Mitchell quickly discovered that the owner wasn't 'in his right mind' – he told them they were the first visitors in two weeks, so the hotel would do just fine for their stay.
They went up to the room, and Mitchell walked the girl to the bed, where she sat down. Mitchell went over to the small table, and picked up one of the chairs, and put it down in front of her. He sat down, and put his hand on her hands, which were placed in her lab. He noticed she was shaking, and then he looked from her hands up to her face.
"So.. what's your name?" Mitchell asked.
"Cassie. Well, Cassandra, but I prefer Cassie" she said.
"Cassie. Great.. one of our neighbours are actually called Cassie" he said, trying to make it sound interesting.
"What's your name?" Cassie asked so quietly it sounded as whisper.
"Mitchell" he replied quickly, and looked at her knotting. "Well, actually, my name is John Mitchell, but only my dad ever called John" he added.
"Okay, Mitchell." Cassie said, with something that could almost be interpreted as a smile across her face.
"So, Cassie.. are you going to tell me what that was all about? The things you said?" Mitchell asked.
"You wouldn't understand" she said.
Mitchell was just about to say something, but she stopped him, right away:
"No, Mitchell! You'd think I was insane, and get me locked up" she said, and looked down at their joined hands.
Mitchell noticed that she had a tear running down her left cheek. He removed it with his right thumb.
"Cassie. I promise you: I will not doubt anything you say" he said, while staring into her eyes.
"Well.. I.. I don't know what exactly happens, or why it happens. But.." she took a deep breath, "sometimes, when I'm walking down the street for instance, I suddenly imagine someone getting hit by a bike, or falling over for no apparent reason, and then a few moments later..." she took another deep breath, and hesitated to continue.
"Go on.." Mitchell said quietly.
"..a few moments later it happens. The thing I just imagined. I make it happen. I hurt them.. I kill them" she said, and now she was crying.
"No, Cassie.. I don't believe that" Mitchell said.
"I told you so!" Cassie snapped, while she sobbed.
"No, no.. I believe what you're saying – I just don't believe that these things happen because of you" he said. "Maybe you just see them coming?"
"No.. no.. it's my fault.. all of it!" she said, "and the voices.. they're hurting."
"The voices?" Mitchell asked.
"The voices I hear.. when ever I'm around people, I hear voices.." she said.
"Maybe.. maybe.." Mitchell hesitated, "..maybe you can read minds?!"
"That doesn't make any sense! It hurts!" she said.
"I know.. I know... it's gonna be okay.." he said.
"How? Tell me.. how is it gonna be okay?" she asked with a hint of anger in her voice.
"Well.. does it hurt now?" Mitchell asked.
"Ehm.. no.. it doesn't.." she said, "but it will as soon as we're amongst people!"
"Maybe, maybe not" Mitchell said optimistic, "maybe we'll figure out why this is happening to you, and then we'll be able to do something about it!"
"Haha.. as if!" she hissed.
"I know this has been tormenting you.. but I promise you.. I'll help" Mitchell comforted, "I promise to help you get rid of the pain."
This is my favourite chapter - at least so far! (=
Not really much more to say..