The Deranged: Pt 1 Chapter 10

1

Potter stared as Eli walked away. It had been one interesting morning. First he gets her thriving, then Monica doesn’t eve recognize him, and next Eli’s as stony as she was to him. Potter could barely believe that it had been a few days. She rubbed her neck and grazed her palm against the silver chain around her neck. It was a silver locket that opened to a simple water opal. But it meant the world to Potter. She wore it everyday. It was the only piece of jewelry she never let anyone touch, not even Lex. Then only time she’d eve taken it off was when she had to shower.2

Potter had always been amazed at her little good luck charm. It kept her happy even when she was sad. It was like amulet of talisman. Potter continued to stare after Eli as she fingered her necklace. There was something about him that stirred her, but she’d have to think on it later. She had to work now. She could think on Eli later. With a few breaths all outside qualms were wiped from her mind. Only fashion and cameras filled Potter’s mind. Except for when she took one last fleeting glance around. She noticed something strange. Out toward the park lay a group of dark figures. Potter squinted trying to get a better look. It can’t be! How long are those enthusiasts going to hang there? It unnerved he to see them once again. Ever since July, the cloaked mobs had been turning up in the oddest of places. But not they were always congregated in the park. Just stand in a circle, all day long. Potter leaned against the wall of Occident to watch them. She figured that eventually someone would turn around. And did.3

As the person face out, Potter was sure that they could see her. She looked about for someone else and began to fear that the person was staring at her. Of, course not doofus. Who ever they are could be staring at anything. But her fear was confirmed when the figure began to point. Potter swore and turned into the agency quickly She was sure she had just imagined it, but you could never know for sure. “Better safe than sorry.”4

“Potter!” The girl looked up to see Colin running straight for her. Her face began to flush. After kissing Eli and think of him, it felt weird to face Colin so immediately. The golden hair boy grinned widely but as he caught Potter’s expression it lessened. “Hey, Red, you ok?”5

Potter snapped out of her daze and smiled. “Absolutely. I’m just a little tired, You know big family.” Colin nodded knowingly. “Right. Well, you know that if you ever feel stressed. Well, you know you could come and stay with me. Connor’s always got that Linda bitch over. It would be nice to see someone normal.” Potter smirked. So Colin didn’t like little Lindy, that’s sweet. Potter nodded and lead Colin over to one of the make up station.6

Potter walked into the dark apartment and flicked on the lights. There in the middle of the living room sat Monica. Gripping onto a tequila bottle for support and a crumpled letter. Potter looked around and saw none of her siblings had come home yet. They might be spare the sight of their mother drunk. A sight and experience Potter alone had yet to ever handle. “Mom?” Potter shut the door behind her and picked up the remaining mail. Bills from the bank and utilities noted a successful payment in full. So they could keep the apartment for another year, good. A credit card offer, Potter immediately threw that one away. Insurance, that one flew into the trash as well. She and Monica’s jobs covered everyone. Several other boring stuff. Moss’s sport subscription, Daisy’s Teen Vogue, Chrysanthemum’s America Girl catalog, three free trials for AOL, Fire fox, and Netscape, Leaf’s Sci-Weekly, an envelope from her grandparents, a note about Moss’ recent infraction, a letter about Potter’s recent infraction, and a newsletter from the country. Potter reordered all of these and went to go change. First she’d get ready to lug her mother to bed. Then she’d figure out what went wrong. 7

Probably lost her job. Maybe this time instead of calling her in, they simply sent a letter. Potter closed her bed room door and began to strip off her work clothes, pondering on her current dilemma. “There was nothing from the agency though.” She thought out loud. “And she would hardly fret over something the school set plus they weren’t open.” Potter pulled up her sweats and pulled of her camisole. With nothing on her torso but her bra, Potter plummeted to the ground. “What is bothering that woman?” When her door creaked open. 8