The Ancient World

Chapter Three - Insanity

After a good half-hour in the back room, Ehrien had finally picked herself up and walked back to the bar. Now she, Kai, and Laura sat at the corner booth.

"Come, my young friend. We have lingered too long and now must hurry. Though you tried to ruin them," Laura placed a hand over her chest in fake misfortune, "there is still time to accomplish my plans."

Ehrien nodded silently and Laura glanced worriedly at Kai. He, too, said nothing and looked away. Ehrien forced a smile. "Sounds good. I needed to buy a book."

"Another?" Laura rolled her eyes. "The purpose today was shopping, for clothes."

"You know dressing rooms aren't my cup of tea..."

"But I am." Ehrien sighed in conformity and Laura smiled with more cheerfulness than she situation deserved, getting up. Ehrien followed, avoiding eye contact with Kai. She felt too ashamed; she couldn't face him.

Laura waited outside while Ehrien got her bag. Kai approached her silently and grabbed her hand. She looked at him, and for a second, it was like he was going to say something more. But then he shook his head. "Have fun."

*

Laura hopped around Ehrien as they chatted down Davies Street. Ehrien wasn't at her fullest, but there was no point in dwelling on her problems, and she should at least act as if she were fine, for the sake of those around her. Ehrien laughed at all the right times and answered sarcastically when she knew it would annoy Laura, all the things that would let her know she was alright. And that might, with enough will, make her so.

The sun was gone, and the night was lit by thousands of flickering lights and neon signs. The moist air was exploding with the sound of voices and life, and the environment was as addictive as the first time Ehrien had experienced it, all those years before. Even in as horrible a mood as she was, Ehrien couldn't help but feel soothed. How she loved that city.

Laura dragged Ehrien in and out of stores until her feet could hardly be called feet any longer, but even though she was exhausted, Ehrien couldn't stop the foolish smile that insisted on returning to her face. Laura was a balm to her soul.

Laura went inside some shop to ask the price of something on display and as she waited, Ehrien scouted the street. A group of boys and girls, probably her age or her brothers', turned to the street screaming, howling, and laughing.

At first, Ehrien was intrigued, fascinated. She had never seen anything quite like that. Then she was scared. She was the only one who saw them. It was so obvious. No one tried to avoid them, no one was bothered with their noise, no one so much as looked at them. And that seemed to amuse them terribly.

One of the boys, mid-laugh, turned away from the group, his eyes finding Ehrien. He seemed surprised that she could see him. But then again, they always were, even though they were part of her imagination. Then he smiled and bowed. He looked at Ehrien one more time before he walked to the edge of the sidewalk and let himself fall to the road, just as a car passed by.

Ehrien jumped forward, wanting to help him, but he was too far away. She screamed as he fell and covered her mouth with her hands when she knew there was nothing she could do. But when the horrible sound of flesh against metal should have exploded, his body was no longer there.

The girl looked around, expecting an explanation, but the incident had been witnessed by her alone and there was no one to answer her. Those who had stopped and acknowledged her existence had done so solely over her scream, but their interest had been short.

Ehrien turned to the street again and jumped back, startled. The boy was standing in front of her, inches from her face, hands behind his back, giant eyes studying her. His smile was crooked and somewhat endearing.