Internet 24

Through Kate’s Eyes

Magical energy bursts from Lou as his muscles tense. He is resisting. The warmth returned to my lips as golden sparks emitted from my mouth.

KATE

Today, please.

Lou’s hand, still covered in magical energy and resisting, shakes as he reaches into his jacket. They no longer resist, as shaking the doll can hurt Marcy. He holds the Marcy Doll over my open hand.

We both grip the doll tight. I know what to do, but… no, I can’t waver. I squeeze the doll tighter, and Lou instinctually does the same, not wanting to lose the doll. Then I heard it. Marcy doubles over and kneels on the ground. She grows in pain as she feels as if two hands are squeezing her stomach, her skin seeing in between their fingers.

Lou catches this right away and lets go of the door. He is facing me, but his eyes are fixated on Marcy. My eyes jump to the counter as Adam with a metal baseball bat.

Adam walks around the counter with a metal baseball bat in his hand. Manny holds him back. The head of the doll rests in the crevasse in my elbow as the body rests in my arm. Careful, gentle, and ensuring no harm befalls the doll, and the clothes don’t have a single crease. Something I know Marcy must appreciate now that she’s getting back on her feet.

ADAM

I don’t want any more of these curses and lung business. Stop this.

MANNY

No, this is good. Now, Marcy can have her organs back.

KATE

Not exactly. It’s like Lou said. Her deals with him are gone if I give her organs back. Even. The. First. ONE. We don’t want that.

MARCY (WHISPER)

No

Boom, it hits her. The realization she was afraid of, but it’s all good. I have the doll now. Marcy steps closer, but my eyes jump from the doll and back to her. My spell is foolproof, but one can’t be too precautions.

KATE

I thought I could keep them. I mean, it’s better for me than him.

MARCY

I don’t know if I’m comfortable with that. We should think of something else.

KATE

You don’t trust me?

MANNY

It’s not that, I think. If you want, we can keep it in a mutually safe location, like a safe deposit box.

Why is he butting in? No, why does he agree with her? He, of all people, should know the doll is best with me. If he keeps feeding Marcy’s plan, she will never see I’m right.

MANNY

That way, she has access to it but doesn’t own—

KATE

Shut it! This is between her and me. Why don’t you look at the snacks or watch something on your phone?!?

That was too harsh, but it needed to be said. I pull my attention back to Marcy as Manny takes a step back. I’ll have to apologize later, but not now.

KATE

Now… right, the fish stick. What do you think we should do to him?

MANNY (OP)

Kate…

Manny has a tear rolling down his eye as he tries to stand tough. His lip still quivers. I can feel the cracks forming in his mind. I went too far. I need to make it right…but not now. He is pushing back all the ground I made. I need to stay firm if I want Marcy to look at me as the person who can fix any mistake. I need to stay strong.

MANNY

Can we talk in private…please?

KATE (OP)

You won’t stop bothering us till I do? Alright. Let’s go to the backroom, but only for five minutes.

The chair creaks as I pull on the plastic. I gesture for Lou to take a seat.

KATE

Why don’t Marcy and you use this time to talk everything out, say your goodbyes, and all that stuff? Lou, sit.

Lou is by the table, sitting across from the chair I pulled. His eyes fixated on me and not the doll.

KATE

I’ll let you move a bit.

Lou lunges over the table at me, his nails reaching for my throat.

KATE

But stay seated!

The golden sparks hit his face as my command prevented him from gouging my throat.

Manny holds the door open for me. I keep the paper tight in my hand and the doll gently cradled in my arms as I pass by Manny.

KATE

Stay at that spot until I get back from this talk.