Chapter 10

I woke up and went through my daily routine in which I started three days ago; shower, teeth, and the original wear of jeans and a long sleeve shirt.

I sat on the coach, not wanting to face the wrath of what to come. I put my face in my hands and constantly bit my cheek. I can't remain in here the day. I needed answers that's for sure, but where could I get them?

I stood up, ready to take on my fate when instead it came to me.

Someone knocked on the door.

"Yes?" I answered weakly; not quite ready. Mentally that is.

"It's me, Linda, can I come in?"

"Yeah,"

She crept down the stairs slowly and with every tweak my lurched.

"I-is something wrong?" I had to be prepared. If possible I would pay for the clothes and head on my way to who knows where.

"I'm here to deliver some more clothes and towels if that's ok with you?" She grinned. Her amiable attitude shocked me. I expected something more cold.

"Oh! Yeah…yeah." I said ,relieved.

"We were wondering why you didn't come up for breakfast," How long did I sleep? "is everything ok?"

I wanted to run over and cry in her arms and complain how my life is to complicated. "Everything's fine. Just over slept." The question slipped from my lips and I instantly regretted it. "Was that Jane last night?" I didn't want to go in this direction of morning conversation when everything was going fine.

"Yes, on that matter, we discussed it last night and she wanted to apologized for her rude behavior."

I almost snorted. Her demeanor was most reasonable and to be expected, but the bigger problem was what all did they discuss last night?

I looked at the clock.

It's already one? Wow, the stress must have took a toile on my brain.

"I hope I didn't upset anybody."

She waved her hand, as if to shake off the subject. "Nonsense."

She placed a pile of clothes and towels on the couch. "Here you go. If you something to eat please help yourself."

"Kay'," Should I ask? My fingers twirled nervously with a loose thread from my shirt. I was close to asking about Kira but decided against it.

"Do you remember anything yet?" Her voice changed. Tense.

"No." I spoke automatically.

" Oh, well, ok." With that she left.

I stood there staring at nothing. I felt guilty for lying to her but I don't think there ready-or even I- to know the other me. Yet.

I think it's best to leave though. Linda seemed impatient with my lack of memory ,though she would never say that to my face.

I'll start packing after breakfast and try to find a job this afternoon. I'll find a cheap hotel to stay in and save up enough to pay back Marissa and everyone. It's going to be a major pain, but I'll make it through.

My breakfast/lunch was a plate of leftover pot roast but good all the same. I packed everything and was ready to go tell Linda when Jane intruded on the scene.

Her face was inscrutable but her voice gave her away.

"Going somewhere?" Sarcasm dripped from every word.

Her ambivalence had me pause for a second. I wasn't quite used to this change of attitude out of all the kindness everyone has given me, not including the ugly incident with jack and his army.

"I didn't want to be a burden so I'm going out to find my own place." I didn't stutter, I didn't shy away from her incisive gaze, instead I looked her straight in the eyes with a new urge of confidence.

"Is that so? So soon?" She brushed her fingers against the wall , never taking her eyes off me and continued, "I thought we could get the chance to know each other." She laughed humorlessly.

I saw something gleam from the light off the ceiling lamp. Did she bring her swords? Is she going to kill me? I stepped back some.

"Scared? What a shocker." She laughed again.

This couldn't be Jane. She's to malicious, so unlike the one in my past memories of the smiling brown haired girl. Have I made her this way?

"Why…" I couldn't finish my sentence.

"Oh, shut up. I can see right through you ,Kira."

My eyes widened and my hands balled into fists. She's right though, but in a way I'm not Kira. I'm a new person. Lynn.

"I'm not Kira. I'm Lynn."

"Cut the crap, Kira, everyone else may look the other way, fight what is true, what is fact, but I know what's right in front of me, the core of all darkness. Of scum."

She lifted her sword and directed it in my direction. It was stunning. The blade was curved into an organic pose. The tip of the sword could prick someone with lightest touch and from this distance I could see something engraved on it but couldn't make out exactly what it was.

"Kira, be prepared to die."