Dissolve (7 page)

It wasn’t long before Noah comes back, holding a motel key. “We are on the second floor, room two-fifteen.”

“Great, thanks a lot. I will go up with you and Nessa will hit up the laundry mat. Do you need anything washed?”

“Yeah, practically everything needs washed, if possible.” He pulled out his wallet and handed Nessa a twenty. “Thanks so much Nessa. You girls are alright,” he said attempting a grin.

I gave Nessa a hug and she promised to be back as soon as possible. Then, I followed Noah up to the room on the second floor. We walked in silence and didn’t talk until the door was shut behind us.

The room was as musty and dank smelling as I expected it to be. The stale air filtered through my lungs and I rushed to open the window. We really needed to get some air fresheners or something.

“Thanks for all of this. I feel like death and can’t wait to sleep this headache away.”

“Hey no problem, we needed time to wash our laundry and get settled now that we made it to Florida anyways,” I replied.

Noah collapsed on the king sized bed before speaking again.

“So where are you girls from?”

The question was innocent enough, yet I hesitated. Knowing that he was now in this with us, I decided it wouldn’t hurt to tell him.

“We are from St. Charles, Missouri. How about you Noah, where are you from?”

“Well, that is a big coincidence. I am from O’Fallon, just outside of St. Charles in the suburbs.”

“Wow, what a small, small world. Well I am glad you will be traveling with us for a couple of days. Nessa and I can’t wait to soak up the sun on some of the best beaches in America,” I said.

“I am exhausted, do you mind if I take a nap? Then we can hit the beach, I promise,” Noah asked.

“Sure,” I replied knowing that may not be possible but trying to keep a positive front.

I bought a copy of People magazine at the gas station, so I settled into the desk chair and began to read it. It was a relaxing escape to think about other people’s lives for even a short while. I read about all the new celebrity couples and new baby bumps. Noah was asleep in no time flat and I was alone shortly with all my thoughts.

I checked on Noah every fifteen minutes for signs of any noticeable changes, but there were none. I paced back and forth waiting for Nessa to return, hoping she had some idea on how to handle the situation. It was no coincidence Noah was from our neck of the woods and had come down with some sort of sickness like us.

A million different situations streamed through my head like a film reel. What if we hadn’t picked Noah up? What if he hadn’t escaped the creepy man? How many more of us are there and were we going to find any more of them? There were so many what if’s and coincidences, it boggled my brain.

I was thrilled when Nessa knocked lightly and I swung the door open for her. I gave her a big smile then put my finger over my mouth, motioning for her to be quiet. Noah was still snoring and sound asleep, not even stirring at her presence.

She brought in both bags filled with clean laundry and I was finally relieved to wear something that didn’t have the two day old smell to it. “Was everything okay at the laundry mat?”

“Yeah, a few guys were thinking indecent thoughts about me but that was the extent of it. I managed to quietly get in and get out fairly easily. Except one thing,” she winced.

“Don’t keep me in suspense, what happened?” I urged.

“The creepy man was watching me as I entered the laundry mat. He was gone when I left though. He is definitely following us, but I don’t know what his end game is.”

“That is not good news. We have to deal with Noah soon. We are going to need him, I can just feel it.”

“I agree, but we have to wait until he starts to manifest his powers, whatever they may be. We can’t risk scaring him away,” Nessa said.

“Okay, changing the subject now. I got us both bikinis so we can hit the beach later. I even splurged for two Roxy towels and some cheap flip flops to match. I can’t wait to dip my toes in the ocean and soak up the late afternoon sun,” Nessa added.

Just then, Noah began to stir. He rubbed at his eyes and sat up, looking at us. “Hey Nessa, you’re back already. How long was I out?”

“About two hours,” I told him. “Do you feel any better?”

“The headache is subsiding; I think a few more aspirin will do the trick.”

“Great,” I said grabbing him some aspirin and getting a cup of water from the faucet.

When I sat down next to him that was when I noticed it. It was a subtle change, but a change never the less. His eyes were a brilliant violet rimmed hazel. The colors of his irises were beautiful and nearly inhuman. I winced knowing now was the time to begin the dreaded conversation.

“Noah, I need to show you something. Don’t freak out though.”

“Cora, you are scaring me a little. What is it?” he asked, cautious.

I guided him to the mirror and show him the swirling color of his irises. Shock and awe crossed his features before he turned to me with distrust.

“What the hell is going on? Why are my eyes such a weird color?”

“It is the creepy man. He does it somehow. That is why he kept you so hydrated. He must have done it that way.”

“Wait, you are saying that man did this to me? Have you two gone completely mad?”

“I wish,” Nessa said.

That was when another change happens. His brown hair turned a deep blonde and grew out just a bit. When he turned back in the mirror he nearly jumped in surprise. “Shit, this is bizarre. How did you know this would happen?” he asked suspicion thick in his voice.

I squeezed Nessa’s hand for courage before answering. “We know, because he did it to us too. Only we have different symptoms than you.”

This time Nessa spoke up. “Think about something over and over. I know it is a weird request but trust me.”

After a few minutes of silence, Nessa responded.

“Okay, crazy girls is better than Cora’s fluffy bunnies,” Nessa said meeting his eyes. “Please, try again.”

“Yes it is possible. I don’t know how but it just is. I can read anybody’s mind. The creepy man stabbed me at the science center back home and this is what happened to me.”

“That is disturbing. This can’t be happening to me,” Noah said.

“Turn around and look for yourself,” I suggested.

