Chapter 3: The Hand
The van puttered slowly along and Michelle only awoke when the van came to a full stop at the house. She got up slowly and groaned painfully. As she sat up, she noticed she was in the passenger seat in the van. Before she could think on much else, Skips spoke to her. "You okay?" he asked her.
Michelle looked at him and saw the same hard look he usually had on his face. She could have sworn she saw concern in his stoic features though. "I'm fine," she replied.
"You sure?" he asked.
"Yeah... I just need some sleep... or something." Michelle sounded really sad, but Skips didn't pry further.
When they got out of the van, Michelle started walking toward her bus with Renae, but a green portal halted the procession. Death appeared out of the portal on his bike and Michelle groaned. Now what? she thought. Death answered her unspoken question: "Michelle, if you go back in your mind to our wager, it was agreed you would help me with a spirit."
"Oh... that," said Michelle. "Can't it wait until tomorrow?"
"I'd rather you come now," said Death.
Michelle groaned and said dejectedly, "Fine." She got on the back of Death's bike. She declined his invitation to hang onto him, saying she'd rather hang onto the bike.
When they got through the portal, they came to a foggy place with tall grass. Death parked his bike and got up. He extended a hand to help Michelle up, but she declined by getting up herself. "All right; the place is close, but I didn't want to run into the place with the bike," said Death.
"Understood," said Michelle. They walked on into the fog. From what little Michelle could make out, it was a crowded forest. There were no sounds to be made out except for the sounds of their footsteps.
As they went on, the fog cleared a little and a big building could be made out. Michelle squinted at the place, trying to place it. "Do you remember this place, Michelle?" asked Death.
"Oh... my... this is..." said Michelle.
"Yep," Death replied.
"Wow... they really let it go."
"The year she died was the last year the school ran... but, of course, you wouldn't know that. Would you, Michelle?"
"Wait, we're not here to see her, are we?
Not answering her question, Death instead pointed and said, "Look."
Where Death pointed was toward the school. There was a ghost that looked like a young woman in older clothes, and fancy clothes at that. She looked as if she was ready for a dance, but her translucent form betrayed the fact that she had died during that dance.
"Nope. I'm not doing it. Sorry," said Michelle.
"Aw, come on, Michelle. She won't come to the Underworld where she belongs because she keeps saying she has to tell you something," said Death.
"Ugh, fine," said Michelle. She walked toward the ghost of the young woman. When she approached, the girl looked up and smiled joyfully.
"You're here at last," said the girl.
"Yeah, whatever, just tell me what you want to tell me so that I can go," said Michelle.
"You don't sound very happy to see me... and I understand why."
"No, you don't. If you did, your last day would have never happened. Why'd you have to fall in love with him of all people?"
"I didn't know you liked him. Besides, it wasn't like you were doing anything about your feelings except bottling them up."
"It's the only way I won't get hurt. I've been in love with him for too long to take a rejection from him. I need him to like me first, then I'll confess. Until then, I'm keeping my mouth shut."
"E, you know that's not healthy for you. I'm surprised you haven't told him a long time ago."
"I'm working up to it... but then again, it's not like it matters anyway. Are we even meant to be together, him and I?"
"That's what I wanted to tell you tonight. Before I died, I had a dream that you need to hear, E."
Michelle shifted, uncertain. "Okay," she said.
The girl continued, "In my dream, there were three people: you, me, and him. Between him and I were three threads intertwined. Two of those threads were red and the one thread was black. I took that to mean that we loved each other, but that something horrible would happen to one of us very soon."
"Good deduction, considering as how you're dead and all," Michelle scoffed.
"That was why I saved him though." Michelle was quiet at that. "Of course, you probably didn't know that."
"I did, I'm just so consumed with jealousy over you that I tend to forget. So many years later and you're still the only one he loves." Michelle was quiet a moment. Then she said, "Well, go ahead, where do I come in in your dream?"
The girl smiled and continued, "Between you and him were two red threads and one white thread, all intertwined, and the white thread was incredibly bright. I didn't know precisely what it meant, but I thought it might mean true love and that you'll both live." Michelle's eyes widened and she was speechless again. "Think on what I have said, E, because the longer you wait, the more it will hurt you. If you tell him, you'll feel a lot better."
"Not if he says it's not the same with him. As I've said, he's still crazy for you."
