When I found him the next morning sitting at the kitchen table it was mid noon. The sun was high in the sky and I blinked the sleep away as I walked up to him. His eyes lingered on me for a moment before I leaned down and pressed my lips to his forehead. His lips parted, confused and before he could speak I quickly explained.

"Thank you," I blurted,"Just take it as that, Arthur," I said sitting across from him.

"Ok," his hoarse voice agreed,"Do you want breakfast?"

He was already standing up, his newspaper forgotten. I simply watched him bustle about the kitchen. For as small as the kitchen was he seemed to have figured out how to maneuver about it perfectly. His words from last night lingered in the back of my mind and would come to the surface every time our eyes would lock.

Opening my mouth to speak on it, but turned my attention towards the living room,"Did you hear that?"

Arthur turned to me,"Sounded like the door,"

I nodded and told him I'd be right back, but the other person on the other side of the door shocked me.

"Leslie?" I gasped.

"We're best friends. We've been with each other through every break up, every family trauma, everything, but you act like I don't exist anymore and I know we got into an argument the last time we spoke, but I don't even care about whatever this feud is that we have. You avoided me after your mother died and now you're acting like we aren't a big part of each others lives. Ingrid, I need you to talk to me. To explain what's going on with you because I'm scared for you and I don't want anything bad to happen to you,"

I stared at her. I wasn't sure I was ready to tell her, but I knew she needed to know. I stepped aside and let her in. She gave me a small smile and followed me towards the kitchen after I shut the door.

Arthur was placing two plates of eggs and bacon onto the table when we arrived. His eyes flashed between me and Leslie and I gave him a pointed look. Hoping he'd get the hint.

"Good morning Leslie, I heard you come in, I hope you haven't eaten yet," He greeted gesturing to the steaming plate of food,"Sit down and have a bite. I need to talk to Ingrid for a minute,"

I followed his large body out to the stair case, far enough from Leslie who had looked so surprised at his offer of food.

"What are you doing? I have to leave soon and I can't protect you or her,"He shot his arm out dramatically gesturing towards the kitchen.

"I know, but she deserves to know,"

"Know what exactly? Please tell me you're not going to tell her everything,"

"No, of course not! I'm not an idiot, Arthur, but I know what I'm doing. Just follow my lead,"

Leslie looked up from her untouched plate when we came back into the kitchen. I sat down across from her and Arthur leaned against the counter. He kept looking at me unsure on what I was going to say.

"Leslie, I don't know how to tell you this-," I began, but she cut me off.

"Just say it,"

"I was pregnant,"

Across the kitchen I heard Arthur breath in and I glanced at him. His face was stony and I knew he wasn't happy with me, but I turned my attention back to Leslie.

"Was?"

"I had a miscarriage two days ago,"

"And the bruises?"

I blinked and watched her turn her eyes and anger towards Arthur.

"Leslie," I quickly reached across the table, taking her hand,"I was in a car accident, it happened while I was driving and I panicked, flipping the car. Arthur has been taking care of me since," I lied.

"Ingrid, I'm-I'm so sorry,"

"Its okay, I shut you out remember? I'm, uh, doing okay now. Better than I was,"

She nodded.

For the next hour as we ate Leslie and I caught up and she bought the reason I gave her for being so distant. Arthur had decided that he was going to go to the "grocery store" but I could tell by the way he stared out the window towards the water, that he had to go to Atlantis.

Leslie let me walk her towards the door. She spun around and engulfed me in a long tight hug. The familiar aroma of her coconut shampoo greeted me and melted into her arms. I hadn't realized how much I missed her until now.

"Ingrid," she whispered over my shoulder.

"Hmm?"

"I know you're lying,"

My body froze and she pulled back to look at me,"Not about your miscarriage, but I think about how it happened and all these bruises," She squinted her eyes as if unsure with her answer.

"You have a tell. I'm not sure why you're lying, but it has something to do with Arthur and as your best friend I guess I have no choice but to respect your decision. Your protecting him like he's protecting you. I saw the way he kept looking out the window or how he watched you so closely. Honestly, I don't think I want to know. I just want to know that you're safe with him,"

Tears had sprung and I could only nod to hold back the sob in my throat. She placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Just don't disappear on my again, please," She asked opening the door and walking into the crisp air,"

"I promise. I'll let you know if I do decide to disappear,"

"Good,"

• • •

As I set the dishes in the sink a buzzing caught my attention. Following the sound I found Leslie's phone laying on the floor by the table leg.

"Must've forgotten it," I muttered reaching down to pick it up and place it on the table top.

Deciding to return it to her after I dressed I climbed the stairs to Arthur's bedroom. He had went by my house at some point and brought back clothes for me. I searched through the drawer for my button up denim blouse and my black leggings.

I rolled my knit socks over my ankles and pulled on my boots before heading back downstairs. After I returned Leslie's phone I debated on going back and telling her everything, but she was right in wanting to stay out of it. This world would get you killed.

The store was closed. The sign swinging slightly with the light breeze of the afternoon. I moved towards the door when I caught sight of Leslie in the reflection behind me. Whipping around I surveyed the area. She was gone.

"Les?" I called lightly jogging towards where I had seen her.

Since my body was still going through changes and my hormones were a bit crazy I was more tired than I should have been from the jog. Leaning against a tree I caught a glimpse of her blonde hair disappearing behind the abandoned lifeguard shed by the old dock.

With ragged breath catching in my throat with every heavy step to the ground I arrived where I saw her. Once again she wasn't here. A splash sounded to my right and panic immediately set in.

My entire body froze.

No, don't go. It's a trap.

Clenching my fist I turned on my heel. I was not going to be pulled into the tricks of the sorceress known as Bre. A panicked cry for help reached my ears and I had to shove every part of myself that wanted to help- away.

"It's not real. It's not real. It's not real," I hoped to convince myself only to falter in my step and whirl around when her voice called out again.

"Olive Juice!"

When Leslie and I were kids she had loved to swim and even though she wasn't good, she never gave up. A fear of drowning causes anxiety and her fear would always take over and whenever she felt like it was too much she would squeeze my hand twice and say...

"Olive Juice,"

I bolted towards the edge in time to see her disappear beneath the dark waves. My mind was so confused. I didn't know how she had gotten here or if it was even her, but it had to be. Nobody else knows our code word.

"Leslie!" I screamed at the water as if it would help.

Suddenly, a dark silhouette leapt from the water, gripping my shoulders tightly before pulling me over the edge. A screamed trapped in my throat as I stared wide eyed at the familiar eyes of Dark Water before me and right before we hit the water a sinister voice greeted me.

"Ready to die, girly,"

• • •

As stated above, I'm not sure when the next update will be. I do hope to get it to you as soon as possible, but if you think too much time has passed, send me a message or a comment and I'll try my best to update.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I've been planing on introducing some of the Atlantis world in this story, but I want it to be as accurate as possible and since the movie isn't out yet, I'll have to improvise.

Let me know what you think will happen next!

Was it all just a trick from Bre?

Was Leslie actually drowning?

Where the hell is Arthur?

I'd love to hear your theories!

Until next time, have a happy day!

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