The next morning, Mallory found herself laying on her back on the cold wooden floor in Neil's room. Neil was laying next to her and was positioned so his head was resting on her stomach as if she was his pillow. She looked over at his alarm clock and muttered the time. "10:48…" she then looked back at Neil wondering if she wanted to wake him up or let him rest longer. Her stomach grumbled. Mallory started shaking him by the shoulder. "Neil. Neil, wake up." Neil grunted, rolled over and snuggled closer to her side taking in her warmth. Mallory was starting to get irritated since she was hungry and decided to do something else. She started to poke his sides. She continued this and watched as his body slowly started to shake. "C'mon Neil it's time to get up." She moved her hands over to his stomach and held them there. "I will attack." Neil stopped moving and said nothing. Mallory smiled. "I did warn you." she started to tickle his stomach making the boy burst out laughing. Neil rolled around and tried to push her hands away. "S-Stop! I'm gonna peeeeeee!" he said between laughs. Mallory stopped and held her hands just inches away from his stomach. "You gonna get up?" Neil breathlessly nodded and Mallory pulled her hands away. "Alright then." she stood up and walked to the door passing Mayhem and Maniac who were still charging. "Get ready for the day. I'm gonna go make brunch." Mallory left the room, closing the door behind her and making her way towards the kitchen. She caught a glance of Henry sitting in the living room reading a book. "Morning Henry." She greeted. Henry looked up from his book and smiled. "Good morning Mallory. Slept well?" Mallory shrugged rubbing the back of her neck. "If by slept well you mean waking up on a cold wood floor after getting patched up by a nine-year-old from receiving multiple wounds given to me by some idiot who tried to kill me last night...yeah..." Mallory arched her back and a satisfying pop was heard. "I slept sooo great." Henry chuckled and went back to reading his book leaving Mallory to do her thing.
Mallory made her way into the kitchen and peeked inside the fridge. There was a small carton of eggs, milk and butter. leftover bacon and some cheese. She grabbed the milk, eggs, cheese and bacon setting all the ingredients on the counter. She grabbed a bowl, a whisk and a frying pan which she used to start making the bacon. Opening the carton of eggs, she cracked three eggs into the bowl and threw the now empty shells in the sink since the trash can was in the pantry and the door was closed. She started beating the eggs and heard Neil walk into the room. "Neil can you get some baggies?" Neil nodded and grabbed his step stool. He dragged it over the pantry and opened the door. He then climbed up the three steps of his little latter and grabbed the plastic baggies off the top shelf. "Are we having omelets?" he asked. Mallory gave a short yes in response. He set the baggies on the counter and dragged his step stool over to the cabinets. He used it to climb onto the counter and grab a pot from the cabinet. He set it down and climbed back down. He then proceeded to drag his step stool across the kitchen and to the sink, then ran back and grabbed the pot. He ran back to the sink and climbed up setting the pot in the sink and filling it with water. Mallory had finished beating the eggs and separating each batch into a baggie. She got done with cooking the bacon which she cut into little pieces and put in the baggies as well. She sprinkled in some cheese and grounded in some pepper before zipping them closed. She turned around and saw Neil trying to pull the pot of water out of the sink. She chuckled and walked over, grabbing the pot handles and picking it up. Neil looked up at her guiltily. "I couldn't pick it up...I'm sorry." Mallory set the pot on the stove and turned it on before ruffling his hair. "No need to apologize. It happens." Neil smiled and the two of them stood in the kitchen chatting about random things while waiting for the water to boil. When water started to boil, Mallory took the three baggies of eggs, bacon and cheese and put it in the water. Neil watched her with a worried look, pondering on a question he had been keeping to himself for a long time now. "I know you want to ask me something. Just spit it out." Mallory stated bluntly. Neil was a little startled that she knew, but took a deep breath and asked his question. "Remember when you killed those bullies? Did you...enjoy it?" Mallory was silent as she thought over her words but decided she would be straight with the young boy. "Yes. I did. Well...a part of me did." She turned to Neil looking concerned. "Why do you ask?" Neil looked down, shuffling his feet. "W-Well it's just...I couldn't help how scared I was when it happened. It was something I had never seen before and it scared me. But you...you looked so happy when you took their lives, it was like you were made for it! Why do you enjoy it?" Mallory knelt down and held Neil by the shoulders forcing him to meet her gaze. "Neil. There are many secrets that I have and some you may find out someday but I need you to know that my actions...are not always my choice. There is a part of me that will always hate humanity and will want it gone. That part is something I never had a choice over and never will."