"Put your jealousy aside and at least talk to him. You don't have to tell him yet if you don't want to, but promise me you'll talk to him at least. Then, I will leave peacefully."
"All right, D, I'll talk to him."
"Good." To Death, the girl said, "I am ready now."
"About time," said Death. He took the girl and she boarded the back of his bike.
"It's all right, I know the way from here," said Michelle.
"I can give you a ride, you know," said Death. His bike had plenty of room for another passenger, living or otherwise.
"No, thank you. One ride is enough," said Michelle, even though she might have been persuaded otherwise.
"Suit yourself, then," said Death as he rode away with the girl in tow.
Michelle sighed and began the trek home. By the time she made it back to the park house, it was dawn and she was beyond tired. She sighed deeply before finding a small stone to begin kicking. She kept kicking it along absent-mindedly until she reached the park house steps. She sighed again and plunked down on the steps, feeling sorry for herself. She picked up a stick and started tracing it in the dirt.
"Why'd he have to pick her instead of me?" she asked. "Well, because you didn't talk soon enough. You just keep standing there like some idiot making up excuses. What's so hard about telling him you like him?!" She threw the stick into the tree line, frustrated with herself. "Now, my life has become jealousy and heartache." She scoffed and kicked at the dirt.
Then, an idea struck her. She got up and made her way into the park house. In the hall next to the stairs was her upright piano. It was something she treasured very highly in her life since it was the only thing she had left from her parents. She regretted letting Renae ride it through the park on their first day. She opened the key cover and hovered her fingers over the keys. She hesitated only a moment. It was still rather early to awaken anyone, but her grief was such a big part of her heart at the moment that she didn't really care. She waved a hand, scoffing, "Eh, I'll make them breakfast to make it up to them for waking them up so early." She nodded, decision made. Her fingers hovered over the keys again and finally began moving. The melody was sad and aching: a perfect reflection of Michelle's heart.
Michelle was right when she thought she would wake the others in the house. She heard footsteps come down the stairs, but she was already so into her music that she didn't care. She didn't want to stop until the pain went away. Her fingers were already moving of their own volition. Tears fell steadily and calmly from her eyes. She wouldn't sob. Not today.
Michelle heard that the footsteps had stopped. It appeared to her that they were listening to her play. She kept playing until she finally reached the point where she wasn't as sad anymore. She then switched the tone of the song to a happier, lighter one. It was the mirrored opposite of the tone she was playing before. Whereas the first one made you want to weep, this tone made you want to laugh for joy. When she was satisfied, she stopped playing and was received with applause.
"Good show! Jolly good show!" exclaimed Pops happily. Mordecai and Rigby were also there clapping. Michelle smiled.
"Wow, Michelle, where'd you learn to play like that?" asked Mordecai.
"I've been playing for a very long time. I don't remember a time I wasn't playing. My father had taught me from when I was very young. You could say I had a knack for it," said Michelle. She looked distant for a moment before she continued, "Well, I think it is well within my rights to make it up to you boys in any way I see fit. So, I choose to make you breakfast to make up for getting you up so early." She got up and started heading for the kitchen. The boys followed.
"Aw, naw, you don't have to worry about it," said Mordecai.
"Yeah, it was really cool," said Rigby.
"I thank you for your compliments, but I'm afraid I must insist. It's the least I could do, after all," said Michelle. She had made it to the kitchen and was now looking through the cupboards. "Hmm... hang on," she said as she took out her cell phone.
Michelle had called Renae. It turns out, Renae was not a morning person, so it took three rings before a reply came across the line. Renae gave a sleepy: "Michelle, it's five in the morning, go to bed!"
"Renae, wait, don't hang up!" Michelle pleaded.
"Ugh... what?" Renae was irritable now.
"I need you to bring a few things over to the park house. I'm making breakfast."
"Why can't you make it here?"
"Ugh, Renae, just please bring me what I want."
"Okay... what do you want?"
Michelle smiled. Now she had her. "I want you to bring my white apron with the frill that looks like flowers and the waffle iron from the cupboard."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"Ugh, fine." Renae hung up and Michelle hoped that Renae had caught all of that.
In a few minutes, it was confirmed that despite sleepiness, Renae had been listening. Michelle took the apron and tied it neatly around her waist. The long apron covered her so entirely that she could probably wear just it and no one would have noticed. She put the waffle iron on the counter-top and plugged it in to heat it up. She then began moving fluidly throughout the kitchen as if she had been there her whole life. She got to work on pancakes and waffles and soon the kitchen filled with the sweet aroma.
