Can You Hear Your Heart

Chapter Twenty One

I can't stop thinking about the news I got today with my sister. When she told me that my mother would appear from the dead...I was in shock. I completely blocked out my sister's frantic words of trying to make the stab less painful, but it already went through my heart.

But why me? What is it about me and my sister? Could it be my powers? Or my sister's position as an ex-queen in the small kingdom she created with refugees from the white witch?

I shiver at the thought of her face. I may not have a picture of her but the way my sister's often describe her, she doesn't sound like the best person. The small poke at my side reminds me that I'm not the only one who's in danger. I put a fearful hand on those pokes and determine to fight for this life no matter what.

Someone saying my name slaps me back to reality. I look up to see Kitty give me a small smile. I give her with a blank expression before I realize that I'm at my break. On a small table with a small rice bowl I've barely touched. I return her smile and say, "Hey."

"Can I?" She points at the seat next to mine and I nod. Kitty sits by me to take out a small salad from her bag. She gives me her kind smile and says, "How are you today, Vivica?"

I look down at my plate and sigh. "I'm fine," I say quietly.

My old friend still remembers my every expression and knows what they mean. She looks up with raised eyebrows and concern runs through her dark eyes. "Oh. Is everything alright? Is there a way I can help?"

I move my spoon around in my bowl and keep quiet. I have an urge to cry. To feel Shaun's touch or even a hug from someone. But instead my heart is left cold at the loneliness I once felt so many years after what I learned from my parents. Kitty's light hand on my arm brings me back from my thoughts and I say, "I think my mother's coming for me..."

"The white witch?" I wince at her name and nod. Kitty stays quiet as her mind runs at a fast pace. I know by that shine that she is connecting points from these past few weeks in the facility. But she would have never known anything. If it's a chance of threat, they speak with the family members first before announcing to the rest of the force.

Kitty frowns and says, "I haven't heard of anything. H-how did you know?"

"My sisters have been hiding this from me for days now. Maybe even weeks. I'm just..." I fight back angry tears and do a shaky breath. "I just wish I would've known. Now she could be closer than ever and I'm not in the position to..." A tear falls out and I wipe it away quickly.

I can hear Kitty move her chair closer to mine to take a hold of my hand. Her touch seems unfamiliar. But it slowly reminds me of all those times we used to laugh and talk until we couldn't bare the exhaustion late at night. I always hated that she always won at all-nighters so I would do pranks on her for it. I've really missed my friend. She's not the only one who has been left friendless...

I smile at her touch and I squeeze back her hand. She gives me a smile and I know that she doesn't have to say anything to make me feel better. That's the thing I used to love so much about her. Kitty always knew what gesture to do to make me feel better and now she still has it in her.

Her eyes grow dark and her face having a determined expression as she says, "I promise, Vivica, that you are not alone. If that woman tries to come close to you, not only Shaun and the facility will step in for you, but I promise to be there. If she wants to get to you, she will have to get through me and you know it's not that easy to catch me." Her small smirk makes me laugh and hunger starts up in my stomach as I slowly feel better.

"Thanks, Kitty," I say as I take my spoon. "You brought back my appetite."

"Cool!" she says with shining eyes. "You are eating for two. It's bound to bring up quite the appetite."