Internet 24

THROUGH KATE'S EYES

The more she speaks, the more visible the cracks in her mind are. The world around us is dark. We are isolated from the rest of the cafe. Having the spotlight on you means the only light you can see is focused on you. The rest of the world is dark.

MARCY

I lost my voice. It disappears when I'm around him.

KATE

Tell me he put a curse on you like he's Ursula.

MARCY

Not literally. His voice carries more weight when we talk, so the conversation always tilts to his side.

Makes mine so light; it's like it's not there. It's hard to explain without making him look like a bad guy, and that's not what I want to –

KATE

Maybe he is.

MARCY

No, he's not. He's just—

KATE

You're too nice. There's a reason you want to leave.

I hear it. The soft step from down the hall. He was walking past the counter and headed...here. My hand covers Marcy's mouth. The last thing we need is her letting anything said slip.

MARCY

Don't act like nice is a lousy thing--

KATE

Shhhhh!!

His red gaze. I can feel them behind us. Lou's red eyes peaking from the shadow of the back room. I don't even know how he got access to that room. I bet he "asked" the way he asks for things. Good in this moment, but not at us.

He slips through our peripherals and lays his hands on Marcy's shoulder. His gentle smile is genuine. I know Lou. I've hung out with him enough to study his habits. People may see him as a shark, ready to bite and thrash. No, he's a rattlesnake, grabbing your attention before he laces you with venom- at least when he's near Marcy.

LOU

What are you two talking about?

Marcy opens her mouth to speak when... nothing. I need to take control as she's floundering. I interject myself between the two. I Tapp the book to draw his eye.

KATE

About the book you let me borrow.

LOU

I thought you didn't like this kind of stuff.

He becomes a pubby dog wagging his tail at the idea that Marcy is excited about something he wants to do.

LOU

I can break it down for you when we get home.

MARCY

Maybe yeah.

LOU

Cool. I came here to see if you wanted a side with your sandwich.

MARCY

Yeah, that sounds nice. Can I get Mozz-

LOU

Cool.

Before Marcy finishes, Lou is turned around and is on his way to the counter. Marcy is left there staring at her hands again, with me staring at the back of his thick head. He's a dick.

I place my hands over Marcy's hands, trying to comfort her.

KATE

How long have you been feeling like this?

MARCY

I don't remember when I started. Just that I do.

Kate fiddles in the book, and Marcy tries to figure out the words to explain the situation.

KATE

Why not leave him earlier? Is it the lease? You can always stay with me.

MARCY

No, it's... My stuff.

Marcy looks down at the table. Around her, floating in bubbles, are the patches from the doll. Her heart, lungs, and liver. Each floats over the corresponding organs on her body.

MARCY

I need to find the right moment. There is too much at stake for me. It's not like he would hurt or hold them against me, I think. I trust him, but this part of me is whispering in my head.

MARCY

What if I'm wrong?

KATE

I get it, and when he pulled the doll. That pissed me off, and I can't imagine how you felt. Get this. I was looking over this book for some time, and I remember reading something that will help us.

I go to the book. I see the corner of a folded paper I used as a bookmark poking out between the pages. I opened the page and grabbed the folded paper. The page is inconsequential, but I still slide the book to Marcy. Maybe she will be open to my idea if she sees what lies between the pages.

I see her eyes scan the words. It's been long enough. I hold up the folded piece of paper in between my fingers.

KATE

Here's the plan. You break up with him tonight. When he asks why, you hand him this.

MARCY

I'm not doing it tonight.

I hold the paper closer to her. I can feel the grey sparks in my eyes- a sign of a magic user, one I am no longer afraid to show Marcy. I need her to see what I can do right off the rip. It's the only way she listens.

KATE

Then when? If you don't do it tonight, you will be with him for another three years. Is that what you want?

MARCY

What will it do?

KATE

It will get your organs back.

Marcy's hand is outstretched, hesitant to grab the paper. I'm not worried; she holds the paper just like I predicted. Marcy goes to unfold the paper- wait, no! I grab her wrist and pull her hand away before she can unfold it.

I see fear on Marcy's face. I now realize how tight I am gripping her wrist. I let go, and I still see the imprint of my finger on her skin. She is shaking a bit. No, i need to let her know; I need to fix this.

KATE

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to grab--

I feel his gaze on me. Before I can turn, I see his overcast shadow. He is directly behind me. I look up as he stares down at me. He is taller than usual, and turquoise scales form around his burning red eyes. His teeth are sharp.

The air is cold. I feel like I am floating in the sea at night. A blood moon is over my head, and the jaws of a megalodon are about to swallow the ocean when it bites down on me.

LOU

You two, alright?

KATE

Yeah, I got a bit too hyped.

He glances at Marcy, who is rubbing her wrist but makes sure to do so under the table. She had already collected her nerves and flashed him a smile.

LOU

You good?

MARCY

Yeah, don't worry.

LOU

Okay, let me know if you need anything.

With a smile, he is gone from our conversational bubble. I look to Marcy. What do I say? What can i say? I messed up, and the reason doesn't matter.

MARCY

What the hell, Kate? Losen your grip next time.

KATE

Sorry, it's... If you open the paper before Lou can, it won't work.

Marcy looks at the paper. I can hear the thoughts in her head. She is imagining what could be inside the folds. Staring harder, hoping today she magically develops X-ray vision.

MARCY

If I use it.

I grab her hand, gentle this time. She doesn't flinch or move away.

KATE

I know what you are going through is hard. I mean the way he showed up. I felt cold. Death? I can't explain it. You shouldn't be with that.

I push her hand, holding the paper onto her chest, right over her heart. What he has over her isn't right, and tonight is the night we need to make a stand. Manny will be backing me up, so it will be three versus one. Us against him. This is what's best for her. This is for Marcy.

KATE

We got this together. I got your back. You are ending it with him tonight, right?