Just as she was serving pancakes, Skips walked in the door. "Oh, good morning, Skips," said Michelle pleasantly. "Won't you join us for breakfast?"
"Uh, sure," said Skips. It had been a while since someone had given him a home-cooked meal... a long while.
It wasn't long before the rest of the staff found their way into the kitchen. They all got served breakfast and Michelle was happy to serve them. It seems everyone is early to work today, thought Michelle.
"Mmm, these pancakes are really good, Michelle," said Benson appreciatively.
"I'm glad you like them. I have many recipes that I taught myself and spent years perfecting," said Michelle.
"Well, it was time well spent," said Benson. He smiled, but Michelle turned away as if she hadn't seen it.
"So, what's on the agenda for today, Benson?" asked Michelle.
It turned out, the agenda was pretty easy. Michelle and Renae helped Pops in the garden; Skips was tinkering on one of the carts in his garage; Muscle Man and High-Five Ghost were pulling weeds; Mordecai and Rigby were mowing the lawn; Benson was doing paperwork in his office and taking calls; Thomas was picking up trash and doing errands. It was a pretty easy day, overall.
Night fell and Michelle was more than tired. She didn't speak of the pain she felt all over her body. She was taught better than to complain. However, Renae was not taught that much restraint. "Ugh, my back is killing me! Who knew gardening would be so hard?" Renae whined.
"Chill, Renae, today wasn't that bad," said Michelle.
Renae mocked Michelle. " 'Today wasn't that bad,' you say that about every day! Don't you ever get tired?"
"Of course I get tired, it's just..."
"What? What is it, Michelle?"
"I... I think I hear something."
"What does it sound like?" The two friends were very near their bus now and were about to go inside. Renae stood on the steps and was about ready to open the door, but she looked back at her friend curiously.
"It sounds like..." Renae's hand was on the handle. She turned the handle... "A bomb!" Michelle finished as she grabbed Renae and shielded her. What happened then was a big explosion. It sent the two friends flying. In the few moments Michelle had consciousness, she dropped Renae into a tree. Michelle landed just behind the tree, some feet away. She was knocked out and Renae was in panic mode.
"Oh, man! Oh, man!" Renae fiddled with her fingers: her number one fidget when nervous.
Fire crackled and consumed the bus in flames. There certainly wasn't any living space salvageable now. The only comfort Renae had at that moment was the fact that both she and Michelle kept their most precious belongings in fireboxes. No matter if there was a fire, flood, or yes, bomb, all of their important documents and family heirlooms would be kept safe. Losing the bus did eliminate a lot of their wardrobe though. We're homeless! thought Renae.
Then, Renae remembered Michelle. As the fire crackled on and small explosions took place, she climbed down from the tree and went to Michelle's side. Michelle woke up, dazed, but all right. Michelle sighed, grateful that her friend was safe.
Just as Michelle was comforted though, one of the smaller explosions hit the tree. The tree was falling! Making a split-second decision, she threw Renae out of the way, but was crushed by the tree's branches.
"Oh, no!" Renae was in full-fledged panic mode now. "What do I do? What do I do?" she fiddled with her fingers manically. Then, she was struck with a clear idea: "Help! I need to get help!" She ran off, far away from the explosions, toward the park house. On her way there though, she noticed the park staff heading toward her.
"What happened, Renae? We heard an explosion," said Benson.
"Our bus got blown up!" responded Renae. The park staff gasped.
"Wait, where's Michelle?" asked Skips.
"She's stuck under a tree that fell over," replied Renae. Another collective gasp. "Please, she needs help."
"All right, Pops, call an ambulance and the fire department. I can see smoke in the distance, so there's gotta be a fire. The rest of us are going to get that tree off of her," said Benson. Pops nodded gravely and ran into the house to make the call.
Everyone else followed Renae to the scene of the disaster. She led them to the tree and backed out of the way. Skips was able to easily lift the tree, but there was a problem. "She's stuck in the branches!" said Rigby.
"Mordecai, Rigby, quick, go get the saws from the shed. We're gonna have to cut her out," said Skips.
