Internet 24

Through Kate's Eyes

I started this, I got this. I started this, I got this. I pace back and forth in the hall, calculating my next step. Marcy is cradled in my arms. This doll represents her body and what happens to it happens to her. Can she feel it? My intentions. After tonight, we three can live happily. I will save my best friend, and my boyfriend will see what I always intended.

They won't need Lou, as I know his people's secret. He doesn't know that I have set foot in his homeland; I have been to his family's library. I have read more than he knows. Trapping him is the only way to prevent him from harming Marcy. He hasn't before, but we can't take the risk. I need to protect everyone. I have to be strong, the person she can rely on.

I started this, I got this. I started this, I got this. They started this, but you must end it.

The night this all began, lighting danced in the black sky to thunder's music. Raindrops blanketed the earth. It was a storm as strong as today's. A treacherous drive for any experienced driver, but for a high schooler who just got her license with her dad in the passenger seat, what happened to them only made sense.

We were eating Chinese food that day. Manny is just off work, and I am in my sweats, procrastinating studying for an exam. My phone rang, and she was on the other end. She was riding the ambulance to a hospital near me. I bolted out the door, grabbing my backpack as inside might be the key to helping.

I sprint as my lungs pound my chest and tears battle the raindrops on my face. I make it to the hospital, where I find Marcy sitting in the lobby. She has a few bandages but is alive and awake. I rush to the chair beside her, soaking the floor, but no one cares right now. It's only us two in here.

KATE

I'm sorry I took so long. I came as fast as I could. Where's your dad?

Marcy looks into the dark. The bags under her eyes are dark and puffy. Her stare was hollow. Her gaze is fixated on the window. It's so dark, and I can see our reflections. It's like a mirror, but Marcy's gaze stares past us.

I wrap my arms around her. She doesn't turn to me, but that's fine. Her mind is focused on down the hall. It's odd that I can hear the beeping of a heart monitor. It has to be his. It has a hypnotic beat. I can count the seconds between each beep.

MARCY

It came out of nowhere, and we had the green, and it hit his side.

KATE

It's okay. The doctors can handle this.

MARCY

They say he won't make it. He's going to...

She stops. Her lips quiver as the tears begin to fall. It is now. I reach into my bag and pull out a gray book with teal and gold trimmings—my first book of spells, courtesy of Lou.

KATE

There can be a way to fix this. Someone can help. Maybe I can.

MARCY

There isn't anything you can do.

KATE

I just borrowed this book. Maybe it has something?

She glances at the book, not giving more than three seconds before replying.

MARCY

What can a book do?

KATE

This can do anything. Since we met Lou and discovered all this mystical,

Gandalf shit is real, I decided to make it my life's work in his book.

MARCY

You're a wizard now?

KATE

No, I just got the book today. But what's in this

book can fix your dad. I just need some time.

MARCY

We don't have time!

I pull away. Why did she yell? I understand her situation, but Marcy has never yelled at me. She has always trusted me and let me take charge when things went south. I have always taken charge.

BBEP! There it is again. The beep down the hall.

MARCY

He... doesn't have time. You're right, though. We need something these doctors can't give. We need someone who can help him.

KATE

Where are you going with this?

MARCY

We need someone who can perform miracles. It makes sense.

Marcy stands up from the chair and looks at me for the first time.

MARCY

We said we wouldn't do this. He clarified that he doesn't feel comfortable taking us to that level. Once I explain the situation to him, he'll understand.

KATE

Who are you talking about?

I know who. I needed her to say it. Only to confirm that she will make the worst mistake of her life.

MARCY

Lou can help.

KATE

No, you can't.

MARCY

I can. It makes sense. I'm willing to pay the cost, and it won't change that much between us, right? Oh god, what am I saying?

KATE

You don't need to do that. Let's check on your dad.

MARCY

There's no point. He's not conscious. I won't get to say goodbye, but I'm going to do it.

I grab Marcy's hand as she steps away. I know if I were to let go, this would be it. Marcy and Lou would be on an inseparable path. One filled with mistrust and pain.

Marcy needed to do the right thing and listen to me. Instead, she is walking out down the hall and out the door. Her mind zeroed in on what she believed was her final chance. If she was patient, she would not know the truth. Instead walks out into the rain.

I run after her and grab her hand. Both of us are drowning in the storm.

KATE

Wait! We can get through this together. The price for what you're asking for is going to be high. You two have only been together for three months. Are you okay with him having that over you?

MARCY

Can you get on his level of magic? Can you do what he can do overnight? I know I can't, and I don't think anyone can. It's what I need to do. It's my dad and Lou... I can trust him.

I tightened my grip; I could let her slip away.

KATE

He will own a part of you. I can't let that happen.

Marcy pulls her hand away from mine, but she is lost.

MARCY

It's not your choice. It's mine.

Marcy realizes her tone and hugs me. It's tight, and the raindrop on my clothes seeps into hers. I want to cry, but I can't.

MARCY

Thanks for being here and worrying. There isn't anything we can do.

KATE

Just... listen to me.

MARCY

I have to go before it's too late.

Then she's gone out of my view and into the storm. I was left standing there. The beeping happens every few seconds. That could have been my heart pounding. I was alone, alone with the book.

I went inside and cracked open the page, knowing I needed to stop whatever happened next. I dedicated years of my life to the craft. And began to formalize my next move. It needed to be done.