The Nobodys - No Guarantees
1983
The radio softy played in the background, zooming in and out of static as Swann sat on the front steps of the trailer. It was officially seven months since everything had happened. Seven whole months of silence and hiding. Swann often laid awake, unable to sleep and always listening for any noises. Over and over again nightmares came of Nix clawing his way out of the ground and coming after him. His flesh caked with black dirt and his eyes fire red.
"You killed me Swann, now I'll kill her…"
His deep graveled filled voice would say. And each time Swann would snap awake finding Dorothea peacefully sleeping beside him. He tried to tell himself that it was really over, but deep down inside the truth kept coming back at him. He knew one day he would pay for what he did.
They lived in Nevada on the outskirts of the desert. The trailer park they rented from was mostly empty expect some elderly couples, a group of young waitresses, and the owner who ran a garage a few miles up the road. Swann and Dorothea kept to themselves. Almost everyone thought they were either brother and sister or father and daughter. Swann kept a tight watch on Dorothea and often felt on edge whenever he wasn't around watching her. He knew she could take care of herself and had a strong personality…but those nightmares kept bothering him.
Swann worked two jobs, both in which didn't need paperwork or any background checks. The first was pumping gas at the garage the trailer park owner ran. He was paid three dollars an hour and mostly sat in the blazing sun waiting for some tourist to drive by. His boss was a friendly middle aged man who even took money off the trailer rent for him working there. Most of the days he sat in the office listening to the baseball games drinking coffee as Swann sat outside in complete silence. He liked the fact he was never bothered. Often he enjoyed being by himself. Thinking and searching his thoughts.
The next job was serving as a busboy at a small bar and grill in town. The place was mostly busy on the weekends, but the tips were good. Swann had been working there for nearly four months now and kept to himself. He worked six days out of the week and often came home exhausted. Most nights Dorothea would sit up waiting for him and heat up some dinner. They talked for awhile before she fell asleep and he sat watching her.
At the bar and grill Swann had met a man named Louis Valentine. He also worked there and seemed very trusting and understanding. Twice he had stopped by the trailer and had a few drinks with Swann. At the moment the only person Swann really trusted was Dorothea, but Valentine was coming in close. He had a rough life and could see through Swann's eyes that a lot had happened to him in his nineteen years of life. He also didn't ask questions which was something Swann felt thankful for. In fact he didn't even ask about Dorothea or how she ended up with him. He simply once asked how old she was and then moved on from the subject.
Swann knew what it looked like, but Dorothea and him just stayed together. After what happened they had an unspoken understanding and lived under the same roof. Dorothea didn't go to school, but practiced her reading and writing whenever Swann wasn't home. He knew the look in her eyes whenever the school bus road by with laughing children, but she knew she couldn't live a normal life anymore if she wanted to stay with him. It was far to dangerous. But Dorothea never complained, she enjoyed living in the trailer and looked forward to when Swann came home. For just twelve years old, she had the personality of a thirty year old woman. She somehow always made Swann feel better even after a long rough day. She played around the trailer park and went swimming in the pool out back…but most of the time she just sat inside and read.
Valentine and Swann were becoming close friends, in fact Valentine knew something had happened to Dorothea and Swann and began to let Swann know he could trust him. But Swann really didn't know. For all he knew Valentine could turn him into the police and have Dorothea taken away. Or simply not believe him and think he was crazy. Swann knew only time could tell, then maybe he would tell him what happened and the power he held inside him.
Maybe…
But at the moment the two of them stayed together almost in hiding. Swann worked nonstop and saved most of their money. He made sure Dorothea had enough clothes and food and even found himself walking out of work one day smiling. Earlier he used part of his paycheck to buy Dorothea a silver compact he saw in one of the antique stores downtown. He knew it was a stupid thing to waste money on, but Dorothea really had been putting up with a lot. The trailer got so hot in the afternoon, and all she would do was either talk walks or sit around and read doing nothing. She had no friends or family…only him.
Giving her the compact after work, he nearly fell over when she jumped into his arms and hugged him tight.
"It's beautiful Philip, it really is!"
Swann sat back smiling as she looked at herself in it and laughed.
His heart race faster in his chest, never before did he feel so happy seeing her smile.
After that Swann would once and awhile suspire Dorothea with little things he would pick up for her. He loved seeing her happy and running around outside the trailer in a sundress laughing. Somehow having her around felt good. She brought life into this vague abyss he was sitting in waiting for something to happen. He knew she didn't have much, most of the day she was alone. The trailer wasn't that big and often he slept on the couch while she slept in the bed. Once he finally bought a small A.C to put in after saving four paychecks, Dorothea told him he could sleep in with her since the bedroom was the only cool room at night. At first Swann felt uneasy about this. For nearly seven months they had kept their space. Before they rented the trailer they slept in opposite beds in motels. When the trailer finally came he stayed on the couch and she stayed in the small bedroom. He showered early in the morning when she was still asleep, she showered at night. Even though space was cramped, they kept their distance.
But Swann remembered a few weeks ago watching her walk back from the pool. The towel wrapped around her and golden hair dripping wet. Looking at her beautiful clear face as she walked over, flip-flops digging into the dirt, he looked her over and smiled.
She was beautiful.
She went inside to change and that's when he happened to glance over his shoulder through the screen door. She stood there undressing and going into one of her sundresses. Swann right away felt a stiff erection on him and turned away. Embarrassed he scolded himself for looking and reminded himself yet again that she was just a child.
