Ronin
Special #1
What Might have been
By: Ghost of the Dawn
Chapter 1: Cye, part 2
Robyn didn't sleep well that night. She couldn't. Her mind was racing a hundred miles an hour. Ever since Cye had told her they were going to see her parents that following day, Robyn was sucked into a world pool of worries. She hardly recalled even how the rest of that evening went. Now she was in bed, in the dark. Her mind wasn't even on whether Cye would make any advances on her that night. Apparently not, since he seemed to be sleeping now and she was still wide awake.
Her mind hummed and fretted over all the possibilities. Her parents, she was going to see HER parents. Two figures in her life that she never wanted to see again. What were they like? They couldn't be the same in this world. Even though this wasn't her Cye, Robyn was sure if her parents were the way she knew them, he would have a problem with it. But this different Cye seemed perfectly happy to meet with them. Robyn took that as a sign she wasn't, at least, in any danger from them.
Still, how was she supposed to act around these people? Was she supposed to pretend that she loved them? With Cye, it was easier. She may not have loved him as a wife for her husband, but she still loved him. It was easy to fake the rest if needed. But these people...Robyn rolled over in bed as she continued to worry. These people she felt something close to hate for in her world. And fear. What was she supposed to do?
Robyn worried herself right into sleep as she struggled with her thoughts and fears in her dreams. The next thing she recalled was a slight shaking of her shoulder.
"Mm?" she asked sleepily, cracking open one eye. Everything around her was blurry and she felt exhausted. As if she had not rested the entire night.
"You slept in," Cye's voice whispered to her. "I've got to go to work in a few minutes."
Robyn mumbled some kind of response, fully intending to go back to sleep.
"I don't have as many classes on Friday's," Cye continued. "I'll be home earlier so we can leave in time for dinner."
Cye moved off as Robyn's groggy mind slowly processed what it had been told. He must teach at a college to get different hours on Friday. That's really cool...dinner, where..?
Robyn gasped and fell off the bed as she remember what was going to happen that day. She caught a glance of Cye exiting the room as she pulled herself to her feet and stumbled towards the bedroom door, not caring what she looked like in front of him. Robyn caught herself on the doorframe, finding Cye meandering about in the kitchen.
"What time will you be back?" she asked, urgency in her voice.
Cye didn't look up from where he seemed to be sealing his lunch in a plastic container. "About 2:30 if traffic is good."
"And when are we going...there? We're going together, right?"
Cye must have noticed the tone of her voice at that time for he turned around and walked up to her.
Robyn was sure she was reflecting that of a lost child instead of a married woman. But she could hardly help it. Cye was looking down at her with a curious smile.
"What is up with that face?" he wondered playfully at her expression. "I'll be back soon."
He captured her chin between his thumb and index finger, lifting it up to give her a quick peck on the lips. Robyn allowed him to, hardly even noticing as the regular anxiety and fear came back. If she went with Cye, she would be okay, she kept telling herself. As long as Cye was there, she would be alright.
You BETTER come back, Robyn thought as Cye tossed a cheery good bye to her and headed out the door.
After he had gone, Robyn set about showering and dressing. She wondered what to wear for such an event tonight. What did normal, married people wear when they went to visit their parents? Robyn was sure normal people didn't think about this as much as she did. But then again, she wasn't in quite a normal predicament at the time. Settling on slacks and a shirt that were nice but not too nice, Robyn went back into the kitchen to make herself some breakfast. (Apparently, it was a cereal day.)
Once done with that, Robyn cleaned the dishes and whatever else looked dirty on the table and counters. With nothing else better to do and wanting to keep her mind off that evening, Robyn set out about the house to see what else she could clean. Unfortunately, the place seemed pretty organized. Robyn wondered if maybe she should do some laundry. There seemed to be enough for that, but putting one load in the washer only took five minutes. And Robyn decided it would be enough for that day since she caught herself sniffing Cye's shirts. Even more disturbing was the fact that she liked the smell. It smelled like a man and made a feeling deep down in her stomach churn. She found she didn't like that reaction and ran off to find something else to do while the single load of clothes were washed.
Like there is anything else TO do, Robyn thought in boredom. Do I really do this all day? Just stay home and find mundane things to pass the time? I wonder if Cye would mind if I got a part time job...
