Legends

I got home to an empty house, causing my anger to ignite again. I was furious with myself, furious with my own fear of being alone. It was all Mikey Way's fault!

I ran upstairs to my room and closed the door hard behind me. The trinkets on my vanity shook at the vibration, I took in a deep breath, then set my backpack on my bed. I went back to my vanity and sat down, just to stare at myself.

"You're cracking up, Cassidy, you big idiot." I said to my reflection, "Don't let this weirdo get to you."

I don't know why he got under my skin so easily. It annoyed me.

I coursed my hair back, tugging at the thick brown locks, causing a little shock. I wanted to snap myself out of this weird attitude I had. I was mad for no reason and at no one; this thing was taking a toll on me.

I got up, dropping my hand from my hair and went back downstairs. My attitude had gone away when I got to the kitchen; there was a note and a batch of cookies made for me. The note was in my mother's handwriting; Cassie, went to New York to pick up work studies. Dad and I should be home before 10. Have a cookie and order a pizza. Love Mom

I put the note down and snagged a cookie. I was happier at the thought that my mom came home and made me cookies before she left; anywhere. I grabbed the entire plate and went to the living room; I propped my feet up and turned the TV.

This time, I was determined not to fall asleep. If I even felt drowsy, I was gonna pinch myself. I am not going to have another nightmare, I thought matter-of-factly.

I managed to stay up for 2 hours before I started to do my homework. I had gone upstairs, grabbed my backpack and went back to my spot in the living room. I was deep into my math homework when there was a knock on my front door.

For a moment, I looked at it, until the door bell rang. I got up, then pinched myself, hard, "Ouch!" I hissed to myself. I wasn't dreaming.

I went to the door and looked out the peephole. Sure enough, Mikey Way was standing there, but he looked calm. I was hesitant to open the door; he knocked again, "Cassidy, open the door. I know you're there."

I frowned. How did he know? Was he watching me?

"No, I have common sense." He said.

How the hell did he know? 

"I'm not psychic, honey, it's common sense. Open the door, we need to talk." He banged on the door.

I frustratedly open the door, "What?"

"Are you deaf, along with being so fuckin' stubborn?" He made his way into my house.

"Hey! You can't come in here." I snapped.

"Calm down, we need to talk." He said again, he began to take his coat off, "I apologize for being so vague."

I slammed the door, "You should be."

"We're just in deep shit, Cassidy."

"It's just a stupid story, made up by some fucking creeps who have nothing else better to do." I said with a sharp tongue.

"I wish I could be as dismissive and naive as you." He said shallowly.

"Fuck you! I'm trying to make sense..." I trailed, hating myself for almost coming clean.

"Make sense of what? Your irrational fear?"

I frowned, "Why won't you let this go?" I asked angrily.

"Because, I know what I'm talking about and my mom warned me. She said you're in trouble."

I couldn't frown any harder than I already was, "What?"

"Just take my word for it, please? My mom is always right."

"Alright, what's the trouble?" I asked curiously.

"Your mom said something about Anthony Thomas, right?" I nodded, "Well, he really did disappear, and he is dead. His body..." Mikey seemed to speak in a trance almost, "It wasn't torn away by an animal like everyone thinks."

"I suppose you say it was the Woman?" I asked sarcastically.

"No, it wasn't the Woman," he told me, "It was done by a killer."

"See, explanation." I told him smartly.

"It gets weird."

"Of course," I sputtered, "What is it?"

"It was done by a girl who's body was inhabited by the Woman. A Cecilia Nightingale."

"Okay..." I trailed, "Elaborate."

"Cecilia, she was an evil girl, a wicked chick," He took my hand and then led me to the couch, "She was into witch craft, she did this spell to take shape into the vicious animal in the wood." Mikey pushed his glasses up, "Just so happened, the Woman was ready to warp her, but instead Cecilia was possessed by her. Cecilia, she is the Woman, she is the one killing people."

