A Cat’s Tale

By Catmandu99

====Chapter One====

It was the meowing of the cat that first got my attention. It was

the girl standing under the tree looking up at the meowing cat that

received my second attention. And third. I probably would have

stood there gawking all day if the very real distress in her voice

hadn't diverted my attention.

"Loki, come down! You know you don't like heights."

A cat that didn't like heights? Now there was a new one on me. I

did have to agree though that the cat really was looking miserable up

in the tree. Despite the furry face, this cat's demeanor was `Get me

out of this. NOW!'. Now, I'm a dog person, but no way could I

ignore this pretty girl's plight. I always was a sucker for a damsel

in distress. Even one with a hissing black cat.

I went to stand next to her. "Hi. I'm Adam. Adam Williams. Need a

hand?"

That was when I was introduced to the most gorgeous pair of slate

gray eyes I'd ever seen. These were the kind of eyes that poets

wrote about. As a newspaper man (feature writer in the school paper

thank you), I was used to cataloging things. No way would I be able

to catalog her eyes. They seemed to shift colors with every thought

or passing breeze. Always gray, but first with hints of blue and

then green peeking out of their depths.

I must have been standing there with a very stupid look on my face

for longer than I realized. Next thing I was aware of was the amused

look on this girl's face. I know my face colored a bit - a curse of

my Irish heritage and fair skin - so there was no way I was getting

out of this gracefully. Thankfully she took pity on me.

"Miranda Evans," she offered. "That rascal in the tree is Loki. He

doesn't like heights, but every once in a while he tries to climb

something and then gets stuck. The problem is that I can't climb up

after him." The last was said with a nod toward her left arm, which

I finally noticed was sporting a cast.

I just winced and nodded. Having broken my own arm a couple of years

back, I could sympathize. There wasn't much you could do with an arm

in a cast.

"Never fear, fair damsel," I cracked, "I'm happy to help. I was the

champion tree climber in Mrs. Fisk's 3rd grade class. Well, until

Emily Morrison moved to town."

I winked at Miranda. "She knocked me out of the neighborhood tree

house and took both my pride and my title all at the same time."

Miranda finally smiled at that. "I don't think Loki will knock you

out of the tree, but if you can get him down from there, you will

certainly be my champion."

"Now what guy can resist an offer like that?" Certainly not me.

It was over in a matter of minutes. Thankfully the tree Loki had

decided to climb was a fairly small one and I had no problem hooking

my arms over a limb and swinging aboard. Loki hadn't retreated very

far up the tree yet, but was watching my moves with an almost comical

look of surprise. Guess he didn't expect a nerd would know how to

climb a tree.

Look, I cultivate the studious newspaper geek bit carefully. But it

wasn't the sum total of my existence. When I was 5 my Mom decided to

enroll me in gymnastics. I loved it. 3 days a week I was allowed to

go run, tumble and bounce around to my hearts content. (I was 5, you

know.) My Mom received the benefit of a son who burned off all his

excess energy in gymnastics class and NOT in her house. By the time

I was old enough to realize that gymnastics was not considered a

manly sport, I was hooked. I was also really good.

Not many people in town knew this about me. I'd outgrown the local

coaches' skills years before and had been taking my coaching in a

town over an hour away. Even people who'd grown up with me were

oblivious.

It did make getting an acrophobic cat out of a tree a snap though.

I handed the still silent cat off to Miranda before jumping to the

ground. Both cat and girl eyed me curiously while I dusted bits of

bark off my palms and jeans. The cat was the first to break the

silence with a chirruping meow. Miranda responded as if answering a

question.

"That's what I want to know. How did you manage to do that

so...so...gracefully?"

I laughed at that. "You should see me on the dance floor." I

executed a couple steps.

Thankfully Miranda laughed at that and let it go. We chatted for a

few minutes more and I discovered that her and her family (1 mom, 1

dad, and 1 brother) had just moved to Fairview. In fact, she had

been unpacking when Loki snuck out the back door to test his tree

climbing skills.