"NO! WAIT!" Robyn screamed out loud in the living room. She shook her head vigorously to get rid of those thoughts. She was starting to think she actually WAS his wife and she WAS going to end up stuck in this life forever.
No, I can't think that way! Robyn demanded in her head. I am NOT going to stay here forever! There has to be a way out back to my own life! And I'm going to find it!
The rest of her day was consumed in those thoughts. Robyn spent a lot of time outside thinking. She was determined to solve this puzzle. There had to have been some hint, some clue as to why this had happened. In the movies, weird things always happened after you bought something new at a strange store you had never seen before: a monkey's paw, funky earrings, a book with an odd cover. Robyn had done none of these things. At least, not that she could remember. In fact, Robyn was still having a hard time remembering the last thing she did before she woke up there.
It was the same as that first morning. She still could not recall anything extra. Right now, thinking about her life was like thinking about a tv show. She remembered all the interesting parts, but nothing of the day to day. She could not remember anything she did the day before waking up here. She couldn't even remember going to sleep the night before or if she went to sleep the night before. There was nothing. It was as if she used to be there and now she was just here and that was it.
The lack of progress bothered her, but there was no more time to worry about it now. Cye had come back home and had ran in the bedroom to change into something more comfortable. Then he set about working in the kitchen again, calling something about being asked to make the dessert for dinner. Robyn wandered in a bit later, feeling a bit bad that Cye was doing all the work. She idly wondered if Cye always did the cooking. It didn't seem right. He worked all day. She should be at least be helping out in the kitchen.
She thought about this as she sat on a kitchen chair and watching him mix something in a bowl and then pour it into a pan. It was obvious it was too late to ask now, but Robyn did anyway.
"Anything I can do to help?"
"Sure! Here, clean out this," Cye placed the large mixing bowl he was using on the table in front of her.
Robyn couldn't help but notice the mixture was something chocolatey and there was also still a generous amount sticking to the sides and the large spatula inside.
"Gladly!" Robyn agreed whole heartedly. She pulled out the spatula and started to clean it with her tongue. As she did so, she recalled how her Cye would sometimes do this as well. That thought made her both a little happy and a little sad.
"Hey, this is REALLY good," Robyn announced, hardly able to stop eating the batter.
"Is it?" Cye asked as he turned around. "Let me have a taste." He slyly leaned over to kiss her.
"Oh gross! Not that way!" Robyn protested by covering her mouth. "Here, use this!" She thrust the spatula in his face.
"Aww..." Cye pouted, but still enjoyed tasting what he had made as he stuck the pan in the oven.
He then set the timer and went off down the hall to his study room. Probably to take care of a few things before they had to leave. When finished cleaning out the bowl, Robyn stuck it in the sink to clean it out for real and then dried and put it away. Several minutes later, the timer went off and since Cye wasn't back, Robyn scurried to hunt down a hot pad and take out the cake.
"Cyyyye! You're cake's done!" She called in the fashion one would call their sibling down for supper.
"Be there in a minute, Love," Cye called from down the hall.
Robyn chuckled. It was so cute when he called her 'Love'.
Wait, no. That wasn't right. He never called her that. And why would she be enjoying it? Why did she want him to call her that again? She was acting like a freaking idiot!
Luckily, Cye gave her a good 15 minutes to get herself together before he emerged back into the kitchen again. Robyn had been in the living room, but followed him in when he came back. She watched as Cye carefully checked the temperature of the pan and frowned.
"I should have made this last night," he said as he set about getting more ingredients. "This needs refrigeration. I hope there will be enough time before dinner. We'll have to pop it in your parent's fridge the second we get there."
Robyn watched curiously as Cye opened a canister and poured the gooey looking contents onto the cooling cake.
"What are you making?" she asked.
Cye gave her an odd look. "What? You were the one who hounded me to learn the recipe. And it's what you have insisted to be called 'Better-Than-Sex Cake'."
Robyn's eyes went wide. She had eaten that cake once or twice in the states. When she had asked her Cye if he had heard of it, he, having lived in Japan, had no idea what she was talking about and was even a bit disturbed at the name. But this new Cye, HE took the time to learn it. HE listened to what she wanted. He, Robyn admitted with stars in her eyes, was absolutely wonderful.
The stars shattered when Cye pulled a container of store bought whipped topping from the fridge.
