Chapter 2
Michael and the young woman, Anne Boonchuy, were in the kitchen. The sound of the washing machine was set on high as the pair wore bathrobes while their clothes were being cleaned. They belonged to the young man's grandparents and were all he had since he didn't unpack everything. Even so, they fit pretty well, except for Anne's, which was much shorter, revealing her long legs and cleavage.
Michael was talking on the phone while keeping an eye on the food cooking on the stove. She watched him with an arched eyebrow and puckered lips, slightly impressed by his multitasking like an octopus swimming and hunting in the ocean simultaneously. However, while she enjoyed the brief pre-dinner entertainment, it wasn't enough to distract her troubling thoughts. Michael glanced a few times, his eyes directed to the troubled young woman and coming up with how to help her.
The young man wanted to talk to get to know her, but he didn't know where to begin. After what the two did together, it made him angry at himself for finding this so difficult, his thoughts undulating with frustration.
I mean, I'm not a therapist. I wouldn't know how to ask her without coming off so blunt. Before changing majors, I did poorly in psychology. More importantly, she's not some runaway teenager. She's a grown woman around my age, which will make this even more awkward. I may be overthinking things. I did get her name, though, and that's a start. Anne Boonchuy, right? Like that girl from the Disney show Amphibia? Kind of a coincidence, but that's beside the point. I can ask her some basic questions and let it gradually snowball until I can come up with something. Simple enough.
"Michael? Hello? Are you still there?" a staticky voice asked.
Michael snapped out of his train of thought and realized he was still on the phone. "Oh, um, sorry Jasper. I'm here. I sort of zoned out for a bit. But, yeah, all you have to do is cover my shift and I'll pay you back later. You think you can do that for me?"
"Alright, I'll see what I can do," said Jasper.
Michael hung up the phone and turned off the stove, moving towards the dining room table. Anne was daydreaming herself, fingers tapping on the surface, when she spotted the young man with two plates in hand, placing one in front of her before sitting down with his own.
Anne sniffs, the wafting aroma making her mouth water.
"Man, these look amazing," she commented, pointing at the oblong-shaped meals, deep-fried and covered in panko. "Are these croquettes? I've seen them in anime, but I never actually tried one before."
"Thank you," Michael smiled. He picked up the silverware and cut a piece, taking a bit and tasting the mixture of cooked meat and potatoes. "It's an old family recipe, going all the way from my father's side, but I doubt you want to hear about that."
Anne shrugged before doing the same. "Hey, you'd be surprised. My parents own a restaurant, and before I left for college, I used to work there a lot. You know, helping mom and dad in the kitchen, waiting tables, and even chasing a few idiots trying to steal our recipes."
Michael eyed the young woman. "Oh, really? That's incredible. If it's not too much to ask, do you mind telling me where you lived before coming here?" he questioned, though he refrained.
"Well, that all depends on where here is, right?" Anne pointed out as she raised her fork in Michael's direction, a piece of croquette hanging on the end. "I shouldn't be totally saying this, but I know I'm still on Earth. The question is where on Earth am I? It's not Los Angeles that's for sure. Duh!" She murmurs at the end after taking another bite, and that's when she receives a funny glare from Michael.
I don't understand half the stuff she's babbling on, but at least I'm learning more from her. This is going better than I thought. Michael mused.
His head tilted. "So, I take it you're from Los Angeles and not Boone. Is that correct?"
"Boone? Where's that?"
"It's in North Carolina."
When those words rang into Anne's ears, the fork clumsily slipped out of her hand, falling onto her plate. She gawked at Michael as her face turned pale and eyes grew wide as saucers, looking at him as if he had popped a second head. Michael worriedly was about to ask if everything was okay when Anne stopped him and regained her composure, sweat dripping.
Anne raised both hands and shook her head. "Hold up. Let me get this straight. You're telling me that I got teleported to the other side of the country?!"
"Teleport? What, is that some new LA lingo for taking molly or something?" Michael lurched back, eyes darting, confused.
Anne was taken aback, offended. "What? No! I mean I was teleported by some metaphysical force, here, and away from my home," she clarified, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Look, Michael, I don't know what happened. One minute, I was getting ready to celebrate my 23rd birthday with my friends, Sasha and Marcy…" her hands then swished left and right, adding emphasis to her story "…drinking some bottomless mimosas and partying like there's no tomorrow. The next, boom! A flash of purple light blinded me, and I ended up here and with no music box, this time."
