It was the usual and familiar sounds which brought comfort to her morning. The sound of a garage door opening, and a car starting. A garage door closing, and a car silently rolling out from the driveway and onto the street. The hum of the dishwasher in the kitchen, the drier in the basement, and the swirling fan in the living room. It was surprising how much one could hear while wrapped up in layers of blankets. Feeling the morning light filter through the curtains, meant that something new had started, the night which wrought fear and doubt had evaporated with the return of the sun, and with that very conclusive thought, she threw back the covers, sending them over the edge of the bed and onto the floor. Her hair draped over her face as she quickly sat up, and squeezing her eyes shut as the blood rushed to her head, she stumbled and tripped her way to the bathroom to begin her morning routine.
The hot water from the shower head felt refreshing. She rejoiced as steam filled her lungs; the scent of shampoo and soap covering her body, and the cleansing of the dirt and grim, the daily purification, the richness and fullness of life! Growing, spawning from the pure fact that things were not any different than they were the day before, and because it had been good a day yesterday, today, would most certainly follow suit.
“The first choice of the day! What to wear?” She asked herself, flinging open her closest, and looking over the freshly cleaned school uniform she would be wearing, like always. “Oh, right.” She had almost forgotten that it wasn’t a choice, so she threw it on, and twirled in front the mirror just the same, smiling and giving herself a thumbs up. She then finally made her way downstairs, and into the kitchen, the counter tops were clean, the table only had a newspaper and a notebook on it, and everything appeared to be perfectly in place. The morning couldn’t get any better. Eat breakfast, brush teeth, clean face, pack bag, and then…
She sighed standing next to the backdoor, staring through the glass at the sprawling forest stretching out behind her house. There was a convenient shortcut to her school, but before she endeavored, there was something which pulled at her consciousness. Norie turned on her heel, already in her shoes, and completely dressed for school, and marched back up the stairs, and went right past her room and the bathroom adjacent to it, and went to the room at the end of the hall. She slowly opened the door, peering in to see her sister all wrapped up in her blanket, already awake, and looking sadly at the floor. Maki...
“You don’t want to go to school again?” Norie asked with another sigh. The other girl slowly shook her head. “I can keep calling in for you, but eventually they’ll get suspicious. How long is this going to go on?” She asked taking a seat on the bed. “You didn’t need to disappear like that last night. Mom and dad were worried. Even I was worried! I can understand not wanting to explain to them why you're missing school, but you can't keep doing this!”
Maki buried her face in her sheets, and her sister moved over placing a hand softly on her back. “If it’s really something you can’t tell me, I understand, but I am here for you. I’ll do anything for you.” She whispered softly, rubbing her sister's back like a mother would a child, and the other girl raised her head with tears running down her face. “That’s why I can’t. You’re the only one who knows my past Norie.” She said sobbing. It invoked a strong reaction in Norie who stood up suddenly. “Y-you mean, someone knows about it?” her voice rose and the other girl looked off to the side nodding. “Who? Who is it that confronted you?” She demanded. “I told you, I can’t tell you! You’ll go off, and then…mom...and dad, they’ll…” She trailed off. “It has to be someone at your school, right?” Norie contemplated for a moment, then looking at the clock she jolted.Damn it! This always happens!
“Ah, I-I’ll call in for you later today, I gotta go, bye-bye!” Even though she desperately wanted to stay, she had no choice if she wanted to arrive to school on time. She adjusted her bag and quickly bolted from the room, navigated her way through the forest, and finally just moments later she was racing through courtyard of the school. Ah darn it, homeroom has already started! She clumsily made her way through the school hall, in till she came bursting through the door, waving apologetically to the teacher before taking her place near the back.