I frowned, "That sounds utterly ridiculous and the worst plot of a B-Horror movie."

"No, let me finish," Mikey told me eagerly, "My mother, she told me that you aren't safe anywhere. Cecilia can come after you."

"So, what? I have to watch my back?"

"I can keep you safe, I know how to stop her from coming after you."

It bothered me how much Mikey looked convincing and frightening.

"Please, man, don't do this--"

He cut me off, "Look, I won't bother you anymore, if that's what you want, but I will look after you."

"I appreciate it, Mikey, but I don't believe none of this."

"I know you don't, just be careful." He told me, his hand squeezed mine.

I looked down at our hands, and I felt this weird charge of electricity surge through me. It feels warm, nothing unpleasant. 

"Can I tell you something?" I asked Mikey softly, he hummed after, "I did have a nightmare about you."

He smiled, "You were trying to save me and I appreciate that."

"How did you know, though?" I asked.

"Spirits told my mom, she then told me. She said to be careful and that I had to promise to take care of you. I did, and I mean it. I won't let anything happen to you."

I swallowed thickly, "Uh... I'm very stupid when it comes to such things, but what kind of spirits?"

"Mostly spirits who were close to you." Mikey looked down, "I don't want to upset you anymore, Cassidy."

I rubbed my neck, "Okay. Thanks, y'know, for promising that."

"I'm not such a creep after all, am I?"

I smirked, "Just a little."

He shrugged, chuckling, "I get it." Mikey got up, our hands were detached and the warmth surge went away. "I'll see you tomorrow, Cassidy. I promise no more freaky stories, I'll just help you outline the draft of your paper."

I nodded, standing and showing Mikey out. He had given me one last look of encouragement for he began to jog down my porch. I waved as he left my yard; I felt a bit more relaxed and at ease.

That night, as I got into bed, I was afraid to go to sleep. I felt at ease still. I felt comfort and it was thanks to Mikey Way.


Two whole weeks went by, and nothing happened. No freaky nightmares, no scary stories, nothing. I was so freaking happy, I could burst at my seams. 

Davida kept making fun of me about Mikey. She assumed I liked him romantically, and it took forever for her to believe that I didn't. I guess it was because I did have an itty bitty crush on him, but nothing to get worked up about. He was sweet to me and he was smart. He was a great partner to have for those two weeks.

The end of the third week we had the project, a Friday, Mrs. Wellesley came up to us as we were finishing off our papers. "Hey, how's it going?"

"Fine." I replied.

"Good." Mikey said.

"How are the pictures coming along?" She asked us, her arms cross, "You two know the project is due next Wednesday, don't you?"

Mikey and I had been taking it easy. We were slacking off, I wasn't too worried about it, and I simply forgotten. Mikey had forgotten too, because he hadn't brought it up.

"Yeah, we're gonna do that tomorrow." He told her swiftly.

"Are you sure they'll developed in time, Michael?" Mrs. Wellesley looked ever unimpressed.

"Yea, ma'am." He smiled charmingly.

She nodded, "Make sure you two get them done." With that, she waltzed off to bother other students.

"Shit!" He hissed under his breath.

"Yeah, shit," I muttered, "I totally forgotten."

"And tomorrow is going to be jam packed because it's Halloween." He added, "We won't be able to get them developed in time if we wait."

"How about after school?" I asked.

"Cassidy, no." He said sternly, "Remember what I said?"

"Not at night." I mumbled, but I regained confidence, "It'll be quick, in and out shots."

"No way, Cassidy." He told me sternly.

"I'll just go myself." I told him stubbornly.

"Please don't do this to me." He mumbled.

"It'll be quick, I promise." I sweet talked now, "I'll be extra quiet and careful."

Mikey chewed at his lip, then lowered his voice, "We can't tell anyone."

"I won't." I grinned.

He signed, "We'll go. No more than 15 minutes, alright? Any longer, and we're gone, okay?"

I nodded, "For sure."