"Actually, I had best get back." Miranda looked at the cat now

peacefully dozing in her arms before glancing back up.

I was wondering how to work the conversation around to seeing her

again when she beat me to the punch.

"Um, since I'm new in town, I was wondering if you would mind showing

me the town." Miranda just stood there looking at me while my brain

emptied.

`YES!" I stood there a second, sheepish. "Uh...was that too

enthusiastic, do you think?"

Miranda just laughed and leaned over the cat in her arms to give me a

peck on the cheek. "Thanks. Why don't you come by tomorrow

afternoon? We should have most of the unpacking done by then. At

the very least, I'll be grateful for a break. I live in the old

white Victorian on the end of the street." She gave a nod with her

head to indicate which end of the street.

She needn't have bothered. EVERYONE knew that house.

"Aaah. You're the ones who bought the old Stone Sister house.

Everyone was wondering."

The Stone Sister house was a landmark in our town. Velma and

Veronica Stone were spinster sisters who lived together their entire

lives. They were really sweet old ladies, but a little eccentric.

Rumor had it that they were witches. Whenever they were confronted

with that particular piece of gossip, they would just laugh and say

that they hadn't gotten to the section in their spell book on

transforming boys into toads just yet.

"Yes, Mom and Dad bought it from a pair of sisters. Did you know

them?"

"Faintly. No one really knew them well. If you know what I mean.

But they seemed like personable ladies. The Historic Society was

heartbroken when the Velma and Veronica decided to sell and take a

cruise around the world." I winked at Miranda. "Apparently the

sisters were the driving force of their annual fundraiser."

That got a chuckle from Miranda and Loki even opened one eye to stare.

"I have to go before Mom puts the family curse on me for deserting

her. I'll see you around 2 tomorrow, okay?" Miranda started to walk

away before quickly turning around and heading back toward me.

She leaned in close and gave me another whisper soft kiss on my

cheek. "Thank you for rescuing Loki." Then she was gone.

===Chapter Two===

The rest of the summer passed more quickly than I would have thought

possible. I had gymnastics meets at least every couple of weeks and

my training was stepped up to 4 days a week. I also had Miranda.

Miranda was a bundle of curiosity and humor. She had a twisted sense

of humor that could leave me breathless. After she started meeting

some of the people in town (courtesy of our frequent strolls

together), she would start making observations about them. I think I

learned more about the town I'd grown up in from her observations

than I had during the 16 years I'd lived there.

We got along famously and I had to admit that I liked her more than

just as a friend. I have no idea how Miranda felt. She was fun.

She was bubbly. She was an all around great friend. But, other than

those kisses on the cheek after I rescued Loki, there was no sign

that she wanted more.

I'll admit that I was afraid. I'd never had a girlfriend before.

Courtesy of a gymnastic assistant and former gymnast a couple of

years ago, I wasn't a virgin. But I wasn't Don Juan either. Kathy

was 16 to my 14 and, for some reason, picked me to help her lose her

virginity. We shared mutual time together whenever we could for the

next year. It was sweet, but it was never more than just physical

release for either of us. I hadn't bothered repeating the experience

since then.

I think I was also afraid that once school started, Miranda would

find someone else. Someone who didn't disappear several days a week.

With her body and personality, the guys would be crawling all over

her. She could have the pick of the litter. And while my gymnastics

had given me a more than adequate musculature, I was still a bit of

the geek. No way would she want to stick around.

It was with that thought in mind that I started school in August.

Starting school also meant the return to the newsroom. Well, in

actuality it was the French classroom, but it doubled as our news and

journalism class. Outside of gymnastics, I had a real passion for

writing.

I wasn't stupid. Most gymnasts are in their teens for a reason.

