"So, when will it wear off of them too?" Jena asked. "It shouldn't be more than ten minutes or so," Vic said. "But I really don't know. They're kinda new to this." He was worried about Anna -- more specifically, he was worried about what he'd have to do if she came near him. She was getting really violent and it was never easy to subdue someone under the influence. Stewart, on the other hand, was just standing there spacing out. "Everybody handles it differently," Vic said.
They realized as Anna got out of, maybe getting high wasn't such a good idea. Like whips or chains strange worm like leech things pinned down Jenna and Vic. There bodies were oozing with a strange acidic. And from their bodies out came lashing heads. They could also tell these creatures were playing around with them. Pretending to want to hurt them, but they did not. "You please uss....you should know better by now," they said, "Thank you for helping uss." The vines and everything left Vic and Jena stood in dismay. Stewart opened his eyes out of the strange blank room. He really saw nothing of the high. But as he looked around, it felt and even looked like something was in his eyes. Truth there were strange worm things in his eyes, they were like thick band veins. Stewart raised his hand and there worms were the veins were as well. Stewart didn't look at Vic or Jena or even Anna, instead he turned to the wall.
Reese stared at Keira and shook his head. "Continue about what you heard," Reese said, "Finish, because it hurts to walk and I don't want to walk unless it's important." Reese suddenly was reminded of his face that night. It gave him an odd shiver in his heart.
"What I heard?" Keira began, "about the whole "conspiracy" thing?" She really didn't want to say anything more about it, but if Reese insisted . . . "Stewart isn't himself at all. It's not entirely his fault, I don't think, but he did tamper with the generator to make it blow up. And now he's rambling on about how he wants to kill you. Anna and Donovan are going to help him, too." She paused, then shifted her gaze to stare at the wall instead of Reese. "But I don't know why I'm telling you all of this. You did save our skins back there in the Sprinkler Room, but that's the first act of kindness I've ever seen from you. I used to think that maybe you deserved to die, but now I'm not so sure . . ."
Reese stared at Keira she had to bring the Sprinkler Room and kindness. She had to bring it into the conversation, but he didn't know why he was about to do what he was about to. "All my life Keira I have never been treated kindly, even when I did try everyone still hated me, it seemed no matter what did or how much I tried no one gave me a chance...I walked into a room and silence would drag on," Reese paused, "I gave up being the nice guy a long time ago because the moment anyone sees me they automatically hate me....I am sure Stewart is just really worried, he usually sees and says things that are a reflection of his anxiety, I've read his file he suffers from Anxiety disorder so I wouldn't be surprised by what I hear and yet I am....I think Stewart knows who blew up the generator, but for some reason I don't think he did it."
Keira could tell that Reese was upset. She actually felt a pang of pity for him, and his story reminded her of her past. He was hated. She had always tried her best not to be hated. "I know how you feel, I think . . . Even though some people may hate you, you can never let that get the better of you. You're too good for that. You're too good to just give up. And no everyone hates you, Reese." She sat in silence for a few seconds before answering his second statement. "Just forget about Stewart for now. He may have blown up the generator, or someone else may have, but none of that matters. We have more important things to worry about."
Anna's hallucination stopped abruptly, and she gasped for air, sweat pouring down her face. She was glad she hadn't hurt anyone, though in a way she would've been glad to tear someone's face off, as long as it was someone she didn't like too much. But then, she was becoming unfortunately attached to her comrades. Maybe old "Keren", or Anthea, or Lex, or whatever his name was supposed to be. Its, really. She leaned her head back against the wall, just breathing, having no idea what to make of it. She looked at the still rolled joint in her head, smoking lightly, and dropped it to the ground, stomping it out before she lost it again.
Reese leaned in on Keira. He didn't even know what was controlling him or not. He placed his hand on her face and this was the first kiss they had when he was alive and not dead. It was like euphoria for him. He had never felt this way before. * * * Stewart continued staring at the wall. He was turned into a freak. A monster or a freaky monster was inside of him.
Anna stood up, trying to steady her shaking legs but being forced to crawl along the wall. She reached out and put her hand on Stewart's shoulder. "You okay?" she asked, closing her eyes; trying to regain her bearings.
Stewart continued staring at the wall, he didn't want Anna to see his eyes, he didn't want her to see his veins. You are one with us, you are us we are you...Dedward I am Dedward, but also Stewart. You made me into a weird looking person So you now part of us we make you better. "No nothing is wrong Anna I just feel a little tired,"
Keira was surprised when Reese leaned in to kiss her. She had never seen him like that before - the soft side of him. When her shock had dissipated, Keira closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around him, deepening the kiss. Obviously they were both acting strangely. Either that or their true selves had finally come out of hiding. But still, it felt so strange . . . Oh, god, what have I done now? Keira thought to herself.
Anna's fingers tightened against Stewart's shoulder; she didn't mean to do it, it just happened. "Don't lie to me," she whispered. "I've been around you more than long enough to know when you're not okay. You can trust me, Stewart. Whatever you're going through, I'll be here. I promise."
Reese didn't know what this outburst of emotion was. It wasn't like him, but at the same time it felt more natural to him. He seemed to wrap Keira a little closer every time. But what wondered in his mind was, what would people think if they saw this scene? How would he feel then?
Stewart turned towards Anna. He said nothing he would just let her get the site of him into her eyes. His veins, his eyes, filled with Diver worms. He just stared at her. Nothing else.
Anna stared, keeping her face blank of all emotion as she stared. Well, she was right about one thing--Stewart had definitely been lying when he said he was alright. "Are you okay...?" she asked, watching him carefully for a reaction.
