I struggle to pull back but his grip is too strong. His little body pulls the chain down closer to him. – pulling me down with it. The chain! It’s going to break. I think. We were both pulling in different directions, hard. But the necklace holds strong. -extremely strong.
“You are in grave danger. You MUST find the other stars before it’s too late.” His eyes began to shine brought as he stares into the star.
“Let me go!” I shout and pull back harder, I can feel the chain around my neck dig deep into my skin. A warm, wet, sticky feeling socks into my shirt collar. blood? A numbing sensation creep up my legs and for moment all I can hear is the beat of my heart. boom, boom, boom. I have to get away. But most of all... I need the star.
I struggle to grip the seat above us. But he pulls me down even closer. His eyes change to a bright blue color as he hiss.
“You are too weak without the other stars! Zailor knows this! You must go to Narmolyna!”
“What? Who... Let me go!” I shout back at him.
“You must stop Zailor! Find the other stars!”
“Can I help you?” Stephanie’s voice rang out strong and forceful. I hold my breath as his eyes change to a deep green color.
The man shifts his body and lets go of my chain. I fall backwards from the force of my body trying to pull away and I end up on the floor about 2 feet away. I scramble further away, guarding my star with my hand. For a split second I wonder what I’m doing. Why didn't I just give him the star? Was I really that stupid? But that thought doesn’t last long. My only desire at this moment is to guard the star with everything I can. I can't bear the thought of losing it now.
“Oh yes. Thank you. This young lady is just helping an old man up.” His voice is clear and normal now. Not the horse wicked tone he had just used with me.
Stephanie offers him a hand to help him up. All I can think is. No! Don't let him touch you! But before I can say it, He takes her hand. She shuffles backwards and leads him to the main aisle. He lets go of her hand, and I release the air I've been holding inside my lungs. He turns towards me before he leaves.
“Remember what I said.” He tips his hat and then turns to walk away.
Stephanie watches him leave the theater as I check my star. It's perfect or course. But I can't help but wonder why it didn't jump with him like it had all day. Unlike the star, I was not perfectly fine. Blood raises through my body like a steam train. Making me feel lightheaded and dizzy. It tickles my neck as it drips from the back of my neck to the front. I catch it before Stephanie notices and press my t-shirt hard into the cut. Not exactly sure why I don't want her to see how unnerved I am. -I just do.
Stephanie’s eyes tighten for just a bit. “Are you ready to go?” her voice is still careful, as she studies me.
“Umm.. Yeah. I grab my book from the floor and my bag.
“Are you alright?”
"I think so.” For the most part, I am okay. -I say to erasure me. I feel like I just ran a marathon, but I'm in one peace.
“Good.” She smiles. “Because I’m starving!”
By the time we get outside Stephanie has her cell phone to her ear- talking to Wade about dinner. I keep my eyes wondering around the parking lot. But there’s no sign of the old man or the creepy one. I decide that’s a good sign.-Maybe I was sleeping in the theater and none of that actually happened. I tell myself.
After all, I am starting to feel the lack of sleep from last night. I have to catch myself slumping as we drive home. Also, I'm holding my hand together so tightly, that my fingers are starting to turn red. But I'm afraid if I let go, I'll acadently check the cut on my neck. Stephanie doesn’t say much on the way home. She just points out a walkway between two houses.
“Take that, and you’ll be on our street. Our house is just two houses down on the right.”
Her voice sounds concerned, but I’m too tired to ask why. Besides I’m concerned too. First a creepy man outside my window and now a little old man can over power me? This is turning out to be a very odd first day. It's deffently a first for me.
“It takes me twenty minutes when I walk to work. So if you would rather walk home tomorrow, I’ll give you my key.”
“Okay” I hate to give her another one word answer. But it’s all I can think of. My eyes feel so heavy- It’s getting harder to keep them open. But I can’t help thinking that Stephanie is a little too trusting to a stranger living in her home.
“I hope you like pizza!” Wade’s voice rang from the kitchen. He has the same smile on his face from this morning, as if it’s painted on. He stands there with outstretched arms showing off three large pizzas on the breakfast bar.
“I should hope so!” Stephanie kisses him on the cheek. “There’s enough to feed a small army.”
“Or three very hungry people.” Wade gives a quick wink and hands me a plate.
They both take two slices of pizza and head over to the table. I follow their lead.
“So, Jaz, How du yu lik wour classes?” Wade’s mouth is full of food, but I could hear most of what he says.
“There alright.” I try hard to think of more to say then before. “My last classes in Seattle were ahead of these ones. So today was more of a review for me.”
“Brilliant!” Wade laughs “We’ll have the smartest kid before you know it…. Promise me you’ll bring home one of those bumper stickers about being on the honor roll.”
I can’t help but laugh at him; it just seems strange coming from him.
“Did anything exciting happen today?” He continues.
He quickly glances at Stephanie and then back at me. I’m not sure why but the look gives me an uneasy feeling. As if there is something that I’m missing out of the question. Stephanie doesn’t look at me; which makes the feeling even worse.
I take a moment chewing my food, giving me time to decide if I should tell them everything. I can feel my star beating down on my chest, almost as if it's connected to my heart. Boom, boom, boom.
“Just an old man, who fell and couldn’t get up." I finely say.
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