FSE

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Leo tapped the wheel as he sat in his car, parked right outside the coffee shop Mia mentioned. He didn't need to be here, really. The past was the past, and everyone had left him there. Well, almost everyone. Being the only old acquaintance that bothered to reach out, he felt obligated to be here. He looked to his phone briefly, surprised that Missy hadn't bothered him yet. Maybe she was back in bed. Or something worse. He shook his head. No, she was fine. Everything was just A-OK.

Mia definitely wasn't here yet. Though he had no real way of telling outside of her saying she'd have a winter hat on. This place wasn't the weather for it, but no doubt it added to her quirky nature that HR types liked to portray.

It was hard to guess what to expect. The timing of it all felt incredibly sketchy. Right after a big event with Missy parading herself around. Had she figured out where Missy was? Or simply desperate for a clue? Better to just act as if it were a casual meet-up between long lost friends, not even bringing Missy up. Leo regretted not having at least asked Missy as a hypothetical about all this. Would she mind him giving a clue as to her whereabouts?

Leo figured there was no point in wasting away in his car. He got out and approached the store, taking a step inside. That noxious smell of coffee beans hit him instantly, with a hint of chemical cleaner. How anyone tolerated working in that for so long was beyond him. He braved the space and got himself a croissant. Would be a little rude to use up the space without buying something.

A convenient booth by the window was available. The cushioned seats were worse than his car, but he sat down all the same. Leo casually nibbled away at his meal, occasionally looking to his phone for any possible update. Hopefully this meeting wouldn't put much of a dent in his family plans. Probably not. Leo was still on track for an afternoon meet-up, plenty of time to catch up with family before the festivities tomorrow.

Then, a tiny hatchback pulled into the parking lot. It took a few awkward turns to reverse into a spot near the front of the shop, then came to a stop. Out stepped someone in a dumb winter hat. Dark hair, tan skin, and a chore coat that smothered her. That must've been the one. Leo was surprised she didn't have goofy rimmed glasses either. She was on her phone, likely texting him now. Somehow she managed to do this entire ritual as she navigated the casually busy room.

“Mia?" Leo asked, raising his hand.

She glanced up from her phone, put on that interview smile, and walked over to him.

“Hey, Leo! Gosh, you cut your hair! I hardly recognized you without the whole coconut head look."

Leo repressed an instinctive wince. As he looked at Mia, it was hard not to picture wavy dark hair, a toothy fanged smile, and longer hands. All punctuated by a set of vaguely green eyes. Missy? No. Her features wobbled from furred to skin. The image snapped away with a blink.

“And you look painfully familiar."

“I knew I would!"

She pulled him into a hug. A tight hug that felt like it was trying to make up for all the lost contact over the years. Mia had a faint smell of cheap perfume, obnoxious laundry detergents, and a hint of candles. Underneath all of that, a plant he hadn't smelled since his time at a college dorm. Leo only briefly returned the gesture, with a pleading tap to let him go. He then presented her a seat.

“We gotta get our drinks first. Wasn't sure what you like, so I got what everyone loves, a cappuccino with cream and two sugars."

“But you just came in."

“C'mon, we use apps to order! Don't be so old. We're not old. Not yet."

He followed her over to the cashier, where, sure enough, two drinks sat. Mia and the cashier traded a little code on her phone. It was a very robotic and cold transaction. Mia grabbed her cup, Leo grabbed his, and they both sat down.

“I appreciate the thought, but I guess I should tell you I'm not really one for coffee." He added a chuckle.

“So, no coffee talk, we came here to catch up. How have you been?"

Mia's voice was going to take some getting used to, and hopefully quickly. It sounded near exactly like Missy's, save for some obscure detail he couldn't quite place. The same was true of her features. Despite the bundled up hair under her hat, it was clear that some waviness was present there. A very Missy trait, or… maybe a stolen Mia trait.

“I've been doing pretty well. Found a nice job and a nice home. Settled into a cozy space."

“Yeah! I was looking at you and thinking 'gosh, this guy has it together.' You look like a real business type, you know?"

“I was hoping to look a little casual. Trying to ease away from cubicle mummy."

“It fits you!"

“And how about you? Enjoying your role in HR? Settling into city life?"

“Oh, yeah. You wouldn't believe the kind of days I have just trying to get to work. Pain in the neck, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I just kinda like living in that… heartbeat of a city, you know? Just the whole liveliness of it all. I dunno, just something cool about knowing there are so many people living there with so many experiences."

“It can get crowded, but I think I know what you mean by that. I think I'm happy with where I am. The quiet really lets you breathe."

“That can be nice, yeah. Crazy to think you stuck to the quiet life. I was waaaaaay outta there the second I could. Everyone was, really. Thought you might wanna do the same."

“I guess I'm stuck in my old ways like that. Comfortably."

“That's good too. Gotta have some of that in the world, people keeping up the old spirits," Mia said, nodding along to herself. “So, what do you do? I mean, obviously you're a super professional guy, but you're uh, I mean, I guess I wouldn't say 'in the middle of nowhere', but still way out there. You like a logger or something?"

“Actually, I'm a--"

Her eyes widened. “Oh my gosh, sorry, no, you said over the phone you were an Internet domain manager."

“Logger wouldn't be a bad choice, but I prefer trees stay where they are."

“Me too!"

That joke landed in the wrong way. Leo decided to simply chuckle it off.

“Yeah, Internet domain management. Not as boring as it sounds. I get to talk to a lot of people and customers from all over the world."

“You say people and customers like they're two different things." Mia giggled. “Sorry, that's one of the things we do at work, trying to get people to talk the right way. Words matter a lot to personal view, you know?"

“Right, right. I understand that. That's my bad. I guess I put customers a bit higher on the rung than some people."

“Don't worry about it. My mind picks up on stuff like that. Like a reflex. Boom." She snapped her fingers. “I bet you have a lot of that, too."

“Sometimes. I try to keep it on a leash for the sake of dividing work and enjoyment."

“Yeah, I get that. I guess work is just a part of who I am."

“As in, you're really into the whole HR thing?"

“Yeah!"

“Makes sense to me. Seems like something that permeates how you act."

“Bubbly, right?" She raised her brow.

“Right, bubbly, person-oriented. That sort of thing."

Did she really have to ask?

“You know, it's so weird seeing you be all cool like this."

“Cool?"