It didn't take long for the two to get the tools and return. Mordecai, Muscle Man, and Skips worked at sawing the branches away. By the time they had her free, the fire department had arrived to extinguish the fire. The ambulance was there as well. As soon as Skips lifted Michelle free from the tree, the ambulance's gurney was at his side. He put Michelle on it and was about to follow Renae into the ambulance when he was stopped by one of the EMT's. "Sorry, there's no room," the EMT simply said. Without another word, the doors were closed and Skips was left standing there.
"Come on, we're going to the hospital," said Skips. He and the rest of the park staff went into his van and headed toward the hospital. The only member of the staff that wasn't there was Thomas, but that was only because he had college classes to attend in the morning and couldn't stay out late.
When they arrived at the hospital, they were just in time to see Michelle get carted in. Renae was following as quickly as she could. Before Michelle was rolled through the next set of doors, they heard her say, very clearly: "No more... I can't take it anymore."
All that was left for the park staff to do was sit and wait for news. They had only known Michelle and Renae a few days, yet they felt like part of the family already. Sure, the park wasn't a blood family, but they were a family of friends who stuck together... no matter what.
It wasn't very long after Michelle was taken through the other doors that Renae came walking out, looking rather sulky. She took a seat on one of the chairs across from the park employees. She looked thoughtful a moment before she looked at Skips straight on and said, "This has to stop. I may have only known Michelle for five years, but there's something that's bothering her. I never knew what it was and I still don't... but I've seen her look at you when she thinks no one else is noticing. I think she thinks you can help her."
Before anything else could be said, a doctor came through and Renae stood up and looked at him. They all looked at him expectantly to find out what his news was. "I'm afraid your friend Michelle is in an uneasy state. She's feverish and she keeps saying: 'I can't die yet, I can't die yet.' We also think she may be hallucinating. She looked in the window once and refuses to look again, claiming she saw someone named Adam in the window. Her room is on the third floor. There is no way anyone could climb the walls. They'd need to be superhuman!" The doctor said.
"Yeah, or under-human..." muttered Renae.
Just then, a younger guy, presumably a nurse, ran up behind the doctor. He whispered something in his ear and he nodded. "Which of you here is called Skips?" asked the doctor.
"That would be me," said Skips, standing up.
"She's asking for you," said the doctor.
"Told you," said Renae. "Go on." Skips took a deep breath and nodded. He followed the doctor and nurse beyond the set of double doors, up a few floors, and into Michelle's room.
Michelle was in a hospital bed, tucked tightly in the sheets and shivering. Skips pulled up a chair and sat down by her side. He looked at her and his heart felt heavy at seeing her. She looked really pale and sweat was making its way down her head. She opened her eyes and noticed Skips there. "T-take my hand," Michelle requested. She offered her hand and, out of sympathy for her suffering, he took her hand in his. When he did, she took a deep breath and stopped shivering. She seemed more at peace now. "All right. I think the crisis has been averted. We can go home now," she said.
"It's remarkable. Just moments ago, she was deathly sick!" The doctor was stunned.
"Hey, I was sick, now I'm better, so let's move on. I just wanna go home," said Michelle. She gripped Skips's hand tighter as she said this.
"Michelle, don't you remember what happened?" asked Skips.
"Yeah, the bus blew up. It was probably Adam's design that it did so... or the mob. I don't really know. I just... I want to lay down and sleep in someplace I know I'll be safe. If you go, Skips, then here isn't it," said Michelle.
"Well... I can stay here until you fall asleep if that'll make you feel better," said Skips.
"All night, Skips."
"All night?!"
"Please, Skips... I don't feel safe right now. I know it's selfish of me to ask, but I need you to protect me. Whoever planted the bomb isn't through with me yet. They want me to suffer... but I can't suffer if I am protected."
"All right, I'll stay."
"Thank you, Skips. I promise you that I'll repay you for this. Whatever you want, I'll do it... if it's within reason, of course."
Skips laughed. "I'm sure I won't need you to."
Michelle smiled and was relieved at having a protector by her side. As she fell asleep, she never let go of Skips's hand. After all, that hand was the hand that held her safely. As long as she was holding his hand, she felt at home.
Okay then... what do you guys think? Please review and tell me what you think shall happen next. Is there something more there than Michelle cares to reveal? Only I know ;) Please keep reading and reviewing, I appreciate the attention, guys, so thanks :)