It's not a matter of if you're going to get injured; it's a matter of

how many times and what type of injury. A young body tends to heal

faster. But the human body can only take so much abuse before it

gives up. I was lucky that I was a male gymnast. Our best years

were usually between 15 and 19 since it takes time and a minimal

maturity to build the strength necessary to perform. Women gymnasts

were considered over-the-hill by the age of 15.

No way was I going to let myself become a broken 19 year old with no

prospects for a future. Writing was my passion and, hopefully,

future vocation. It was also my refuge whenever I was depressed.

To my surprise, I never needed it.

The guys did flock to Miranda - just as I knew they would. But

Miranda didn't seem to show any preference and instead continued to

hang around me. We didn't have any classes together, but we ate

lunch together. She even took to hanging out in the newsroom with me

when I had to stay late. I just figured she hadn't found anyone that

tickled her fancy. Boy was I clueless.

===Chapter Three===

"I want you to take me to the football game on Friday."

I looked up from the article I was working on to stare at Miranda.

She had perched herself on the end of a desk and was sitting with her

chin in her hands just looking at me. My eyes swung around the room

to see if anyone else had been the object of that request. The room

was empty. Sort of like my head.

"Huh?" was my witty rejoinder.

"I want you to take me to the football game on Friday. It's the

first home game of the season."

Nope. I saw her lips move that time, so I knew I wasn't imagining

things. I had no idea why Miranda would want me of all people to

take her to a football game, but I wasn't one to question a gift from

the gods.

I attempted to collect my cool before answering. Nothing turns off a

girl like drooling, I've heard. "Are you sure you want to go with

me?"

Damn. I blew it. I had the chance and I blew it. Stupid, stupid,

stupid.

Miranda took a deep breath. "Adam, I have been waiting 3 months now

for you to ask me out. I finally realized that I could still be

waiting when I was an old maid if I didn't take the initiative."

My jaw hit the desk when I heard that.

"So I want to know if you'd like to take me out...on a

date...Friday. I figured the football game was as good a place to go

as anywhere else." Miranda stopped and just looked at me expectantly.

I was floored. "Miranda, I never knew you wanted me to ask you out.

I thought you just wanted us to be friends."

At that, she got off the desk and stalked over to me. I don't care

what the medical doctors say; an angry 5'4" woman can grow a foot

when she is looming over you.

"Adam Williams! I have done everything but tear off my clothes in

front of you trying to give you hints. Now do you want to go out

with me or not?" The last was practically a wail, but I finally got

the hint.

I smiled at Miranda slowly. "I'd love to take you out to the

football game on Friday."

A meek "Oh, okay" was the only response Miranda gave before turning

around and heading for the door.

She had almost made it to the door when I stopped her with a truth of

my own.

"I've wanted you for 3 months too."

When I saw her turn with the start of a smile on her lips, I couldn't

resist adding, "But if you want to tear off your clothes, please feel

free."

I heard her giggling down the hall.

===Chapter Four===

I picked Miranda up at 6pm for the football game. When she answered

the door, I admit that my brain froze. I was in awe that this

creature would want ME. She was dressed casually since we were going

to a high school football game. The way she filled out her shorts

created anything but a casual interest in me. The woman had LEGS!

I was never much of a football fan, but I must admit that I had a

great time. Part of it was because Miranda obviously WAS a fan. She

was screaming her head off after every play. After one particularly

loud outburst, the guy in the bleacher row behind us patted her on

the back and told her that it would be okay. Miranda just smiled at

me sheepishly and sat back down. It was the most normal thing in the

world for me to put my arm around her and hug her to me.

There was no way that I was able to keep my arm around her the entire

game. Not with her jumping up and down like a jack-in-the-box. But

after that, Miranda would grab and hold tight to my hand every time

she managed to sit back down. I loved it.

Dinner was nothing fancy, just some hot dogs grabbed from the

concession stand at the game. Miranda didn't seem to mind though.

We ate our dogs during half time and talked about minor

inconsequential things.