Michael wasn't sure how to respond, Anne rubbing her arm awkwardly. His demeanor fell into a deadpan glimmer as the air around the two grew stale. Everything she laid on him was heavy, and there was only one rational idea he could surmise.
Jesus Christ! She's batshit crazy! Her taking drugs and coming out of the effects, I can understand that much! Everything else is just pure delusion! The grimace on Michael's face and his chin prompt up by his hand and elbow on the table greatly contrasted what went on inside his head. God, even her so-called friends gave it away. Does she really think she's a character from a cartoon series? Nonetheless, I might as well humor her and try to work things out. What could possibly go wrong?
Michael got up from his chair, took the plates, and washed the dishes, barely saying a word. Anne followed him and stood close, looking like a weeping angel at a cemetery, her solemn gaze drifting from the back of his head downward.
"You don't believe me, do you? You think I'm crazy," Anne sighed with a grim expression.
Michael shut the water off and put the sponge to the side, gingerly twirling around to face Anne. Her unsettled reaction was reasonable as he tried reassuring her calmly.
Michael clapped his hands together, took a deep breath, and brought them down. "Look, Anne. I believe that you believe all that stuff happen. Hell, I was a little skeptical that you were from California if not for the very convincing Valley girl accent you have there."
Anne fumed, cheeks puffing comically.
"Hey!"
"The point I'm trying to make is that it doesn't matter because you seem troubled and you don't pose any harm, right? You're just a weary traveler wanting to return home. Till then, if you want a place to stay, then I can give you one," Michael lounged his back against the edge of the sink, his hands on the rails, gripping hard. He reached behind his head and scratched his neck, his eyes rolling leisurely. "It's all up to you. I won't stop you. You're free to go whenever you want if that's alright?"
Anne smiled and modestly waved her hand. "Thanks, but no thanks. If that's the case, then I'd rather stay here with you. I don't want to go out and get mugged by banjo-playing hillbillies."
"Hurtful, but okay then," Michael nodded as he pressed onward out of the kitchen. Anne followed him as he spoke over his shoulder. "I might as well show you your room, unless you got anything else on your mind?"
Anne stepped a little closer, almost walking behind, her gaze firmly on her host as the pair blushed. "As a matter of fact, I do have one thing that's been bugging me for a while."
"Lay it on me."
"Those martial art moves you used in our fight not too long ago. Where did you learn such tactical takedowns like that?" she asked, playfully flailing her arms in a chopping motion.
Michael unnervingly frowned as shadows touched the edge of his eyes. "Let's just say my grandfather use to teach me some kickboxing and judo when I was a kick, and leave it at that, alright?" Michael answered as the young woman nodded in confirmation. "Now, let's get you settled right in, shall we?"
Once Michael gave her fresh, clean clothes back, the pair getting dressed, he brought her to one of the guestrooms. Anne remarked it was a tad old-timey, but with its full-size bed and yellow wallpaper, the room resembled hers back home. It was nothing she couldn't work around. She sat on the edge of the bed, waved against the cotton sheets, and thanked Michael with a soft smile, his cheeks turning red.
The tour around the house was brief, but Anne got the layout, the pair strolling into the living room when the TV was still on the Pay-Per-View channel. The same paid movie was playing, particularly on a lesbian toy foursome scene, with moans and vibrator noises filling the room.
Anne watched with full fluster (and a slight tingle below). Woah, that girl is taking it with all she's got and in all holes, too!
Michael quickly picked up the remote and impulsively mashed some buttons, instantly changing the channel. He wasn't as self-conscious about it as he usually was, but considering that Michael had female company present, he might as well die from embarrassment and get buried in the ground.
"Sorry about that. I, uh, was doing some stuff before you showed up," Michael apologized with a crack in his voice and handed Anne the remote.
"Hey, it's nothing to be ashamed of, Michael," Anne assured, running a hand through her bushy hair, evading eye contact. "But, anyways, you mind if I watch some stuff on here? I need something to take my mind off for a bit." She gestured a thumb to the screen but playfully teased a little. "And don't worry, I promise to stay away from any more of your dirty movies while I'm at it."
"Sure, go right ahead," Michael smiled.
A few minutes later, Anne lounged on the couch, flipping through channels with a bored expression. Too bad there wasn't a black and white cat named "Domino" to keep her company.
That only made her more homesick. Anne had previously taken out her smartphone and tried calling her parents, but no one picked up. The same result happened when she called her friends. Nothing clicked since her phone could make long-distance calls. Nonetheless, it was best to try again next time. Till then, she allowed the mind-numbing effects of television to take her away. Unfortunately, there were mostly news stations on the air, and other than that, nothing good was playing, nor did any show she recognized.
