I Know What You're Afraid Of

Chapter 21

    Gina never showed for breakfast the following morning. They didn't blame her. She'd have some nerve showing up after trying to kill one of them... twice. Marianne was thankful at least. She debated leaving her room that morning. It hadn't yet dawned on her that she basically died and was resurrected yesterday. And though it seemed to a constant felling lately, something was definitely wrong.

   After they had eaten, Brad went to search for Gina, being the one least likely to die in the process. While he was looking, the rest of them sat quietly at the table, waiting for him to return with or without her. Miles sat to her right, staring blankly at his hands resting on the wooden surface of the table. Bruises littered his face from his brawl with Brad. His leg bounced lightly, occasionally brushing against hers. She held back the strong urge to reach over and smack his knee to make him stop. Just watching him was stressing her out more than necessary. She couldn't take it any longer so, she gave him a light kick in the shin.

   Miles snapped his head in her direction, startled. "What's wrong?" She mouthed. He opened his mouth to say something, but stopped to glance sideways at Ricky and Sydney sitting across from them. Instead of responding, he mouthed "nothing" back to her, and returned to his blank staring. His leg wasn't bouncing, but his fingers drummed on the table. What had him so anxious?

   "She's gone!" Brad yelled, barrelling down the stairs and into the kitchen.

   Sydney looked up, eyes wide. "What do you mean she's gone?!"

   "She's gone. She left. All her stuff is gone." He began pacing. Miles and Marianne glanced at each other, with a knowing look. She didn't leave. She couldn't, not with that wall. She's gone. For good. Brad stopped pacing, standing in front of Miles and Marianne. "You know anything about this?"

   "No," Marianne said sternly. "Why would we know?" She glanced at Miles who wasn't even trying to hide the look of amusement in his eyes. Not helping... then it dawned on her. Unless... no, he wouldn't have... would he? I mean, she did almost kill him, but it wasn't targeted. So, he's either seriously messed up, or he...

   Brad glared daggers at him. "What about you, psycho?"

   Miles squinted at him. "Why the hell would I know?" He smirked. "And why are you so worried? She'd probably end up killing you eventually." He chuckled, and that was enough to make Brad pounce. He grabbed Miles by the collar of his shirt, and slammed him into the wall.

   "Brad, stop!" Sydney yelled. He didn't listen. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them, brad went flying back against the far wall. He fell forward, landing on his hands and knees. Miles stepped forward, probably wanting to throw a punch, but Marianne wouldn't let him. She planted her hand firmly on his chest, stopping him form going any further. Without even glancing at her, Miles placed both his hands on her waist, pulling her slightly behind him as Brad stood up.

   "I'm going to look for her." He said before heading for the front door, bumping shoulders with Miles.

   Miles released his hold on her waist and backed away. Marianne stared up at him, studying the bruises on his cheeks and jaw. She had almost dismissed what Brad had said until she heard the door open. Her eyes widened as she realized, "The barrier."

   She ran as fast as she could out the door. "Brad, wait!" But she was too late, and he was too determined. He hit the barrier and flew towards her, landing on his back a few feet away from her. His chest wasn't rising or falling; he wasn't breathing. She stood frozen in her spot. She could hear Sydney cursing from where she stood on the porch with the others.

   Ricky walked up being her. "Oh, god. Is he...?" His question was answered when Brad's body turned to dust. He was gone. The barrier flashed twice.

   "Congratulations! You have successfully passed level four."

   Level four? Brad was level four? Ricky began breathing heavier. Marianne wrapped him in a hug. Over his shoulder, Miles stood on the porch step, showing no emotion. At that moment, she saw the life leave his eyes... even if he wasn't dead.