Nameless [CURRENTLY BEING EDITED]

11. Watch Your Back

The car ride had been long and uneventful. Nessa had found herself wishing she had declined as Rae filled the car with her laughter and corny jokes.

The next day, Finnian had left again and she had stayed home, not wanting to risk running into anyone. It continued like this for several week....staying at Finnian's cabin while he worked, running through the woods but never farther than the small lake she had first met Rae and Ber. They had many fun games together but it never made up for the nightmare attacks at night. The few times Nessa had been pulled over to the twin's house, Liz had stared at her curiously, as if trying to study a bug under a microscope. The last time Nessa had been over, Liz was carrying a book on sign language up to her room. Nessa had looked at her curiously but Liz only flushed and tried to hide the title under her hand, scurrying up to her room.

Now that Nessa was used to the routine, with time she could have become completely absorbed by it, but the nightmares kept her sharpened like a sword. She couldn't forget. What's more, she wouldn't forget.

* * *

Nessa sat up with a jolt. Sunlight was spreading across the floor like apricot jam. It must have been mid-morning. She had never slept this late before....Nessa almost laughed when she realized the reason, there had been no dreams that night. Just sleep, pure and simple. Today was going to be one of those few good days, she realized. Nessa pulled the covers aside and got out of bed, pulling on her jeans. The silence in the house was tangible for Finnian was gone, leaving a plate of flapjacks and bacon.

She smiled at the sight of the food, he always thought of everything and she had no idea how she could repay him for his kindness. After inhaling the food, Nessa slipped outside, letting the summer sun warm her face.

"Mara tuilë!" she called cheerfully.

Setting out a jog she headed out to the lake. A small wind ruffled her hood and the shadows played hide and seek with the sun...

"Nessa!!" Rae screamed when she saw the slim figure peer cautiously out of the wood line.

Nessa smiled and stepped into the clearing; she was immediately overwhelmed into a bear hug by Ber and Rae as if it had been months since the last time they had seen each other instead of a few days.

"Hi Nessa," Ber said, his whole face lighting up with a grin.

Hi guys, she signed.

Rae hopped on one foot then burst out, "Nessa, guess what?!" Without even giving Nessa time to answer, she continued, "Mom said we could go to the park again! We haven't been in forever!! I heard they put up a new slide! And she also said you can come with us!!"

Ber nodded emphatically, "Yeah, Ness, please come with us. It would be so much fun with you."

Nessa flushed, Okay, I guess if you guys want me along....

Rae wrapped her in another bear hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!!"

Ber squeezed her hand and said softly, "I bet Jaden won't be there, so don't worry about him. He's a prig."

She smiled thankfully at him, that was exactly what was running through her head. You two are so sweet. Nessa signed.

It was Ber's turn to go red and he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Gee," he muttered then fell silent.

Together the three raced to the twin's house but there a surprise greeted them-- in the form of Liz hopping into shotgun.

"WHY DOES SHE GET TO COME??!" Rae wailed as her mom walked out the front door.