Broken Mirrors {Michael Jackson Fanfic}

Chapter 2: Try To Say Hello

      This couldn't be reality. In my reality, extraordinary things never happen to me. And this was as mind blowing as it gets.

    "Your mommy's okay, she just fell down-"

      The voices were so faint, fading in and out. Athena's eyelids fluttered open, as if blinking enough times would correct what she was currently seeing. The stinging pain in the back of her head should be proof enough. There is no illusion here. Michael fucking Jackson was in her living room.

     "Damien...you know better than to open the door when I'm not-" The back of her head began to throb. The pain was so sudden she cut her sentence short to groan and cup the sore spot with her hand. He must've carried me upstairs and laid me on the couch. She could faintly smell him on her, and tried not to blush at the thought of being in his arms.

      "Well, you kept your promise." There wasn't an audible chuckle, but she heard the humor in his tone. The mask was now fully off, and that legendary smile was on full display. "You caught me off guard though, I'll give you that."

     "Heh, I thought you'd be used to that kind of reaction."

     "It's...been a while."

       The mood in the room began to shift to an uncomfortable silence. Fuck... Athena, you idiot. He's been 'dead' for 2 years. Of course it's been a while.   
       Yes, that's right. On top of everything, this man was supposed to be dead. The victim of a tragic car accident, months after that scandal. At least, that's what was said on the news.

       The knot on her head, didn't help put any ease to the oncoming whirlwind of mental confusion. He's alive. He's here. He lied to us… He wouldn't. He couldn't. But he did. The proof is sitting right here in the flesh, smiling at her as if he didn't rip her heart out of her chest 2 years ago when he 'died'.

    "Mommy, mommy look! Wake up, Michael Jackson is here!" Damien beamed, his grin spread so wide it exposed the gap of his 3 missing front teeth. He's been a fan of Michael's since before he could walk. Babbling and wiggling along to his songs, was the only way to stop his crying fits.

       The pride she felt welling up inside was so mixed with hurt and confusion. She couldn't keep her questions to herself, but she refused to ask them while her son was present. He had never heard of Michael's 'passing'. Athena never had the heart to tell him. The excitement and inspiration Michael Jackson brought to that boy, was worth protecting at all costs to her. Even if it meant confronting the Man in The Mirror himself.

       "Sweetie, go play with your brother for a while. Me and Mic-hael Jack-sonn.." She playfully stretched his name out for her son's amusement, earning a giggle. "..need to have a grown up conversation. You dig?"
        Damien nodded his head, turning around and giving his best attempt at a moonwalk towards his bedroom. He even put his little hand on his forehead, pinching his fingers together as if he were holding the brim of a fedora. He earned the feathery sounds of Michael's soft chuckle, which I'm sure is what he wanted to accomplish.

        "He's a smart kid. You've done a really good job with him." Michael shifted himself in his seat to be able to see her. As his eyes met hers straight on, she began to doubt if she could actually do this. Along with feeling a little self conscious about her appearance. Great. I meet Michael Jackson and I look like i just rolled out of bed.

      "Michael….You know we need to talk. You know that I have MANY questions about all this."

        His long lashes shaded his soulful eyes, almost hiding how they shifted to the side of the room. He knew that things had to get serious at some point. That he'd have to answer for everything. "...I know. We can talk for as long as it takes to sort everything out." He gently placed his hand on her knee. A comforting gesture. He was mentally preparing himself for every possible outcome. Tears. Screaming. Rage. Disappointment. He felt torn up inside for all the pain that he had caused. Unaware that all Athena could think about for a moment, was how electric his touch felt the moment he made contact with her.

        "Why did you do it? I mean… There have been some fans, that felt that you weren't really dead. But we've always been so torn on if, or why you would do such a thing."
       
           Michael was silent, then he spoke in a serious tone. His voice wavered, as if he were struggling to keep from crying. "I couldn't put up with it anymore. The accusations. The way they portrayed me in the media… I'm not that person! I never was! I'm only human… But it's like they just wait for me to do or show ANYTHING outside of perfection. Then they take all my insecurities, all my flaws, and even create these false stories.. The pressure is suffocating. Even if I could bear the media slander… Suggesting that I would ever hurt a child? That was beyond...anything. It destroyed me…"

          The last words of his sentence struggled to make it past the quiver in his voice. It was almost like for once, Athena could see the weight of the world on his shoulders. Even now, he was staying so strong against it all. Bearing that weight, even after he disappeared from our sights.

        But not anymore. Not if she had anything to do about it.

         Athena's hand laid on top of his (the hand he placed on her knee), and she called his attention back to her. "I know… I could never fully know what it feels like for you. But I understand… You don't have to go any further into it. You shouldn't have to carry this weight. You've carried enough."

         His hand was larger than hers, engulfing her delicate fingers as he intertwined his hand with hers. "I think there's an easier way to explain everything. But you'd have to trust me." Athena responded without even batting an eye. "I trust you completely."

         Michael stood up from his seat with a sudden air of determination. He reached into his pocket and retrieved his mask, putting it back onto his face.

     "...We're going to Neverland."