“Casual. In your element. Just, like, when we were kids, you always seemed so jumpy. I think glasses would really complete the look."

“I can't say I remember too much of being a kid, so I guess maturity took hold a little too hard."

The more he looked at Mia and heard her speak, the less he wanted to even approach the topic on Missy. She loomed overhead, silently waiting to be plunged. Of course, she didn't make up the bulk of this meeting. Curiosity of the past took the forefront. Touching that part of the past he found so nebulous. Mia was the only person grounded in reality that he could rope himself into. Of course, there was the vague hope that Missy could find somewhere nicer for herself, but something clutched at him the more he thought about it.

“That sucks. We were like a whole little gang back then! I guess that was the only real bonus of being a kid in the middle of nowhere. You could just go and do whatever you wanted with whoever."

“Sounds like it must've been a hell of a time. I remember bits and pieces of it, though. I guess since it was so good."

“Ex-actly! A little group of adventurers. Making up all sorts of stuff going through the woods. Or like, the playground when we went to school. Do you remember Ms. Rosa? Anyways, bad memories there."

“School is a little messier. I think I just didn't want to remember it because it was so boring."

“I wish I had that ability, man. Oh, and the raincoat. I wish we all got raincoats."

Leo suddenly pictured a squeaky voice in front of him, right next to another gaggle of young faces, spouting on and on about how cool it would be to be so uniform. Though that wasn't the word used. Leo was pretty sure she said “all samey like that."

“You wanted to make a team out of it, right?" Leo's brow crinkled along with a smile. “I'm surprised I even remember that."

“Yeah, thought it'd be cool if we all had raincoats like that. Then guys would see us on the street and immediately know it's us."

“Starting a gang so young would have to be some kind of achievement."

Mia chuckled. “Not like a gang gang, but I guess I can see how that would've been weird. But, like, we should do that thing where we go to a place and dress up like we did in the past."

“Pardon?"

“You know." Mia immediately went back to her phone and scrolled through it. “Like this." She produced a spliced image of an older photo with kids, then them as adults in the same pose and clothing.

“Oh, so recreating a photo."

“Yeah! That's a better way to say it. No wonder you're a business guy."

“I'm not sure we have any photos like that, do we? I don't remember posing for any."

“Oh, yeah, loads. You wouldn't believe how many I still have from way back when. Parents are all about that kinda stuff. In the moment pictures. They love those"

Leo briefly wondered, then, if there were any at his parents' home.

“Good point. Though, I'm not sure I want to go back to my old style. LEGO shirts aren't my thing anymore, you know?" He chuckled.

“Sure thing. So, when earlier you said you didn't remember much about back then, was that true?"

“Sort of. I've been picking up more pieces recently, but it's pretty vague."

“Did you have an injury or…"

Leo wanted her to continue, like she truly had an answer for him. But it didn't come. Mia continued to look, widened eyes waiting on his own response.

“I was hoping you'd be able to tell me."

“Oh, wouldn't know." Mia shrugged. “We weren't always together. Like, I know we were hanging around all the time, but still. Plus, my memory isn't suuuuper all there either." She knocked on her head. “I was hoping this would be more of a collaborative thing."

The way she pronounced every syllable in “collaborative" smoothly probably meant it was another HR thing getting the better of her.

“Yeah, sorry, I guess this is more one-sided than either of us would have liked."

“Yeah, to forget a good chunk of it, pretty sad." Mia propped her head on her hand, a slim amount of her bubbliness having been discarded. “I know specifically you made up some of the names of the places we would go. Hippo hump, eye flowers… I think there was also a tree face you talked about. What was that one?"

“Aside from the name, I couldn't tell you. Almost makes me want to go back and check. Some urban sleuthing. Not sure I know where that is, though."

“That honestly sounds like fun, but I'm not sure I'd even know where to start. I guess I could be having a little amnesia too."

Not even a hint? A clue? A name? Was she holding back on purpose?

“Maybe we should go over stuff we have less brain emptiness about. How did life go after you left town?" she said.

“Regular life as you can expect. We didn't really move away from the country, just relocated to the edge of a city. So I doubt it was much different from how yours went."

“Still, that sounds pretty cool. I'm hoping you never replaced us!"

“I can't say I was as tight with anyone else there, no."

“I'm happy, but also a little sad. Like, you got the best adventures with us, but not with anyone else."

“I guess that's one way to look at it."

“Did you like it there? It had to be at least a little cooler."

Like it? The beginning of that thread was frayed, and then… The meetings with doctors that took way too long. They seemed to dominate that length of time. Leo decided to hold that part back.

“It was alright. There's some mysticism you lose from the woods."

“Mysticism is not only found in the woods, you know. People are what make mysticism, I feel like we all got a little magic in our bodies that really come out when we come together like that."

“I can get that, but I think you lose a lot by cutting yourself off from nature. Not to say you should strip off all your clothes and run into the swamp, not at all. Just that a certain part of mysticism can really only be found there. If it was in all of us, there'd wouldn't even be a trope of a monk finding something higher in isolation next to nature. Otherwise, we'd just be having wistful thoughts about gray buildings and corporations."

There was a pause. Leo straightened himself out.

“Wow. You spent a lot of time thinking about this."

“I've had more than a few people hint at the same thing, is all." He shrugged. Maybe he did overdo it.

“I mean, even when you're in those gray buildings, I feel like you get a little bit of that mysticism when you meet a new person. Like when you talk with your customers, right?"

“Well--"

“With all of those people from other parts of the world, have you thought about visiting another country?"

“Thought about it, yes, haven't done it yet. A mix of indecision, cost, and worrying about the homestead."

“Oh, man, when I got to college. I wanted to take this trip to Peru. Completely changed my mind. In and out. I even learned some Spanish! Kinda rusty now, but it helps when we get in some new employees!"

“I'll bet. I probably have to learn some languages myself. So, wait, you didn't actually go, but you still learned all about it?"

“Almost kinda like being there. Maybe. No cash, but I still wanted to go. Can you blame me?"

“No, I'm not going to blame--"

“So, yeah, just had my fun time eating it up! Almost took a loan for that, but oh man, dad told me not to."

“Smart man. Are you still on those student loans?"

“I never said I took student loans." Mia rolled her eyes with a smile.

“You were in college. You and I both know how that went down."

“Alright, yeah. You got me.

“So, then?"

