2.
No. No! NO! Iris began to hyperventilate, the world crashing down around her. She wasn't even safe in her own home. Iris knew it was silly to blame it on the old guy, but she wasn't thinking rationally. Feeling the back of her neck, she felt a scar. She wouldn't let someone like him hurt her. Not again.
Morty slept peacefully, curled up in a loose ball. The light flashed on, and Morty woke up, staring at a drunken Rick in his room.
"What now, Rick?" Morty sighed, yawning.
"Mor-Morty, we- we gotta go, we gotta go Morty!" Rick stuttered, grabbing the boy's foot.
"No, Rick! Come on, I-I gotta sleep sometimes!" Morty barked. He didn't even finish his sentence before Rick was passed out, still clutching his foot. Morty sighed and tried to go back to sleep.
She punched in the code to her father's gun safe. It popped open, revealing a shiny, silver revolver. Iris snatched it and held it close to her chest. One thing her father did, was leave his weapons out in the open for his kid to grab. Fortunately, he was out that night, as he was every other night. She figured he was at the motel down the street with a "girlfriend". (He was a horrible liar.) Her mother died in an accident when Iris was just a baby, so she was alone and afraid in the house. Every creak, every gust of wind put Iris on edge. She tried to steady her breathing and go to sleep, but she simply couldn't do it. That's when they'll strike, she thought. The morning eventually came, and she forced herself to go to school.
He thought about it all morning, and Morty decided that he would talk to that girl today. Maybe ask what she did see. No, then she'll think he has something to hide. Pulling on his yellow shirt, he thought, This is so ridiculous.
Iris decided to bring her large purse. Inside, she hid the revolver. She didn't intend to use it on the students, but if someone (or something) tried to hurt her, she would be prepared to fight back. Even though she may not seem like it, Iris is a fighter. She kept that throughout her life, and wasn't ready to let go anytime soon. Out of nowhere, Morty appeared.
"Hey," he greeted.
"Uhm, uh… hi," she said, her voice cracking a little. She rubbed her neck, looking at her purse. She was just waiting for him to mention yesterday.
"Wa-wanna have lunch with me today?" Morty asked nervously.
"Sure. My name is Iris, if you didn't know," Iris smiled. She did an internal back flip.
"Alright, see you at lunch," he squeaked before leaving to his class. Iris kept staring at him with mixed feelings. Maybe he's not out to get her. Maybe it's all in her head. That old guy was probably just the new janitor (That wouldn't explain the coat, though.). She decided to not think too much about that.
A row of trays filled with pizza, sloppy joes, and hot-dogs sat on the table. Iris decided to skip eating, instead opting for a bottle of water. She handed a bill to the lunch-lady with a smile. Scanning the area, she looked for Morty. Iris noticed he sat by himself at the farthest table he could have picked. She began to walk over. The feeling of dread came back. She took a deep breath, telling herself she was being silly.
"Hey, Morty," Iris mumbled. She seated herself across from the boy.
"Hi, uhm… Ilene?" Morty guessed.
"It's Iris," She sighed, taking a sip from her water bottle. She continued, " I'm not trying to be nosy, but who was that guy you were with yesterday?"
"H-he's my grampa," Morty mumbled. Iris clenched her water bottle, causing little drops to come out of the top. She thought hard about what she would say next.
"Does he work here?" She finally asked.
"No. He's a scientist." Iris nearly choked on her water. No freakin way.
"Seriously? My mother was a scientist once… but she's gone now."
"I'm so-sorry for your loss," Morty sighed.
"No, it's okay. She was a piece of shit anyway, from what my dad tells me," Iris stated, a heavy sigh pouring out of her mouth.
"How did she die?" Morty finally asked. Iris looked down, tears springing into her eyes.
"She was electrocuted." Because of me. She decided to leave that part out.
"What kind of science does your grampa do?" She chatted, trying to change the subject.
"Oh y-y-you know, the scienc-y kind," Morty stuttered. Iris giggled.
"Heh, I bet he makes spaceships and shit in a garage, right?" She smiled. Morty's face flushed.
"Of course, that'd be impossible. At least I think so." Morty let out a breath.
"My mom was like that, though," Iris continued, "She thought she could create robots, flying saucers, stuff like that, ya know?" she laughed a sarcastic laugh, " She was an idiot."
Author's note: There will be updates sooner than later. I try to write a new chapter every other day. If a chapter ever seems rushed, it's because I'm procrastinating school work or something. Thanks for reading! :)