Secret Journal

My Morganville Short Story by Kirstie

ADA

As soon as I return to my 3D form, I enter the lab quietly, not wanting to disturb Myrnin. I scan the bookcases beginning my search.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see him sat in his old battered armchair. He looks up from his ageing book of Wuthering Heights with a puzzled expression on his face.

"What are you looking for, Ada?"

"Oh urrmm." I pause. "Just some book…" I trail off.

"Which book is it?" he asks.

"Huh?" I reply not paying much attention.

"What book?"

"Just some science book," I lie.

"Right." I can tell he's not convinced. I search through the piles of books on the floor and finally find what I've been looking for. Myrnin's Journal.

I pick up another science book to cover it up.

"Got what you were looking for?" Myrnin asks.

"Yep," I say quickly and turn to leave. Myrnin remains motionless, before leaning back in his chair, continuing to read. I sit down in the room next door, open the journal to the year when I died and start to read.

I hear Myrnin walk, fanged bunny slippers flapping. He glances my way before sitting down across from me. I pull the journal closer and cover up the front making sure he can't see it. He looks up at me.

"Are you hiding something?"

I look up abruptly. "No. Of course not." I carry on reading.

"Let me see that." He stands up and walks towards me. By the time I look up the book is already gone from my hands. "Hey." I whine.

He scans the cover of the book with an angry look in his eyes. "This is mine."

"Ummm… Yeah. I was just urrr… I didn't… I mean, it was just lying around." I stutter.

"You do not touch my things, my personal things, without my permission," he shouts. "do you understand?"

I flinch before turning on him.

"Well, it's not exactly personal if it's just scattered with other rubbish on the floor. Is it?"

"I don't have time to tidy or sort stuff out!"

"Well, that's not my fault!" I reply.

"Just leave me alone." He says quietly while sitting down on his bed.

"Leave you alone?" I say stunned. "You're the one screaming over some book!"

"Fine, I'll leave!" He announces while heading to the door.

I pick up the journal and run after him.

"No wait." I grab his arm.

He stops in front of the door, sighs and turns to face me. I see the distress in his eyes. I sigh defeated.

"Where are you going?" I ask.

He looks down at the floor. "I'm not quite sure."

"Well don't just leave." I plead.

"Why?" He questions.

"Look, I don't care about the journal. All I wanted to know was whether you cared about me or not and whether you still do."

"Oh Ada of course I care about you." Myrnin interrupts.

I carry on. "Even though you like Claire a tiny bit. I know that you still love me. It said in the journal that you were heartbroken when I died."

"Yes, that is very true."

"And then, I'm mentioned everyday since." I say as I flick through the pages. "Why didn't you want me to read it?"

"It's silly." He says staring down at his open-mouthed bunny slippers. "I sound like a schoolboy with a stupid crush."

"It's not silly." I pause. I look up at him. "Just a crush?"

"No. Its gone beyond that now."

I laugh and take his hand. "What do you want to do?"

"I don't know to be honest." I reply.

"So, you want me to stay but you don't know what to do with me." He smiles. "Women." He mutters.

"Well…yeah." I laugh.

He laughs and lays back on his bed. I lay down next to him. He puts his arm around me and pulls me closer. I put my arm over his chest and fall asleep wrapped in his embrace.