“Still whittling away. It's gonna take a while, but that's the college dream, right? How about you?"

“It took a while. Got it done in the end."

“Look at you, Mr. Business Man."

“I try." Leo smiled.

“Don't try and make me feel too bad about how my life is going."

“Didn't mean it like that."

“I just like teasing. But yeah, loans bad, Peru good."

“Those are some words to live by, for sure."

Not that he exactly knew how Peru was doing economically or socially at that exact moment.

“I'm surprised you learned some of a language just for a place you might wanna go," he said.

He might actually have to add that to his repertoire. Missy might even pick up on it too. That would be a fun thing to do together.

“Yeah, yeah. I was gonna do more, but…" She shrugged. “One of those things you wanna do but never have the time for. I feel like the second I get home from work, I just wanna, boom, shut down and relax into a bath."

“I get the vibe. I try to set aside some time every single day for something like that."

“Even after work?"

“Well, yeah."

“Sheesh, and you don't like coffee? How do you stay upright?"

“Don't take this the wrong way, but some of your tiredness might actually come from the coffee."

“Probably right. Too late now!" Mia took a long sip, almost indignantly, and added a loud “ahh" of refreshment.

“I can't say I relate." He looked to his own cup, then back to Mia.

Mia tilted her head. “Say, why did you guys leave anyways?"

Leo adjusted his train of thought. We're back to leaving as a kid, suddenly?

“My parents said it was for work."

“Said? So you don't believe them, huh?"

Surprising she even picked up on that. Must be an HR thing.

“Not that I don't believe them, just that they probably had other reasons as well for it."

“Can't blame them. I was on a fast track outta there, myself. Didn't happen until college. Then, boom, I was everywhere, doing everything, all at once. It was crazy!"

She was probably more honest about “doing everything" than she realized.

“All started in highschool, though. How was highschool for you?" she asked.

“A little rough, not quite in the right state of mind. Had to get into the whole swing of things. I have to admit, that first real bit of freedom is pretty good. Maybe too good. That's how I got to where I am today, I'd say. The kick in the pants."

“Right? I mean, not soooooo good in just the countryside, but you got that touch of the city to mess around in. Kick in the pants aside."

“Did get my first job there, yeah. Basically just the cart boy at an auto shop, but I learned quite a bit."

“See, that's what I'm talking about. Experiences! I only got to mop floors at an antique store. Psh. And if I wasn't doing that, I was sitting on a bus, waiting to go to highschool with everyone else I knew for yeaaaaars. Then I'd get there and stare out into space hoping something interesting would happen."

“Sounds rough, but I think that's everyone's highschool experience to some degree. At least you didn't have any bullies to worry about. Everyone being friends and all."

“Yeah, I guess. Felt like that place you go before heaven or hell."

“Limbo."

Mia snapped her fingers. “Limbo! Anyways, and college?"

“From the way you've spoken about it, I think you had a bit more fun at college than I did. I kept my head down and paid off everything as quickly as possible. No trips for me."

“You did socialize though, right?"

“Couldn't keep myself away from the human element, sure. Had my fun with friends."

Mia got a worryingly coy look.

“I know this is probably a super personal question, but," Mia started, “how have relationships been?" She phrased it as if that were super touchy, but the casual way she tilted her head meant that it hardly held any weight in that regard. “Girlfriends?" She paused, adding a brow raise. “Boyfriends?"

Leo straightened up, he felt the curve of his mouth squirm ever so slightly downward. Either she was probing about Missy, or was just that nosy. Based on her little playful addition, probably the latter.

“Oh, come on, there's no need to be like that." Mia laughed. “Do you know what year we live in? I was just covering my bases here. I know so many of my friends who decided to open their souls like that. And--"

Leo shook his head.

“I'm strictly on the original batting team. No soul opening here."

“You don't have to worry about me, I'm open minded about that stuff. It's not a super big deal, no matter what anyone says. Nobody even bats an eye about it at work."

“Well, regardless," Leo adjusted in his seat, “none have really stuck. Sort of stopped after college."

“As for relationships with me, I guess I kinda go through the same thing. Just didn't have any stickers. Didn't really meld, you know? I really didn't feel on the same wavelength on some. Drove me nuts knowing we were close but far apart."

“I can see how that would be an issue. Being misunderstood is a terrible part of the human experience."

“I still keep falling for love, though. Friends became boyfriends." She nodded. “And girlfriends."

She probably figured that was still a touchy subject or as if that made her unique, despite such a taboo being left behind by society practically a decade ago. Probably the most amusing part of the whole conversation to Leo.

“Then it just kinda snowballed from there. I feel bad if I don't have someone to come back to," she said.

“The city could be getting to you. So many people, but not enough to really give you the time of day. Makes you want it all the more."

“Wow, that was eloquent. You should be a therapist." Mia somehow wasn't saying that sarcastically. “I dunno, that's probably true, but it probably makes you appreciate those close relationships more, huh?"

“That could be true."

“Why do you think none of them stuck?"

“Not sure. Like you, wavelengths, I guess. Maybe they weren't good fits for me, or I wasn't a good fit for them."

Or… no. It was more than that. Leo quickly flashed through every girl he had dated, long or otherwise. They tended to blur in his head, events crisscrossing over one another to the point of a slurry of casual conversations and a miasma of faces.

“No, it was more like they were all just the same girl."

“So, wait, you were going for a type and just didn't know what you wanted?"

“Not that. More like factory printed. Nice, casual, enjoys a movie on Netflix. Doesn't mention having kids, unless it's a point of contention. Always wants to try something new, and then flakes out. Strange appreciation for jeans. The same thing over and over."

“C'mon, people aren't just copy pasted. If you weren't getting anything out of your type, it was probably your fault. No way all girls were exactly the same. You just didn't understand what you were doing."

“I can see that." But he rejected it. That was outwardly false. To make an assumption like that on someone she barely knew was more rude than she figured. Likely she thought she was setting him “straight." Ridiculous.

A familiarity to this whole conversation arose from the increasingly curious part of Leo's mind. He had been here in the same situation, talking to a girl in a coffee shop, waiting for simple answers to simple questions, and feeding their meandering conversation to the best of his social sensibilities.

“I would think it gets kinda lonely in the country, with no one to be there for you, too."

Lonely wasn't anywhere near his solar system of feelings. Except at that moment, funnily enough.