The rest of the day he stayed away from her.
Now they slept in the same bed as the A.C softly hummed and let out cool air. The bedroom was small but very comfortable. Dorothea laid asleep every night in one of his shirts and shorts, Swann meanwhile stayed on his side, almost always falling off the edge and watching her. Once or twice she would move next to him or have her legs under the sheets touch him. But each time he softly pushed her away. The last seven months it had just been the two of them. Each evening just the same, over and over. Swann felt peaceful but somewhat scared that something would happen.
Dorothea meanwhile seemed perfectly happy. She didn't mind living in the trailer. Just them being together seemed like that's all she needed. She felt safe and began to enjoy herself. For once she was finally with someone who cared about her. Swann was her family and they were both making life work for each other. Time past and as much as they struggled they still had each other. Often on warm evening they would sit together in law chairs outside, watching bugs fly around and just talk. It seemed as though Swann could talk about anything with her. The greatest thing most of all had to be making her laugh.
Just yesterday he had spoken with Valentine.
The two got out of work early and went for a couple of beers in which Valentine bought him. Swann would be turning twenty in just a few weeks. Driving together to the trailer park, Valentine looked over at him and asked him a very honest question.
"Where did the girl come from?"
Swann sighed as he drove and began to talk. Within a half an hour he was finished and Valentine fell silent. Swann knew he didn't believe him. As they pulled into the trailer park, Swann saw Dorothea in the distance sitting by the pool. Sunglasses on and laying back with her feet dipped in as a few elderly people walked around in sunhats.
Parking they sat in silence before Swann turned towards him and showed him proof. Shutting his eyes he focuses and within seconds his car slowly began to rise off the ground. Valentine watched completely shocked before the car settled back on the ground.
Nobody had seen them.
"Now do you believe me?"
Valentine stared at Swann with wide eyes before slowly nodding.
"Jesus…"
Swann sighed watching Dorothea.
"I just want to give her a good life, make sure she's safe."
Valentine looked forward before placing his hand on his shoulder.
"Perhaps I have an idea…"
Now Swann found himself a day later sitting in front of the trailer. Looking over the papers and programs Valentine had given him, he sighed. It was a beautiful day and all ready the sun was shinning down. Feeling muggy, Swann licked his lips and drank from his beer bottle before setting it down beside him. The radio kept playing as he looked at everything he put them down.
Could he really do this?
Valentine and him spent most of last evening discussing it. Valentine had a hobby which was street magic. Something he had been doing as a child. Simply tricks he would do with a few friends. In fact he often visited Vegas and went to a lot of the shows. People had made millions for performing "magic" on stage. Swann had seen a few of these guys on TV, but never put any thought into it. Here Valentine pitched his idea. Swann talked about it with him, and Valentine asked if in a couple of weekends they could try out to Vegas together. Valentine knew a few agents who would jump on the chance to book somebody like Swann. At first he didn't know. It seemed like to much of a chance. What if people found out he was doing the real thing. What if all this attention brought Nix's people out. What if…
Valentine told him that he knew a person like him would make it. He would have to start off small, performing at bars and local night clubs, but once he got a contact he could give Dorothea everything she ever wanted. Skies the limit. Swan still didn't know, he really didn't believe in himself that much. It was Nix who told him he was special, it was also Nix who gave him this power. He really didn't know.
Thinking about it most of the morning, he now sat back.
Just then the screen door opened and Dorothea skipped out, her hair in pigtails. Right away she jumped on his shoulders and giggled. Swann smiled as she walked down the steps and sat beside him.
"Going to work?"
"In a little bit, you gonna be okay?"
"Yeah sure, I think I'll take a walk."
Dorothea then looked down and saw the papers, picking them up she eyed them.
"What are these?"
Swann sighed.
"Valentine knows."
"What?"
"About what happened."
Dorothea stared at him.
"Did he…believe you."
Swann nodded.
"He also wants to help us, he says I could do something with these things I can do."
"Like what?"
"Perform, like a show…"
"But Swann, you told me never to tell anyone about the stuff you can do, you said it was dangerous."
"I know, but I would pretend it's just an act…like those guys on TV."
"Magicians?"
"Yeah, I guess Valentine knows some people in Vegas and they want to see me."
"But what if they find out…"
"Valentine and I are working on that…"
Dorothea sighed before looking straight ahead. Slowly Swann's arm went around her thin suntanned shoulders.
"This could really work out if we're careful, I mean we wouldn't have to stay here."
"But I like it here…"
Swann smiled.
"Will you at least give it a chance?"
"Can…can I come with you guys?"
Swann smiled again.
"Of course, we'll driving out next weekend…I guess some agent wants to meet with me."
Dorothea smiled.
"Maybe it could work…I mean if you can trust Valentine."
"I think we can."
Just then Dorothea smiled and leaned forward. Shutting her eyes, she softly kissed his lips. Swann waited for a second before pulling back, his eyes wide. Dorothea blushed and looked away. The only sound was the radio.
Swann cleared his throat and wanted to say something, but before he did…Dorothea spoke.
"That was my first kiss."
Swann sat there, wanting to say something before she looked at him and smiled. Somehow everything was all right then. Swann felt his heart pound and he knew he was taking this risk just for her.
Opening his mouth to speak, the sound of a car horn sounded. The two of them looked up and saw Valentine pulling up in his truck. The two smiled before getting up and walking over.