By the time I got Miranda home, I was half in love. For her part,

Miranda was slightly windblown and the tip of her nose was red from

sitting out in the sun. She was also beaming from ear to ear.

That's when I kissed her.

It was the tentative kiss of a new relationship. There was no tongue

involved, just warm breath and moist lips. I felt it in my belly.

But I kept my touch confined to only our lips and pulled back way

before I was ready.

The look in her eyes stayed with me the rest of the night.

Being with Miranda was more fun than I ever thought possible. We

went to a few more football games since it was obvious (to me and the

people in the bleachers) that Miranda loved football. I also finally

told her about my gymnastics.

If you think it's odd that I hadn't told her before now, you just

don't understand the prejudice some people can have. Most people had

at least one of two stereotypes of gymnasts. They figure we are all

gay or on steroids. Most people believe both.

I don't do drugs. Period. No way was I going to take a chance on my

health or my eligibility. And despite the fact that I can probably

bench press most of our school's football team, I'm considered a

pansy because I'm a gymnast.

I tried to explain all of this to Miranda. I give her credit. Her

only question was if she could come watch a practice. I never

practiced better than when she was sitting at the side of the mats

watching me.

No doubt about it. I was in love.

===Chapter Five===

The only time I was uneasy was around Miranda's brother, Mitchell.

Her twin brother. He was never overtly rude, but I could sense his

disapproval every time we met. Once I even walked in while Mitchell

was arguing with Miranda. I heard him yell, "He's not your kind"

before Miranda shushed him.

Quite honestly, I was confused by it. I wasn't the greatest catch in

the world, but I also wasn't anything Miranda should be ashamed of.

Miranda explained it away as Mitchell's protectiveness. Just what he

was protecting her against, I was afraid to ask.

With the exception of Mitchell's obvious dislike, everyone else

accepted Miranda and I as a couple with few questions. I had very

few friends since I had such a busy extracurricular schedule, but

they were all the staunch loyal type. My friend Alex joked that had

he known babes like Miranda went for geeks, he would have invested in

pocket protectors years ago. I really laughed when Miranda informed

him that it wasn't my pocket that needed protection.

That earned her a long kiss. As punishment or a promise, I'm still

not sure.

Miranda's kisses were out of this world. Every time I kissed her it

was like someone had set fire to my nerve endings. My lips would

start to tingle and my blood changed to fire. There was nothing

tentative about our kisses now. I wanted her so badly I hurt with

it. But I also loved her which meant that I would do anything to

make sure she was never hurt. So I reined in my libido and gave it a

good talking to. It didn't work, but I sure felt virtuous for a

while.

For a while.

The end of October found us with a rare Saturday to ourselves. No

gymnastics, no parents, no nothing but time for us. I think it was

Miranda's idea to stay at home. We played a couple of games of chess

before Miranda got tired of being beat and suggested dancing.

Have I mentioned that I love to dance? Particularly with Miranda.

Most girls grab you in a chokehold and have to be dragged around the

dance floor. Not Miranda. She snuggled close during the slow songs,

but kept her weight on her own feet and followed my signals as if she

were reading my mind. Dancing with Miranda was better than sex with

most other girls.

I used my hand at her back to press her closer while we swayed to the

beat. I'm not sure what made it pop out of my mouth at that

particular moment, but I never regretted saying it.

"I love you, Miranda."

I was shocked when I heard a soft sob, quickly controlled. Pulling

back, I tipped up her face. Her eyes were filled with tears and I

started to panic. Maybe it was too much too soon. We had only been

dating a little over a month after all.

"Honey, I'm sorry. What's wrong? Whatever it is, I'm sorry. Are

you okay?" I knew I was babbling.

Miranda gave one more watery sniff. "I'm fine. I love you too,

Adam."

Finally I started to relax. Until she drew back and punched me in

the shoulder. I knew it had to hurt her more than it did me, but I

smiled at the incongruity of being beat up while someone told me they

loved me.

