Yes.
Zumi shouldn’t have said that.
I’ll talk to her.
I remember now the e-mail I sent this morning telling them stuff but I can’t remember the details but I do remember Zumi is really upset with me and has every right to be—
He texts again:
I’m coming over.
No! I stop walking and text him back:
Don’t.
Coming anyway.
Not home.
He doesn’t reply and I try again:
Don’t come.
He doesn’t answer—shit!—and I’m too far to get back before he gets there not that I’d go anyway—
I get a text but from Declan this time:
Zumi’s a bitch.
I answer:
No I was a shitty friend.
He doesn’t reply right away and I start walking again and then he texts:
A friend of my cousin has
bipolar disorder and that dude
is truly a shitty friend. If you’ve
had it all this time and we had
no idea, you’re a hero.
Holly calls and I decline it and then she texts me:
Mel?
I text her:
Can’t talk.
Declan says he’s texting you.
I’ve been so worried!
Want me to come over?
No.
Are you sure?
Busy.
I’m glad you told us. You can’t
even tell. Declan and I knew you
got weirdly excited sometimes
and other times were in the
dumps but are you sure you’re
not just really moody?
Yes.
Don’t be embarrassed about
that video! No big deal. We’ve all
done stuff we’d hate for anyone
else to see. I didn’t like her but I
can’t deny she was good looking!
And don’t even think about Izumi.
They deserved each other.
My eyes are flooding again.
Got to go.
You sure you’re okay?
Fine.
Okay but call me later anytime.
Day or night. I mean it!
ANY TIME!
I push the phone into my pocket and it buzzes again but I’m dizzy and shaking and can’t think straight and I really need to be away from everything and everybody and more importantly they need to be away from me but I can’t let them figure out where I am or where I’m going or they’ll try to stop me so I give in and look at my phone and see it was a text from Connor.
I see your bike through the
window. I’m going to keep
knocking till you answer.
No!
My phone rings and it’s Aunt Joan and God knows what Connor just told her so I better answer and convince her everything is fine but first I clear my throat so it won’t sound like I’m crying.
“Hi,” I say.
“Where are you, Mel?”
“Walking.”
“At seven thirty? On vacation? You always take your bike. You never just go for a walk. What’re you really doing?”
“Just walking—”
“Mel, you’re crying! You sound like you’re gargling snot! Your friend Connor here says you’re having a fight or something? Not with him but with someone else?”
“It’s fine. I’m just … walking.”
“Mel, where are you, exactly?”
“By … the firehouse …” My hands are shaking so much I can barely hold the phone to my ear and I feel like I’m being hit by a tall wave at the beach and getting knocked over and I really have to get off the phone!
“I’m fine … please Aunt Joan … don’t call Mom—”
“Why would I call your mom?! Is there a reason I should? Mel? Mel?!”
“No! Please … I … I can’t talk! Just let me walk … there’s something I have to do … please don’t call Mom! I’m just walking!” Only I’m not walking anymore and I’m turned all around—
“Stay by the firehouse. I’m coming to get you—”
“No! I’m fine!”
Shrill beeps in the background tell me she’s started her car without the seat belt on.
“Mel, I’ll be there in ten minutes. Stay—”
I turn my phone off so they can’t track me and then I turn north and start running.
HAMSTER IS RUNNING
HUMMINGBIRD IS SPEEDING
HAMMERHEAD IS THRASHING****
HANNIGANIMAL IS CRASHING/MIXED
I’ve lost track of time but it’s been hours since I left the house. I still have plenty of energy but I’m built for biking, not running, so jogging stabs a knife into my side. My feet stopped bleeding not long after I left the track. They hurt a little but not too bad, except I caught sight of them once and it wasn’t pretty so I’m avoiding looking again. The clouds are low and thin—I can see there’s blue sky above them but I’m mostly surrounded by gray fog—and my superpower is gone. My life keeps flashing before my eyes and I’d give anything to stop it.
A few blocks ago I turned off the Great Highway and next is getting through the Presidio to reach the bridge but I can’t remember the way. There are so many loops and dead ends, I’ll never get there without a map.