MIRANDA

As I ran the length back home, I started thinking on John Shooter. How the hell did Mort see them talking with one another and how the hell could I see him and his car? In the movie, Greenleaf didn't see the car, only Mort standing in an empty lot. What the hell? Then I heard it, a motor behind me. I felt nauseated and my heart did back flips! I turned her back to the road and started a running beeline for the trees. The car was already slowing down.

"Stop right there," the voice was still Southern but it sounded a little clipped, but with a cold edge. "If you run, I will find you." I stood there, frozen in place. I slowly turned around. John Shooter was sitting in his car, the window down. The car was stopped, motor idling away. "Come 'ere." he demanded.

Goosebumps came up all over my arms. There was something about Shooter that I didn't know what is was and I didn't like! I stopped just outside of Shooter's grabbing range. "Yeah, I'm here, so what? Obviously I damaged the-" Shooter stopped the engine.

"Hell no - but ain't you ever heard of manners?"

"Sir,"

"I was just fixing to ask if you needed a ride when you run off." he smiled and put his arm out the window, his hand open for a handshake. "My name's John Shooter." I reluctantly took his hand.

"Miranda Twobit," then my face flushed and I dropped the handshake, 'And yes, that is my true name. My sister-" I said too much!

"Your sister," john began, smiling warmly, "moved out here with family? Well that's good, nothing like being with family." He smiled at me for a few more moments before asking, "You need a ride?"

I tried to imagine Raditus's alarm in which I caught a ride with. But for some reason, couldn't picture her being panicked. "Yes, please." I replied, remembering his pet peeve for manners. Oh well, I thought as I went around the side of the car. If he tries anything, Ill just pop the door open and run for it!

RADITUS

I groaned in anger as the piece of metal I'd been trying work with busted when I dipped it the ice-cold water. Frustrated, I tossed the big pliers on the bench. So much for making a barrel-lock key! I thought nastily as I dug out my computer notebook from under the bed. Normally, out here in Tashmore Lake, we didn't have high speed internet, but a few corrections helped our case along just a bit. I was searching for a key on an internet shop site when I grew sleepy. So, rather than shut out SeachAll, I kept it loaded up and went to sleep, worried that Miranda could have tried leaving on her own...

Suddenly, I found myself was outside the CVS in my hometown, Leonardtown. OH SHIT, I REVERSED THE DREAM TELEPORTATION WITHOUT MEANING TO!! I shouted in my mind, upset. I was back home, all without wanted to be! But I stopped and glared at the CVS in puzzlement, it was a lot bigger in the back of the building than I remembered it being! Oh well, I gave a shrug, I wouldn't know, I haven't been in CVS in what, three of four years? Before going inside, I cupped my hands around my mouth.

"MIRANDA," I began bellowing. Some of the people who were walking around on the street, doing their shopping or whatever, glared at me. But no Miranda, which kind of worried me.

I ran inside CVS, accidentally slamming the door as I ran inside. A lot of people were heading towards the back, so I ignored the irritated glare of some of the regular customers and the cashiers. I ducked and weaved between people and shelves of merchandise. I saw a door, guarded by a big heavyset bald man. People stopped at the door, exchanged worse with the man and then he let them in. I ran to the opposite end of the wall and slid along the wall. I got to the door, and the big dude was looking the other way. This gang of Goth dressed people stopped and talked to the man.

"What's the password?" the man asked.

"Children of Night night,' the head person replied. Then he gestured to the others. 'And they're with me."

"Alright," The big man replied, opening the door. I slid away from the wall quietly, walked a distance away and doubled back, strolling up to the door like I belonged there.

"Password?"

'Children of the night," I threw back, acting like those kids that just passed seconds before her. "I come alone." The man nodded and I ducked inside the now open door.

JOHN

I smile warmly as this girl asked me about myself as no ones asked that before. Mort Rainey just figured he'd get away with calling me Hick and make fun of Mississippi! I grow angry with what he has done to me, what kind of person would do that? Would the law allow for such betrayal? I glance at this Miranda and see how carefree she is, not frightened about getting into my old car. She seems, Familiar some how? And she seems like a real nice lady after all.

"You wouldn't know the town, I don't know anyone who has," I reply, breaking my glance of her and keeping my eyes on the road. I told her name quickly.

"You are right there," Miranda began, stealing glances at my profiles. Shoe doesn't realize I know she's stealing glance at me, but I do know. I seem to know everything about a person when we meet. Well, not everything, just general impressions. "But then again, I didn't know much outside my home."

"Oh, whys that?"

"My grandfather is, or rather, was, a very sick man." Miranda began uncomfortably. Oh Jesus, I know where this is going! "He would lie in his bed and get sicker day by day-" I guess I was wrong, lord have mercy on me!

'How sick,' I ask, and then I correct myself, "What did he have?"

"Paraplegia," She replied. The sweet child must have seen my quizzical glance because she added, "he's paralyzed from the waist down. I gape in shock and creeping sadness.

"You're kidding?" was all I could manage. She shook her head and I could see the waterworks start welling up in her eyes.

"I kid you not; it was caused by a growth they could never identify." She managed to hold on and not let the tears flow. I gazed at her with something akin to admiration. I know several people would have broken down. But I know for a fact she didn't to be told how brave she was because this wasn't like she had a choice or anything! "And they said he might have another three to five years to live!" this hit something deep within my heart, I felt for her in some way! Not love, but a deep friendship or something.

'Do you mind if when we get to your place, I could come inside and we'll have a nice long chat?"