Wednesday January 16th, 2013 - 7:05 P.M. - Main Street Cortland, N.Y. Outside Corey's Apartment
Emmy and her best friend had been cruising for quite a while now. They were in search of a place to eat before retiring back to their hotel room. An array of oranges and yellows were drawn across the sky as the sun disappeared behind the buildings. Emmy, for the most part, stayed silent as they continued down past the old age home. Her attention wouldn't leave the girl beside her. Since that day had been incredibly warm, the roof was put down earlier, causing Lizzie's and her own hair to fly around every which way. There was something about how she handled the stick shift, easily changing from one speed to the next.
Emmy would catch herself praying that they'd hit a bump every now and then; she knew why, and secretly hated herself a bit for thinking that way. Both of her palms had been sweating for a while. She felt them shaking a bit, and tried her hardest to stop the nervousness. "I know you're looking at my chest, Em. You don't have to worry; I'm not gonna pass judgment for that." They had just driven by a Youth Center; a memory appeared like a movie in Emmy's brain. That semi-cream colored stone wall, with the blue borders, only solidified the memories rising back up. She could remember for the most of her late adolescent and early teen years, she would spend time in that place. There was a significance; she and Lizzie found each other and grew up there. Her eyes had already closed whilst the projector played the embedded film within her brain.
* * * *
*Nine Years Ago*
She had opened them again, but the car was gone. A warmth spread across her hand, which she quickly realized it was from her mother's grasp. At the time she was only a bit below the woman's shoulder. A strong wind whipped through; she felt her shoulder length hair billowing around. "What're we doing here Mom?" Why's my voice so squeaky? It's breaking a lot. "Look at me Emmy." The woman's voice sounded firm and soothing. Her accent was a mixture of Southern and Northern United States. She peered up, looking at that angelic face staring down. The woman seemed identical to her now, accept her nose; that was wider.
The darkening clouds above caught her attention; it contrasted against the blue dress her mom was wearing at the time. Her mind was freaking out and it took some time for her to calm down. Emmy. You're having a flashback, it's part of your gift, remember? You can see the past; ghosts of yesterday as well as today. She had already been watching a pair of somewhat medium sized leather shoes kicking dirt around below her.
"Do you know why I have to leave you here?" "Yeah. You have work and Daddy's in Heaven. Even if he's watching over me in spirit, it's not the same as being here, holding my other hand though." She was not at all abashed by how intellectual her past self was. She understood death way before the age of thirteen, which she guessed she was, since she spoke about her father a lot at the time. She watched her mother squat down before her, tear stricken but smiling. "You have your father's nose, you know that?" She nodded in return, kicking pebbles around now. I remember this habit! Before I started fiddling with my shirt, I'd move things with my feet if I felt nervous. I can recall that this was the third time my mom ever brought me to this place.
"Come here," her mother said. The woman's long arms firmly interlocked around her; the heart beats seemed to soothe all of her worries, like her music did for her nowadays. "I'm only going to be gone for a few hours, okay? Can you be a big girl for me while I'm at work?" She was nodding again, not truly pained at all, just lonely. It was as if this became old hat by this point. Her mother would drop her off somewhere while she was gone, and she'd never see her for hours at a time. At the moment, each bit of her chest was throbbing.
It was hard enough losing one parent; losing the other, even if it was only a short while, tore her to the ground. The usual, never ending pain inside her welled up, making her lungs and stomach hurt now. But, as normal, she put up a wall to fight back the tears; it worked, because her mother never noticed them as she stood back up. Just as routine as everything else, she was reaching for the angelic woman's hand and met the soft, tender touch of her palm. Even though she was thirteen already, Emmy knew it was hard for her to let go of her childhood.
They were already on their way towards the front door when another woman came up from the right. The length of this woman's legs made her look like a giant; it started freaking Emmy out a bit. Was I really afraid of adults back then?! Well, I can't truly blame myself; even if I was thirteen, Lizzie's mom always seemed gargantuan… I'm sort of feeling something weird towards her though. I do remember realizing I was attracted to women years ago, way back before adolescence ended, but not like I am now. I'm guessing it's from all the hormones raging in my body; she looked so amazing though! Just as she thought this, another girl appeared by the woman's side.