"What about the other part?" Mallory sighed with a smile. "It's the part that has always lived inside of me and one that I choose. The part of me that wants to protect. But because I have two different parts of me, I have to make a compromise which is to protect those who have so many choices that could give them the good life...and to kill those who have strayed too far and can no longer be saved. It's something I'm not proud of and I know it may be confusing but this is as much as I can tell you." Neil nodded in understanding and wrapped his arms around her, giving her a hug. "I understand." Mallory smiled and hugged him back. "Now...who wants omelets?"
After brunch, Mallory did the dishes with the help of Neil and took about two hours to clean her messed up room and replace the window that was broken in the fight. Once that was done she decided to take a look at the clock to see that it was 1:13 in the afternoon. "Oh I'm late. Guess Mr. Salty is going to become even more salty." Neil poked his head into the room looking guilty. "Uh Mallory? Sorry I didn't tell you before but um...you need to get down to the station." Mallory nodded looking irritated. "Yeah I know." she walked over to her closest and looked inside grabbing a fresh button up and her tyrian purple sweater vest. She walked over to her dresser and pulled out some undergarments and beige cargo shorts. Mallory went to the bathroom and took a quick shower. When she was done and had most of her clothes on she heard a knock at the bathroom door. "Mallory? It's Neil. I know that you're fine now but Mr. Paul might get suspicious if he sees that you have no injuries from last night so I thought we should re-patch you up. Just minus the injuries." Mallory opened the door and leaned on the door frame. Neil blushed and quickly covered his eyes. "Mallory put a shirt on!" Mallory chuckled. "But I'm wearing a bra and pants. Besides Neil it's just a body and if I do that how will we get those bandages on?" Neil stood there refusing to open his eyes. "Neil it'll only be for a little bit. Just wrap some bandages around me and then I'll put on a shirt." Neil cracked open an eye and looked up. Mallory raised a brow and stuck out a hand. "Deal?" Neil sighed and shook it. "Fine. Let's just get this over with."
Thirty minutes later. Neil was a blushing mess and Mallory was finally putting on a shirt. "You know you're most likely going to have female patients someday, right?" she asked buttoning up her shirt. Neil nodded and slapped his cheeks. "I know...I'm gonna have to get used to stitching up a mostly nude female body." Mallory nodded slipping on her vest and pulling her short hair into a low ponytail. "That's right. Anyway I guess I should get going, huh? Man I don't want to go." Neil was getting the bandages put away and was trying to keep his eyes off the large blood stain on the floor. He looked over at Mallory who was tying her hiking boots. "Uh I can come with you if you want." He suggested. Mallory shook her head and stood up, stretching out her arms with a grunt. "I don't think that's such a good idea Buddy." Neil looked sad, following Mallory outside he watched as she closed the door and locked it even though it wouldn't do much since her window was still broken. "Why not?" Mallory pursed her lips as she thought over her words carefully. "Well...I don't trust them and I want to protect you so yeah. Stay home." Mallory waved at him over her shoulder and left. "I'll be back later. One way or another."
The walk to the station was one that Mallory dreaded. Not because she was scared, but because she knew that meeting with the chief was going to ruin her day. From what she could gather, he was a salty old man with a big ego and hated it when things didn't go his way. He was basically the type she hated the most.
Mallory stood outside the station with a blank expression. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. To those around her it looked like she was just trying to calm her nerves, but in truth she was just trying not to take a lighter and set the building on fire. When she knew that her urge to destroy the place was quelled, she pulled the door open and walked inside. The door closed gently behind Mallory but the man in front of her looked like he was ready to fight anything. He tapped his foot with impatience, his arms crossed over his chest and his face was red from anger. Paul was undoubtedly pissed with Mallory. "GLAD YOU COULD FINALLY MAKE IT!" he snapped practically screaming in her face. Mallory rubbed the nape of her neck with a sigh. "Well I'm here now aren't I? Let' just get this over with okay Chief?"
