Chapter Sixteen:
"Artemis? Marcie?"
"In the kitchen!" Marcie and Artemis called at the same time. Marcie looked at her mom and laughed.
"Jinx," Artemis whispered as Wally entered the kitchen, Parker trailing behind him.
Wally kissed Artemis lightly and smiled at Marcie, "What you doing?"
"Cooking," Marcie answered.
Wally took a big sniff, "Smells yum! I'll go get Norah."
"You do that," Artemis said as Wally walked out of the room, "So Parker how'd it go?"
Parker moaned from the kitchen table, "I'm starving!"
Artemis shrugged, "Not what I asked, but I'll take that as you worked hard."
Parker nodded, "Feed me!"
Marcie rolled her eyes, "Hold on little monster. It's almost done!"
Parker wrinkled his nose, "Mom are you sure it's safe to let Marcie cook? She might poison me."
Marcie rolled her eyes, "Don't give me ideas."
"It's safe Parker, I'll even test your food for you if you want."
"I'm back!" Wally called as he walked into the room carrying Norah. He set Norah down in her highchair and then sat down across from Parker, "So when's chow ready?"
"Right now," Artemis said, opening the oven.
Marcie stepped back and Artemis set the hot dish on the counter. "Lasagna!" She cried.
Wally laughed, "I'll have the whole dish please!"
Artemis looked at Marcie, "Glad I made two."
LIDILIDI
After Dinner, it was Parker's turned to wash dishes so Marcie headed upstairs to her room.
And she had only been in her room a few minutes when there was a knock at the door, "Come in," Marcie said without looking up from her book.
Artemis pushed the door opened, "Hey, can we talk?"
Marcie sat up and put the book down, "Am I in trouble?"
Artemis shook her head and sat down on Marcie's bed. "Is something wrong?"
"With what mom?"
"You and Hale. I never hear about him anymore and he hasn't been over ever."
"Mom, we are both busy. You remember the team thing right? Lots of work."
Artemis gave Marcie a skeptical look, "Marcie."
"Mom."
Artemis sighed, "Okay, I'll believe that. Work. Busy. But if something is wrong, please promise me you would come talk to me."
"I promise mom."
"I love you Marcie."
"I love you too mom."
Artemis stood up, "Don't stay up to late."
"Night."
"Night Marcie," Artemis said as she shut the door.
Marcie laid back against her pillows, "If you only knew mom."
LIDILIDI
In the morning the house was silent so Marcie slipped out of bed and down to the kitchen. There was note stuck on the fridge.
Marcie, go outside today! Go for a jog! Laying around the house isn't good for you.
-Mom
P.s. I mean it! GET OUT!
Marcie rolled her eyes and opened the fridge and pulled out the milk, "After breakfast," She muttered.
LIDILIDI
After breakfast Marcie wandered into the living room and stared the sofa, "I'm going to miss you dear friend."
Then she turned and headed back up the stairs, to her room, so she could get dressed.
LIDILIDI
Thirty seven minutes later Marcie was headed down the block. It had taken so long because multiple times Marcie stopped and stared at the sofa, wandering if you could get away with laying on it all day.
But she finally decided she couldn't and had grabbed her bag and her favorite flip-flops and headed out.
And at first she was just walking around and around, and her neighbors probably thought she was some kind of creep.
But then an idea on where to go hit Marcie and she turned and ran off at super speed.
LIDILIDI
Marcie slowly crept down the sandy hill, her ears open, eyes searching for signs of life. Signs of Hale.
When Marcie decided there was no one she walked over and sat down on the very same rock she had when Hale had shown her this place.
She let out a breath and stuck her feet in the water. Then she reached over and unzipped her bag, Marcie dug around till she found her book, she pulled it out.
"Now this is how to go out," She muttered to herself as she opened the book and laid back against the rock.
LIDILIDI
Marcie hadn't been reading long when she heard a twig snap from somewhere above. She jumped up and spun around. Yea, it could of just been an animal, but Marcie wasn't taking chances.
Another twig snapped this time closer.
Marcie froze and listened hard, she could hear breathing. Heavy breathing, like someone who had just finished running.
Marcie picked up her bag slowly and put in on her shoulder, then she crept slowly behind the tree. There she pressed herself against the tree and listened.
The footsteps, were quicker and then they stopped. "Hello?"
"SHOOT! SHOOT!" Marcie thought, that voice belonged to Hale. And she was stuck behind that tree.
Hale still move, "I can see your foot prints in the sand."
Marcie silently cursed herself, stupid she was stupid.
"I don't want to hurt you," continued Hale, "so come out from behind the tree."
Marcie rolled her eyes, he had no idea. But she had no choice so Marcie took a deep breath and stepped from out behind the tree.
Author's Note: CLIFFY!
I know, I'm mean.
Review. (:
And I'll see with the next chapter. (That made no sense.)
-Lidi999