me?" I looked away; her words had hurt more than I would like to admit. No one is searching for you.

"I trust you. I know I can trust you. I'm confused as to why you just appeared out of nowhere." She moved to sit on the couch beside me, hands clasped in her lap. The loveseat was small enough to where our legs brushed, and I instantly became alert. "There was nowhere you could've fallen from where I found you. But there was a loud crash, I can't understand how you got in those bushes, I have no idea, and I can't help you if I don't know how."

I looked at her, startled, her eyes bore into mine as if she were searching through my soul, my thoughts, my very existence. I was completely dumbfounded, someone who knew nothing about me was so willing to help. It didn't make any sense to me.

"You don't have to help me, I'm not your responsibility." I smiled at her softly, "I'll figure everything out."

"I want to." She spoke those three words with enough confidence to make me want to give in, to let her help. "So, let me."

I didn't know what to say, so I just stood up. "I'm really tired, I think I should go to sleep."

She grabbed my wrist before I could walk off, fingers firm but soft against my wrist. Her touch shocked me. it was like warmth was oozing off her. "I'm not asking your permission. I am helping you even if you don't want me to." She stood up and let me go before turning and making her way upstairs.

I waited until I heard the sound of her bedroom door close and went upstairs to the room that she showed me earlier. I didn't bother turning on the light, I just found the bed and collapsed, too tired to worry about anything else.