Paul grunted and gestured for Mallory to follow. He lead her through the station and Mallory took this chance to collect her thoughts.
I wonder why he didn't just ask me last night, I mean he didn't have to listen to Henry and I could have told him about my attacker then but instead I had to waste my time and come here, I've got better things to do. Now that I think about it I should search around town for any abandoned places. I've been itching to do some inventing.
They stopped outside a small room that had a sign above the door that read, Interrogation Room in bold black letters.
I gotta get this outta the way first.
Mallory followed Paul into the small room and sat down. She watched him lock the door which did raise questions but she didn 't word them. Paul sat in a seat across from her and stared while Mallory looked around the little room. The walls were painfully white along with the ceiling and the floor was just plain old concrete. The only items in the room were the two chairs which they occupied and a little table that sat between them. Malory glanced at the chief and raised a brow. "You gonna interrogate or not, like, jeez old timer do your job." A small smile spread across Paul's face and he stood up. Mallory watched him and he walked around the table and stood behind her. He leaned into her line of sight and gave her a twisted grin. "Such a nice body." Mallory felt a hand squeeze her breast and she slapped it away. She jumped out of her chair and took a step back, Paul taking a step forward and extending his fingers. "I haven't seen such a wonderful body in so long that I had gotten so desperate. The last girl in this room was a college student but she felt very nice, even if she wasn't a virgin. I can tell that you're a virgin. I love virgins, they feel so pure." he pushed Mallory up against the door and licked his lips. "I was never going to question you. This job is just a cover up and even if you tell anyone, no one will believe you because this town bends to my very will. You won't-" Mallory's fist flew up and in to Paul's jaw, making the man stumble back in shock. He held his jaw and moved it around a bit. It was broken. He looked back at Mallory ready to beat the crap out of her but froze in fear. Mallory's pale blue eyes glared at him with an icy hatred and she hissed. "Don't you fucking touch me you pathetic piece of shit." he stood there and watched as Mallory kicked the metal door making it fly off its hinges and land in the hall. She stalked out of the room without a sound but left something behind. A type of fear that Paul had never felt before in his entire fifty-seven years of life.
Mallory stomped down the street in pure anger and frustration.
That perverted old man just wanted to get laid! Well fuck no, you disgusting bastard no wonder everyone hates you! You're just a perverted, old bitch-ass motherfucker…
Mallory came to a stop, her fists clenched and her head hung low, her shoulders trembling.
Who needs to be taught a lesson.
She started walking again, her hair hung over her eyes giving them a dark shadowy look and a wicked smile adorned her face.
And I'm gonna be the one givin it.
She thought with a dark and happy chuckle.
When Mallory got back to the house the first thing she did was grab a pen and paper. She sat down outside and began to write using the porch as a table. After a few minutes of re-writing a editing, Mallory smiled in triumph and called for Mayhem. The Robotic cat reluctantly padded outside and sat next to her. "What do you want girl?" he asked boredly. Mallory held up the paper which was folded neatly. "I need someone to deliver this message for me in secret." Mayhem glanced at the paper in distaste. "I refuse to deliver love letters." a look of anger crossed Mallory's face and she clenched a fist. "It's not a love letter it's a death letter!" Mallory yelled bopping the robo cat on the head. Mayhem sighed almost in bliss. "Such a wonderful thing to receive. A death letter. Who's it for?" he asked taking the paper from her hand and opening a small hatch in his paw. "It's for the chief of police. I swear people here make terrible choices." she watched as Mayhem placed the letter in his paw and stood up. "Says the killer girl with a love of crimson waterfalls." Mallory smiled at the thought. "True. Now go deliver it for me please. I want my prey nice and scared." Mayhem gave her a nod and bounded off, Mallory watching him from the porch. "I take it the questioning didn't go well?" Mallory glanced behind her and smiled seeing who it was. She patted the empty space next to her. "Not really." Neil walked over and sat down, his feet dangling off the porch. "What did Mr. Paul do?" Mallory rested her chin in her hand and stared ahead. "Made some moves he wasn't supposed to. Choices that are going to ruin his life. He thinks so high of himself that he can't see the pain he's causing. He can't accept the fact that he's in the wrong. I don't know why though. I did some digging and found some secrets he's tried to hide." Neil looked up at her, his blue eyes filled with curiosity. "What kind of secrets?" Mallory glanced at him and just stared. She didn't say anything, she didn't move, she just stared. It stayed that way for about two minutes when she reached out a hand and pulled his cheek earning shouts of protest from the small boy. "You're not allowed to know. You're too young." she leaned over and kissed his forehead. "And too pure. You're too good for this world." she cooed, letting go of his cheek. Neil held his cheek and touched his forehead with a sigh. "You always say that."