Her hair was just past her shoulders, blonde and straight. My god! Liz… You were developing so hardcore back then! "I don't believe your Lizzie and your daughter have met before," Mrs. Grace stated. "Lizzie, go say hi." The girl before her gave a disgusted look, going unnoticed by either mom, and came straight at her. "Hey. I'm Lizzie; Lizzie Grace, nice to meet you." No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop staring at the girl's chest. "H-Hi! I-I'm…" Why am I so fucking nervous?! GOD! If I would've known myself back then, I would've kicked myself in the ass! Speak damn it! She swallowed hard, unable to force her past emotions away.
"I'm Emmy Y-Yates. It's nice to meet you t-too." W-Why am I sticking my hand out? No fucking way… I did NOT issue a handshake back then! Don't you dare do it; don't… ugh! You fuckin' nerd. Her bouncy arm was already fully extended, with hand outstretched. She felt so humiliated at how dorky she used to be, which was mixed with the past's emotions. At that time, she had been feeling even more anxious than before they got to the front door. Rain began to drop, running through her hair, cooling her head a bit. She welcomed the liquid like a long lost friend, and continued to hold her hand out.
"You know what? You have a lot of quirkiness about you Em. Do you mind if I call you that?" Shake your head… There ya go! "Good! I think we may have something in common, put it there." Lizzie's hand was open now, which she immediately held. "Now let's get inside before my makeup runs." They walked, hand in hand, leaving the two mothers behind. The more Emmy stared at that girl, the warmer her insides became. Not even the cold downpour that had started could douse the fire within her. Just as they entered the building, a loud screech sounded from outside. What the hell was that?! She went to find the source of the noise, and the memory was gone.
* * * *
*Present*
7:10 P.M.
When she came too, they had nearly passed through a red light with a cop straight ahead. "Where the fuck did you just go?" Lizzie's mature voice had fully brought her brain back from its adventure. It had been ringing from the abrupt noise, which took all her attention and focus to calm herself back down. "Sorry about that…" It was all she could muster to say. Her insides were stirring, zapping every ounce of strength she had to not throw up. Typical side effects when you see the past, especially as vividly as I just have. As if Lizzie read her mind, she said, "Did you see a spirit? Or did your brain time travel again?" These words threw her eyes open; she was looking down at her feet.
"How long…?" "Em, you told me about this already. Remember back when we were young, like around fifteen or so? You said that you saw someone standing behind me, right? A man with a thick beard and a bald head? He had tattoos all over his arms, with our names on them?" Emmy tried her hardest not to look away, though her neck was aching now and her head pounded harder than ever. The sincerity in her friend's voice, was bringing her back around. "That's right! I did tell you… It's so weird though. Having this gift, but I kinda like it."
"Right! Remember, it was my father, but I knew he died overseas. You didn't know about this and at the time, I was gonna tell you, until you mentioned seeing him. That's when I knew you were either talking shit, or you inherited something truly amazing! Over time, as you noticed more and more about me and my past, I realized it was the latter. I…" The sudden cut off of Lizzie's words surged that buzzing feeling back into Emmy's head. It was the surprise of it all that got to her mostly and soon realized why the girl couldn't finish her sentence.
The officer that stood across the street had reappeared out of his squad car. He had an enormous stature, with height and muscle purely in his advantage. She was unable to get a good look at him, before they turned to the right, and stopped. Lizzie was breathing heavy; she looked as if someone had just stabbed her in the chest. "Are you okay" Emmy wanted nothing more than to help this amazing girl beside her; her stomach was all in knots. Every nerve in her body was on edge every second they stayed parked there.
"Aren't you afraid that cop will ask us questions? What're we doing here anyway?" It took her a bit before she realized just where they were. Corey's apartment was above an old pizza shop nearby the Cortland Standard. Then it clicked; They caught him! They arrested him for Samantha's rape… So it was true. "You care to explain your thoughts?" Lizzie broke her out of the trance she was in; she realized that she had been playing with her shirt again. Fuck! Why do I always do this?! Quickly, her grasp released and she tried to play it off as simple daydreaming.
