Watch Me

The Man in the Doorway

As Edie's eye flit open, the heavy glass door creaks on its hinges. The towering figure slipping in from the hall, casting a shadow across the small makeshift bedroom. As Edie reaches out, her fingers search for something, anything to defend herself. Clambering up, her legs tangled in the sheets, she slides out of bed, head pounding.

"Edie!" Calls the voice, but she's still in her head, wondering who her parents must have sent after her. "Edie, it's me." whisper-shouts the figure. Recognizing his rasp, Edie searches the frame, recognizing the grownup silhouette.

"Dominic!" Edie sings, jumping up and wrapping her arms around his neck. Sinking into him she searches his face. In school, Dominic had always been the it-boy. Girls lined up to be with him but he never said yes. All those years Edie wished he would ask her, but how could she ruin years of friendship for a kiss. So she waited, until it was too late. But now here he was, his raven hair tumbling in his eyes, too long from what Edie supposed was a lack of time. It wasn't until Edie looked into his eyes that she was sure she had seen him at her party just days ago. They were warm and familiar and they were searching her the same way she had been. Soon she noticed no one had spoken since they entered what now seemed like an endless embrace, new.

"Dominic, I don't know what to say..."

"So don't" he whispered, pulling Edie in for just a little longer. When he pulled away his head was clearly spinning, searching for the words. "I knew you'd come, I knew you weren't like them. It was hard you know, watching you up there. Knowing tomorrow you'd be one of them. I couldn't think about it."

"Never, I would never. I'm not my mother Dominic." Edie wasn't necessarily offended, people can change in three years, she knew that. But she couldn't become the very force keeping her from the people she loves, she worried that her image could have been twisted in Dominic's eyes.

"Edie, I'm sorry. I know that."

"I was looking for you constantly, on every street corner for three years." She took a step back, taking in the man before her.

"I wish I could've knocked on your door the minute I found this place but it wasn't safe then. If I'm being honest it isn't safe now, but the world is changing and I need you here to help. They took my fucking sister. If we hadn't gotten her out I-" Dominic's face changes, tears edging at his unblinking eyes. Softening Edie pulls him in as he lets out an exasperated sigh.

"Dominic, what is this place?" Edie couldn't help but feel tears coming on.

"It's a safe house, one of many underground bases throughout the city." Edie couldn't help but question everything she had ever been taught by her parents. "We're gonna take down the whole fucking council system if we can, but they're catching on and... people they're. People are dying Edie. I don't know what to do."

"I saw you, at the council in a picture. They know, but I'm with you guys now, and can I please get some new clothing because I can't wear this white anymore, I can't look at it." Dominic laughs a little, rolling his shoulders back, the tears dissipating.

"Yea, come with me." Dominic places a hand on Edie's shoulder, leading her out of the still dark bedroom.