Science Ch 19

Despite your exhaustion, your tender back makes it hard to sleep. You’re up early, and it would be a good time to get some work done, but making noise that’ll wake people up before 7 is rude. The kitchen is bright, but it’s still black outside. Moths flutter against the windows. You make breakfast, and that predictably brings Delta down first. She looks like shit.

Spatula in hand, you can’t keep the concern off your face. “You OK?”

“Yeah, I don’t know, I’m puffy,” she says, touching her face. She’s more than puffy; it looks as though someone hit her.

You raise an eyebrow. “Did you get in a fight?”

“With who, Flynn?”

Nadia arrives, acting shifty. She goes right to the coffee pot. Something’s off about the way that she moves.

“Morning,” Delta greets her.

“What happened to your face?”

“I don’t know.”

“You want some ice for it?”

“I guess.”

You concentrate on cooking, and your mother comes down next.

Nadia almost spills her coffee. “Whoa! Tracy?”

“Mom!”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Tracy says self-consciously, touching her neck where there are obvious red marks. Nadia and Delta go to her, and she sees Delta’s face. “Baby! What happened?”

“You gonna tell us what happened to you?”

You turn from the stove and watch, and the noise brings a curious, grumpy Rey downstairs. “Jesus Christ, people. What—oh my god!”

“Wait, so we’re all hurt?” Delta says. “Flynn’s not hurt. Rey, are you hurt?”

“I’m good,” Rey says, muscling in to get at the coffee.

“Flynn?”

“Huh?” You hurriedly turn off the stove.

“Are you hurt?” Delta asks, prodding your arm.

You can’t think of a reason to lie. “Yeah. My back’s all scratched up.”

“Oh my god.” Delta steps back, covering her mouth with both hands. Her face reddens as she looks around the room. The vibe has taken a nosedive as everyone starts putting it together. She looks at her mother and turns redder still. Then her eyes narrow. “Well, how come Aunt Nadia and Rey are OK?”

Rey just shakes her head and hides behind her coffee mug. “Don’t fucking look at me.”

Nadia’s being weird. Tracy notices it as well. “Nadia?”

“What?”

“What is it?” Rey asks.

“She’s lying,” Tracy says.

“How can I be lying? I haven’t said anything,” Nadia snaps.

“I’m your sister. Look, we all obviously…” Tracy trails off, sweeping everyone with her gaze. “Jesus Christ. We all must’ve had embarrassing dreams.”

“Well, if it’s Nightmare on Elm Street rules, that at least explains why we’re getting our butts kicked,” Rey says. “That was always the most unfair franchise.”

“I don’t think we should be joking about this,” Tracy says, looking alarmed. “We’re hurt. Actually hurt. This is like an escalation. It was bad enough before, but this is serious.”

She’s right.

“This lady with the big boobs,” Delta says, gesturing at her chest. “And the horns.” She uses her fingers to make horns on her head. “It’s her, isn’t it?”

No one has to say anything; it’s clear that everyone’s seen her. And, unless you’re misreading this, last night she choked your mother, slapped your sister, and… just had sex with you?

You point one finger at Rey and the other at Nadia. “But why not you two?”

“Nadia’s lying,” Tracy says confidently.

Delta glares. “Rey?”

Rey shrugs. “I didn’t dream about any lady. Guys, I’m telling the truth. I think I would like that dream. I would tell you.” Rey hesitates. “I, um…” She looks at you. “I was sleepwalking, apparently.”

“Wait, what? That’s not a real thing,” Delta protests.

Tracy’s mouth drops open. “Huh? It is.”

“Is not,” Delta argues.

“Hey, Nadia? What are you being cagey about?” Tracy presses, pointing at your aunt. “Actually… you know what? Nadia, why don’t you sit down?” She points to the stools at the island.

“I don’t feel like it.” Nadia has food on a plate, which she holds along with her fork. Her coffee sits on the counter.

“No way,” Rey says, grinning. “OK. OK, I see you, Aunt Nadia.”

“You don’t see anything,” Nadia replies, snatching up her coffee cup and looking away.

“So, we all had that kind of dream. But she hurt us. I don’t think she’s friendly,” Tracy says.

“She’s obviously not friendly, Mom,” Delta says. “And I’m not gay, so it was very uncool. I was into it in the dream, but I am not into it now.”

Your mother is pale. “I know what you mean.”

“Better her than Freddy though, right?” Rey says.

Delta shudders. “I guess. We’re really fucked. Is the FBI here yet?”

“I don’t think she’s coming. Chica texted me,” Rey says. “We’re on our own.”