The look Lizzie gave her told her she knew better so she just let it out. "I didn't want to believe what he said. I was honestly hoping that it was just some disgusting joke, but here we are. He's being arrested; he actually did it… How could he just…" She was unable to bring herself to say the word, rape. The though of it alone made her stomach turn, like before.
It was hard keeping her vomit down and kept getting harder by the passing minute. I have to find my Zen. Happy thoughts Emmy, girl; happy thoughts. Flowery fields; a sun just setting, making that perfect twilight moment. Lizzie's eyes beaming at me… Our lips… Yes. There it is. She heard her friend's giggle in her ear. "I've found my Zen… You cannot bring me out of this… Ohhmmmm!" She was shoved slightly, but she knew Lizzie was happy. "I love how you can make even the worst moment in my life seem like it's nothing." A sigh followed her words; Emmy's heart fluttered. She felt light headed, nearly floating on air.
"There he is." You already know who it is so you don't have to visually verify… Damn it Emmy! It was too late. She had already opened her eyes despite her mind's attempts at keeping them shut. Sure enough, Corey was exiting the building with his hands cuffed. The large, dark skinned officer had been filling out a report as the former collegiate football scholar was losing more and more of his freedom by the passing second. "I have to see him. I have to ask why. Why did he do it? Why her? If he wanted sex… Fuck, Corey… Why?!" Emmy felt so helpless, unable to stop her friend's spiraling depression.
Her usual response would be to rub Lizzie's arm; sure enough her hands were already caressing the girl's shoulder. "Don't be sad; please don't be. I wish I could do more to help you. I really want to Liz, I just… Christ." Consoling was what she was good at now, especially with her best friend in the world being in such a fragile state. These words left her mouth so easily that they nearly sounded rehearsed to her.
Before she knew it, Lizzie was latched around her. Emmy's chest ached; her heart was being chipped away piece by piece. Holding back her own dispiritedness was already taking the majority of her thinking process, but she had to be strong, though she was thankful that the queasiness disappeared. Take your mind out of the situation Emmy. Be strong; be the rock she needs right now. Don't you dare cry! Focus on something, like the indigo sky above. Remember your Zen place? Count the amount of stars, if you can of course. Even these self consoling words were enough to remove the pressure she felt. Her practiced breathing came in full blow as she slowed her heart back down to a normal pace.
It was working; she was finally able to be the support that Lizzie so desperately needed. If it hadn't been for a cool breeze blowing across her, the realization of time wouldn't have ever happened, even as she kept staring into the darkened sky. Lizzie had finally removed herself, as she rested back onto her steering wheel. Seconds later, however, her door was thrown open. What're you doing Liz?! The girl's hair bounced from her angry stroll across to the squad car. Emmy had to help her, at least hold her back to make sure her companion didn't do anything stupid.
Without even bothering to open her door, she was already up over the top, and sprinting over as well. The cop came more and more into focus, when his voice boomed out. "Ma'am, I'm gonna have to ask you to step away from the vehicle please. We are arresting this man; we do not wish to arrest you for hindering a police investigation." His voice was borderline bear tone. He has a long face, a high bridged, wide nose, an enormous forehead and a wide chin/jaw line. Emmy's chest was aching even worse than before as her worry shot through the roof of her head. Lizzie had already rounded the vehicle and was speaking through the window.
"Why? I've asked myself that question SO many times. Why'd you do it Core? What made you think it was okay to rape someone?" Emmy stood in front of her, watching as she tried stifling the torturous agony. I want to help! Please let me… Corey was about to answer when a jeep pulled up behind them all. "Who's there?" the officer flashed his light back at the vehicle. Slowly, Layla stepped out, with her hands in the air and seconds later, Samantha came stumbling out towards the hood of the car. Emmy felt her stomach drop from the cold, furious stare they were getting. "Ohhh shhhhiit!" Lizzie's voice passed by Emmy's ears, as if riding the winds of that, vastly cooling night.