She found Michi sitting next to her, staring blankly at the top of her desk, her eyes opened and closed periodically as she began to nod off. She watched her friend for a while before reaching out and patting her on the shoulder. The girl screamed, flying back in her seat and looking around suddenly, as if she had just awoken from a nightmare. She turned to Norie with a frightened stare, and then sighed, plopping her head on her desk. “Don’t scare me like that so suddenly!” She pouted, using her arms as a pillow. “You seem different today…maybe a little more spacey?” Norie commented, taking note that the girl had just transferred to this school and was already acting extremely comfortable. Her adaptation rate must be really, really high! Amazing! “Hey sorry for calling you last night, it just ended up being nothing.” She said sorting out her books for the first period. “Oh? That’s nice, I was wondering why you called me, I don’t think Maki took a liking to me…” the other girl replied with a yawn. “What? Well, I guess you could say that something is really bothering her right now, she hasn’t been herself all week.” Maybe I shouldn’t have brought Michi home so soon, I guess that was just a spur of the moment thing to try and cheer my sister up. She examined the Japanese girl, who was nearly falling asleep, and if she didn’t know any better, she could have pinned Michi as a relative of Maki. They kind of had similar names didn’t they? [They both start with M ha-ha]
“So what’s the deal, you didn’t get any sleep last night?” She asked, and Michi opened one eye, and then closed it again. “I guess you could say something happened.” The vagueness seemed intentional, yet Norie ignored it. Whatever it was keeping her new buddy from getting her sleep, she was sure it would come out eventually. She reached out and patting the girl on the shoulder again, making her jump.
“Don’t worry! If you ever need someone to talk to, I’ll be right here beside ya!” She said cheerfully, and Michi smiled. “Mm…thanks, you’re pretty cool.” She mumbled. That is how the day had started. It was good fortune that sitting directly in front of Michi was a member of the Saxon High Football team, a blocky sort of fellow who completely hid the petite Japanese girl from view. With Norie keeping an eye out, the girl managed to get plenty of sleep during the first two periods of class. But it didn’t take long before the boredom of lecture had the optimistic girl staring off into space as things started to intrude upon her mind.
Maki, ‘You’re the only one who knows my past Norie.’
Who on Earth could be using that against you? Not even the adoption agency knows about that ‘incident’. You were too young to keep it to just yourself though, so you did the right thing. You told your big sister everything. Because I’m supposed to protect my little sister no matter what, I don’t care what anyone says, I’ll be there. I promised you that I would stand by you no matter what. So what is it that has you so frightened? I doubt it’s a student. Perhaps it’s a teacher or someone with authority? That makes sense. But what can I do? Exploit them? That’s a long shot. I could be dealing with some really bad people, even if it is for Maki’s sake, there isn't very much anyone can do without exposing her secret. But should I just listen to her and ignore it? Let her deal with this heavy burden all by herself? She is strong, but that doesn’t mean she can’t use help. I’ll do whatever it takes to get things straight. Maki…
Something poked her in the face, and as she turned she noticed Michi staring at her with surprise. “I got you.” She smiled, and the other girl nodded. “Yeah, so what are we keeping score now, good old Michi!” She exclaimed slapping the girl on the shoulder, making her cry out. “Ah, you can be really violent sometimes!” Yeah, no doubt, this girl reminds me of Maki. “Anyway, its lunch break already, you seemed pretty out of it just now.” Michi commented. It must feel good to be on the other side of things doesn’t it? “Ha, well maybe you’re rubbing off on me.” She said standing up, and heading off towards the cafeteria. “Let’s go, it’ll wake you up a bit I think.” She said and the two girls walked down the crowded hallway heading off to get something to eat. Silently their minds drifted off into their own personal globes, filling with ideas and thoughts which tugged at their very souls.
When lunch had ended, and the two girls began to walk back to class, when Michi stopped to look out of the window at the back of the school. They were on the third floor, and the rest of the forest sprawled out before her. Just barely visible on the edge of the horizon was her former high school. A somber glance crossed her face. “Hey Norie…” she suddenly asked, and the other girl turned around. “Hm? What is it?” She replied moving next to her staring out at the window. Michi smiled as she looked out at the bright and beautiful sky. “What are you doing after school?” She asked. Norie paused for a moment, as the two of them watched the forest sway at the command of the wind, then as her eyes focused on the structure in the distance a smile crept onto the taller girl's face. “I was thinking of visiting a friend of mine who lives across town.” She commented, subconsciously patting the other girl on the back. “Want to tag along? It’s kind of trek…” She trailed off and the other girl nodded. “Yeah, it’d be nice to talk to you about something…that's why I wanted to know if you were free later.” Norie smiled and nodded. "Sure thing. We're friends after all."