"Why'd you go and hit me? I thought you loved me."

Miranda didn't answer all at once. She looked toward the

door. "Loki, would you give us some privacy, please?" Finally she

looked back at me.

"You always hurt the ones you love, Adam. Besides, it was about time

you told me!" Miranda was getting her composure and spunk back. God

did I love this woman. She could still floor me though.

"NOW will you finally make love to me?"

What'd I tell you? I was completely speechless. Good thing words

were not what Miranda was looking for.

Her eyes were telling me everything I needed to know about how much

she wanted this, so I wasted no time in bending down to kiss her.

Miranda's lips were always so sweet. As soon as my lips touched hers

I felt that powerful tingle that always accompanied our kisses. I

would know Miranda blindfolded based on that kiss.

Her lips plucked at mine as I slowly rubbed my lips over hers. I

wasn't actually kissing her, just letting her feel our mingled heat

and the friction of skin rubbing against skin. She must have enjoyed

it because her hands started a restless sweep against my back. I was

not going to be rushed, however. I was going to wring every drop of

pleasure out of this, for myself and for Miranda, as I could.

While my lips started a slow nibble, I let my hand push up under

Miranda's blouse. Her skin was warm and firm and felt better than I

had imagined. I just let my hand make slow circles across her back

while I continued to savor the press of her mouth.

Eventually, that wasn't enough any more. When Miranda sighed into my

mouth, I took advantage. I began to lick the inside of her lips,

gradually deepening my penetration. Miranda was making little

mewling noises in the back of her throat that spurred me on. My

tongue was now tangling around hers and both of us were starting to

pant.

I wasn't truly conscious of what I was doing at this point. I was

following my instincts and playing out several of my recent

fantasies. That's how my hands found her breasts. I let the backs

of my hands brush over her nipples before cupping the underside of

her tits and just squeezing gently. I could feel the shockwave that

rolled through Miranda when I started to tug on her nipples. I

couldn't let that go without an acknowledgement.

I stepped back slightly from Miranda, but before she could say

anything, I had her shirt up and over her head. Half a second later,

my shirt followed. My hands immediately found their way back to

Miranda's tits while my lips found her erect nipples. I continued to

rub the underside and sides of her breasts while I let my teeth tug

her nipples. When she gasped, I let go and gave a quick bat to each

nipple with my tongue before pulling as much as I could into my mouth

and suckling. By her arched back and moans, Miranda approved.

Miranda's obvious enjoyment was setting me on fire. I wanted her so

badly I was about to cum in my pants. I almost cried when Miranda

pulled my head away. She was on a mission though. That much was

obvious with how quickly she managed to discard her pants and

panties. Then her fingers found the zipper to my jeans.

I had to stop her. No way would I last if she touched me.

"Not yet," was all I managed to choke out.

I don't know if she understood, but Miranda looked into my face and

nodded slightly. I pulled her into my arms and both of us gasped at

the feel of her nipples against my chest. Experimentally, I started

a slow slide across her chest while lowering her to the floor.

I knew I wouldn't last long, so I wanted to make sure that Miranda

got off first. With that thought in mind, I resumed my attention of

her breasts. My hand, however, had made its way to her cunt lips. I

ran my fingers up and down gently just trying to find out how ready

Miranda was. Boy was she ready. I was surprised how much moisture

had already gathered. But I wanted more.

I started by running my fingers up and down the outside of her cunt

with an occasional swipe over her clit. Every time I hit her clit,

Miranda squealed. Eventually my finger was poised directly over her

clit and I was rubbing in tiny circles while continuing to suck

strongly on her tits. It didn't take long.

Miranda came with a loud shout and fingers clenched in my hair. That

was my cue. I shucked my jeans as fast as I could only taking the

time to grab a condom out of my wallet and slide it on.

