Mystery Noir

Mawaska Part 8

I know I had not fallen asleep, as I remembered going through a couple medical examinations and answering questions, though I couldn't for the life of me remember specifics. I really hoped I didn't say anything particularly telling, though at some point, someone had given me my computer bag and I clung to it for hours.

My mind began to clear as I picked up the scent of coffee, and I opened my eyes to stare up at a ceiling fan that wasn't in my hotel room. Rolling onto my side, I realized I also was not in a prison cell, judging by the queen bed I was on, the large picture window that was showing a field in the early dawn, or the random furniture scattered around.

It smelled familiar, but didn't seemed lived in, so I could only assume it was a guest bedroom, and the fact that I could form that much of a thought string made me feel a little better. Though I sat up and my head ached terribly from the movement, almost worse than the rest of my body did.

I was in clothing that wasn't my own, though I vaguely remembered someone mentioning that my clothing was half ripped and burned and changing myself in the hospital with the help of a nurse.

What skin that was not covered in the shorts and baggy t-shirt or wrapped in bandages was bruised and still red from the heat of the flames that had not made its way through the leather to burn me, but I still forced myself to stand and hobble to the door.

I half expected it to be locked and was quite surprised when it opened easily, leading me out into the hallway of a home. I followed the smell of coffee and the low murmur of voices to the kitchen where I found Enzo and Ver both standing, drinking coffee and wearing their uniforms of jeans and golf shirts.

"What are you doing up?" Enzo frowned as he put his cup down, approaching me cautiously. "You agreed to rest today, remember?"

"No. Not at all." I mumbled, closing my eyes against the light and taking a step back from him. This wasn't good.

Now, the rumours that non-humans could easily mess with the minds and memories of humans were greatly exaggerated. Old vampires could do it, and telepathic individuals could, as could some witches and demons. But for the most part, it was hard. Still, it wasn't impossible. I didn't know what was wrong with my brain, in the middle of supernatural central.

"You have a concussion, Nina." Ver was beside me, and for some reason I was following the two of them as they walked. But they didn't lead me back to the bedroom, they sat me down on the couch of their living room, each of them sitting on either side of me, though giving me a respectful amount of space. "You were in an accident last night."

I nodded, though nodding hurt my head. "I think I remember that. A truck..."

"Not going to be bothering you again." Enzo said simply. He wasn't angry, but he seemed confident in the fact. It took me a little while to remember why.

I nodded, probably belatedly and let out a shaky breath. "My computer."

"Made it through without a scratch, only thing that seemed to." Ver sounded like he was rolling his eyes, though I couldn't open mine up to look at him and confirm. "It is in your room. You threatened to be very angry at us if we tried to mess with it."

"It was Luke and Todd that tried to run you off the road. Were they here for the same reason you are?" Enzo asked, though I heard Ver hiss in a breath.

I had to open my eyes at the ensuing silence, and painfully glanced between the two of them, who were glaring at one another. "What?"

"Doctor said to give you a break. No thinking, reading, going on a computer, for a couple weeks." Ver grumbled, still glaring at the other man.

I snorted at that. "I'll be fine after I get some sleep."

"You've been sleeping on and off for two days, Nina. We've had this conversation with you a couple times." Enzo frowned at me.

I knew I should be worried about that, but I couldn't focus enough to maintain concern. "Right. No. I don't think they were here for the same reason as me. I think they were here for Mika and Sam."

The two men frozen then, looking like deer caught in headlights as they stared at me, and I struggled to keep up with what could have surprised them. Then I remembered... I probably wasn't supposed to know about Mika and Sam. Hell, I didn't even know those two were ok. Or if these two supernaturals here weren't the evil ring leaders of whatever was going on.

"Why would you say that?" Ver asked, very carefully.

"Hunch. I saw the mustang before it was painted. Those two assholes wanted to hurt the kids.... They wanted to hurt me because I stopped them and helped Mika and Sam get safe and start... well... I took them to a place where they could figure some shit out." I closed my eyes again and put my face in my hands, making a low noise. "I'm starving... but... I can't think anymore. My head hurts, I feel like... there's nothing up there."

"Ok. We're done." Enzo said softly. "Ver can take you back to the guest room, and I'll make you something to eat.

I wanted to ask them more. I knew I still had so much more work to do, and I still did not even know if I could trust them. But I couldn't form the words. I couldn't even form the thoughts to know I needed words to express them. I felt a flare of frustration, anger rising out of nowhere. A light flickered, and I found myself in the guest room once more, Ver leading me to sit down on the bed before he pulled the curtains closed.

"Concussions suck. But the only way to really get over them, is to wait them out. They don't last as long for us. But they're still serious." He sounded surprisingly patient.

I sat up on the bed and sighed. "I can't just sit in the dark..."

Ver laughed softly. "Yeah, you can. You have to."

"It might not take very long for you, but for me..." I closed my eyes and sighed, my thoughts trailing off.

"You won't even notice the time passing." Enzo offered as he stepped into the room with a tray of food. "Ver and I have to go to work, but we leave an extra radio on a charger in the kitchen. There are people that work and live on the farm with us... they're all good people, but they won't bother you unless you need them."

"I'm a grown ass woman. I'll be fine." I grumbled. They had been looking after me for a couple days now. If they had wanted to get rid of me, I would be dead twice over.

But I couldn't begin to think about it. So, I waved the two of them off and focused on eating and trying not to overtax my oddly sensitive brain.