The Sunny Chronicles: Resurrections: Chapter Twelve

When Maggie finally catches up to Leo he is bent over panting for breath and halfway across town. In fact, they are just about where they started, standing outside of the boathouse.

"I lost her," he informs, straightening up. "I'm sorry, Maggie. The girl has turned into one hell of a sprinter."

"That was way too close," says Maggie. "What the hell was she doing just walking right up to Bianca in broad daylight? Is she that cocky? God … when I think about what could've happened if Sunny hadn't been there …"

"You don't know what could've happened," he tells her. "Because you don't know why Frankie approached her. Maybe it was just random. Maybe she just saw something familiar about Bianca that drew her to her. We don't know. It could be a good sign … You did say that Edmund helped jog Maria's memory."

"Wait … what are you saying, Leo? That my sister's love for my girlfriend could be strong enough to bring her old self back?"

"Well, duh," he replies with a laugh. "What did you think I was talking about?"

Maggie turns away from him and hugs herself as if she's cold. "I want my sister back …" she says. "… Of course I do. I'd give anything to have her back. Only … what have I done to myself?" She turns back around to face him, her eyes heavy with anxiety. "I've been in love with Bianca for months. And now, she finally feels the same way about me. What will happen to us if Frankie does get her memories back? Especially if those memories include some romantic love for my girlfriend?"

"Do you want to forget about Frankie? Pretend you never found out? Pretend that she's still dead? Would that honestly be easier for you?"

"No," she immediately responds. "But … I'd like to tell Bianca what's going on. I'd like to be honest with her, Leo. We just got together, and already I'm lying to her about something that's pretty freaking important."

"But … you know you can't, right?" he asks. "It's too soon, Mags. We don't even know what Frankie wants with Bianca yet. I'm trying not to be negative here. But, she is a hired killer … I think that demands a little necessary caution."

"You're right. Of course you're right," she agrees, biting on a fingernail and attempting to focus her jumbled thoughts. "There's something I still don't understand though. If you've run into Frankie before, haven't you told her about the drug Vanessa gave her? Haven't you told her about me?"

"I've tried," he replies. "But, she's not buying any of it. My guess is that Vanessa has fed her so many lies, she's brainwashed her into fully believing each and every one of them."

"But, she saw me today, Leo," she says, finally sounding a little bit more hopeful. "I know she did. She looked right into my eyes … She looked so … scared."

"She should be scared!" he tells her. "Her mentor and teacher, and mother figure, at this point," and he shudders at the very thought. "… has done nothing but lie to her. She's kept her away from you by saying you never existed. And, not only that. The worst part of this is, she's made her a killer."

"She has blood on her hands," Maggie agrees mournfully. "Babe's blood."

"And, for what?" he asks rhetorically. "My mother's lies? Damn it! I should have stopped Vanessa a long time ago. What good did I think running forever would do anyone?"

Maggie comes closer to her cousin, hugging him around the waist. "Don't do this to yourself," she says in a soothing voice. "Things are a mess right now, I know. I'm scared too. But, we can fix this, Leo. I promise. Come on … let me show you that hiding place I told you about. You could probably use some rest, and I really want to go home. I'm worried about Bianca, and I don't think your wife's baby sister is the best at comforting people."