I pushed into her as slowly as I could. She was as tight as I could

wish and I knew I wouldn't last long in her heat. When I finally

bottomed out, I lowered myself onto Miranda and held still. I

plucked gently at her lips until she moaned. Pulling my head back a

fraction of an inch, I whispered against her mouth, "I love you,

Miranda.".

That was when I started thrusting. Long hard strokes that I couldn't

have controlled if I wanted to. It only took 4 strokes before I felt

the cum starting to boil in my nuts. Quickly I reached down and took

Miranda's clit between my fingers. I squeezed gently just once and

she went off with another shout. The feel of her cunt walls

massaging my cock was too much. Way, way too much and I too gave a

shout as I felt myself begin to cum.

===Chapter Six===

I had never felt better in my life. And I didn't just mean the sex.

In actuality, it felt really good to just have her in my arms (naked

didn't hurt). I loved her and that made what we just shared more

than just physical. I was content all the way to my soul.

"I love you, Adam."

"I love you too, Miranda. I don't do that with just anyone, you

know." I couldn't help it. I felt lighthearted.

Instead of laughing, Miranda just continued to run her hands over my

chest. Feeling concerned, I tipped her face up to examine her eyes.

"Honey, are you okay with what happened? Did I hurt you?"

"Not at all," came the quick response.

There was still something in her eyes though that bothered me. I

didn't think I had hurt her, but I couldn't help but feel that

something was going on in that brain that wasn't good.

"Miranda..."

"Adam," she cut me off. "I have something I have to tell you. A

sort of secret. But I can't do it right now. Right now I just want

to enjoy THIS."

She looked up at me with a silent plea in her eyes. "Adam, it's

nothing bad or illegal, but it IS very hard for me to say. Because I

love you it's only right that I share every part of me with you."

I couldn't begin to think what would cause such a declaration. I did

not think that she was cheating on me. Miranda wasn't the type.

What it could be, I had no idea. All I could do was offer my support.

"Okay, Miranda. Tell me when you're ready. But I want you to

remember that I love you. Which means I love all the parts of you.

Nothing you can say will change that."

It was whispered against my chest, but I heard the tiny voice

say, "We'll see."

She WOULD see. I would make sure of it. I made that vow while

cuddling Miranda closer to my side.

===Chapter Seven===

We must have dozed there on the rug in Miranda's living room because

we only woke up 20 minutes before her parents were due to arrive back

home. I was glad to see whatever melancholy had gripped Miranda

before appeared to be gone. She still seemed a bit preoccupied, but

managed to laugh when I joked about finding a bed next time.

Miranda just stuck her tongue out at me. "I'm the one with rug burns

on my ass, handsome. Next time we either get a bed or YOU get to be

on bottom."

We were back on the couch (fully clothed, darn it!) in an intense

debate over Halloween costumes by the time her parents got home. I

was for them while Miranda thought they were tacky. Halloween was

the next night and we had been invited to my friend Alex's house for

his annual Halloween party. Costumes were optional, but most people

caught the spirit and dressed up. I was just trying to convince her

to go as Little Orphan Annie so that I could dress up as Daddy

Warbucks when her parents walked in.

I wasn't thinking about costumes though as I drove home. I was still

mulling over Miranda's earlier words. My mind was trying to figure

out what sort of secret a 16 year old could have that could be so

terrible. I fell asleep trying to puzzle it out.

The next morning dawned clear and cold. Perfect Halloween weather.

I dressed in old sweats as I got ready for my morning jog. 1 mile

before school kept me in shape and woke my brain up. I didn't drink

coffee so I needed something to clear the cobwebs before hitting the

hallowed halls of school. Thank God it was Friday.

My normal route took me right past Miranda's house. Well, it didn't

used to, but once we started dating, I changed my route slightly.

Miranda knew when I ran and generally gave me a wave from the front

porch as I jogged past her house.

