TROUBLE [I]

Mike watched with interest as Evie devoured the apples in front of her. She had been hungry all along but didn't say anything and if he didn't buy her the fruits, she'd probably die in silence. At the thought of that his smile faded. Evie didn't trust him. According to the story she had told them, David and Eloisa were planning something very big and she probably felt he was involved.

"I believe you, Mike. I'm really sorry I doubted you before." Evie said suddenly, pulling Mike out of his trance.

"Huh?" Mike was confused. He was sure he didn't say anything out loud. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm sorry for doubting you. You believed me even when there was no reason to. When I told that absurd tale about David and Eloisa and drugs were found in my system and the cops disbelieved me. Even Isabel doubted but you didn't. You treat me so kindly. But all I ever did was suspect you, doubt you and avoid you. I'm sorry." Evie said solemnly as she stared into Mike's eyes.

"What changed?" Mike was happy that she trusted him but kept his facial expression still.

"I didn't wake up this morning." Evie continued, keeping her eyes glued to his. It seemed like she didn't want to look away for fear that he would disappear. "I woke up yesterday around 4pm while you were gone to the restroom."

"So you heard my conversation with Isabel?" Mike asked in disbelief.

"Yes. And I also heard your phone call to your dad and I understood how much you love your family." She paused briefly and inhaled deeply while blinking furiously to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill from her eyes. "And then I realised that you were a good person and a great friend. I'm sorry." She said as the tears she had been trying to hold back in stubbornly rolled down her cheeks.

"It's okay." Mike was unsure of what to say  seeing her like that. "You don't have to feel bad about it. I didn't even trust Isabel and you at first. But I learnt to and I don't regret it."

"So you trust me?" Evie said as she wiped her tears with her left hand.

"Of course, I do trust..."

"Thank you." Evie said and suddenly pulled him in an embrace. He was surprised at first but then he smiled and hugged her back. His heart began pounding in his chest and his hiccups started again. There were only two emotions that could have this effect on him - anger and fear - but he was sure he felt neither of the two for her. So it had to be a different emotion.

***************

Evie shifted uneasily on the bed as Isabel stared at her. She had just returned from the hospital and was hoping to take a rest when Isabel asked to speak with her in private. She didn't want this talk,  especially since she was labeled a drug addict by the cops.

"They succeeded in flushing the drugs out of your system. Are you going to tell me the truth on how you got those drugs or not?" Isabel spike breaking the silence and bringing Evie out of her thoughts.

"Aunt Isabel, I never lied. David and Eloisa are responsible for it. I'm not a drug addict, I promise." Evie was happy that she was drug free but also afraid that Isabel wouldn't believe her.

"It's okay. I believe you. Joanna has always had good judgement. She would never try to adopt you if you were debauched." Isabel said and looked at Evie reassuringly.

"Thanks for believing me, Aunt."

"And as for your stomach injuries, just take your medicine regularly and don't do any hard work. You'll be fine."

"Thank you."

"Oh! I forgot something. The psychologist said you have arachnophobia, are you aware of this?"

"Yes, I've had it since childhood. I just need to stay away from spiders and their webs."

"Okay. And one more thing, if you are scared of David and you want to quit, just tell me. I won't blame you."

"There's no need for that, Aunt. This is my choice." Evie faked a smile. She was scared and tired, but she would never give up.

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want you to get hurt because of me. Again."

Evie nodded and hugged Isabel. Joanna had been so kind to them, she couldn't abandon her. And besides, she still needed to put David behind bars. She caressed her locket with her left hand and thought of who she should give the video she took. The police were definitely working with David and it seemed like Isabel was giving up already.

***** ***** *****

Two children ran around the courtyard at top speed. The older child - a boy - was chasing the younger child - a girl - with a spider in his hands.

"Win stop! Win no!!" The girl screamed frantically as she ran but she was soon caught by the boy who pushed her to the ground and put the spider in her dress. Standing up, she felt the spider's movements in her dress, she screamed and started running about in the garden. The more the spider stayed in her dress, the more uneasy and irrational she became.

She cried as she tried unsuccessfully to shake it off. The boy stood there laughing at her until all of a sudden, he stopped laughing. He stared at her with fear in his eyes and trembling feet. He pointed at her face with quaky hands and when she tried to wipe her runny nose, she saw that her hand was stained with blood. Her nose was bleeding.

"Win! Win help!! Win!!!" She cried out as she suddenly felt herself falling into darkness.

***************

Evie let out a scream as she jolted up from bed, sitting up. Her forehead was covered in a thick coat of sweat as she breathed heavily.

The door flew open as Mike entered the room holding a glass of water. He turned on the lights as he scanned the room.

"I heard screaming. What happened?"

"He put it in my dress, Mike. He put the spider there." Evie said amid tears as she shook her head.

"It's okay. It was just a nightmare. You're fine now." Mike sat beside her as he watched her. He gave her his glass of water and she gulped it down immediately.

"How are you feeling now?" He said as he placed the glass on the nightstand.

"Better." Evie wiped her tears and forced a smile on her face. She still imagined the insect crawling around on her back but she didn't want to trouble Mike further. She looked up at the clock and when she saw that it was just a few minutes past 2am, she felt guilty. She remembered how cranky she had been when Isabel woke her up at such a time. "Did I wake you?"

"No, I went down for a glass of water." Mike arched a brow toward the glass before continuing. "Then I heard you scream. It was muffled so it couldn't have woken anyone up. "

"Really?" Evie asked, slightly relieved.

"Of course." Mike gave a small wink as he smiled softly. "I'd better leave now if I don't want to doze off in class tomorrow." He picked up the glass as he stood up from the bed.

"That's right. You have to go to school." Evie said, sounding downcast.

"You don't sound so happy about that." Mike smirked as he teased Evie. "Are you missing me already?"

"No way. I don't miss you." Evie defended then she softened up. "It's just that..."

"You're scared." Mike completed.

"Mm." Evie nodded slowly. "If I fall asleep, I might dream of spiders again and if I don't, I will continue seeing every item in this room as giant spiders."

"That's bad. I guess I'll have to stay then but you have to do something in return for me."

"What is it?"

"I don't know yet. When I think of something, I'll tell you." Mike said as he watched Evie crawl back into the comforter. "Should I turn off the lights?"

"No." Evie replied, her voice muffled.

"Okay. Since I'm staying up tonight, I should probably read something." Mike sat on her bed and picked up a textbook. He flipped it open and started reading silently. From time to time, he glanced at Evie.

"Mike!" Evie called out from beneath the comforter.

"Yup!"

"Your suspicions were right. Eva's really my cousin and Caleb and I are in no way related to Mommy Joanna." Evie muttered loud enough for him to hear.

"What?" Mike looked up from the book and at Evie but she didn't reply. After a few minutes, he heard her snoring slightly.