He gasped when he saw himself. His facial features had changed as well and he looked like a completely different person. “Wow, now I believe you. It is kind of cool I have to admit.”

Then he stopped and looked at me. “What about you Cora?”

I looked at Nessa and she nodded for me to show him. “Just watch and be quiet please.”

I let out a deep breath and sat cross legged in the middle of the floor. Closing my eyes, I pictured that same dandelion and floated away on the air. I felt my particles dissolve and I swirled in mist around the room. I didn’t take my time though and quickly formed back in front of his awestruck eyes. I wasted no time throwing my clothes back on and stood before him. My modesty was dimming less and less the more I practiced.

“I dissolve. It started after that creepy man bought me a few drinks at a bar last weekend,” I admitted.

“Holy shit, that was amazing. I wouldn’t even believe it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.”

“Yeah, it’s shocking at first. I think you might be a shape shifter of some kind. That is my best guess,” I told him.

“We didn’t have a clue about you until you told us about your ride with the creepy man and said you were sick. We both had killer headaches before our change,” Nessa added.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Noah asked.

“Would you have believed us if we did or would you have ditched us first chance you got?” I asked in return.

“Ok, fair point. What does this mean? Why is this happening to us?”

“We don’t know. We are just trying to stick together and learn to control these unusual powers,” I admitted.

“Then it looks like you might be stuck with me. I can’t go to my brother’s like this. I don’t want him involved. What now?” he replied.

“We need to work on controlling your new powers. You can’t be out in public and suddenly look like someone else. It would freak everyone out. Second off, we sleep in shifts. Cora seems to dream dissolve. We may be hitting the beach tomorrow.”

“That sounds fair. How do I control it though? It just happened.”

“What were you thinking about when it happened?” I prodded.

“I don’t remember. Does that matter?”

“It might. Let’s try to have you close your eyes and picture yourself and all the small details that make you, you.”

“I agree with Cora that sounds like a good idea. Give it a try.”

Noah shut his eyes and tried to concentrate. After several minutes he opened them and looked in the mirror. Nothing had changed though; his blond hair and swirling irises stared back at him.

He gave a frustrated sound before turning to us in disappointment. “What now? That didn’t work.”

“Try siting down, legs crossed. Then take a deep breath, kind of like meditation. Try to imagine it again,” Nessa offered.

With a sigh, he caved and sat on the floor cross legged with his arms resting on his knees. It took several minutes, but gradually I began to see the change. His hair shortened and turned back to brown. His features slowly changed back to the way they were before and when he opened his eyes, they were a muddy brown once again.

“See, I told you it would work,” I said.

Disbelieving, Noah popped up and looked at his features in the mirror. He brushed his hands over every inch, trying to figure it out. “Cool. It is good to be me again.”

“Now is the tough part. You have to learn how to change into people, mimic them,” Nessa told him.

“I kind of like being me,” Noah said.

“Yeah, you are preferable but what if we need to hide or run again? We may need you to use your powers at some point. This is important and very serious Noah,” I replied.

“Okay fine, I will practice. I guess I sort of agree with that logic. Who should I try to be?”

“Do you think you can mimic the creepy guy?” Nessa asked.

“Hmm, maybe close to him. I can give it a try.”

“Just do like you did to return to yourself and try the opposite. Let’s see if that works,” Nessa replied.

Again, it took several minutes but his hair turned black and messy and his skin turned a darker tone. When his eyes popped open I was able to see the deep and dark brown of his irises. I nodded to Noah in respect and he jumped up once again to look into the mirror.

“Ok, kind of cool,” he said in a deep ruddy voice.

“It’s a little trippy,” I admitted.

Nessa was all business though. “Okay, change back and we will talk some more. We need a plan. I am all about plans.”

Noah nodded and sat to complete the transformation back to his usual self. This time he had no trouble and soon he was back with us.

“All this change is making me hungry. I think it is time to eat something,” Noah said.

“I agree. Maybe we can just order a pizza tonight.”

Nessa nodded in agreement as well and went to call information for the number to the nearest pizza place. Thirty minutes later, we were all sitting on the bed passing the Coke around and eating slices of peperoni pizza. It was comfortable somehow and we even managed a laugh or two despite the dire situation.

Once we were finished though, Nessa grew dark and troubled. I could tell she was wrestling with all this and was having trouble swallowing the truth.

“Why did they pick us?” Nessa asked.

“I don’t know, sweetie. Maybe there is some master plan that we have yet to uncover. No matter what, we found Noah and we are all three in this together,” I assured her.

“Yeah, ok,” she said wiping tears from her eyes.

“I think tomorrow is a much called for beach day,” Noah suggested.

I shot him a smile and he nodded. Nessa perked up and I could tell that was what she wanted to hear.

“That sounds great. I will take the first shift though. You and Cora can sleep first and I will sleep second shift,” Nessa ordered.

“Yes mom,” I told her with a smile.

I tossed and turned, worried about dissolving again in my sleep. I didn’t want to freak Noah out any more than we already had. Plus, I didn’t want to draw any unnecessary attention to us. I shuddered inside just thinking about the creepy man out there somewhere, lurking. The clock read eleven at my last glance before I drifted off into a calm sleep.

Chapter 7:

I woke to the sound of chatting. I struggled to open my eyes and sluggishly pulled off the cheap polyester cover. When I did, I found Nessa and Noah sitting side by side. They were engrossed in heavy conversation and barely noticed when I approached them.

“Good Morning, I thought you would wake me,” I told Nessa.

“Oh I was going to, but Noah was kind enough to do second watch so you could get your beauty sleep. I just woke up not that long ago myself.”