CHAPTER 2
She awoke mid snore to the sound of a blender.
Sitting up from the couch almost immediately, her backpack still clutched tightly in her arms, she was greeted by the sight of sunlight coming in through the open curtains. Her legs were tangled in her gray blanket and the same night robe from the night before had loosened throughout the night. Bill stood feet away in the open kitchen, turning off the blender and pouring a green substance onto a drinking glass. He didn't even acknowledge her, simply making his way to a small round table where toasted bread awaited him on a plate.
''How long was I out for?'' she asked, rising to her feet and stretching out her arms. She could feel just how sore she was from the long run last night.
Bill took a bite of his bread. ''Like I care''
''Oh come on, don't be so cynical'' she didn't want to admit it, but she was starting to feel everything dawn onto her all at once. ''So I really ran away, huh?''
He didn't answer, simply raising his eyebrow.
''It's so weird, just the morning before I was being greeted with a table full of breakfast just for me''
''Sorry I don't run a damn hotel, Shooting Star'' Bill spat, glaring at her direction. ''You're always welcome to go back to your castle''
''No, I-'' she sighed. ''I'm sorry I didn't mean it to sound that way-''
There was silence.
''Hey, why do you call me Shooting Star?''
Bill swallowed down (what she could only guess) his smoothie. ''What?''
''I heard you call me that yesterday, and you just called me that again'' Her eyes bore into his. ''Why?''
''Don't get too flattered, it was a mere coincidence in what you were wearing'' He said, looking down at the golden stars that evaded her night robe. ''Plus, you look like the type of girl who spends her useless time wishing on a shooting star''
She had to laugh wholeheartedly at that one. ''I used to, not that it's a huge surprise to you. Used to go out into the balcony and look down at the glowing city. Guess I had a lot of hope back then''
His face softened for a moment, but just as it came it was gone.
Mabel sighed, bouncing back into a large smile. ''Anyway, so what's the plan today? Are we ready to head out?''
Bill chuckled. ''Right, as if your parents aren't already monitoring who comes in and out of the city. We have no choice, we have to wait it out''
''We don't have to worry about that''
''And why's that?'' he asked.
She opened each kitchen cabinet, finally finding a cereal box that caught her attention. ''I wrote them a note saying to not bother looking for me because I was ending it all. Not much left for imagination there''
''Your parents aren't stupid,'' she could feel his eyes glaring into the back of her head, as she poured the cereal and milk into a bowl and took a seat across from his on the table. ''They're gonna search every corner and i'm not taking chances, so we have to keep low''
''Is that why you're dressed like you're going out?'' She couldn't help but send him a teasing smile, looking down at his jeans, black converse and leather jacket.
He took a deep breath. ''I'm going to go pawn off your jewelry while I still have the chance. This city is going to be crawling with cops in a few hours''
''Why don't I come with you?'' She cried out as she inched closer, causing the blond man to narrow his eyes. ''Please! This is the only time I'll be able to be outside! Who knows how long this whole mess is gonna take''
''What part of keeping low don't you understand?'' With his index finger, he pushed her forehead away. ''Plus, it's not the safest place to go to''
''And what? I can't handle myself? You're looking at the first place winner of the 2006 Karate Tournament'' she posed with her hands in front of her, and she couldn't help but notice the amusement that fell upon Bill's face.
It was nice, seeing that, for a second, he wasn't such a cold man after all.
''I don't believe it''
''Is it my colorful clothes or baby face? Because I'll let you know, I am a fighter!''
''You're anything but-'' he cleared his throat, and it was as if the moment had ended right there as his face fell back into a scowl. ''Listen, let's make something clear, you and I are never going to be anything more than a business deal. So you can quit your talking and trying to make an effort because nothing is going to change. Got it?''
She didn't say anything more, as they both rose to place their plates on the sink and went their separate ways. Bill walked into his bedroom, leaving her out in the living room with nothing to do but sit.
Maybe she really had been over her head trying to escape the inevitable, and maybe she really would have more going for her had she stayed in that mansion. But it was too late now to come back from any of the events that had happened so far, and Mabel could practically feel the gentle Oregon breeze and the smell of her Great Uncle's cooking.
If she could just get there, if she could just feel what a real embrace felt like and finally see her brother face to face, then everything would be alright.
Then it would all be worth it.
Even if it meant staying in the company of a grouchy little blond demon for a while.
''Put this on'' she felt a weight next to her, and she was stunned to find darkened sunglasses and a large black hoodie.
''What's this for?''
''You wanted to go out for a minute, no?'' He looked anywhere but at her. ''Get changed or I'm leaving''
Standing up, she looked down at the items in her hands again. ''I- Thank you''
He didn't say anything, so she rapidly pulled out some clothes from her bag. Staring at herself in the bathroom mirror, the dark hoodie draped over her figure loosely over her jeans and white sneakers, she stared at the hot pink headband she currently held.
It had been a while since she had last used it, but as she placed it on her head, it was a perfect fit.
''Hello, old friend'' she grinned, feeling happier than she had in awhile. Placing the sunglasses in her pocket, she walked out. Bill stood against the wall, his eyes closed and his arms crossed.
A warm sensation fell upon her cheeks, noting just how much of a sight he really was.
''Are you gonna keep staring or are we going to go?'' he said, not even bothering to open his eyes.
She jumped slightly. ''Let's go''
She didn't say anything, not a word as he began to drive into town.