“It's serene."

The conversation continued on, swinging from past to present to future. Fortunately not even approaching the Missy question. Leo relaxed and let the fugue wash over him, kicking into a socializing auto-pilot.

Elsewhere, another mind eased off the aimless staring.

“I'm bored," Missy said, closing her eyes. She lay prone on the couch, a trickle of spit on the cushions. Selene lay on Missy's back. Only a few hours in and it had already felt like a day. This was supposed to be her fun time! No Leo! Woohoo! But no, she was bored. It wasn't like she could have a party. “It's just not a party with two people. No offense."

Selene would likely reply, “None taken."

The languid siren call of television fought with Missy's desire to rummage around the house, which increased with every tick of her mental clock. She opened her eyes again just to catch the credits on her TV show roll. What was that, six or seven episodes? Not all that long.

“What should we do, Selene? What should we dooooo?" Missy groaned and adjusted herself on the couch, trying to find a hint of chill on its all-too-familiar surface.

“Cleaning?" Selene might reply.

“It's too early to clean. I'll just have to clean again later."

Missy's eyes scanned the room for something interesting. Nothing. The walls were blank. Not a bit of art or even a photo. Not even a family photo! She recalled that little yearbook he had buried away. Maybe there was more, somewhere in the house. Old Leo photos!

Missy sat up, sending Selene tumbling. She picked up the whale.

“We could go on a treasure hunt in Leo's room! He's gotta have photos in there, and other stuff."

“That seems rude. I don't think he would like that."

“What he won't know won't hurt him. I'll be in and out, like a shadow, putting back everything in its place. All my cleaning experience was leading up to this."

“What if he comes back?"

Missy paused.

“He's not gonna come back."

“He'll get mad."

“He's not coming back! Not yet. Shh, you're gonna jinx it."

Missy got up and marched off to Leo's room. She left the TV playing for that delectable background noise. Selene was set on his comfy bed, and Missy got to work at nosing around.

Drawers? Pants. Socks. Underwear. She lingered, then shut the drawer. Under the dresser? Nothing there. Not even crumbs. Sheesh. Missy's attention shifted to under his bed. There were actually plenty of miscellaneous things under there. That saggy old inflatable bed, some boxes, and a plastic container. Did he really need all this stuff?

“What's behind door number one?" Missy said. She yanked a box out and opened it. Inside, business documentation. She frowned.

“He'll be very mad if you displace any of that," Selene would remark.

“Well duh. He loves his boring spreadsheets. Look at this stuff." She plucked a leaflet free. “This is like, number overkill." She carefully placed it back, along with the box. “Door number two!" A plastic container this time.

“Secrets."

“Secrets are good."

“What if they're things you don't want to learn?"

“You know, you're being awfully scary for a killer wha-- Actually that makes sense."

Missy chuckled and opened the container. Various random knicknacks. Even a shirt.

“Oh, man, I loved this LEGO shirt as a kid. Mom would never get me one."

“It was unbecoming."

“Yeah, that's what she said! I was like, six, mom, I don't know what unbecoming means."

Missy continued to dig through the box. Baseball cards, other old toys, an old book about plants, for some reason. No photos, though.

“No secrets?"

“None! There's just this box of stuff. Onto door number three."

“Aren't you bored now?"

“No, I'm on the verge of something cool." Missy paused. “I bet you he has some super dark secret under here, somewhere."

“Weren't you a dark secret under his bed?"

“That was only the one time!"

“Twice."

“It waaaaaaas gonna be three, but there was all this stuff under the bed."

The next box also proved fruitless. This was a trove of more books. Also about plants! She shoved them back in and huffed.

“I guess that's that."

“No, no, no, there's gotta be more here. We are on the verge of a breakthrough. This guy has no photos anywhere here. You'd almost think he's a robot! You think he's a robot?"

“I don't think a robot can eat that many chocolate bars in one night."

“He's pretty advanced. I'll give him that."

Missy picked up Selene. What was next? There had to be something he was hiding away. It couldn't just be this. Missy tottered out into the hallway, looking around for any clues. Where was the hidey hole with all the juiciness? Leo did mention a basement, but that would have to be outside. Better stay inside for now to find the treasure. She looked up. There it was, a hatch in the ceiling, with a little rope taped to it.

“Bingo."

“He clearly doesn't want you to go in there. That's why the rope is like that."

“No. I bet he just doesn't like that dangling rope thing hanging down and ruining the uh, as he would say, 'lovingly uniform blank ceiling.' "

“OK, that seems true."

Missy stood on her tippy toes and managed to peel off that little bit of tape. Then yanked on the rope. As if revealing a grand pathway to some unknown plane of existence, the stairs descended downward with a soft whine.

“You're going to have to replace that tape, you know."

“I know!"

She had completely disregarded it, in-fact. That didn't matter now. A whole new world unveiled itself! Missy crept up the stairs, gearing herself up for the discovery of a lifetime. She made certain to press on every step just long enough to get a spooky creak out of it, until she was up in the dark abode above.

It was markedly darker, with only tiny vents and the hole below providing any sort of light. Missy widened her eyes, allowing her to see a bit better.

“Superior night vision, activate," she said.

“You shouldn't be skulking in the dark like this."

“Shh, you're sounding too much like Mom now."

The wood didn't groan like the stairs, disappointingly. Regardless, Missy looked around the room. It took her eyes a moment to adjust, settling on vague shapes. She scanned the room, coming across a human shape in the dark. Missy flinched, but quickly realized it wasn't moving.

“Is that… a body?"

“Things aren't always what they seem."

Missy crept closer to the overturned shape. She carefully reached out a finger and poked at it. Rubber pushed back at her touch. Or maybe clammy, cold flesh. A blank face stared at her. Though, it didn't smell like a body. Whatever that smelled like. She moved closer.

“Oh, it's just a dumb punching guy. Phew."

“No need to be rude to him."

“Well, I wasn't the one who knocked him over."

The thing was well worn. Age had taken its bite out of it, but a lot of it was clearly simply beaten away. Blatant spots in its surface where it had been warped and mashed by fists, along with the skin flaking off in those wounds, exposing the foamy flesh underneath. Maybe Leo was trying to be a boxer.

“What for? He could just stare at the guy at they'd get KO'd," she said. “Sorry, buddy. Enjoy your eternal slumber." Missy pat his wobbly head.

