3 Chapter 3: Micah

I see someone, he's so far away but yet still close enough to see his hair blowing in the wind. His face is blurry but I can see his body clearly. It's the man from my elementary journal. I hear kids playing in the background and then I hear a woman's voice. It's very faint but I was able to hear her from where I was standing. "You must protect her. She must survive. She's our only hope. You must protect her". I opened my eyes and sat up. It didn't feel like a dream but a flash back. Ever since the move I have been having strange dreams every night. I don't recall having such dark dreams back in the city. They were vivid and usually meaningless. But these dreams, they have some significance to an existent I cannot comprehend. I turned on my night lamp and opened my journal to the next empty page. I recorded all the dreams I have been having with as much detail as I could remember before falling back asleep.

The next morning, I put on a pair of blue jeans and a sweater. I ran downstairs and helped with breakfast. "Mom, I'm going to go the mall" I told her while setting up the table. "Again? What for honey?" My mom replied while flipping the bacon on the electric griddle. "I didn't really get to shop much yesterday because you said to come home" I responded to her. "Alright. After breakfast you can go" She said flipping the pancakes.

This time I parked closer to the food court, looked around to see if the three teenage boys were in the area. There was no one, I got out of the car and walked inside. I went from store to store leisurely shopping. Every time I saw my reflection in the window I felt a little different. I can't explain it. There is something very strange about this whole situation. I continued to shop for a couple more hours, shopping bags hung on both of my arms. I stopped by the food court to grab a bite as my last stop before heading home. After I got my food I sat down in the booth area where I once sat with that one man. I unwrapped my burger, took a bite, and a man sat down in front of me. I stared at him with widened eyes. He took a few of my fries and ate them without saying a word. "What are you doing?" I asked him. "Eating fries" he blandly said while grabbing a couple more of my fries. "My name's Micah by the way" he randomly conveyed. I was shocked by his sudden statement. "What brings you here today Micah? More shopping? Or stalking?" I asked setting my burger down. His bright green eyes smiled at me and ignored my questions. It didn't bother me though, he was mysterious and didn't seemed to be the talking type. We sat in silence until the food was gone and for some reason, it wasn't awkward at all. I let him finish my fries while I worked on my burger. I took a long sip of my soda and offered him some of my soda. "You. Don't mind sharing a straw with a stranger?" he asked in shock. I snickered and lifted the lid off the paper cup. I forgot to open the lid before offering him my drink. He must have jumped to conclusions from the look on his face. He relaxed and grabbed the drink out of my hand. I stood up, grabbed my things, and headed towards the exit. "Need help with that?" he asked while gesturing his hand towards my armful of bags. I smiled and handed him a couple of my bags. We walked out into the parking lot and proceeded towards my car. The three men came out of the blue and surrounded us with pocketknives in their hands. I looked at Micah and Micah looked at the young men around us. "What do you guys want?" I asked trying not to tremble. I gripped my bags and closed my eyes. Right there and then I started to silently pray. I heard people punching and kicking one another. I opened my eyes and Micah who was just behind me jolted from one man to the next punching each one of them in the gut. His movement was quick and swift. How is he moving so fast? Who knew he could kick ass? He's a mechanic and an ass kicker? That is so cool! I came back to my senses after watching him for a few moments. I headed straight to my car and a hand went for my necklace. There was a shock that traveled from the gem and zapped the man's hand. The man yelled in pain, "what the heck woman!". I paid no mind to him and ran for my car. He came for me again and I locked my door and started the engine. I put my car in reverse and backed out of the parking space. I stepped on my brakes and put my car into drive. Just when I was about to step on the gas pedal, Micah quickly crawled into my car with my bags. We drove away and breathed in relief.

"What was that back there?" I asked. "High school rebels" he replied calmly. "Why are they only coming at me?" I said in confusion. "You're just unlucky miss. You were there at the wrong place, wrong time" he answered. "My name is Liz, not miss" I said with a little bit of sass. I glanced in his direction; his arm was resting on the window with his head in his palm. I thought small towns were supposed to be safer. Why are high schoolers in this town walking around with knives? I need to get some pepper spray and a taser. "Where do you want me to drop you off?" I asked to break the silence. "Wherever is fine" he said coolly. I decided to drop him off at the supermarket since it was on my way home. "Good night miss" he said quietly as he stepped out of my car. "My name is Liz!" I yelled. "Oh right, good night, Liz" he said with a smile before closing the door. He walked away before I could tell him good night. I must have liked his company more than I realized because when I was alone I felt a bit empty inside.