1235 Words, this chapter

Limelight, Chapter 9: Through the Anomaly with Emily

"So, as soon as I finish up these plant samples, I'm all yours. What do you feel like for dinner?"

Emily smiled. "Anything will suffice as long as it is privately served."

"Quiet dinner for two?" asked Matt.

She nodded, pulling him over to kiss her.

"Knock, knock. Oh. Sorry," said Erin, blushing at their lip lock.

"Yeah, Mate. Didn't mean to interrupt," said Chuck.

"What's going on?" asked Matt, slightly annoyed. He hadn't been done with Emily's lips.

"We just wanted Emily to settle our disagreement," said Erin.

"Why do you require my advice?"

"Because it's your turn to make an awesome video!"

"Not fair, Chuck. I want Emily to agree to a serious, sit down interview with me," said Erin.

"Look at her! She's gorgeous! She screams 'music video!' Seriously, Emily we could do any genre, any song. Think of it: 'Pretty Woman,' 'She's got this thing about her,' 'She's got the look.' The possibilities are endless."

Erin sighed. "It's my turn! You've made videos with Becker, Jess and Becker, Abby…"

"Abby doesn't count. That was collaboration between you and me besides, it wasn't set to music."

"I've only been on camera one time! I'm a reporter! I need air time!"

"I sympathize, Erin. I do, but I'm trying to do a job as well."

Matt and Emily were quiet. They'd been bombarded. "Look, guys. It's been a long day, and we're on our way home," said Matt finally.

"Of course," said Chuck.

"We need you to give us a decision tomorrow, OK, Emily?" asked Erin, not bothering to a stay for a response.

"See you tomorrow Emily. I know you'll make me happy," said Chuck, following Erin out.

"Matt, will you please explain to me what just occurred?" asked Emily.

Matt laughed. "Me? I don't know anything. I was just tending my plants."

The next day Emily was still in the middle, even more so, since Lester had thoughtfully made it her decision. Erin and Chuck continued to attempt to sway her in their directions.

"I am sorry. I have no preference."

Erin and Chuck sighed.

"I do not understand this 'video' concept. The music of today is foreign to me."

"Right. She's a very serious person," said Erin. "She's perfect for an interview."

"Yes. I apologize but I think an interview would be best."

Chuck sighed. "Alright. I get it. Such a waste, though."

Two days later, Emily sat with Erin in an empty lab. Lenny and Moe were there too, working the camera and sound.

"Ready?" asked Erin.

Emily nodded.

Erin smiled and motioned to her crew, who started filming. "Today we are chatting with Emily Merchant. Emily, we have been doing these videos to educate the public about the anomalies and creatures in the hopes of keeping everyone safe. I understand that you have a special expertise."

"I suppose."

"In fact, you are not from this time."

"I am not. I was born in what is commonly referred to as the Victorian Age."

"Amazing. Please, share with us how you arrived here in this time."

"I did precisely what we hope to persuade people not to do; I investigated an anomaly."

"And what happened?"

"I walked through it into a beautiful but dangerous land. I would soon discover that it was the prehistoric past. The anomaly closed and I was trapped."

"How terrifying. How did you survive?"

"I had a strong desire to live. I used my wits. I only had myself to protect me. I learned quickly to craft crude weapons. I hid whenever I could; it was best to avoid the larger creatures. Smaller ones I learned to hunt. I found water. I made or found shelter. And of course, I was fortunate."

"Fortunate?"

"Indeed. It was fortunate that I arrived in an area and time where there was ample prey for predators. I learned to make myself a difficult meal to catch so they often did not bother with me."

"Amazing. Now are you saying that the anomalies are not so bad?"

"In no way! They are extremely dangerous. In the harshness of the past or future, where humans do not belong, there were many ways to die. I nearly did, repeatedly. The one time I was certain to die, I was rescued."

"How?"

"Other people arrived through another anomaly."

"People?"

"Yes, all trapped, like me. They were all from different time periods. We formed a type of tribe."

"That's lucky."

"Indeed. They were survivors like me. Another unfortunate consequence of travelling through anomalies is that it changes you. Life in mostly unpopulated, inhumane periods can turn you inhumane. I'm afraid that many of my fellow travelers went insane."

"Horrible."

"It is."

"So, you would advise…what? About the anomalies?"

"Do not investigate them, under any circumstances. Even if you are capable of surviving physically, there are other ways that the anomalies can bring about your downfall. Indeed, I am not the same woman who first stepped through the blinking light. I have become an efficient even merciless killer."

"I cannot believe that Emily. You are very refined and caring."

Emily smiled. "Thank you. I have struggled to find my humanity once more. I assure you, however, that I am a killer. I can kill quite coldly. You learn to live with what you have become. Why, just the other day I believe I startled the ARC team and even the soldiers by quickly dispatching a bipedal creature."

"I showed no emotion as I silently crept up upon it," Emily said, getting up from the chair. She acted out the stalking. "I drew my knife soundlessly and crept even closer."

Emily moved behind Erin, still seated. "Before it knew I was there, I took my knife and gracefully pulled it along its throat: dispatching the skin, severing the blood vessels, cutting through the muscles, and sawing into the bones."

Erin had turned pale. She didn't even breathe. Her eyes were enormous and she looked terrified. Emily held the gleaming silver knife tightly against Erin's flesh, but not cutting into it.

"Then the creature dropped to the floor. Abby chided me. I did not realize I had nearly decapitated it. That was not my intention."

Emily removed the knife and Erin nearly collapsed to the floor. She was able to breathe again but she shook like a leaf.

Moe and Lenny were shocked, their faces pale as well. They stood like statues.

"Forgive me. I did not intend to demonstrate a killing."

Erin nodded nervously. "We're done. Thank you, Emily." She got out her mobile. "I think, on second thought, Chuck is right and you do 'scream music video."

Emily sat back in her chair, blushing.

"A perfect song for her would be View to a Kill," said Lenny. "By Wings, you know. McCartney."

Moe nodded. "Hungry like the Wolf," said the almost always silent Moe.

"By Duran Duran?" Moe nodded. "Yeah, that would be good," agreed Lenny.

Silence. Then Lenny began offering more song titles.

"Hungry for You,' the classic by the Police."

"Hunted by a Freak' by Mogwai."

"J.T. Hodges' 'Hunt You Down."

"You Kill Me' by Sleeping with Sirens"

"Killing you. Killing me' from Sentenced."

"Die Another Day,' by Madonna."

Suddenly he realized that Erin was looking at him. He smiled. "I can go on all night."

"Please. Do not," said Emily, matter-of-factly.

Moe burst out laughing.

Author's Note: I put off Emily's as long as I could. I just wasn't getting inspired. Lester's came easily and it's next. Hope this wasn't too horrible.