So I was wrong about her in that regard. I always thought Michi would be like Maki. I always thought she would just bottle up everything that was bothering her, and never letting anyone else in, slowly drowning in misery. Yet, she wanted my help; she actually came out and asked for it. I don’t know what takes more bravery. Being willing to hold your problems on your own shoulders, or, be willing to ask others to help you carry those burdens. Who am I to say? I don’t have such problems...
School came to a close with the melodic sound of the bell, and the two girls yawned simultaneously as everyone else stood up carrying off their books, and a murmuring chatter began to fill the school. A sea of white and black uniforms mixed together, a crowd of people all rushing off to their own homes, their own stories, and families. “Man what kind of a lecture was that? I mean, the history of this country is important I guess but will we ever use this knowledge?” Norie was saying as they finally got the privilege of breathing the fresh autumn air. Some of the green trees were starting to change color, and a flurry of leaves soared through the air. “Yeah I guess, a lot of it was review for me.” Michi admitted as they exited the courtyard and turned down the street. The friend whom Norie was planning on visiting had gone to the very same middle school which stood next to Patterson. It became clear when Saxon was built that the two of them would not be going to the same high school, and they hadn’t stayed in touch much after that.
“So who is this guy anyway? I know you said he’s your friend, but like, um, is he like a former boyfriend?” She asked, and Norie laughed, particularity at the formality of the statement 'former boyfriend'. “Ah, no, not really…he’s not the kind of person to settle down. He’s actually a year or so older than me.” She said as she began to think back when she was in middle school and how different things were back then. Maki was in elementary school, and the two girls fought more often.
Ah, Maki, that’s right. This is for you. She thought, as they came to the bus stop. It wouldn't arrive for another ten minutes so the two girls stood side by side staring at the cars rolling by. “So enough about him, why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind?” Norie asked, and Michi nodded, her face darkened as she sat down, keeping her head faced away from her friend, and she began to speak.
“Last night, a-a lot of things happened. I’m not really supposed to tell anyone about it, but…it’s been gnawing at me all day…” She began. Just like Maki. This is so eerily similar!
"I-I'm coming home now, just stay there, don't go anywhere okay sweetie? I'll be there...just hang on..." I was so confused, I remember the phone falling from my hand, and I couldn’t even think straight. I didn’t know what she meant. I waited, and waited, and finally, after what seemed to be hours, I heard her car pull in, and she came in…
Her mother entered the house, exhausted, stress lining her face, and she dropped her bag off near the side of the couch, and came over across the living room, and next to her daughter, placing her arms around her and embracing her. “Sorry I couldn’t make it back earlier…” she whispered softly, stroking her daughter’s hair.
I remember her telling me things I couldn’t understand clearly.
“Everything is going to be okay, just be strong for me Michi. You can’t tell anyone what has happened to your father. It’s just business, they won’t do anything to him in till they get what they want, you understand? Senba will work out its problems, you’ll see, everything will be okay.” The mother continued to pet her daughter. “But…I found a camera.” She stated quietly.
My parents work for a company known as the Senba Organization. They deal in chemicals and the like. Recently, there had been internal disputes over a distribution affair, and in the process my father, the area manager was taken into custody by one of the factions. Apparently, a member of that very same faction had infiltrated the homes of many of the managers and higher ups at Senba, and inserted various cameras. Because my mom is nothing more than a salesperson, I guess they didn’t see the need to take her away as well. Normally one would resort to the police in a case like this, or some high power, but as it turns out…
“The faction has incredible power and influence on the police and much of the city government is funded by Senba. It’s a little secret that many of the employees know about; this entire city used to be a small town. When the company found a valuable resource here for one of their products they immediately started to build this place up…”
I didn’t really understand what it all meant, but for now, we have to keep everything quiet. I feel like I'm stuck in some kind of movie! I-I just worry about my father. I’m afraid that something bad going to happen. Imagine being helpless…with nothing to do. There is no one to turn to; it’s just one executive against another. I’m so afraid that my mom will go off and try to rescue my dad. I may have to move again. I’ll always been running away…
“Stop that nonsense!” Norie shouted, interjecting into Michi’s story. She had been listening intently as always, but seeing her friend down, and hearing her act all helpless. I can help you! You have people here who will help you! her mind was screaming. “Huh?” She looked up a bit fearfully at Norie, who placed her hand on her shoulder as usual, though her expression was serious and calm. “You can’t just run away. I won’t let you leave that easily.”
