Misfits

Chapter 5

            Dusk opened her eyes slowly, waking up almost like surfacing from under water. When she finally sat up, she was wide awake and beyond well rested. She didn’t feel groggy at all. She saw from the light drifting in from the window that maybe it was just sunup. Slowly, Dusk moved her feet off the bed and onto the floor, then got up. Still in her pajama’s, she walked out of the room.

            “It’s about time you got up,” came a friendly voice from down the hall. Francesca was sitting at the end of the bar eating from a cereal bowl. Dusk walked over down the hall, ears pricked. She heard a lot of voices drifting around the halls and rooms, some from the TV’s other’s from people talking. She reached Francesca.

            “You’re the one that put me to sleep.” Dusk retorted jokingly, taking a seat next to new friend. “What time is it?” she asked, wondering if she had really slept in that much.

            “It’s only about ten,” Francesca said. “Don’t worry, you haven’t been asleep for a week, though I could make it so if you want,” she added, looking inquiringly at Dusk. Dusk shook her head.

            “No thanks, I don’t want to starve. Speaking of which, where’s the food?” Francesca laughed, then pointed to a cupboard above the sink. Dusk got up, and opened it, finding a large variety of cereals. Picking carefully, she grabbed a chocolate flavor and headed for the fridge. “Bowls?” she asked, and Francesca pointed to the appropriate cabinet. Within a few seconds, Dusk was back by her friend and eating the wonderfully chocolate pebbles.

            “I thought dogs weren’t allowed to have chocolate,” Francesca inquired, looking at Dusk. Dusk finished her mouthful before answering, thinking it would be unladylike to talk with a mouth full of half-chewed cereal.

            “I’m only half canine,” she replied. “Otherwise, those chocolate bars that I feast on would’ve killed be my now,” Dusk toasted Francesca with her spoon before returning to the attack on her bowl. Francesca suddenly burst out laughing. “What?” Dusk said, looking up.

            “With how violently you’re trying to break the bowl, I’d think you were a cereal killer,” she nearly keeled over laughing. Dusk rolled her eyes.

            “Talk about being easily entertained,” Poe had joined them at the table. “Daniel wanted me to tell you that your Dad and Uncle have both been contacted and both understand that you’re safe and here of your own free will.” Poe explained. “He also wanted you to microwave your phone.” He added.

            “Excuse me?” Dusk asked, wondering if she had misheard. Poe pointed to the microwave.

“He doesn’t want it being tracked by our unfriendly friends.” He explained. “Don’t worry; we have a duplicate that they can’t track so you can still call your dad.”

“Okay…” Dusk said slowly. “Are you sure?” Poe nodded. Dusk got to her feet and crossed to the microwave. Looking back at Poe, she placed her phone on the plate inside, closed the door, then pressed the popcorn button. The light went on inside, and the phone began to turn. “Why does he want me to microwave it rather than just throw it away?” she asked, turning to Poe.

“The Sim card is what they can track,” he explained. “And we’d rather you be fully off the radar than having them look in the Glenwood dump. This way, they won’t know you were here for long.” There was a loud crack behind Dusk, making her jump. She turned around to see the phone smoking and beginning to liquefy. She made to open the door, but Poe interjected. “Leave it,” he said. “Let it finish.” After a moment, the microwave beeped loudly.