"Hey!" Robyn accused. "What is that? Too lazy to make your own?"
"Too busy," Cye shot back with a laugh. "SOO sorry to disappoint, My Princess, but with a full time job, this is all thy humble servant has time for."
Robyn sighed as she watched him finish up the dessert. Her dreams of having Better-Than-Sex Cake entirely made from scratch was still just a dream.
After putting the cake in the fridge, Cye turned around and picked up on Robyn's disappointed face.
"Don't worry," he told her slyly, leaning in so their faces were almost nose to nose. "One day I'll make at all from scratch just for you. Until then, to make it up to you, tonight we'll make the other part better than the cake."
Robyn's expression was blank as Cye sauntered off. She hardly even noticed the suggestive pat he gave her on her backside. Slowly his comment sunk in and an appalled look spread across her face.
Did he mean he---oh, that sly dog thought he was getting laid tonight. Well, she had news for him.
It was about a 45 minute drive to go in one side of the city and come out the other. Robyn clutched the cake pan, now slightly cooler, the entire way. Her heart was flip-flopping. How close were they? What kind of house did they have? What should she do to greet them? Hugs? A quick 'How you doing'? She had no idea.
Cye stopped the car outside a quaint little house with a white fence and a big backyard. It was the kind of house Robyn has always dreamed of growing up in. Robyn got out of the car in awe. It didn't feel like this place housed folks like her parents. But this was where Cye had stopped.
Letting him lead, Robyn stayed a pace or two behind Cye as he opened the gate and went up the walk way, up the stairs and to the front door. Robyn's heart was pounding now as she clutched the cake pan tighter. This was it. No turning back now.
Cye had hardly knocked on the door when it was flung open from the inside by a thin, wide eyed woman. The woman gave an excited scream and Robyn almost screamed as well as she was swept up in a hug much tighter than what Robyn would have expected from a woman that size.
"You're here!" the woman--Robyn guessed was supposed to be her mother--exclaimed. "Ohhh, I'm so happy! My baby's going to have a baby!"
Robyn winced a bit. She had forgotten about that part. The woman broke into motherly sniffles, still hugging her while Robyn threw a glance at Cye. He seemed a bit sympathetic to her predicament, but didn't move to help. It didn't matter, for the woman moved to him next, hugging and blubbering over him as well. Robyn was left to try and take it all in.
"It's good to see you, too Mom," Cye was saying.
Robyn raised an eye at that. But of course, since they were married, he probably referred to her parents as "mom" and "dad" as well. Still, it was weird.
"We need to get this right into the fridge," Cye continued, motioning to the pan Robyn carried.
"Oh! Of course!" Robyn's mother exclaimed as she snatched the pan from Robyn and started into the house. "Come in, come in."
Cye motioned Robyn to go first after her mother. Robyn did so, still a bit dazed. She was only slightly aware that Cye had closed the door after them. The house inside was quaint and cozy. It was quite nice. Lots of breakables around which told there were no longer any children within the household. Robyn paused down the hall to glance a few hanging pictures of the family. Looked like she was still an only child. They moved into the living room where a gruff looking man was getting out of his chair. "There's my girl," he greeted.
A bit of fear ran down Robyn's spine at the sight of him. This was almost too much to take in at one time. The man walked towards her and she had to mentally for herself to act normal. Hug him. It's okay. He's not going to do anything to you. Act normal.
She embraced the man and he patted her on the back and then shook Cye's hand. And it was over. Robyn breathed a sigh of relief and things just went on as things usually do. The men sat down in front of the tv to make small talk or watch what was on. Robyn went into the kitchen with her mother to help with last minute preparations. She didn't even have to come up with something to talk about. Her mother did all the talking as most mothers do.
She talked to Robyn about the baby and being pregnant. Making sure she knew what vitamins to take, what were the best foods to eat, and how often she should visit the doctor for check ups. Robyn, for her part, filtered most of it out and just nodded politely. Hearing it from this woman was different than hearing it from Cye. Robyn could handle this easier, just kind of listening to the prattle from this woman. She did look a lot like Robyn's real mother. The face, the hair, the build, it was all the same. But she was different. There was sanity, caring, humanity in this one. When she spoke, it didn't seem laced with danger. In fact, Robyn had no problem at all tuning the talkative woman out completely if she wanted to.
