The Darkness We Hide

“Good morning,” Nancy said, pulling the curtains open in Gareth’s room. “Let’s get you two up and moving.”

“What!?” Michelle asked, sitting up in surprise.

“You are never going to get better laying in bed,” Nancy said, “up and at ’em.”

Looking around, Michelle saw Gareth on a makeshift bed on the floor, his face showing the same shock as her own as he pushed himself up on one elbow.

Rolling over and burying her head under a pillow, Michelle mumbled something unintelligible which both Nancy and Gareth were sure was an expletive.

“All right,” Nancy said with a heavy sigh, “we’ll go get you some food first. Maybe after a good meal you’ll feel better.”

As she closed the door, Nancy heard more muffled words, but chose to ignore them. Shaking her head, she made their way to the kitchen where Louise was making breakfast.

“How are they?” she asked when Nancy walked in.

“Well,” Nancy sighed, pulling plates out of the cabinet. “It looks like Gareth slept on the floor, so I honestly don’t know.”

Ten minutes later Gareth came downstairs looking rumpled and worn out. Dropping onto the barstool, he gingerly probed a bright red hand print across his face.

“She’ll never forgive me,” he said, wincing at the pain.

“Yes she will,” his mother assured him, handing him a cup of coffee. “It will just take time. Now, would you like some breakfast too?”

“Sure,” Gareth said, sipping his coffee. “Can I help with anything?”

“Yes,” Nancy said, handing him a green pepper and onion. “Chop these for me. I’ll cook up some pork sausage and whisk a few eggs for an omelet.”

After only two minutes of silence, Gareth put the knife down forcefully.

“Out with it mom,” he said, “I know that face you’re making, what is it?”

The lady sighed and put down the whisk she’d been using. “Have you thought about your testimony in front of the council?”

“Oh Gods,” Gareth said, realization spreading across his face. “I haven’t even thought about that. What am I going to tell them? It’s not like this is a normal situation. Michelle didn’t choose to be one of us, I had to force it on her. The more I go over it in my mind, the more I think I deserve the same punishment as Richard. I mean, I used the mesmer on her at least three times.”

“No Gareth,” his mother gasped, “you don’t deserve what Richard has coming. What that man did was wrong, by all the laws of nature, he deserves the worst the council can throw at him. You my boy,” she continued, moving to embrace him, “what you did was stupid, but it was nothing compared to that animals sins. One day Michelle will forgive you.”

“No. I won’t,” came Michelle’s voice from behind them.

The three of them turned in unison and saw Michelle standing in the doorway wearing Gareth’s clothes cinched and tied to fit as best she could. Holding up her right hand before any of them could speak, she looked to Nancy and said, “I want to leave.”

Turning to Gareth she continued, “And I want you to leave me alone. Don’t call me, don’t find me, just leave me alone.”

“Michelle,” he breathed, but before he could say more, Michelle crossed the distance between them and punched him with all her strength, knocking him backwards.

“Don’t you say another word,” she panted, standing over him. “I never want to hear from you ever again. I would rather spend the rest of my life in that hell hole where Richard kept me, than spend another minute in the same room with you!”

Looking at Nancy and ignoring the shock on the other woman’s face she said, “Will you take me or do I need to start walking?”

“Michelle,” Louise said before anyone else could speak, “maybe you don’t remember, but yesterday I explained that if you physically separate from Gareth you will become very sick.

“I’m surprised you didn’t feel it when he came downstairs without you,” she added slightly confused.

“Oh,” Michelle said with a manic laugh, “I felt it, and I decided that I would rather feel terrible than stay.

“Now are you going to drive me home Nancy,” she growled angrily, looking at the older woman, “”or do I need to start walking?”

Nancy glanced back and forth between them, then slowly nodded and removing her apron moved towards the door. Michelle followed her, limping slightly on bare feet.

Gareth tried to reach for her, but Michelle shrugged his hand off.

“Don’t ever touch me again,” she snarled as she moved away.