I'll admit to being distracted while I ran. My mind was still

wrestling with Miranda and her cryptic comments, with major

interruptions of how it felt being inside of her while I ran. I

really wanted to repeat the experience again. Soon.

My distraction is probably why I never heard the car. I did hear the

scream a split second before I felt the impact against my back. Then

I was flying through the air and at the ground. I never felt my body

hit the ground.

For that matter, I didn't really feel anything at all.

I must have passed out for a brief time. The next thing I knew,

Miranda was bending over me crying. She kept touching my face with

her fingertips and sobbing. I couldn't make out the words other than

my name over and over. I tried to smile at her, but before I could

try the world turned gray again.

I could have only been out a few seconds when I surfaced again.

Mitchell was running up to Miranda. When he saw me, he went white.

Guess that told me what kind of condition I was in.

I'm still not sure if I really saw what I saw next or if it was some

sort of delusion.

Mitchell didn't waste any time on checking my injuries. He turned to

Miranda and slapped her. Hard. Even in my semi-numb state, I was

outraged. Miranda was shocked out of her tears.

Mitchell grabbed her shoulders and started talking. Fast. "Miranda,

snap out of it. If you don't do something, he's going to die. You

have to concentrate. If you can't be calm at least be calmer. You

have to do it. NOW."

Miranda just nodded her head while trying to take a deep breath.

Mitchell continued talking. "Mir, I'll help you as much as I can,

but you know I'm not as good at this."

By this point, Miranda was much more in control of herself. Tears

still coursed silently down her face, but she was no longer on the

edge.

Kneeling down next to me, Miranda held her hand out to her brother

and kept her eyes on my face. "Just let me borrow the essence."

My world was still sliding in and out of focus when the chanting

started in my brain. It was primal and earthy and demanded a

response. It spoke in the voice of Miranda.

The chanting never ceased, but it was overshadowed when all of my

nerve endings came to life. Pain such as I had never felt before

blazed across my body. I would have screamed, but the pain and the

chanting stole my voice. The pain lasted for several lifetimes

before a golden warmth - such as with the sun coming out on a cloudy

day - started to wash over me. My muscles went limp. And still the

chanting went on.

I came to just as Miranda slumped across me.

I started to sit up in panic, but stopped when my muscles screamed in

protest. Having strained myself in gymnastics practice several

times, I knew that slow and steady were the key words. Of course,

Mitchell's hands on my shoulders also had something to do with why I

stayed on the ground.

Seeing the panic in my eyes, Mitchell acquiesced enough to tell

me, "She's okay. Just exhausted."

I would have followed up with a question, but again, Mitchell beat me

to it.

"I'll explain everything, but we need to get both of you inside.

We're starting to attract attention."

I looked around and could see a few curious glances our way. I did

agree that I we needed to get inside. Besides, I was worried about

Miranda.

Mitchell helped me to my feet before scooping Miranda up gently.

Even though he was her brother, I still felt a quick twinge of

jealousy that he was the one carrying her.

===Chapter Eight===

I held the door while Mitchell carried Miranda inside their house.

He was met by the anxious questions of both parents. I could barely

stand up so I just continued to hold the doorframe while Mitchell

deflected his parent's concern.

I would probably still be there if Mr. Evans hadn't helped me into a

chair in the living room. As it was, I only briefly heard Mitchell

give an account of what happened. My mind stalled at the

words "fatal hit and run" and I looked up.

"What?" I croaked. Swallowing, I tried again. "What did you say?"

Mitchell just sighed deeply and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Before I could demand an explanation, he looked into my eyes. What I

saw kept me silent.

"Adam, you were hit by a car. A hit and run actually as the driver

didn't bother to stick around and see how you were. It was a fatal

accident. In fact, if it hadn't been for Miranda, you WOULD have

died."

Mitchell glanced back at Miranda now spread out on the sofa. My eyes

too traced her features before I was once again caught by Mitchell's

words. Mr. and Mrs. Evans just sat silently with a sad look in their

eyes.