Oh my gosh! Robyn thought to herself as she realized this. I can selectively tune out her voice as if she WAS my real mom!
"So everything is still going good in the marriage, I assume," Robyn's mother then said.
Robyn looked up from where she was mixing the salad. That subject was a bit more interesting to her so she tuned the woman's voice back in.
"Yes, everything is fine," Robyn said. At least she assumed from the past three days that everything was fine.
"I'm so glad," her mother said, her voice changing from lecture mode to heart-to-heart mode. "I'm so happy you've found such a nice boy who loves you. I was very worried when you were dating that American boy, Jason."
Robyn dropped the salad tongs into the bowl.
"That really wasn't a healthy relationship for you," her mom continued.
Robyn's heart beat picked up a little. He existed in this world, too? Was he the same Jason she knew, or someone different here? By the way her mother sounded, he still wasn't a very good person. But certainly, it wasn't the same even if Jason acted the same. The whole ordeal that happened between them in her world didn't take place here. No Nago, no dark powers. For that matter, Robyn highly doubted Cye was a Ronin Warrior in this world as well. He was Cye, but he didn't have the same look her Cye did. His face was gentle, but her Cye still had a hardness in his eyes from experiences in his youth no one should have to experience. The Cye in this world did not have that look.
Dinner went as usual for a family dinner. Everyone made small talk about what they were doing these days. Robyn tried to fudge and be vague on any questions steered her way. But she did find out many interesting things about Cye. He did, in fact teach at a local college. Robyn was surprised that the English language and also writing classes were what he taught. Though he still loved the ocean and, it seemed to Robyn, went on one ocean trip every summer. Her dad was currently asking where he was planning to go the next upcoming summer break.
By that time, Robyn started to zone out. All she could see was the family scene before her. She always dreamed of such a thing. A real family where everyone would come together and enjoy each other's company. She wanted this her whole life. But this scene, this family, wasn't hers. And inside, it made her heart ache.
After dinner, Robyn's father made himself at home again on the couch while Robyn's mother quickly excused herself before dessert to talk with a friend who had called. Robyn took this opportunity to peek around the house some more. She was a bit tempted to see if she still had a room somewhere in this house or if they had turned it to something else. But she gave up on that idea. She wasn't sure she could stand it if she did still have a room there. Instead, she opted to go out the back door.
Her parents had a large, wood porch on the back of their house with a generous backyard. Robyn could almost picture herself playing there as the sun began to set. It was a beautiful sight.
"That's where you snuck off to," Cye said as he opened the door and stepped outside.
Robyn was leaning against the rail, still looking out into the yard and the darkening night sky. She felt more than saw Cye come up behind her. He put his hands on the rail at either side of her and rested his chin on the top of her head. Robyn allowed him to do so. It was a bit breezy that night and she welcomed the extra body heat as long as he kept his hands to himself. Then again, they were at her parents house. She doubted Cye was going to try anything here.
"So how was talking with your mom?"
Unlike any other experience I have ever had!
"It was alright," Robyn fought the urge just to lean back into him and let him put his arms around her. She was sure he would be warm and it was tempting. "She kept going on about how glad she was I married you instead of staying with my old boyfriend."
Right then, she could feel Cye's body tense up. That caught her by surprise. She wasn't expecting that kind of reaction from him. She looked up at his face. His expression was stern and maybe even a bit troubled. She heard him breathe out heavily through his nose to calm himself and she had to ask.
"It bothers you that much?"
Cye didn't move from his place, but hung his head. Robyn was aware of how tightly he was gripping the rails.
"It will always bother me," he said softly. "No man should ever treat a woman that way. If he or anyone else ever hurt you again, I'd..."
Robyn looked away. So that's what it was. In this world, Jason had been physically abusive. That sounded about right for someone like him. And from the way her mother acted as opposed to the way Cye was acting, Robyn guessed her parents didn't know the whole story. Cye, obviously, did. It was possible he even helped to protect her from him.
No. Robyn looked back up at his face. She KNEW he had protected her. It was Cye, after all. That was what he did for her in any world. She turned to fully face him, filled with an overwhelming urge to hold him in her arms.
