12

Once inside the bathroom, Emily turned and twisted the lock on the door and rushed to check all the stalls. She wanted to make sure no one was in the bathroom. She didn’t trust the town or its people.

“All clear,” Emily stated as she turned on the sinks. She felt like she was a prisoner of war trying to find her way out of the enemies’ compound. 

“What are you doing?” Selma asked staring at Emily like she was a madwoman. 

“We need to come up with a plan,” Emily whispered. 

“And...” Selma motioned to the door, stalls, and sinks.

“Everything about this town is wrong. Haven’t you noticed?” Emily continued keeping her voice down.

“It is quite strange,” Selma replied in her normal voice level. Emily groaned. Apparently, the other woman knew nothing about tactics. And noted that Selma would probably be the first person killed in a zombie apocalypse.

“Whisper. I can almost guarantee that the guys are listening outside the door.” She gestured with her head towards the door. “Don’t you remember the sudden rain before the accident? Or the so-called dog? That was not a dog. I don’t care what they all say.” 

“This is Michigan, the weather changes on a dime. And, the dog... well, it was pretty big.” Selma seemed to be wracking her mind over something. Something that caused her to rub her temples.

“Has Casper started glowing yet?” Emily wasn’t sure why she even asked that. She knew Selma would think Emily was off her rocker.

“Glowing!” Selma’s gaze shot up to Emily’s face.

“I know. I sound nuts. Kian’s tattoo on his chest glows anytime we... um... ya know. Ugh. I sound crazy.” 

“Did Nikki give you something to drink yesterday after the accident?”

“I refused. I got Kian in the bedroom and had him go lock the front door,” Emily chuckled. “I dumped it behind the bed and pretended that I drank it.”

Selma stared at Emily. She looked embarrassed to speak.  

“I was a bit out of it,” Selma admitted. “They basically forced it down my throat when I couldn’t fight back. And... I haven’t felt... um... normal since. My memories from yesterday feel all jumbled and fuzzy. I have a really good memory, almost photographic even. But, every time I try to think about what happened yesterday morning I feel sick and have to think of something else.”

“Nikki told me you took the elixir. I was really hoping that you didn’t,” Emily sighed. “Something told me not to drink it.”

“I wish I could remember, it’s as if it never happened or happened a very long time ago. Are you sure it was only just yesterday?” Selma looked at Emily with a face of sorrow.

Emily took a deep breath. “What was in that concoction, anyway? You were injured in the accident, yet, here you are... perfect as ever!”

“What do you mean?” Selma turned and looked herself over in the mirror. 

“The airbag got you good. The window got me. Yet, neither of us are covered in bruises or scratches. Don’t you find that weird?” Selma glanced at the side of Emily’s head. The side where Emily had struck the window. Emily hadn’t taken the elixir yet she was in full health. 

“I was bleeding. So were you,” Emily reminded Selma.

“I don’t know what to think. I feel like I fell down the rabbit hole. People keep saying weird things and then there’s the auras, that elixir and now this instant healing, and of course the hot as hell attraction to Casper. He’s so totally out of my league and not my usual type. I mean, Kian would be closer to my type, but I felt nothing when I met him after dropping you at the garage that first day. I just... "

“Breathe. Just breathe.” Emily held Selma’s arms. Selma looked frantic. Emily felt bad for throwing so much at her, but she knew her and Selma needed to talk quick. “We have to figure out a way to escape this place. My car is still down the road somewhere and yours is totaled,” Emily said in a more thoughtful tone. 

“Was it really that bad?” 

“Oh. yeah,” Emily gave Selma an apologetic look. “If it hadn’t been for the werewolf-looking thing, you wouldn’t have crashed.”

“Werewolf? What are you talking about? It was just a large dog, probably one of those mastiffs like my cousin has.”

“A large dog,” Emily snorted? “I work around dogs. That was not a damn dog!” 

Selma shook her head and began rubbing at her temples. 

“I hate this feeling... I need to remember, damn it.”

“Do you remember Nikki’s glowing bracelet? Or her zapping our asses when we shook her hand? I know you felt the zap too. I saw your face.” Selma was staring into the mirror again. Heavy in her thoughts.

“Yes. That I remember. I had wanted to ask you if you felt the same energy sizzle from her that I did.”

“I did. It was creepy. Especially when Nikki just smiled at us like nothing had happened.” 

“I feel like the weakest link,” Selma groaned. “What are we going to do, Emily?”