"And your grandpa can totally agree with me." she stated with a nod. Neil let out a sigh and looked over at the forest. He just studied it for awhile taking in all the colorful leaves that had yet to fall off the branches of the old trees. Mallory looked over at the forest and a idea popped into her head. She stood up and held out a hand towards Neil. "I want to show you something." Neil looked up at her curiously but took her hand and let her lead him off into the forest.
Mallory lead Neil through the forest going deeper and deeper into its wooden depths. Where she was taking him, Neil didn't know but was clearly excited to find out. They had walked so far that they made it out of the forest and into a lake clearing. The lake itself looked like it hadn't been touched by man at all. The water was a sparkling blue and, if you leaned over the edge, you could almost see the bottom. There were all kinds of fish and plants growing in the water which excited Neil. "Mallory this place is-" Mallory placed a finger over his lips, shushing him. She extended her arms and flopped onto the soft grass, Neil copying her movements. He felt the grass under his fingertips and sighed. "This is the softest grass ever." he said looking over to Mallory. She only nodded in response and just laid there quietly. Her once tense form was now relaxed and her normal serious expression was calm and peaceful as if she just drank the most relaxing tea in the world. Neil looked back up at the sky and smiled as he admired the suns setting rays giving the sky a soft peach tone. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" he looked over to Mallory who watched the sky with a longing expression. She reached out a hand as if to grab the color from the sky. "Sometimes, I want to just fly up to the heavens and feel the warmth of the sun's beams. But I know that will never happen in life nor in death. I am to forever wander the mortal plane." Neil sat up looking confused. "What do you mean?" he asked. Mallory sat up and crossed her legs, hunching over. "I'm not a good being Neil. I've snuffed the flame of life from so many people and my reasoning isn't the best but it's the only reason I've got. I've just seen so many bad things that I'm blinded by them sometimes. No one truly deserves to die but once they do their fate is left in the hands to someone else. And in some way...I've become the one to deliver them. I'm forever trapped in an endless cycle in the game of life and death." Neil took in her words and looked away. He felt guilty for asking his question and decided to change the subject by working with what he was given. "For some reason that sounds an awful lot like the wanderer." Mallory tensed a bit and refused to look at him. "Have you heard about the wanderer Mallory?" he asked excitedly. Mallory nodded and listened as he continued on. "They say that she's a mysterious yet powerful entity that can do anything! She travels around all over the place and they say that she never gives out her name and instead prefers to be called The Wanderer and the name totally suites her too but the strangest part is that no matter what no one can get a picture of her, and if they try, the photo just disappears! Some say that she's trying to find a special someone while others say she's traveling to pass out judgment to those who have wrongfully sinned because whenever she shows up in town, people who were thought to be good but were actually super bad, and are found dead just days after she arrives but no one can say it was her because the kill was so well done and there was no evidence left except a folder and...the torn up...body..." Neil's voice trailed off and he started thinking about his words while studying Mallory's posture. She was once again tense and her expression was calm yet serious. She glanced over at him and something clicked. He raised a shaky hand and pointed. "M-Mallory...y-you're the…." she smiled. "The Wanderer? Why yes, I am." she looked out and over the lake. "I have been for three years now, since I was fourteen. It'll be four years soon though." Mallory stated rather bitterly.
Four years since my escape...and eleven years since the incident.
Many images began to flow through Mallory's mind but she quickly pushed them away and stood up. The sun's light was now gone and the moon was rising up behind them to bath the earth in its otherworldly glow. Neil stood up and without a word the two of them started walking back to the house, listening to the sounds of the night, unaware of the eyes that watched them.