CHAPTER 8

The next morning, the stranger woke up. He was clearly disoriented. Mia was already dressed in the doorway.

"I hope you've rested and are feeling much better.

" "Where am I?" the stranger stammered.

"You're at my place, I mean, my friend and I.

" "What happened to me? I only remember the car." The woman sat down on the bed next to the man.

"You see, someone hit you. My friend and I were just passing by and saw you lying in the street. We decided to take you here. We should have taken you to the hospital, but it was too far away.

" "You did the right thing.

" "Yeah?" Mia looked at him in surprise; anyone would have been outraged. The stranger, seeing the surprise and incomprehension in the woman's eyes, quickly added,

"I'm not insured.

" "Oh. That's understandable." Mia smiled at the stranger with her beautiful smile. "Oh yes, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Mia Wonter." She offered him her hand, which he took and kissed.

"My name is Joe Face." Just as he was saying this, Martin entered the room.

"Oh, I see you're awake. That's great, I was worried sick with my friend. Besides, I guess you've already met her?

" "Yes, yes.

" "I'm Martin Willis.

" "The Martin Willis?

" "Oh, I see you know me.

" "Yes, I like your movies.

" "Call me Joe.

" "Okay."

"Mia," Mr. Willis looked at the girl, "will you make us all a delicious breakfast today, just like yesterday?" The woman stood up and walked over to Martin. "

I'd like some breakfast, wouldn't you? Okay, I'm just wondering how I'm supposed to handle two guys for a few days, or even longer." She looked at Martin, then at Joe. "It was hard enough to handle just one anyway."

"Oh! Was it that bad? Hmm?

Luckily, no." Mia smiled at Martin and then kissed him on the cheek. "You haven't said good morning to me yet.

Well, yes. Good morning.

Good morning. Now I'm going downstairs to make us all breakfast." She turned and disappeared behind the doorstep. "

Is that your girlfriend?

No. My friend.

Is she single?

I think so. What?

Well, if she is single...

Don't even try to touch her, or you'll have to deal with me." Martin glared sharply at Joe. "Just because you're under our roof doesn't mean you can do anything you want or that we trust you. Remember." He turned and headed downstairs to the kitchen. He was angry. How could anyone want to use being sick to get a girlfriend? He walked into the kitchen, Mia was just serving plates of scrambled eggs. "

Is something wrong? You're grumpy.

" No," Martin managed a forced smile. "

That's good. I'll take it upstairs to him." She started toward the bedroom when suddenly, Martin grabbed her hand. "I'll take it to him, but after breakfast. He won't die of hunger, after all."

Martin.

"Yes?

" "Why didn't you want him to go to the hospital?"

"I didn't want to get into trouble. You see, I've hit someone before, but miraculously, they didn't take my license away. I wanted to be careful now, especially since I was drunk, don't forget.

" "Yeah, I understand.

" "Now let's eat breakfast in peace, okay?

" "Okay."

After finishing breakfast, Martin went to take the breakfast to the boy. He didn't say a word to him, and the man didn't seem inclined to start a conversation either. He simply placed the plate and glass on the nightstand and left the room. He decided to take his motorcycle out of town; he needed to practice, after all. He didn't return until evening, and the house was quiet and dark. It was unnaturally quiet. Surely Mia never managed to stop talking? He had a bad feeling. He remembered Joe's intentions. He quickly ran upstairs. He entered his bedroom, where the man now lived. The door closed behind him, Joe standing behind him, holding Mia. He had a gun, and he pressed it against the girl's side.

"Who are you?" Martin looked at Joe.

"Who am I? My name is Joe Clear.

" "It's you. You're the serial killer!

" "Yes. You guessed it right, Martin," he smiled as he said it.

"What do you need her for?

" "You know perfectly well, I told you."

"Let her go. I'll give you anything you want.

" "I want her.

" "I won't give her to you.

" "I'm not asking for permission. I've already taken her." Martin took a step toward the killer, who pressed the gun harder against the woman. "Not another step, or I'll shoot."

"You won't.

" "I'm a serial killer. Have you forgotten?" Martin was helpless, walked to the window, and turned around. "Take her.

" "Oh, you're so generous." Mia looked at Martin and added in a whisper, "How could you?" Martin looked first at Mia, then at the ground. Joe took her to the convertible. Martin looked out the window at the departing car. He ran to the garage and got on his motorcycle. He followed the car. He was going faster than ever before. He wondered what to do. Finally, he decided, gained even more speed, and drove through the construction site, the car driving right next to him on the street. In front of Martin was a driveway for cement trucks. Martin accelerated and pulled into the driveway. He jumped into the air and twisted the steering wheel. He only prayed he wouldn't kill himself or Mia. He managed to land on the ground, just as the convertible was hurtling towards him. The motorcycle was stationary and motionless. It was now or never, Martin thought. He jumped off the motorcycle and jumped into the bushes. The car couldn't stop and hit the motorcycle. Martin got up and started running towards the car. He reached it, both passengers unconscious. He started to revive Mia.

"Mia! Mia! Wake up!" The girl barely opened her eyes. Her head hit the window, but luckily she was only bleeding a little.

"What did you do?

" "Luckily, you're the same as always." As he said this, he felt something on his back. He felt Joe press the gun against his back.

"Not so fast, Mr. Willis. I'm not finished yet.

" "Oh, really?" Martin, with difficulty but success, kicked the killer in the right place. He and Mia jumped out of the car and started running toward the house.

"I'm exhausted, and you're telling me to run anymore?"

"Maybe we can at least make it to town." They heard a shot, and Joe was aiming at them. It seemed like they were running forever until they heard the rescue signal. Police. A police car was right in front, heading their way. He and Mia started waving. The car stopped, and two officers got out.

"What's going on?

" "Behind us," Martin gasped. "Behind us, a serial killer." He fell to his knees, and so did Mia.

"Joe Clear?

" "Yes!

" "We're looking for him." Suddenly they saw Joe running. He saw them too and started running. "Wait here." "The ambulance will come and take you, and we'll deal with the killer."

Some time passed before the ambulance arrived. No one even had the strength to speak during that time. They were in the hospital for two days. Martin had already been in the hospital twice this summer. Then they returned home.

"We still have two more days until your big day.

" "Oh my god, I'm terrified.

" "Don't tell me," Mia smiled. "Really?"

"You're happy, aren't you?

" "Of course." The woman approached Martin, who was standing in front of her bedroom door. "I'm happy, Martin.

" "Yes?

" "Can I do something? Just once, just this once.

" "Okay." Mia embraced the man and kissed him. Martin didn't resist her at all. "Is that what it was?"

"Yes. You were right then in 'Butterfly.' I was jealous; I was always hitting on you.

" "I knew from the beginning.

" "Do you think if we'd met earlier, you know, before you met Ashley, we could have been together?" She looked deeply into Martin's eyes, and he looked at her. There was a moment of silence, then the man finally answered.

"No."

"Why?

" "Me and Ashley are one. She's the other half I've been looking for.

" "And you're mine.

" "No. There's only one other half that's the same. And for you, I'm just a crush. You'll meet the one someday. The one destined for you.

" "But...

" "I understand you. I was wondering if Ashley was the right choice myself, but that kiss confirmed it even more. Now, let's just go to sleep and forget about everything, okay?

" "Yes." Mia lowered her head and went to her bedroom. She closed the door, leaned against it, and tears started to flow freely from her eyes.