She stared out at the passing buildings, mesmerized by their old structures and life. Many were out in the street, some in casual clothing laughing with a group of friends and others in fitness attire with a leash wrapped tightly around their hands. The sun was bright, illuminating to say the least, and Mabel desired nothing more than to walk down the same sidewalk without a care in the world.
Except, that hadn't happened in years and probably would never happen at all; it was just another disappointment.
''I thought you would've started babbling by now'' his voice caused her head to snap in his direction.
He looked so unbothered, already staring at her.
She didn't exactly know what to say, seeing as he had made it clear he didn't intend to interact. What did he care about what she would've done? He didn't even know her.
''What? Cat's got your tongue?''
She turned to look back out the window, this time the passing buildings become more run down and empty. She had never been in that part of the city before and it wasn't a comfortable feeling that sat in her stomach.
''You'll have to talk eventually,'' he muttered.
Seconds later, he parked in front of a crumbling, white building. It was small with large blue letters written above the doors that she recognized as a pawn shop. Unbuckling her seatbelt, she pushed the sunglasses closer to her nose as Bill grabbed his black backpack from the backseat. Opening it, she spotted her jewelry before being zipped up again.
''Don't touch anything,'' was all he said, before jumping out the car door.
She followed behind, and she was surprised to find the dark demeanor that fell upon them the moment the front doorbell rang. The shelves were filled with guns and other weapons she hadn't seen before, while the gold and silver riches were displayed behind large glass.
Mabel didn't like it one bit, and she couldn't wait to get it all over with.
''Scared are we?'' Bill whispered with a large smirk. ''Just remember who insisted on coming''
She glared at him but didn't hesitate to grab a hold of the back of his jacket.
A large, middle aged man with a scowl on his face and messy dark hair walked out of a back room. He didn't look in shambles to say, with his black shirt and khakis, but it wasn't a pleasant feeling he brought.
The minute he saw Bill, his lips pulled up. ''Bill Cipher, didn't know you were in town again''
Bill's smirk grew, throwing his backpack on the counter. ''Nice to see you again too, Kryptos. Decided it was time to come back for a little while, you know?''
The man's gaze then moved onto her, eyes roaming to every inch of her body. Even with the large hoodie and jeans, she felt so naked; as if he was seeing right through her.
Bill took notice to her surprise, grabbing her wrist and pulling her further behind him. ''Don't mind her, she's just here to keep me company''
''I can see that,'' before her or Bill knew it, Kryptos had walked up to her, pulling the hoodie off her head to reveal her long brown hair. ''My, you've got yourself a pretty little girlfriend. Sweetheart, why don't you take those sunglasses off? I'm sure you're even more beautiful''
The lustful tone of his words, caused her grip on Bill to tighten.
Bill simply rolled his eyes through gritted teeth. ''Are we going to make a deal or what?''
Kryptos finally looked away from her, walking back to the counter and beginning to examine each piece of jewelry. After a few minutes, he opened the cash register and pulled out a stack of hundred dollar bills.
Counting each with his fingers, he chuckled. ''Don't know how you do it, Cipher. Each time you come, I always end up giving you more and more money.''
''What can I say? I'm good at what I do'' Bill spat in response, grabbing the money from him.
As he placed it in his pockets, Kryptos spoke up again. ''What's your name, sweetie?''
She was about to come up with whatever name popped into her head when Bill opened his mouth. ''Cynthia''
''Cynthia, what a beautiful name for a beautiful girl'' Kryptos mumbled softly, causing chills to run down her spine. ''You selling her too, Cipher?''
''I'm afraid she's not for sale'' relief overcame her as Bill intertwined his hand into hers. ''But if you're lonely, you can always try a dating website''
They began walking towards the door with him leading the way. ''Nice doing business with you''
And with that, the pawn shop door closed behind them and they wasted no time getting into the car. It wasn't until they were a distance away, that she hid her face into her hands and let out a loud groan.
''What the hell was that?''
Stopping at a red light, Bill slammed his forehead into the steering wheel. ''A mistake''
''You didn't tell me it was going to be like that! I was scared out of my mind back there! That man was disgusting!''
''I don't exactly deal with the most moral of businessmen'' He huffed. ''How the hell was I supposed to know he'd look right through your disguise? Plus, I didn't think he'd go after a little girl like you, didn't think you'd be his type,''
She had to take a deep breath to keep herself from punching him. ''I'm eighteen, I'm not a little girl and I'm a catch!''
She stared down at her feet. ''Do you think he actually wanted to buy me?''
''Did you not see the way he looked at you? Him and his little buddies buy girls like you all the time to keep them satisfied''
That her shut her up, gaze falling back out the window.
But she couldn't help that little sparkle of comfort in the back of her mind, remembering the gentle touch of his hand on hers.
With a small smile, she looked at him right as they made it back to their apartment. His eyebrow rose, as she grabbed his hand into hers again.
''Thank you, Bill, I mean it'' she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. ''You could've sold me and gotten rid of me right there, but you didn't. You're a good guy, Bill Cipher''
He pulled his hand away from hers instantly. ''Don't take it personal, I just did it because of what you owe me. You can go back to your rich parents for all I care as long as I get my part of the deal''
She crossed her arms. ''You just don't want to admit it. Watch, by the time we get to Oregon you won't want to leave my side''
''That, Shooting Star,'' he inched closer, and she knew he could see just how flustered she really was. ''I can promise we won't have a problem with. You're just a business deal, remember?''
''Okay, whatever you say, Cipher'' she teased, both stepping out.
She couldn't hide the smile that just couldn't seem to leave her lips.