Cye met her gaze and Robyn hesitated for a moment. She wasn't too comfortable showing physical affection to him in her own world. For one, he would have given her a funny look and asked her what she wanted from him if she did that. For another, if the others were present, all types of jokes and teasing would have gone on. It was easier just not to do it.
But here...Robyn's heart picked up at the thought of it. Here he was her husband. He would let her touch him whenever she wanted without question. And before Robyn knew it, she was leaning in, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head lightly on his chest. She waited, heart beating faster for Cye's response.
He chuckled. Robyn remained how she was, unsure what that response meant. Her Cye hardly ever chuckled..
"There you are," Cye's voice whispered gently to her. "You haven't been very affectionate lately. I was beginning to wonder if something was going on."
Robyn instantly felt guilty. So he had noticed all this time and hadn't said a thing. She really was a poor imitation of his real wife.
"I'm sorry," she said, and she meant it. "I haven't been feeling myself lately but..." She couldn't stop herself from saying the rest. "But that doesn't change anything between us."
Cye stepped back so he could look at her. He lifted her chin with a finger and Robyn took a good look at his face as if she had never seen that face before. In a way, maybe she hadn't. She had seen him every day for almost a year, but she never really LOOKED before. She never really saw how handsome he was. With him being so close and so focused on her, Robyn was beginning to see not just Cye as the Cye she knew, but also as a man.
Her eyes traveled down to his mouth and she felt her face grow warm. She was well aware a part of her wanted him to kiss her, but the logical part was trying to fight that urge. 'This isn't your Cye,' it said. 'He's someone else entirely. He's someone else's HUSBAND. Don't–'
Her mind shut off as Cye reached down and possessed her mouth with his. And she let him. They pulled back and kissed again. She had kissed Cye before, but it never felt like this. She had never wanted it like this before. Robyn's hands traveled up of their own accord to cup Cye's face and deepen the kisses. Her fingers absently played with the ends of his hair. This felt right. In the back of her mind, Robyn was wondering if she was slowly becoming the version of her that did belong there. Perhaps it was the other life that was the dream and this was her true reality.
The sound of a deep voice clearing their throat broke off the couple.
Robyn glanced past Cye's wide frame to see both her parents standing by the door. Her mother looked amused while her father did not.
"My, my, maybe it's time you kids headed home," her mom tittered knowingly.
"Acting like teenagers on my porch..." her dad grumbled.
Robyn had never been so embarrassed.
She kept her head down as they all had dessert together, wondering if her face would ever go back to its correct color. It didn't seem to bother Cye much and her mother seemed pleased as punch about it. But Robyn was extremely happy when they were able to leave.
The drive back home was nice. Cye talked most of the time while Robyn listened. Well, she didn't so much listen to what he said as much as just the sound of his voice. For some reason, that was all she wanted to hear. It didn't matter what he said as long as she could hear his voice. Robyn was also a bit distracted with Cye's hand resting on hers the entire way. She had never held hands or done any of that dating lovey-dovey stuff before. It felt nice. His hand radiated a warmth that spread all the way up her arm. Any time she would look from the hand to his face, she would remember how they kissed before and her face would get warm. So she would go back to just staring at the hand and listening to his voice.
Robyn was never so glad to be home. It FELT like home. Like a place to rest. How weird was that? She had only lived there for a little less than three days. How did this place come to feel like some place where she could rest and be happy?
"What a day," Cye said half to himself as he put the remainder of the cake in the fridge. "I'm glad tomorrow is Saturday. It will be nice to take it easy."
Robyn's mouth ticked up into a crooked smile. "What? Seeing my parents isn't relaxing?" she teased, though it wasn't exactly easy for her either.
Cye smirked back. "You know how your dad can get sometimes. Besides," he added, stepping closer. "My favorite way to spend time is being alone with you."
He had her slightly backed up against the table and Robyn didn't fight it. Her heart was picking up speed as he came closer. She was surprised to find she wanted him closer; wanted him to look at her, to give her all his attention.
Am I falling in love with him for real? She wondered.
Her eyes wandered down to his mouth again. She wanted to kiss him, but she knew if she did, here in their own home, he would want more from her. She wasn't ready for that. While she was getting maybe second or third date jitters, he was well past the honeymoon. But she WAS falling in love with him. A part of her was wanting to stay with him forever. She wanted to always see these expressions on his face, the way he looked at her and smiled at her. Her Cye never looked at her like that. Nor did he ever use the expression that he was using now.
