Monique

They reached a roaring waterfall with a rainbow producing midway. As they passed it by, she stopped for a moment. Words escaped her. Was this the part of the conversation where it was alright to be silent? Being trapped inside a company filled with maniacs left her socially awkward. She decided to focus on something else, like the beauty nature had to offer. Lee kept on walking as she stood there distracted. She overheard voices of passerby’s and began to lose her composure. Hands reached out to her, intertwining with hers.

Lee: Beautiful, isn’t it?
Monique: Y-yeah

Why was it that every time he was near, all of her insecurities, her fears, seemed to melt away? How magical is this person anyway?

Random person: The Nevada Falls is beautiful, isn’t it?
Lee: It sure is. Its quite gorgeous.
Random person: One of the best Nature has to offer to us. You should check out the rest of what Yosemite has to offer.
Lee: Where can I find a map to it all? Lost mine way back in the trail unfortunately.

The random person gave Lee his map claiming he no longer needed it. He thanked him and lead Monique along the path, continuing to deescalate. As they walked past the many people who came to visit as the day dragged onto past noon, she suddenly remembered the last time someone held her hand. But it wasn’t like this at all. The way they held her hand were undeniably different. It was so distinct. He held hers to keep her from escaping. To keep an eye on her. Always acting like Big Brother, making sure she followed the path all along. But Lee? He held onto her for her safety. As if he cared for her well being. He hid her from others so her old “family” couldn’t find her. He held onto her to ensure he kept up his part of the bargain. And she knew, she wanted to believe it was so much more than that. She didn’t believe in a knight in shining armor or any clichéd fairy tale moment, but she did believe in him.

As they reached the end of the trail, they came across the entrance where people waited for a shuttle bus. She looked around the area, trying her hardest to find an area where there wasn’t crowds of people. As soon as she found an opening, she became the leader. However, socializing was not her strong suit, so rather than feeling like she was leading him somewhere, she was dragging him instead.

Lee: Uhh, where we going??

She didn’t answer. She kept marching towards the empty scenery. She felt his hands grab onto her tighter, like the sweat between them was going to cause his to slip off. And as she got to where she needed to be, a magical circle formed in front of them. The circle was layered, covered in runes and ancient drawings. A light swirled around the outlines of the circle.

Monique: Where to?
Lee: S-some place called San Francisco…d-do you need to know which direction?
Monique: No, just a location. Hold on tight.

They stepped through the circle. It was like stepping through a doorway where they appeared in an empty alleyway near buildings with Chinese lanterns.

Lee: Wh-where are we??
Monique: Chinatown, San Francisco.
Lee: And how are you sure about that?
Monique: Being on the run does come with some perks.

As she walked towards the streets filled with busy people, she lost her footing. Lee caught her as she was about to fall.

Lee: You okay?
Monique: That place we were at must’ve been farther than I thought.
Lee: Maybe you should sit down a while.
Monique: It’s fine. I’m used to this.

He pulled her closer.

Lee: Well I’m not. It’s not going the end of the world if you take a breather.
Monique: I said I’m fine!

She pushed him away.

Monique: L-let’s just find your friends…Lead the way.

Lee

He retained his frustrations for the time being. He knew it’d be bad to start an argument in the middle of an empty alleyway near busy streets. Not to mention they were just two weird young adults that could start a yelling match which might draw more attention to themselves. And he knew that’s not what she wanted. He was trying really hard to look out for her best interest despite the minor setbacks.

Lee: Fine

He led on, swallowing down his anger. But holding up his pride.

Lee: Just don’t come crying to me when you faint

You fucking idiot. Just keep your fucking mouth shut he thought to himself as he began to walk towards the busy streets.

Monique: I’m not that weak.
Lee: It’s not about being weak! It’s about knowing your limits and not going over it.
Monique: I don’t really need someone I just met telling me what I can or can’t do.

He turned to her and saw a flicker of flame come and go.
Lee: I’m not trying to tell you what you can or can’t do, I’m just worried about you and your well being. I get you’re used to this but if you over-exhaust yourself you could put yourself in danger and you might just keel over from it.
Monique: Look! I Don’t need you to be worried about me and I’ve already tried dying a million of times and it just doesn’t work so just stop and let’s just go find your friends.
Lee: What? What are you talking about? Do you still not trust me??
Dude if you can just shut up for five seconds, swallow your pride for a fuckin minute...
Monique: Dude! I just met you. And yeah, trust issues just don’t magically disappear over a single promise or even just because of your good looks!
Fucking use your head for one minute here man! Of course she wouldn’t just trust you imme— wait...she thinks I’m good looking??

He sees her pausing and turning her attention to the on lookers. He notices them too. It feels like they were a couple in a middle of a lover’s quarrel and have now made it everyone’s business.

Monique: Look…I-I’m just a broken person.

She takes another moment to pause. A sad realization came rushing in.

Monique: I’m a broken person with missing pieces. What was I even thinking? A place for me to belong? Somewhere to feel like I’m always home? Why bother? What’s possibly out there that would have me? They probably don’t. No one does. No one wants me. I’m a fucking useless pathetic waste of matter so why bother with me anyways?

She backed away. He tried to get closer to her, but she just kept pushing away. Please, please don’t go. I’m sorry. His thoughts couldn’t mount out to words. I didn’t lie to you. You matter. You do.

Monique: Just go find your friends. You don’t need me anyway.

She sprinted off in the opposite direction, pushing away the crowds of people who were observing their quarrel. Pushing away the very friends he was supposed to meet anyways.

Alexis: Oh shit dude, right on time!

He called out to her.

Lee: Wait up!
Alexis: Uhh, we miss something?
Lee: I couldn’t swallow my fucking pride for five fucking minutes and we got into an argument and now she’s—
Danny: Well, we know she’s gone so what now?
Alexis: It would be wise to chase after her.
Lee: So we don’t have the fucking time to be standing her chit chatting. She’s going to get away.

Karin pulled Lee to the side and gave him his belongings as well as the stuff Monique had left back at the villa. She then walked up to Danny and gave him her baggage, taking only her communicator with her.

Karin: I’ll go talk to her. Rendezvous at the original point, okay?
Alexis: Think you can catch up to her?
Karin: I can give it a try. Just catch Lee up with the rest. We’ll need to leave soon too. Celeritas!

As she smiles, a golden light emerges from her feet. In a flash, she had bolted into, presumably, the same direction where Monique took off. Lee tried following as well but was soon stopped by his remaining friends. As they started to converse with failed attempts at suggesting where to rest, Lee just stared at the area both Karin and Monique ran off too. He wondered if he could have said anything to keep her here. If he could have done anything to feel like she could trust him. She’s right. God…she’s right. How could she trust me? I’m just some guy she met. Someone who showed her an ounce of kindness and she’s probably had plenty of that. Plenty of people who just double crossed he. Plenty of people who made her doubt if she could be saved. He knew she lived a series of abuse and manipulation. All he could do at this point was leave it up to his sister, and hope she’ll return. Because he knew if anything, she would help her find a home. A home she belonged in. And he knew he wasn’t the right person to do so. He wanted to help her so desperately, but he didn’t know why. He just wanted to be there for her. Help her in anyway he can. But he isn’t a hero. No knight in shining armor. Just some kid, who at this point, is probably enamored by her. And maybe that’s why he’s so desperate to help. Because maybe, just maybe, that moment he crossed paths with her, he wanted to take her away. Because the moment he saw her determined face, the moment he saw how scared she was, and the moment he saw the depression settling in her mind, he wanted to take her to a place that was so much better than this. And maybe, just maybe, he wanted to save her from a spiraling madness he was so familiar with.