Bzzzz…Bzzz…Nora's consciousness went in and out as she flew around what seemed like the middle of nowhere. There wasn't a soul in sight, allowing Nora to rest on a nearby rock as she finally turned herself back to normal, catching her breath and her thoughts. Who the fuck did she think she is? That bitch was lucky I didn't have my wand on me.
As she sat down and surveyed her new surroundings, Nora dug her hands into her sweatpants money, seeing what all she had on her, though her heart dropped as she realized her phone and wand were nowhere to be found, let alone any money to survive. Maybe I shoudn't have punched her…No, she deserved it. She shouldn't have called me a skank! Didn't her mom and dad teach her how to treat guests? It's not my fault they didn't do a very good job.
Regardless of how she felt, there was no denying of how ultimately screwed Nora was. She had left all her stuff at Linnie's, and there was no way in hell his mom and dad were just gonna let her waltz back in and act like nothing happened. Frankly, Nora was surprised she wasn't facing a sue notice right about now for assault.
As she continued to sit on the rock and ponder her next move, Nora looked around and noticed a tall, wired, metal fence with shouting sounds coming from behind. Raising her eyebrows but not wanting to get caught, Nora got up and slowly inched up towards a nearby tree to get a closer view. Fields of large, dark violet cabin-like houses lined up next to each other single-file, and groups of fairies wearing cyan-colored uniforms and helmets marched in various spots, each fairy almost perfectly in sync with each other. The shouting ended up coming from the taller fairies towards the front of each groups, calling out commands and chants for their group to copy. Out of all the houses, one of them, named Fort Jorgen, stood out from the rest, being a gray hut with even more wires around it, and the sign "Fairy World Academy" not too far from the entrance.
Desperate not to get caught lingering, Nora began to turn away from the tree and head back towards her rock until she heard a familiar, high-pitched voice thanking someone in the distance. Turning back around, Nora felt her heart leap as she recognized Linnie's tan suit jacket as he floated from a car and entered the Academy. What the hell..what is he doing here? No way they're gonna let him enlist? He doesn't seem the type..Wait, where is he going?
Nora couldn't help but glue her eyes at the scene as she watched Linnie pass Fort Jorgen and keep walking forward. She covered her mouth as she saw him talk to one of the officers, longing to watch him get thrown on his knees and handcuffs placed on his hands for trespassing, To her shock however, one of the officers spoke to him calmly, waving him over to a building towards the end of the row; a pastel rainbow cabin decorated with rainbows, paintings of sunshines, and smiling animals and children, almost reminding her of a kindergarten. Oh..that makes a hell of a lot more sense.
Keeping her head low, Nora used tree after tree to hide herself as she surveyed the perimeter of the camp, getting closer to the preschool-like building, watching as Linnie entered with a soft smile on his face. She waited for what seemed like an hour before Linnie left the building once more, thanking the other person profusely as he closed the door behind him.
"Linnie.", Nora called, though careful to let her voice down. When he didn't hear her however, Nora raised her voice, "Linnie!"
"What?", Linnie asked, looking around until he saw Nora, shoulders tensing up slightly, "Nora, what are you doing here? I-I don't think you're supposed to be here."
"I could tell you the same thing.", Nora said, scowling but not yelling."How the hell did they just let you in without arresting you."
"Jorgen knew that I was coming. I had a job interview today. You know, to pay for all the things the child will need since I don't think you'll be any help."
"Oh come off it! You know I'm in a bad spot right now. Sorry I'm not rich like you are.", Nora said, crossing her arms. Linnie frowned in return.
"What do you need anyways? I thought you were gone for good."
"Yea well you and your sister would just love that, wouldn't you?"
"Nora, that's not what I meant.", Linnie sighed, "Of course I don't condone what Daisy did, but would it kill you to be grateful for people trying to help you for once?"
"What do you mean? I've barely caused any trouble!", Nora yelled, "If anything, you should be the grateful one. I remember how much you talked about wanting a family and I gave that to you. If anything, you and your family should be thanking me for helping you follow your dreams."
"Nora you just…ugh…you just don't get it.", Linnie said, his tone exhausted, "Just…what do you want from me? If you're here to convince me to get rid of the baby, it's not happening."
"Of course not! What do you take me for?", Nora asked, "I just need to see if it would be possible for me to get my stuff from your house. And maybe hold some cash."
"I don't know. I mean, I guess I could send you stuff over to your mother's-"
"I can't go back there, Linnie. You know this."
"And you know you're not welcome back at the house."
"You're not listening to a fucking thing I'm telling you!", Nora snapped, her temper getting loose for a moment before taking a breathe, "I'm sorry Linnie. This baby thing just has me stressed out."
"Uh huh…", Linnie groaned, Nora rolling her eyes at the lack of sympathy.
"Look, I'm not trying to stay back at that house. I just need my shit back. It's not a lot to ask for. Plus, maybe some cash would let me stay at a hotel for a few days."
"I'm not sure Nora. I can convince my dad to let you get your things since Daisy is off shopping, but I don't really have a lot of money right now."
"Oh really? But you had money to look at baby supplies earlier."
"Yes Nora, because unlike you, the baby is my responsibility. A father is supposed to put his children before anyone else and that's exactly what I'm doing, whether you like it or not. I don't expect any help from you, but you've got to realize that my world doesn't revolve around making sure you're ok anymore. It revolves around making sure this baby is cared for and loved with all my heart."
"Oh my god, give me a break.", Nora muttered, "Fine, but can you spare at least a little cash? Just enough for me to get something to eat?"
"I suppose so", Linnie reached into his jacket and grabbed out his wallet, pulling around a few bills before handing it to Nora, "This should get you a burger and some fries at the diner downtown if you want, or you can get some groceries from the gas station. If you want to wait for me, we can see if dad is willing to let you get your things, but I'm sorry. What mom and dad says goes, and I don't know how willing they'd let you back in if you apologized."
"Fine whatever. I was tired of staying there anyways.", Nora said, rolling her eyes as she followed him towards Gonzo's car. To her surprise, Gonzo didn't tear into her, but instructed Nora to get her things as quick as she could and leave, taking off with Linnie to get baby supplies. After her trash bag had been gathered, Nora finally left the house for good, pocketing the little money Linnie had given her. Floating towards the bus stop towards the end of Linnie's neighborhood, Nora took out her phone and scrolled it, somewhat surprised to receive no calls or messages from anyone other than one. She didn't recognize the number right away, but answered it, as it started with her town's area code.
"Fairy World Emergency Hospital. How may I assist you."
"Uhhh..", Nora stammered for a minute, struggling to process what was happening, "I got a missed call from you. Wrong number maybe?"
"What's your name, ma'am."
"Nora Cosma."
"Oh Miss Nora..I'm so sorry. I've tried to call you earlier because you were one of Mary's emergency contacts.", the nurse said somberly, "You mother..uh..isn't doing too well at the moment."
"What are you talking about? What happened?"
"A neighbor called a few days ago and reported that she had blacked out at her house, lying in her own vomit. As of right now, she's in the intensive care until and her doctors have reported that she's extremely dehydrated and is in and out of consciousness. We're going all we can to help her."
"Oh…do you have any idea of when she'll be out?"
"At this rate, I'm not sure if she's even going to make it.", the nurse explained, "We'll give you a call as soon as we know more."
"Ok then. Thanks."
Nora hung up the phone and continued to walk back in silence before pausing for a moment. With Mary out of the house, Nora turned around headed towards her neighborhood, making her way towards the house, grateful for a bed to sleep in, even if it were going to be for a couple of days.