Hide (Sequel to RUN)

Chapter 8

"I didn't sneak up on you, I just walked up and said 'Hey'," he defended. "I think I should be able to punch you a couple of times. Just for payback."

"You can try. But you'll have to catch me first." And while he blinked, I pulled on my helmet, revved my bike, and took off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I drove straight to my house. My actual house, not Lansing's. I had a date with my little sister.

"Eliza!" I called, pulling my helmet off. "It's me!" A door slammed and Eliza ran around the corner of the garage.

"Hey sweet thing," I smiled, jumping off my bike to meet her embrace. "How's my little monkey?" She pulled away quickly.

"Ali's the monkey. I'm your tiger. Remember?"

"Well maybe you're just starting to become monkey-like," I smiled, kissing her on the cheeks quickly. But my mess up concerned me. Ali had always been monkey, Trisha bear, and Eliza tiger. I'd never gotten them mixed up. Ever.

"Why are you bare foot?" She asked as I stood up. I looked down at my feet. There were not any type of shoe on either of them. Had I put on shoes this morning? And why hadn't anyone told me?

"Umm, I just didn't feel like putting shoes on today."

"Uh huh," she looked up at me quizzically, taking my hand while she was at it.

We were hanging out for a good thirty minutes before my mental instability came to light again.

"Wanna listen to some music?" I asked, ruffling her hair playfully. "Just scroll through and pick something. You know the password. I'll grab the snacks." It took a couple of seconds for her to say anything. Though I wasn't expecting her to.

"Why do you have so much Lady Gaga on your phone?" She asked, her tone suspicious.

"I like Lady Gaga, what's wrong with that?" I picked out a grape from the bowl I'd just pulled out of the fridge and stuck it into my mouth. It was nice and juicy and popped in my mouth.

"No. You've never liked Lady Gaga. Ever. You always complain about her music. Where's 'Carry On My Wayward Son' and 'Eye of the Tiger'?"

"I didn't get rid of any of my old songs. I just downloaded some new ones."

"You've listened to these ones more than you've listened to your old ones though!" she exclaimed. I put down the bowl of grapes on the table and placed both of my hands next to it. My breathing was becoming rapid and my thoughts were following suit.

Flashes of the club ran through my head. The songs pounded in my ears again, making me half deaf. I covered my ears, trying to block the sounds. The booming bass still penetrated my barriers.

"Why does it matter what music I listen to?" I snapped, the bass still pounding. It was exactly like Monday. I was completely aware of reality, but the past was butting in.

"Because you hate this music! You never would have listened to it before!"

"Before what?" I turned on her. "The kidnapping? Whatever you're trying to say Eliza, say it!"

"I'm saying you've changed!" she screeched, getting up from the table. "It's not just the music! You forgot that I'm Tiger. You didn't wear shoes all day. You don't laugh nearly as much... You're broken. I can see it."

"I'm fine!" Eliza was suddenly standing in front of me.

"You aren't," she whispered. A wave of nausea swept over me. My knees buckled and they hit the hardwood loudly.