Should've known it was just a fake man. It didn't have the eye glow. Like in the pictures.

“You think humans see that?"

“What?"

“The uh, red you see in eyes in the dark. Or I see. You know, on a person when the light hits 'em just right."

“If they did, would they want it removed from pictures?"

“Yeah, yeah. That would be weird. You know, sometimes I see Leo lookin' for something in the dark, and boom, he looks at me, all red."

“A trick of your very special, precious eyes."

“Probably. Though, like, I swear his are redder?"

That's how they often were when Missy would waddle into his room, bored, interested in seeing what he was up to. He'd be looking for something, or writing down something, or just undressing. Then Leo's gaze would flick to her, a ring of dull red punching through her own gaze, making her look away.

“Weren't you doing something?"

“Oh, yeah. Detective work!"

Missy turned her attention to the other sparse objects in the forbidden room. A few cardboard boxes, the Christmas presents of snoopers. She moved over to one and looked inside.

“Extension cables! Oh, c'mon."

The box was indeed, full of the electrical worms. Onto the next one.

“Power tools. Ugh."

And the next.

“These are just more plant books!"

And another.

“A lantern and… Canned fuel."

“I think, then, that's enough snooping," Selene said.

“There's something I missed. I just know it."

“It's not in here."

Missy stood up and moved around the perimeter of the small space, looking for anything suspect. Nothing. There was the obligatory wall cotton candy, but that was it. She let out a groaning sigh all the way back down the stairs and as she sent it back up into its ceiling. The annoyance stopped as she looked to his fun little exercise and hobby room. The workshop, as he'd sometimes call it.

Missy touched the handle, then stopped. This was almost like the heart of who he was. Would he really want her snooping in there? Sure, she cleaned things in there occasionally, but never to snoop. He probably had it burned into the back of his mind where everything was, down to the dust particle.

“Probably best to turn around," Selene said.

“But I haven't found anything. We gotta go in!"

“So?"

Missy stared at the handle. She quickly imagined Leo behind the door, with his flash of red eyes staring back, giving her a tilt of the head. No, she wasn't afraid. Really. She turned the handle and stumbled in. Everything was still, but her heart picked up some speed all the same.

“Tread lightly. Leave it as you found it."

“I thought you didn't want me to go in here."

“And I can't stop you now, can I?"

“Nope."

Some exercise equipment, tools, strange collections, and far in the corner, that evil safe holding weaponry. How often did he even fire those? Those, plural? She saw the one, there could've been more. She shook her head. Not here to get scared! Look for the cool stuff, she told herself.

“Lightly."

“I know!"

Missy began her few steps forward, making sure to step on the rubber mats as if the bare floor were a minefield. She took a creeping pose, head low. Thank God there weren't any cameras in here. Or were there? No, she definitely would have gotten an earful by now if there were.

A blue bin underneath Leo's desk of funny fishy hooks was practically screaming her name. She moved up to it and pulled it out. Fish tools. Naturally. Of course. And in the bin next to that were tackle boxes. A box of tackle boxes, basically. Now if only she had a box for this box of boxes.

Before Missy could ponder the etymology of the word “box", her inquisitive snooping caught upon a briefcase. Or, no, it was like an accordion filing case. It was snuggled up next to the safe, against the leg of a table. That looked hidden, or at least out-of-the-way.

“Hidden documents!" Missy said.

“And they'll likely be as boring as the last few."

“No, see, these are hidden. That makes them more interesting."

“Are you sure you're not thinking that just because it's close to a safe?"

“That makes it even better!"

Missy slid out the accordion-thingy. It sprung open, like it was eager to divulge all of its deep secrets. She set down Selene, head placed on the edge of the file-thing, as if peering in. Missy ran a claw across the several papers within, picking one up at random. Carefully, of course. Tearing one of these would be absolutely terrifying.

“Ooh, a college diploma!" Missy squinted. “Blah, blah, blah. Upon recommendation, blah, the degree of… Mechanical Engineering?" She tilted her head. That couldn't be right. It had to be in something like “Systems Management" or “Website Mumbo-jumbo."

“I hope you're not making fun of it."

“I'm not! I'm just surprised. I wonder why he doesn't hang it up."

“With all the other frames?"

“Oh, yeah, right. That's why we're doing this in the first place."

Unlikely he was embarrassed by it, just that he had no need to hang it up. No one to boast to. Nobody to point it out to. Except her, now. Maybe she could ask ever so carefully about it later. Knowing Leo, he'd probably instantly figure out what happened. Better not.

Missy placed the diploma back where it was, as if it had never left. She scanned through several other documents. Employment, car insurance, land documents, some more miscellaneous stuff. Then Missy pulled out a curious folder buried between other work related things. She opened it.

“Confirmation of completion" was emblazoned across the top in very official letters on the first document.

“Of what?" Missy asked.

“Maybe you don't want to know."

For once, her aquatic friend might have been right. But Missy pushed on anyways. Leo had indeed signed this, or at least, that was his name. She hadn't actually seen him sign anything. There was another supervisor person, name completely illegible in its absurdly fancy cursive. The paper went over how many sessions Leo took, which were titled “Confrontation Adjustment Sessions". The document went on to assure the reader that Leo understood the three S's. Simmer down, Step back, Supervisor report.

“What kinda cheesy class is this?" Missy asked.

Selene had no conjured up response.

Sifting through the other documents in the folder, Missy came upon was some kind of staff report. It was a similar pre-made form to the last one, but included a written out portion. The wobbly handwriting proved that it couldn't have been Leo, so probably another boring supervisor person.

“You don't have to read anything, you know," Selene said.

The written portion delved into an incident that occurred a few years back. Missy briefly wondered where she might've been at the time, before getting right back into the text. Leo was reported confronting another employee, a Mr. Amarillo for undisclosed reasons. After a possible verbal confrontation from Mr. Amarillo, Leo struck him, fracturing his zygomatic bones and maxilla. Accounts were uncertain on the amount of actual blows. Leo stated twice, while Mr. Amarillo asserts three or more. Witness reports were mixed, as most had only caught the confrontation as the other employee fell, but most fall in line with Leo's statement.

Missy furrowed her brow and dropped the paper back onto the open folder. The room grew oppressive, constricting, even. It was like the heat was cranked up all the way, beating down upon her.

“I had told you," Selene said, glassy blank eyes staring back.