On one news station, there was a story about three college nerds participating in a satanic ritual, claiming they successfully summoned a succubus, and it took their virginity effortlessly. A sketch of the creature hovered on the opposite side of the panel, having voluptuous curves and long pink and white hair as described. At first, she would have scoffed at that, but given her paranormal experience, it was best to keep an open mind.
"Okay, what else is there," she channel-flips again, manicured fingers working.
The next station showcased a string of murders in Charlotte; some parts blurred for all intents and purposes. Anne didn't need to see it to know how bloody it was, shivering and feeling sick. However, the one visible image was a small white calling card, the surface marked with a mirrored lowercase R written in ink. Some blood stained the edges.
"Okay, I think that's enough TV for me today!" Anne stammered, turning off the screen when Michael walked through, his head lowered.
Anne sprung up and coughed to get his attention.
"Going somewhere?"
Michael stopped in his tracks, hearing Anne's voice. He turned to face her and gave a nervously fake smile as Anne cocked a brow at him, her chin resting on her arms while leaning on the couch's back.
"I'm going into town to get some supplies," that was a lie, but it was convincing enough for her to buy it. "I got a project to complete by the end of the week and I don't want to procrastinate on it."
"Oh, I completely understand." Her hand made a dainty wave as Anne's gaze drifted elsewhere, a nostalgic grin forming on her lips. "I had to do one back in high school and it almost took up half of my grade. My advice would be to pick up the materials that are eye-catching, and then find the right time to put them together."
"I'll be sure to keep that in my, thanks." As Michael proceeded out the front door, his demeanor quickly changed. A more somber demeanor takes over.
He leaned his back on the wooden surface, taking a deep breath before exhaling.
Right after I go into town and find you a professional shrink.
Meanwhile, gingerly skipping on the sidewalks, a young Latina scanned her surroundings. Walking past the shopping district, she perused the stores and restaurants, easily distracted by the items in the display windows. It didn't go unnoticed, and she was standing out. Bystanders strolled by as the girl received dirty looks, moseying her with an awkward grin.
Her attention turned to the gray skies overhead, amber eyes alarmed by the purple lighting coursing in the clouds. The young Latina wondered if she was back home or in a new world.
The Latina pursed her lips before perking up. Alright, Luz Noceda. You're in the middle of an unfamiliar town and don't know how you got here. However, that hasn't stopped you before. She dusted her shorts, straightened her flight jacket, and fixed her beanie before making the next move. All you need to do is walk normally, pretend that you belong here, and eventually get some answers. And whatever you do, no matter the circumstance, do not use your glyphs in public, and you won't attract trouble.
Unfortunately for her, trouble was coming to her as a white, windowless van was parked a few feet away. Discretely, the passengers observed the young Latina wearing their red hazmat suits, getting ready to jump in when the time was right, and there were few witnesses.
"Are you sure that girl is a breacher? She seems like a typical, weird girl," the first agent questioned skeptically before fitting his helmet.
I'm positive, and the radar doesn't lie." The second gave a rebuttal as he hit the gas, warily moving the van forward, remaining undetected. "There's a strong readout coming from her." Abnormal energy above a rank-C." his gloved finger gestures to the digital gauge, tapping it. "Emphasis on the above. Protocol states that we extract all breachers before things escalate, and we need to make this quick, or else the higher-ups will have our heads on a silver platter."
A/N: Hey, everyone. This is kman134. I'm here to bring you the second chapter of "Intruders from the Other Side." Like I said before, this is mostly a talking head chapter that continues after chapter 1 and provides more insight and character development. It's supposed also to show Anne's dilemma, and even though she's used to dimension-hopping, alternate universes are a different story, especially when she discovers that she's a fictional character. Furthermore, I wanted to show Michael's skepticism and while he wants to help Anne and cares significantly for her, he would realistically assume she's insane. There are also a couple of easter eggs and cameos that might foreshadow stuff in the foreseeable future. Can you guess what they are? As for why I have the two characters-Michael and Anne-in bathrobes, I got the idea from the movie Anomalisa and wanted to make a slight reference to the two eating and talking. And for Anne, I should have explained this before, but I wanted her to wear an outfit slightly similar to her school uniform, instead of her work clothes at the museum, out of familiarity. Plus, you have to wonder what she wears after work hours, huh? Anyways, i hope you like this and feel free to provide some feedback.