Robyn was paralyzed by that look. His eyes were so intense, she could not look away from him. Nor could she will her body to move. His entire expression did nothing to hide how much he wanted her right that moment. Robyn was both excited and frightened to find that she wanted him, too.
Cye leaned in, his breath on her mouth, before possessing her lips. Robyn didn't resist- she couldn't. How could she deny him anything he wanted in any universe? She loved him. She really did love him. And she was falling deeper every second she was with him.
Robyn's worries and inhibitions were drifting further from her mind as they kissed. She was becoming drunk on his presence. The way he touched her - the way his body so gently asked her for what it needed. Even though Robyn had never done this before, she felt safe with him. None of his actions intimidated or frightened her. In fact, as he let her touch him back - on his face, his arms- she was slowly starting to think that maybe with him, it would be okay.
Cye's mouth moved to caress her jaw line and brush against her ear. Robyn clutched his sleeves as a course of electricity shot all the way down her body, leaving her breathless. She had never experienced such a sensation like that before. She didn't want him to stop.
"Do you," Cye whispered sensually in her ear. "Want to move into the bedroom?"
Robyn's heart jumped and started doing double time at that question. She wanted more, but if she said yes, there would be no turning back.
She was so new to this, but she was aching to feel any kind of human affection. It was something she had been starved for her whole life. He was her husband after all...wasn't he? This was Cye. He would never do anything to hurt her. And she loved him.
Robyn looked up at his face. He was still patiently waiting for her answer.
"I...I..." She couldn't bring herself to say it.
That look he was giving her, it was making all the blood rush to her head. She was sure her face was bright red by now. The thought of what she was consenting to muddled all her other thoughts. Just him being near her, letting her feel his lean body against hers, was making her imagination run wild and over loading her senses.
Cye smiled, taking her reaction as a good thing.
Before she knew it, Robyn felt herself being picked up. It was probably the only way Cye could get her anywhere in the state she was in. Her heart was fluttering in her chest as she could feel the muscles in Cye's arms and chest holding her up. She could feel his heart beating and it excited her to find his was beating just as fast.
He walked her into the bedroom and placed her gently on the bed. As he stroked her hair, Robyn gazed up at him in amazement. He still looked the same. He still looked like Cye. So when did her thoughts of him change from childhood friend to someone she wanted to see and touch all over? When did he suddenly become someone she wanted to make love to?
Cye reached down and kissed her deeply. Robyn returned the kiss, reaching for him. But Cye pulled away, a mischievous smile on his lips.
"I have an idea," he told her.
With that, he moved from the bed and Robyn sat up to see what he was doing. He had gone to a third closet in the room. One that had neither his clothes nor hers in it. Robyn's hadn't even wondered what it contained until now.
Cye fished through the contents for a few moments before pulling out two strange looking outfits. Robyn eyed them curiously.
"So what are you in the mood for?" Cye asked, brandishing the two objects in his hands. "Cheerleader or slave Princess Leia?"
It was then Robyn realized they were women's costumes. Extremely skimpy women's costumes. At that moment, all her previous passion disappeared from her and the color drained from her face.
"Oh, NO!" She informed him. "I am NOT doing this anymore! Now it is getting FAR too weird!"
Cye paused, the costumes still hanging from his hands. He raised an eyebrow at her.
"Is this the hormones talking?"
Robyn gave a frustrated scream and ran out of the room. Cye was still standing there, wondering what happened, when he heard the front door open and slam shut.
I must have been insane! Robyn told herself as she fled down the dark streets as fast as her feet would take her. Why did I ever think I wanted to–What is WRONG with that couple! A cosplay fetish! That's so gross!
Robyn ran through the darkness blindly; down unfamiliar streets and past unfamiliar houses. She ran until her lungs felt like they would burst. At this point, she had no idea where she was, how far she had gone, or even where she was going. Finally, her body couldn't take any more and she was forced to slow to a walk, but refused to stop moving forward.
What am I going to do now? I can't go back there, I'm lost, and I have no money. I have to find someplace to stay for the night, but where? Her hopes picked up as a thought came to her. Maybe I can find one of the other guys! If I could make it to a gas station and get a phone book, maybe I'll be able to find Kento's number or Ryo's and ask them to come get me.