"I saw your injuries. You were lying more twisted than a carnival

pretzel. You also had blood running out of your nose and mouth." I

dabbed at my mouth coming away with a handful of blood. He continued

a little more gently, "You would not have survived."

"But...how?" It was all I could say.

It was Mrs. Evans who answered this time. "Because Miranda is a

witch. Specifically she is a healing witch. She can't heal herself,

but when she concentrates, she can help those who have been hurt."

Oddly enough, I looked to Mitchell for confirmation that this wasn't

just a crazy dream.

He nodded. "It's true. We all have the power, but it comes in

different forms for every witch. Miranda heals. I have the sight.

Although not always perfectly." He glanced again at Miranda and fell

silent.

My mind was spinning. This was a lot to try to digest all at

once. "I'm not sure I can believe all of this."

"You have no choice!" The bite was back in Mitchell's voice. "You

can try to deny the facts, but there they are. Pandora's box has

been opened and you can't wish away the results."

I decided to ask something else. "What about Miranda? What's wrong

with her?"

Again, it was Mrs. Evans who answered my question. "She's

recuperating. In order to heal you, she had to pass a lot of her own

energy to you. Sleep is the best way to recover what has been lost."

I started to stand and cross to Miranda when Mitchell's next words

stopped me cold.

"Adam. I think you should go home now."

"No." No way was I being shoved out the door after a revelation like

that.

"Adam." I turned at the tone in his voice. "You should go home.

Miranda needs sleep to recover. YOU need sleep to recover. You also

need to figure out how you feel about all of this. And after THAT,

you need to figure out how you feel about Miranda. Being a witch is

not just what she does, but who she is. You have to decide if you

can deal with that part of her. Go home."

My shoulders slumped and I acknowledged that he was right.

Mr. Evans drove me home (I was in no mood to walk). My parents had

already left for work, so I just went straight to bed for several

hours of sleep. Oddly enough, the last thing I thought of before

falling into a dreamless sleep was the look in Miranda's eyes when we

made love.

I woke again several hours later feeling almost human and hungry

enough to eat a bear. After a quick sandwich eaten while standing at

the sink, I went over everything that had happened. Everything I had

heard. I still didn't know what to think of it all. Witches. In

this day and age.

Witches were something you read about in fairy tales. Not your

girlfriend. The problem was I had the proof that Mitchell was

telling the truth. I liked to think that I was a fairly rational

animal. I didn't want to be the yokel who claimed there were no such

things as bears when confronted with a grizzly.

So there were real live, honest to goodness, spell casting witches in

the world. Okay. So what? What does it really matter? This

wasn't a fairy tale and I didn't have to worry that my girlfriend was

going to lure me into her oversized oven.

That's when my mind finally started clicking. I was right. This

wasn't a fairy tale. This was life. My girlfriend, who just

happened to be a witch, had just saved my life. More importantly,

she WAS my life. I was more alive and more glad to be alive when I

was around her. THAT was what mattered.

My resolved firmed; I walked out the door and headed to Miranda's.

===Chapter Nine===

I didn't bother knocking on the door. I just opened it and walked

right in. Mitchell happened to be standing there when I barged in.

I looked him straight in the eye.

"I don't really care if your sister is a witch. I love her. I will

probably always love her. THAT is what's important."

I never waited for his response, but instead just pushed past him to

see Miranda sitting up on the sofa, her eyes trained on the hallway

where I was standing. She looked a little shell-shocked.

I walked over and kneeled down at her side. Reaching up, I pushed

her hair behind one ear and looked deep into her eyes.

"I love you, Miranda." It was all I could say. It was everything I

had to offer.

With a loud sniffle, Miranda launched herself into my arms, tumbling

us backwards. In between tiny kisses pressed to my face I heard her

say, "I love you too, Adam."

Sometimes that's the best magic of all. Happy Halloween to me.