“W-What do you mean?” Michi said startled. “If you parents are going to keep running away from the bad guys, they’ll never win. If it comes down to it, I might just have to kidnap you and throw you in my basement.” She exclaimed. It’s just like Maki though, both of these girls are suffering from their own helplessness, but there is always a way isn’t there? We can always do something to solve our problems can’t we? She then forced her friend up onto her feet, and wrapped her arms around her. “You can trust me. I’ll help you through whatever it is.” I can’t believe we just met yesterday. This girl…
I might have been a little ridiculous, but it made me feel better...
This girl is…
The bus screeched to a halt in front of them, and the mood fell apart. They gathered their things and quickly boarded. The two remained strangely silent as they moved towards their destination. The street lamps, and trees rolled past as all kinds of people were seen rocking back and forth, to the swaying motion of the bus.
Everyone is so different. Out of all the schools I’ve been to, I have never met someone like Norie before. She’s always so cheery and open and she listens intently. She appears to take nothing seriously at first, but when you look at her as a whole…she’s definitely pretty, I’m surprised she doesn’t have more friends, this is the second time we’ve been together after school, and she never mentioned having any other friends…that’s just so unfair! She should have many! She’s the nicest person I’ve ever met…A true friend...
“Alright this is our stop!” Norie exclaimed, and as Michi came to by the all too familiar touch on her shoulder, she began to grow nervous. “H-hey Norie, this—!” it was too late, as the girl had already dragged her off of the bus and onto the sidewalk. They were surrounded by smaller homes; each of them seemed to have something wrong with them as they all looked sad and sunken. It felt dirty to Michi, as it had when she had first come this way when she had attended Patterson for the first week. The neighborhood in back of Patterson High, which was known for being a slum for the poor and misfortunate, was not a good place for schoolgirls to be wandering through after class. She stuck close to Norie, hovering like a scared ghost, looking around for some kind of sign of ill intentions. “Relax! They’re like dogs you know, if they smell your fear you’ll only attract their attention.” That statement didn’t nullify Michi’s nervousness, as the two girls found their way towards the North Parking Lot, which was also known as the hangout place for delinquents of all kinds. As the girls came into the lot, which was pretty much empty, save for a few cars parked near the end, they noticed a group of boys all huddled together muttering incoherent slang back and forth. When they saw Norie and Michi they broke formation and stared at them.
“Hey, what’s a couple of pretty dames doing out here?” One of them asked, with a smile, and Norie looked at him with a smile of her own, while Michi all the while appeared uneasy. The taller girl's eyes glanced over the group before focusing on one of the boys. “Hey now! Why does Landon over there look a little beat up?” She asked pointing to a young boy who had blood running from his mouth. He was separated from the rest of the boys sulking. “Whoa!” someone yelled. “She knows about you, boss.” Someone else added. “Ha, good old Landon got his ass handed to him by some ninja chick or something.” The first boy added chuckling. “You two ain’t a bunch of ninjas are you?” he asked with a sneer. “No, but I’m looking for Dare. Does he still hang out here?” She asked, still unmoving in her overly cheerful approach. “Yeah that fool is somewhere near the pond, you know where that is, precious?” He asked, “Yeah why don’t we escort the ladies huh?” Another chimed in. “Yeah, I know where that is. Thanks.” She waved, and began to leave when they called after her. “Come on now, we did you a favor, why don’t you do something for us huh?” He asked, and she turned around. “Sure what is it?” She asked innocently, and the boy shrugged. “Seeing that our boy Landon here messed up getting us a nude pic of that fine ass girl we was gonna jump, why don’t you volunteer?” and the other boys began to come up as well. “No thanks, I don’t think that’s an even trade.” She said coolly. “Ah now that’s no fun!” One boy said, and the others roared in agreement when Landon chipped in suddenly. “Let her go man. She’s going to see Dare remember?” The others looked disgustedly back at the boy and shrugged it off. “Shut up man! whatever, your pansy ass couldn’t even handle one stinking girl, don’t go all parading around using Dare’s name like that.”