“We need to figure out a way to get Jughead to get my car. Can’t you like work your womanly ways,” Emily did a circular motion outlining Selma’s body, “and get him to go get my car?”

Selma began to blush and diverted her eyes away from Emily.

“Oh. Come on, Selma. We’re grown-ass women,” Emily sighed. She knew how she had felt when Kian mentioned her breasts in front of Selma and Casper; however, it was just her and Selma alone now. Selma didn’t have a reason to be embarrassed. “I don’t care what or who you do as long as we work together to get the hell out of here.”

“I’ll do whatever you need me to do. I need to leave before this thing with Casper goes too much farther. My heart is already getting attached.”

“Same with me towards Kian. I feel like there’s a spell on me. When I’m near him I can’t think. When there is space between us, I still think of him but I don’t yearn for him. Does that make sense?” 

“Exactly! A spell,” Selma agreed. “But, for me the spell never stops working. It doesn’t matter how far I get away from those gorgeous blue eyes, those muscles, that ass...” Emily could see that Selma was drifting away from their conversation.

“Hey! Focus,” Emily whispered loudly. “We don’t have time to think about how yummy they are.” Selma had a dreamy look in her eyes. She must have been thinking about Casper. 

KNOCK! KNOCK!

“Selma, your fifteen minutes are up.” Selma groaned. “If you don’t open this door, I’m coming in.” He really was a barbarian. Willing to use force to come into a woman’s bathroom. His mother clearly hadn’t taught him manners.

“Hold your horses, Jughead,” Emily yelled then leaned over to Selma’s ear. “Help me get my car here or let’s steal his or Kian’s truck. I’ll have it towed back here once we make it to Lansing. Okay?” 

“I’ll do what I can. But....”

“While we wait for you to get us a ride, let’s do some digging into this creepy little town. What do you think? Up for some snooping,” Emily asked in a whisper. 

“Yes, I think I can do that.” Selma nodded her head firmly.

“Kian keeps trying to keep me away from you so we need to figure out a way to see each other,” Emily shook her head and rolled her eyes.

“We could just come here for food every day. We can set a time for all three meals, that way if we can’t make one we know to look for each other at the next.”

“Perfect!” Emily did a little dance of excitement that made Selma giggle. “I like the way you think, girly.”

“Selma,” Casper growled and pounded on the door again. 

“We’re having wild kinky sex. Fuck off, Jughead,” Emily shouted. 

“Emily,” Kian called through the door as well.

“Seriously, fuck my life. Go away, ladies’ man!” 

“Nikki is going to have our asses, Cas.” Kian mumbled most likely to Casper. Emily mimicked Kian as she helped Selma turn off the sinks. 

“Ready?” Emily looked over her shoulder as she reached for the lock on the door.

“Wait?” Selma hissed. “What times are we going to come in for our meals?” She whispered.

The most important part and it had slipped Emily’s mind. She knew there was no other way for her and Selma to link up. Not with the way Kian and Casper seemed to be keeping them apart. 

“I don’t know. Eight for breakfast? Noon for Lunch? Five for dinner?” Emily whispered and shrugged. 

“Works for me.” The door handle began to jiggle causing Emily to roll her eyes. Damn barbarian!

“Unlock this door,” Casper snarled.

“Cas, I warned you about the way you talk to Emily,” Kian growled at Casper. Emily wanted to smile at Kian coming to her defense. However, an image of Kian with Norma flashed through her mind snatching the happy thought Emily was beginning to have.

“Do you want them to get hurt again?” Casper roared.

“No,” Kian replied. There was a shuffle on the other side of the door. “Emily, sweetheart... can you unlock the door before Casper loses it completely?”

“Not my problem, sweetheart,” she replied back leaning against the sink. 

“Casper, I’m coming,” Selma looked at Emily concerned but then turned the lock on the door. The door flew open, missing Selma’s face by inches. Casper threw his arms around Selma and pulled her into him. 

“I can’t breathe,” Selma whined, but Casper simply grabbed the nape of Selma’s neck and pulled her back into his chest. “Casper, I’m okay, really.” She ran her hands over Casper’s chest. 

Let the magic begin. On the inside, Emily was grinning like the Grinch. 

Selma looked up at Casper and ran her fingers through his thick beard. Casper’s body relaxed and he smiled at Selma weakly. 

“Sorry, sweetling.”