“I'm not scared, if that's what you're thinking. I'm not."

The last document lay in the folder. Missy picked it up. It was an official notice of transferal to somewhere else in Leo's company. Telehost? That was a lame name. As a result of being the first infraction noted in his record and a promising start, Leo was offered a shift in company structure and some classes. Or departure. As the signature shows, he took the classes. Further down the paper there was another signature from the other battered guy, showing his agreement to it as well. Missy easily guessed he probably got a good chunk of change as a result.

“So, uh, I guess he roughed some guy up and got moved around."

“That is the best outcome."

“Doesn't say why they fought, though."

“Irrelevant."

“No, it's very relevant."

“You're scared."

“Well, OK, yeah, now I am." Especially now, imagining what Leo might do to her now that she had intruded upon this.

“He wouldn't do anything to you."

Missy frowned. Selene's words were a little hollow, especially since they were coming from herself. She stared at the text. Leo could've just been a fuse waiting to go off, snap at her. And snap her. No remorse. He'd be able to do whatever he liked to her. Then what? No one to save her from that.

“If he was going to do anything, he would've done it long ago. Right?" Selene would say.

“I don't know that!"

“Remember how much angrier he was?"

Missy crossed her arms and rubbed her elbows, then nodded. That was right. When she was a little more free about the way she acted, he was pretty damn scary. Even at his angriest, he took the moment to calm her down with a hug. Her crossed arms tightened. There was no way he could do anything to her so mean.

“Close the folder. Let's go back. You found what you wanted."

Missy sighed, eventually nodded, and returned everything back to its proper place. She went over what she placed her grubby mitts on several times. Had to make sure everything was right, otherwise she might incur the wrath of her warden.

“Everything A-OK?" Missy asked.

“I think that's everything in its spot. How about you return to the nostalgic sitcoms?"

“Mmm, yeah. I guess I shouldn't scoot around in here."

Despite her saying that, Missy felt the subtle tug to snoop. Then again, the subtle feeling that she was being watched by Leo also pressed on her mind. No, she had to get out. Back to the comfort of the couch.

“More pretzels?" Missy asked.

“You should invest in a bib."

“Now you're sounding like Leo. Not sure if that's better or worse than Mom. Ugh."

_

Leo tapped a finger on his thigh. Slowly, methodically, trying not to burn a hole through Mia by staring at her. Annoyance was infecting his thoughts, bit by bit. She may have had more than a passing resemblance to Missy, but even she didn't annoy him like this. Nonetheless, it hadn't reached a breaking point, and his diplomatic hopes of reconnecting with a friend remained steady. Leo's face continued to motion as necessary, however. He gave his passing chuckles and vapid insights to nothing in particular. It didn't help, much.

“So, yeah, I've just been really trying to rework my life, top to bottom. Yoga definitely helped. I bet you'd love it! Work off the stress from office work," Mia said.

“Not knocking the people who enjoy it, but it's just not for me. I can't get into the mindset of unlocking my body through stretching or what have you." Leo smiled. “I just stick to regular exercise."

“I think that's just a teensy bit of masculinity talking there. Really, like, imagine doing normal exercise that relaxes you and your soul. Gotta loosen up, enjoy new things."

“I'm open to new things, but I also know what things I will or won't like, which is a pretty good distinction."

Deja vu hit him, or maybe slunk up onto him. Hard to tell with how slow the conversation was going. Leo had been here before, talking to a girl who was insisting he was closed off to new things by a primal urge to remain the epitome of the male mental condition.

“But if you want to claim it's masculinity, sure," he said, “it's also possible yoga is just a feminine thing. Can't really get in the mindset of making myself look ridiculous." He smothered a smile.

Mia pursed her lips and smiled. “I guess I can't blame you being yourself. I dunno. For me, personally, it's great. I don't have to tire myself more with exercise. I get home from work and it's like, where did the day go? My energy? Kaput. I gotta lie down."

It's always a caffeine crash with these people, Leo thought. They wonder why they crash and they never check the caffeine. That was a brick wall, so he let the annoyance pass by.

“You know, I'm kinda surprised," Mia said.

“About what?"

“I thought we'd bring Missy up by now."

Leo remained stoic, but his brain already sprung into action. Play stupid? No point. Wall her off? No. She would definitely push the matter harder. Leave? Curiosity and fair manners anchored him. If she was going to divulge something about Missy, all the better. If anything, he held all the cards in the deck right now.

“And what do you want to bring up about her?" Leo asked.

Mia's face squirmed through several reactions. Surprise, disbelief, amusement, shock, all melted into one another before she settled on a smirk.

“Everything?" she said in a lower tone. “Everything about her. C'mon, Leo."

“She's your average girl."

“Look, I know you live in the middle of absolutely nowhere and see bears in your yard, but she's not just a regular girl."

“She acts like one, doesn't she?"

“OK, sure, but…" Mia waved her hands about with a goofy smile on her face. “Everything else?"

“I've gotten used to it. Was there some specific reason you brought her up?"

Mia furrowed her brow. “OK, uh, is she doing fine?" She shook her head. “I know she's with you. I called up the other guys she might go to. It's just you left, really."

“She's doing great, actually."

Mia brightened again. “Great. Great! That's great. It's silly but I've been super worried about her. Bouncing around in my head like that. I guess since she's so really insanely cool?"

Leo wasn't sure if she was saying that because of Missy's uniqueness, or if narcissism was at the controls and picking up the specks of herself in Missy. At the very least Mia's interest in Missy's wellbeing seemed genuine. That wasn't enough to afford her any goodwill just yet.

“A lot tougher than you're probably giving her credit for." Well, for the most part. Mind the bears, he told himself jokingly.

“No, yeah, she is. I just find it hard not to think about her. I'm sure you're the same."

“Yeah, but I doubt for the same reasons."

“Got the hots for her, too?"

“Too?"

“Missy never mentioned…? I guess she wouldn't want to with a guy."

“She mentioned some. I don't pry."

Mia shrugged. “She talked about you a lot, you know."

“Imagination mostly, I'm guessing. We weren't together for very long."

“Yeah, but she held onto the real bits, too." Mia's expression softened. “She was super sad when you left."

“I guess I've been making up for lost time in that regard."

“No need to be so tight-lipped about her. I looked after her for plenty of years, you know."