This was all so unexpected. Only a day ago the two had practically loathed each other, and now Keira felt something completely different. It was a wonder what stress could do to someone. The past events had really brought out Keira's old self - the part of her that had been shattered years ago. But would Reese treat her the same as he had? Would he think she was weak and take advantage of her? No, surely not. Keira fell back, pulling Reese with her, kissing him. Everything around her - the loud noises in the other room, the stress, the pain, the fear - all seemed to melt away. The old Keira was gone, replaced by someone she knew only in her dreams. Her former self. And then she stopped, opening her eyes, almost shocked with what she had done. She pushed Reese off of her and shook her head to clear her mind. Keira hadn't been in a relationship in years, all because her old boyfriend had mistreated her, breaking her heart. How could she possibly know that Reese wouldn't do the same? "I'm sorry . . ." she muttered, hiding her face in her hand. And then the tears came. "I . . . I just . . . I can't." But it wasn't Reese's fault. It was hers. She was too afraid to love again. She just couldn't . . .
Reese didn't mind being pushed away. He didn't mind. The situation itself was becoming so comfortable that it made him almost uncomfortable. "It's okay Keira...I understand, most men like myself a jerks," Reese said, "They never truly loved, and never will learn to truly love and respect." Were those even words of encouragement and comfort? He was bad at this. * * * Stewart stared at Anna. He didn't know how to respond. He didn't know how to react, he was just numb. He was a freak more so then ever. He just wanted Anna to do something. Shoot him, kill him. Do something, anything.
Anna could tell that Stewart wished she'd do something, and she had a pretty good idea what. She couldn't do that, though, she just couldn't. Instead she put her arms around him. "I know what you're thinking," she told him. "I know you think that it will never be okay, that nothing can be, but you're still Stewart. Don't forget that. And don't give up, either. If you do it really is over. I know that's what you think you want, but don't give up so easy. You love aliens, remember? Think of it as a learning experience." She pulled away from him and grinned, her hand still on his shoulder. "Just don't give up--not yet at least."
Keira shook her head again. Reese's words had comforted her . . . a little bit . . . but, still, he didn't entirely understand. "You're not a jerk, Reese. Well, you were a jerk, but I suppose you've changed. It's just . . ." Keira paused, afraid to tell Reese how she felt. "It felt so wonderful, and that scares me." She felt like she needed to explain at least some of what she was thinking, so she did so. "The last relationship I had wasn't exactly great. I feel like if I make myself vulnerable, if I start to love, then I'll only be hurt again. I just don't want to be hurt again . . ." She leaned her head against Reese's shoulder, crying softly. She had never felt so vulnerable, so weak . . . She felt so free, but it disgusted her. Everything that she had worked so long for was gone - the shield of lies, of protection, of fear . . .
"There is a little difference Anna....I love aliens, I never said I wanted to become one," Stewart said. Stewart glared at her and then turned back to staring at the wall. At least the wall would understand, hopefully. I mean talking to Anna was already like talking to a wall. Though the wall never spoke and Anna always spoke. * * * Reese let her cry on his shoulder. Her tears made his shirt moist. But this was the first time he had ever had someone cry on his shoulder. He sighed, what was he suppose to do? What was he suppose to say? "I don't think you are vulnerable...you are very strong headed, you know what you want and you go for it," Reese said, "Maybe when you loathed me it was only because you knew the difference between right and wrong, and because you are so strong you just needed to point that out....you became almost like a police force of your own." Was that comfort? Was that okay to say? Reese didn't know.
Anna put her head on Stewart's shoulder, staring at the wall as he did. Maybe some great revelation would come to her if she did so. In reality she had no idea. All she wanted was to make Stewart feel better, and she really didn't know how. For all she knew she was kidding herself. She really didn't know anything about what Stewart was going through, all she knew was what it felt like to want to die. "Surely there's something worth living for?" she asked, her voice soft and her eyes still locked on the wall, careful not to look at him.
Keira managed a gentle laugh, but she still couldn't rid herself of the horrible thoughts . . . the memories . . . But Reese wasn't her stupid ex-boyfriend. He was someone completely different, and she had a feeling he wouldn't hurt her. "I guess you're right," she said, sitting up straight and wiping away the remaints of her tears. "But can I ask you something?" Without even waiting for a reply, Keira asked her question. "What made you change? I mean, only yesterday you a damned fool," she smiled to let him know that she was only half-joking. "and today you're . . . someone completely different. Why?"
Reese stared at Keira. "I never changed, this is how I truly feel, I just hide everything inside my heart....I protect myself by putting myself in a shield," Reese said. * * * Keren Heartbreaker had been up since the kiss. She just watched as they both seemed so into it. "Is it me or is it hot in here?" Keren said, "Oh the kiss the revealing of emotions, beautiful oh beautiful...oooo llalalala lala....better keep that man on you Keira." * * * Stewart stared at the wall. "What will my parents say when they see me like this?" Stewart whispered. Anna asked what there was living for. "I don't know, I have never lived for anything," Stewart said.
Jena watched as Anna tried to comfort Stewart. She wanted to make him feel better to, but if Anna wasn't having sucess she wouldn't either. Stewart had changed so much...well they all had really. In so many ways she hated all the changed, but in so many other ways she was glad of it, people were finally starting to show their true selves, and those selves were good. Stewart was still resolutley facing the wall, and Anna had her hand on his shoulder. It was so quiet in here. Unconiously she found herself leaning against Vic, her head on his shoulder. She wanted to help Stewart she really did, but she didn't know what to do.
"Have you enjoyed living?" Anna asked. "If you have always wanted to be alive you've lived for something, even if that was something as simple as enjoying life."