“And on that note, I’m out of here,” Emily stated as she made her way past Selma and Casper. “Don’t forget that we’re having dinner together, okay?” Emily looked over her shoulder and smiled at Selma. 

“Emily, will you stop running away,” Kian groaned and grasped Emily by the wrist stopping her from making her way down the hallway. Emily faced Kian with the smile of a vixen. Selma, Casper, and Kian all seemed surprised by Emily’s smile.

“Kian,” Emily purred. 

“Ye... yes,” Kian swallowed hard. 

“Do me a favor,” she said sweetly. He nodded in response. Emily’s smile dropped and she frowned. “Leave me alone.” 

Kian chased after Emily as she began storming down the hallway once again. Emily came to a screeching halt when she saw Nikki standing around the corner. 

“There y’all are,” Nikki said smiling from ear to ear. “I’m so glad to see you all together. For a minute, I thought this little chickadee had flown the coop alone.” 

Nikki laughed, looped her arm around Emily’s and brought her back to the others. Emily’s blood was boiling. She didn’t like Nikki and she didn’t appreciate Nikki touching her. 

“Um, Nikki, were you looking for us?” Selma asked and came to Emily’s rescue by rushing over and placing herself between Emily and Nikki.

Emily stepped away and crossed her arms. Her eyes fired imaginary darts at Nikki. Selma must have sensed it because she looked over her shoulder and mouthed, ‘Play nice... car.’

“Hmph,” Emily groaned loudly. 

“Oh, sugar. I needed to check on you and Emily after that horrible accident.” 

“Oh, yes. Casper said you were responsible for putting the park back to rights. I wanted to thank you for that. The dog came out of nowhere and the rain had turned to ice.” Selma blabbered nervously to Nikki.

“The dog,” Emily huffed? “Right? The gigantic dog that was the size of a damn bear. I forgot all about the dog.”

Nikki smiled brightly and looked around the room. 

“We should have a seat,” Nikki said cheerfully before wrapping her arm around Selma’ then leading them all back to the table they had been sitting at earlier. The table was spic and span. There was no evidence that the table had ever been used. 

“So, let’s have a seat and you girls can tell me what you think of our little town,” Nikki held out her coat. Kian grabbed it and went to hang it on the coat rack by the door. Even that little gesture caused Emily to want to snap his head off. He was a ladies’ man through and through. Even for Nikki, he was bending over backward for. Kian turned towards the table, just as the diner door flew open and slammed against the wall. The bells on the door jingled loudly.

“Nikki Lovecroft,” a woman stormed into the diner.

“Ooo. Someone else who feels the same as me,” Emily smirked as she watched the woman glide across the floor. Her hair was blowing in the air that had gushed through the door. None of it looked real. The woman’s feet didn’t appear to be touching the ground and the gust of wind had died out moments ago. 

“I suppose she isn’t floating either, right,” Emily mumbled and crossed her arms in front of her. “What should we call it... hm... the floor is pushing her up? Perhaps it’s the dog again.”

“Emily...” Kian started but Emily was already giving him the death look. He sighed and closed his mouth.

“This rain is killing my plants, Lovecroft,” the woman ranted. “What are you doing? Have my plants ever done anything to you.” 

“Navi, sugar. Please come meet our newcomers,” Nikki replied sweetly.

“We’re passing through,” Emily butted in. “As soon as the rain stops,” she said sweetly mimicking Nikki’s tone. Nikki waved off Emily’s words irritating Emily even more.

“You can forget ever getting another flower from my shop, Nikki Lovecroft, if this rain continues for one more second.” Emily nodded in agreement with Navia. 

“Yep. No more flowers, Nikki,” Emily sighed.

Casper came up behind Selma and wrapped his arms around her. Emily couldn’t help but look and admire the way Casper was affectionate to Selma. His eyes never faltered onto another woman in the same way that he looked at Selma. He seemed to truly care for her. 

“Nikki, Miss Navi just wants the rain to stop so her poor plants can survive. Is that so much to ask?” Emily gasped placing her hand over her chest dramatically.

“Emily, sweetheart,” Kian interrupted. He began to rub her back soothing her. But again the image of him and Norma kept her standing firm so she shrugged his touch off and looked out the window. 

Just who I wanted to see! A huge smile came across Emily’s face. 

“There’s my little buddy,” Emily said delightedly. Outside the window walking down the sidewalk was none other than Gabby. “See you at our meal times, chica,” Emily called out over her shoulder as she bolted for the door.