Leo noted the way she carried herself now was a little more official. More mature. A little clunky for her intentions that became more apparent. Now he just had to wait for the inevitable question.

“I'm just respecting her privacy, is all. I don't know how she handled her relationships. Better to be on the side of caution, right?"

“No wonder she always talked about you. You're still nice, under all those sharp edges."

“I try."

“So what's she up to? You guys an item, or…?"

“She's living her life. And no."

“A girl like Missy and a bachelor guy doing nothing?"

“Right."

“Does it bother you that she's a monster?"

“No, it doesn't."

“Then?"

“I just don't. It's that simple."

“And she didn't talk about me at all? What we were?"

“This is all very heavy for a reunion, don't you think?" Leo's face hardened a little.

“She didn't, then. She's probably holding out for you."

“I know that."

“Alright, well, I won't push on that. I just hope you're treating her well."

“All the entertainment and food she could need."

“When can I see her?"

There it was. The stab she was planning the whole time.

“I would have to ask her, see how she feels about it. Then we can work something out."

“It's only fair, don't you think? She's my friend. One of the most amazing friends in the world."

“Only fair? You think barging into someone's life again so suddenly is fair? I'll talk to her, ask the question, and if she says yes, we'll move from there."

“Jeez, you're acting like I'm gonna bite her head off. I just want to see her." Mia paused. “Is this because she left me? You're worried I did something to her?"

Leo furrowed his brow. “No. She didn't--"

“So she didn't tell you?"

“No, but--"

“You were never curious?"

“Missy—" His brain stalled briefly. “Mia, what does that have to do with anything?"

Mia huffed and dug her nail into the top of her coffee cup as her head rolled with her eyes.

“So, I just have to sit around and wait to talk to my own friend, is that it?"

“That's how adults do it, yes--"

“Yeah, but, I know Missy. We both know Missy." She did a back and forth motion with her hands. “You know she's just gonna avoid this forever if we don't nudge her into it. Like adults."

“That's not the point I was getting at. Might be how you do things, but not me."

“Then what is the point? Protecting her from the real world? You're gonna let her sit in her little room where nothing bad ever happens?"

“No—"

“Alright, look, just give me your address and I'll speak to her myself. Cut out the crap."

“You're really delusional if you think I'm going to do that."

“I get it now. You need that escape from your boring life and can't give up Missy." She put on a mock smile, poorly hiding her mirth. “Gotta have her all to yourself. She get you off that well? Really not worth the ass she's giving you."

Leo stared.

“You know she's not worth protecting like that, right? I don't toss around these words lightly. Used goods. You're helping nobody, least of all yourself here. You know how many people she's been with?"

Leo briefly shut his eyes and placed his arms on the table, digging his elbows into the hard edge, trying to take his mind off the irritation pushing through his nerves.

“Yeah, that's right." Mia straightened up, as if she were gaining some ground on him. “You're not her first, you won't be her last. Using you as a dildo so she can live on your couch is her idea of a good time. Understand it, let it run around in your head. You're not going to get anywhere with her. So if you don't mind, let us chat for a bit and clear the air. You'll have the rest of the time in the world to just fuck her brains out before she decides you're no good, just like all the others she leeched off of. You're talking to a victim here, too, you know? We both got gipped."

Leo tried to focus on the pain in his arms. It was a meager trifle in comparison to every word that she strung together in her malicious attempt at reconnecting to likely one of the few glimmers of interest in her dreary existence.

“Everything she says is just another lie to pull you along. Everything is fake. I know you're not dumb, you know we have the same voice. Yeah, like all the other funny things she tries to do, she stole that from someone else. I'm not sure--"

“Hey, dipshit, you going to let me talk? You ever take a moment to fucking breathe?" Leo said.

Mia furrowed her brow and turned her head. “I'm telling you how it--"

“Christ, and she's still fucking going. Let's have a little exercise. Should be easy, since it's visual. Go on, take a look around at everyone here." Leo nodded over to the rest of the place.

Mia's brow only furrowed further.

Leo snapped his fingers. “Hey, you deaf? Look, it's the simplest request. Even you can do it."

She huffed as she turned her head, eyes clinging to him for a moment longer before looking to the crowd.

“See how they're talking, back and forth? Boundaries, right? I'm sure you've heard that word somewhere at your job. Relaxing, enjoying each other's company, or simply minding themselves. It's what adults do in a polite society."

“Yeah, like you even know what being polite is. Newsflash, you took in a girl to fuck--"

“Right there, that right there. Thank God you're a woman. Men acting like you do would be politely asked to step outside and gotten their jaw busted open."

“Is that a threat?"

“Take a second to think about what you're hearing, you fucking idiot. Are you a man?"

His body tensed, agitation building inside of him. Leo brushed his hair back. Mia had locked up her body, arms crossed, lips tight. The slightest tremble in her finger broke through. This was likely the first pushback she had ever gotten. Leo chuckled and shook his head.

“Having fun being an asshole?"

“No. Well, yeah, I am. Just thinking about a joke is all. You, and Missy, a divine comedy. More sad than anything, really."

Mia tensed, teeth grinding.

“What? Not gonna vomit up another word salad? No worries, let's kick start whatever is rattling around between your eyes. She moved in when you guys were about sixteen, I wanna say?"

“Fourteen."

“Fourteen." Leo leaned back in his seat. “Fourteen. Damn. You guys really kicked off early, huh?"

“What the fuck do--"

“You're not that fucking dumb. But really, do go on, I want to see you struggle to deny what we both know. Would be a feast for the soul, let me tell you."

“Were you always an asshole?"

“Maybe." He took a sip of his coffee and jerked back. “That's godawful." Leo shook his head. “Fun to have a conversation, right? Is for me, at least. But as fun as watching you stutter and make an ass out of yourself, we have to move on." Leo placed his elbows up on the table and took a deep breath. His thoughts cleared. “You're a repulsive human being. Not just now, but you've been that way for a long time."

“So what if I did stuff with Missy? That means I'm suddenly a bad person? What about everyone--"

“Right there, see? Back to being a little tattletale because you couldn't have fathomed a faster way to worm your way out of being a repugnant fuck."

Mia simply sat there, staring at him. No doubt his words were running over her brain.

“I'll dissect it a little more. You're not a gross human being because you did stuff with her, some creature from the woods you still don't know a fucking thing about. You're repulsive because you, as barely a teen, decided to do that with a runaway. That's next level."