Still, the boys let them go. The girls left the high school gang behind, and made their way to the school pond, which was rather clear and in good condition compared to the rest of the area. A couple of ducks and some geese were paddling around, and with the cool crisp wind chilling their faces, the clear water really did look refreshing. They saw a boy sitting with his elbows on his knees, staring out at the water, all the while looking stoic and complacent. Aside from his short cut hair, steel gray eyes and baggy attire, there was nothing in his persona that alluded to his apparent delinquency. Michi had wondered what kind of person he would be, seeing that those other boys seemed to revere him to some extinct, she silently watched as Norie approached him. “Hey, Dare.” Norie said a bit quietly, standing still a fair distant away from him. The boy turned to her for a moment, and a look of surprise, and slight joy came upon him as he stood up. Michi all the while remained a spectator, as he came up to the girl and embraced her full heartedly. “Norina Gladrin!” He said. In hearing her entire first name, Norie looked embarrassed as he released her. “Sorry, that was uncalled for.” He said, looking around her shoulder at Michi. “You even brought a friend, all to visit me?” He asked sounding surprised, and Norie turned. For Michi, it was the first time she had seen her new best friend so bashful. “Yeah, this is, Michi, a new girl at my school…” She said quietly, and Michi nodded. “Nice to meet you…” she replied. “Well I’ll be, she’s like a grown up Maki!” He laughed to himself turning back to the pond. “I never thought I’d see you out here, I hope the boys didn’t give you trouble.” He added sitting back down on the grass and the girls followed suit. “No, not really…” She trailed off. It must be really hard for her to speak to this old friend… Michi thought.
“The truth is, I came out here to ask you about something…you know Maki goes to this school…” She gestured behind her at the middle school, which was right next to the high school. “Wow, she sure grew up fast.” Dare looked up at the sky his face was returning to that same distant stare. “I was wondering if you could look into any suspicious teachers…there is something that is preventing Maki from going to school, she’s missed three days in a row now!” As she inquired, the boy closed his eyes as he shifted his arms under his head. He didn’t say anything for a while as he peered up at the clouds which were rolling in. “A teacher at the middle school acting suspicious?” He asked, and she nodded.
“I feel terrible coming all the way out here just to ask you a favor, but…” She started but he cut her off. “I know you Norie, probably better than anyone. Except for Maki of course, geeze you guys are like glued together. Still, I know what you’re doing. I don’t mind looking into it, after all it might give me a chance to drop in on little Maki, ha-ah…do you think she still hates me?” He asked with a smile. “No! She doesn’t hate you! Why do you keep saying that?” She seemed flustered, and all the while Michi began to scoot over, feeling that she shouldn’t have come, even though she was glad to have someone as nice as Norie as a friend to talk to, the situation seemed to be getting awkward. “I’ll take care of it, don’t worry.” He said looking at his watch. “You girls better get a move on. The boys in the lot are just playing around, but soon, the real gangsters will come out.” He seemed to look over at Michi. “It was nice meeting you.” He said with a nod of his head, and the meeting had suddenly come to a close. The two girls began their hasty retreat, feeling that it was getting darker every minute, and that when the sun finally did set, evil would come to invade the night.
“You two must have been really close friends.” Michi commented on the bus ride back. “Yeah, I guess you could say that. I’m relieved though. He’s very dependable.” She said, and the other girl knew that she was mincing words. There was a lot more that Norie had to say about Dare, but even as they seemed great friends, there was a lot between them that remained unknown. When they got off the bus, the two girls parted ways, and returned home.
Dropping her bag in the living room, Norie noticed that parents were still at work late again, and she moved upstairs, bypassing her room and going into her sister's. The girl was leaning against her bed, reading a book, and when the door opened she turned to look up. “You’re home late.” The girl sounded irritated, and Norie nodded. “I went to visit Dare.” Maki turned back to her book. “Oh, him.” She commented, flipping the page. “I asked him to help you out.” She replied coldly, and Maki suddenly looked up at her. “Yeah? What is he going to do?” She snapped, and Norie maintained her downcast, sullen glare. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten?” She asked, and a long pause fell over Maki as she then looked apologetic. “Y-yeah, I’m sorry…I’ll go to school tomorrow I promise.” She said standing up and closing her book. The two sisters stared at each for a while, when finally Norie hugged her sister tightly. “Good. Now then, what shall we have for dinner?” Norie asked with a smile.
~Next time on Scratch~
Once again the scope will change...but who will we meet this time? A rather lazy person suddenly becomes involved...But will Michi ever be reunited with her father? What about what's bother Maki?! Keep reading to find out! :)
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