Her thoughts were cut off as bright yard lights from the house behind her flipped on. Momentarily blinded, Robyn raised an arm to shield her eyes from the light. Who's house was this?
"Robyn?" A female's voice asked from the front porch.
A figure came down and Robyn got a better look at her as she approached.
"Mary Anne?"
The blonde woman looked at Robyn's condition in disbelief.
"Robyn, did you run all the way here? Are you okay? What happened to you?"
It was then that Robyn broke down and cried. She couldn't even explain what happened if she wanted to. It was all knotted up in one large ball of confusion and frustration in her throat. All she could do was sob out all her emotions until they were drained.
Mary Anne put her arms around her and led her into the house where Robyn continued to cry and hiccup on Mary Anne's couch.
"Here you go, Honey," Mary Anne soothed, coming into the room and handing Robyn a mug of hot chocolate.
Robyn took it gratefully, but stiffened when she heard a car pull up outside.
"How did he know I was here?" Robyn rasped.
"Think about it girl," Mary Anne replied. "Where else would you go to hide from your husband?"
Robyn tipped her head. She didn't have an argument for that one.
Mary Anne glared darkly at the window. "Don't worry, I got this. You sit here."
From her position, Robyn could hear Mary Anne yell out the window in a far different voice than what she was used to hearing.
"You have a lot of nerve coming here! What did you do to her!"
Robyn winced at the force and the high screech of Mary Anne's voice. The blonde looked cute and harmless, but this side of her told she could also become a force to be reckoned with.
"Mary Anne," Cye's voice pleaded. "Come on, it's me. You know I wouldn't do anything to hurt her."
"That's bullshit, Cye! What did you do?"
Robyn both felt bad Cye was getting a tongue lashing and good that someone like Mary Anne was on her side.
"Nothing!" Cye's frantic voice floated up. "I was doing the same thing we always do! It's costume night!"
Robyn's jaw fell open, fully offended by what she heard. She didn't know what was worse, the fact that they did that thing weekly, or the fact that Cye had no problem yelling it out loud to others.
"Oh! You're so lucky!" Mary Anne whispered back to Robyn in her normal, happy tone. "My husband would never do that for me. he would never look at me twice if I put on a skimpy outfit–unless I was dressed as a burrito or something."
Robyn's expression was as it had been before–shocked and appalled. What was wrong with all of these people?
"Are you sure you don't want to talk to him?" Mary Anne asked, placing one hand on hers.
Robyn sighed. "Is it okay if I slept here tonight?"
Mary Anne smiled kindly. "Of course you can, Honey. What are best friends for?"
She got up and went over to the window.
"Hey Romeo," she said out the window in a harsher voice. "Go home and I'll send her back in the morning."
"But, I..."
"I SAID GET THE HELL OFF MY LAWN, MOURI! OR I'LL SEND MY HUSBAND OUT TO KICK YOUR SCRAWNY ASS!"
The sounds of a car leaving were heard soon after. Mary Anne returned to her sweet self as she brought Robyn some blankets and a pillow.
"There you go, Sweetie," the blonde offered.. "You get some rest and everything will look better in the morning."
Robyn thanked her gratefully as she took the items and curled up on the couch. She was so exhausted from the day she was hardly aware when Mary Anne turned off the light. Falling into a fitful and worried sleep, Robyn greatly hoped tomorrow would look better.
The sound of birds chirping and the feel of the warm sun on her face woke Robyn from her slumber. She yawned and stretched. The couch she fell asleep on the night before felt warmer and roomier than she remembered. She opened her eyes to gaze at the nice, white walls around her. Funny, didn't Mary Anne's living room have light blue walls?
Robyn instantly sat up, panic filling her again when she realized she was no longer at Mary Anne's place, nor was this the bedroom at Cye's house.
Where was she?
Even worse, when Robyn sat up, she realized she was stark naked under the covers. Hugging the blankets to herself, Robyn glanced around for some sort of explanation. All she could see was that there was someone still sleeping next to her in the bed.
It was a man, laying with his back to her. It wasn't Cye. The frame was thinner and lankier. Robyn's eyes almost popped out of her skull when she saw the familiar light blue hair on the mans' head.
She absolutely could not stop herself from calling out.
"You have GOT to be kidding me!"