Mia's arms tightened around herself, making a flimsy barrier.

“You know all those things Missy stole from you? Probably means she was hanging on every little word you said. Even being barely teenagers, I stress barely, you were basically the person she looked to for approval. So, not only were you fucking around with someone who isn't even human, at that age, but you were basically taking advantage of it, too."

“We were teenagers, God!"

“I don't give a shit. Nobody gives a shit, not even you. That's just your little excuse for all those years. Made it a bit easier to accuse me of the same crap you did, because deep down you know it's projection."

“Look." Mia's eyes settled on the table. “It wasn't… Wrong. We were in love."

“You can't pull that sappy shit now. You were either retarded teenagers fooling around or in love. Can't have both."

“You weren't even there. Your family left. Who the hell knows what happened then to turn you into whatever you are now."

“Deflection is pretty easy, isn't it?"

“I'm just answering this shit you're throwing my way."

Leo took another sip and winced. “I'll admit, I'm no clean guy myself, but compared to what you've done? Hang me up next to Jesus himself. But enough about me. How about everyone else in this room? You think they would've done the same? Normal people, going about their daily lives."

“I don't have to put up with this shit. I wanted to talk to Missy, I'm going to talk to Missy. That's final."

“No fucking way." Leo chuckled. “Still think you can just get whatever you want. What gives you the right to tread on my home to chase after your girlfriend? You know, you sound crazy when you blurt out that you want my address." Leo's eyes widened. “Psychopathic, crazy."

“What else do you want me--"

“Nothing, you fucking mongoloid. I want you to do nothing! Could've had our boring conversation and went our separate ways. If you had just given it a day, maybe you'd have what you want. But no, that was too difficult for an entitled cunt like you."

Mia crossed her arms.

“Right, no response, that's your thing when you can't find out how to wriggle your way out of looking terrible." Leo tilted his head. “I'll give you a second to try and compare yourself to someone else. Might lessen the blow." A few seconds of silence came instead. Leo motioned for her to say something. “No? OK."

“Missy and I, we were-- OK, maybe we weren't in love at first, but we got there, eventually. That's why I need to see her. It's difficult, that's just how relationships are. I don't really expect you to know how that works, with the way you're acting."

“Close. Almost bought that for a second! Then again, you did call your one true love 'used goods'. Pretty vile for someone you love, but really, I'd like another lesson in relationships. You're doing a bang up job." He mock golf clapped.

Mia huffed and grabbed at her cup. Leo instantly placed his hand on it, holding it in place.

“Easy now. Think carefully about what you're going to do next. Don't want to upset anyone."

Mia seemed confused by his statement, or maybe that was an act. She pulled her hand away all the same. If anything, at this point, acting dumb should have been second nature to her. A few eyes had wandered their way, no doubt attracted by a few cross words. As much as Leo didn't want to interrupt anyone's casual morning by tearing into the creature in front of him, he wasn't about to let her go any time soon. Leo retracted his arm.

Mia glanced to the doorway. It was brief, but Leo caught it.

“Yeah, I'd bet you'd like to be anywhere except here right now. First time anyone's called you out on your bullshit."

“Like I don't hear everyone's problems with me at work. It's my job to hear complaints, especially about me."

“Really? Could've fooled me. Actually, it does make sense. You probably type up a longer list in response."

Mia crossed her arms. Her face's slight waver betrayed her attempt at an impenetrable barrier.

“Just like how you try and curve shit right back onto me," Leo said. He adjusted himself in his seat. “Here's another one you can try: You can't go around demanding to step on other people's property."

Her mouth opened.

“I don't give a shit if you have some magical fairy friend you need to hook up with. Nobody cares if you desperately need to see a girl to get your rocks off." Leo shook his head. “Remember how I said you seemed like a psycho for doing that? Yeah, telling me you want my address is a threat. You don't fucking do that."

“I don't think anyone cares about your little patch of dirt, OK?"

“Mhm, sure. So why do you care?"

“Because that's where my friend is, jackass."

“So, not just a patch of dirt then, is it?"

“Missy happens to be there!"

“Right. On my property. Which I protect."

“Like Missy?"

“You're really finding the whole separation of friend and property to be pretty hard, huh? I'm not keeping count on how many times you've made the comparison."

Mia immediately realized that was a terrible move, her mouth clenched.

“So, cut the shit," Leo said. “Don't you ever even think about doing that in the real world, because there are people out there who won't just tell you to shut the fuck up. It's a friendly warning. Since we were friends, right? It quickly stops being a friendly warning if you try that with me."

There was a lull in the conversation. Mia was slowly grinding her teeth.

“Bet it makes you feel real good running your mouth."

“You know what? It does."

“Just like all the other things you do without thinking."

“Believe me, I've given this a lot of thinking."

“Yeah, well, you do a lot of thinking when you're back at home wondering why you're such a terrible person."

“Will do. Might even get some work done while I'm at it. What're you planning to do when you get home? Crack open some boxed wine? Have your own furred friend help you with the peanut butter?"

An alarm gently rang. Leo pulled out his phone and quickly silenced it.

“Time's up. I had a blast. Ruminate on what we talked about if you can. I'd recommend a therapist if you can find one that'll tolerate you."

Leo stood up and began walking for the door. A soft crinkling could be heard. He bent down to tighten a shoelace. And there it was, a coffee cup went sailing overhead, smashing into a nearby customer. Mia loudly gasped. Leo slipped out of the front door just as a round of yelling erupted.

Back in the car, Leo eased into his seat. That could have gone better, all things considered. He watched as his supposed friend did a lot of nodding and panicked hand motions to a coffee stained man. Whatever they were in the past, Leo was glad he didn't stick around for whatever she turned into. The process was either painful or downright depressing. Especially with Missy having to hang with her.

He tapped on the steering wheel. Missy was like that at one point, most definitely, but it didn't cling to her like it did with Mia. Could've been that their separation broke Mia more than she thought. Or she just didn't impart as much on Missy as she had hoped. In a way it was sad to think the loss of a friend did that much to someone.

Leo turned on the vehicle. Good thing he kept himself mostly in-line. Not enough, apparently, with the need to hash out a few rude words. Wasted more time than he needed, and probably did some undue damage. Couldn't say she didn't deserve at least most of it, though. He pressed on the gas and drove on to his next destination.