Chapter Thirteen of the Story

Elliot wiped the steam off of the mirror with her hand. She grinned at her reflection. It was good to see herself looking as she usually did. Still smiling, she put the punk clothes back on. She chuckled at the baggy black pants with the countless pockets and bright green and black t-shirt. They might be outlandish, but at least they were comfortable. She brushed out her brown hair with the dollar-store brush Lisa Clearwater had given her. Hanging up the towel, poked her head out the door. Lisa stood waiting for her outside the small bathroom.
“My, you look so much better without all the weird make-up.”
Elliot chuckled. “Thanks, Lisa. I’m glad you approve.”
“You’re actually kinda pretty.”
Elliot’s lip twitched. “Thanks. I suppose that’s a complement coming from you.”
“What?”
“Nevermind, Lisa.”
“Here.” The woman offered her a plate with a sandwich and a glass of coke. “This is your dinner.”
“Thanks.”
Lisa turned and handed Zann a glass as well. He nodded, but didn’t say anything. Ice blue eyes regarded cold green eyes for several minutes. Elliot watched them curiously while eating her sandwich. Suddenly breaking the stare, Lisa turned and strode off. Elliot and Zann watched her go thoughtfully.
“You two don’t seem to be on good terms since you got back from where ever you went.”
Instead of replying, the assassin stepped into the bathroom and poured the coke Lisa had given him down the sink. Eyebrows raised, Elliot watched him.
“I didn’t know you hated her that much.”
“I don’t,” he replied, stepping back into the hall. “I simply don’t trust her.”
She laughed. “Don’t trust Lisa? She’s a Barbie! The most harm she could do is brake a finger nail.”
Zann pointed at the glass in her hand. “Have you drunk any of that yet?
“What? No, but you can’t have it.” To her surprise, he took it from her. “Hey, that’s mine! I haven’t had anything since this morning! I’m dehydrated. I spent half the shower drinking the water.”
Zann ran a finger around the brim of the glass. Putting one hand one of his many pockets, he pulled out a vile of redish liquid. Elliot’s frown turned into a wrinkled nose as he poured the liquid into her coke.
“Well, I don’t want it now that you dumped some sort of Russian substance in it. Yuck.”
Ignoring her, he swirled the contents of the glass around until it was fully mixed. Then, he brought it up to his eyes and stared at it. Elliot wondered if he was insane.
“No matter how long you squint at it; it’s not going to turn pink, Zann.”
Without taking his eyes off the glass, he replied, “It might.”
Yup. He was crazy. “And why would it do that?”
He handed it back to her. “It’s safe to drink.”
She stared at him with an eyebrow raised. “And why would it not be?”
He smiled and shook his head. “You really are new at this. It might have been poisoned.”
The woman held up her hands, careful not to spill the coke. “Wait, wait. Why?”
He turned and strode down the hallway. “Miss Clearwater may have poisoned it.”
She trotted after him. “Come on, Zann. She’s not smart enough to do something like that. So, was that stuff you put in my drink like a poison detector, or something?”
“Yes, it was. Had your drink been poisoned, there would have been a chemical reaction, and it would have turned green.”
“Ew.”
He laughed.
“And how do you know the sandwich wasn’t poisoned?”
“I made it.”
“Oh. But I still don’t see how Lisa could do something like that.”
“Never judge a book by its cover, Elliot. Lisa Clearwater may look like a ‘Barbie,’ as you put it, but she might be very evil inside.”
“She’s more of a girl who fell in with the wrong crowd, not an assassin!” She realized what she had just said. “Uh, I mean—” To her relief, Zann just laughed. “You’re one to talk about judging books by covers. Did you tell me what I saw was what I got when it came to you?” She arched an eyebrow at him.
He smiled, but said nothing. They had reached her cell. He unlocked the door and opened it.
“Aw, I was hoping someone would grow a heart and give me a big four-poster bed.”
Zann shook his head and tossed her a water bottle. “There. Now stop fussing.” He had almost closed the door when he seemed to think of something. “Oh, I saw Jerin tonight.”
Elliot tried to hide her excitement. “You did? Is he okay? Is he blonde?”
Zann smiled. “Yes, yes, and yes.”
“Good. I give him stuff to get the black out. He’s kinda vain about his hair. Did you ask him about Sherlock?” She smacked herself on the forehead. “Why would you do that? You don’t know who Sherlock is.”
“Woah, one question at a time, Miss Elliot. Sherlock is your dog. I met her, she’s very friendly.”
“Sherlock was friendly to you?”
“Yes.” He smiled. “Apparently, dogs aren’t as good at judging character as people think they are. Oh, and Jerin told me he’d kill me if I hurt you, so rest assured.”
Elliot smiled to herself. “Good ol’ Jerin.”
Chuckling, the assassin closed the door. “Good night.”
She looked at the door with a small smile. “Maybe dogs are a good judge of character.”

----

So, it sounds like Elliot is determined to think of Zann as a good guy. Sigh. I can'
t wait till next week! The chapter is soooooo exciting! Poooooooooooor Elliot. I can't really think of anything interesting to say about the story.
But, I graduated last Saturday. It was great fun. I put part of the story on my poster board. I got some really cool presents. Sarah (also known as Holly)--the one making sure I keep up the story--gave me this really awesome mug with pictures of us dressed up as Batgirl and Robin on it. Guess who was Robin. Another friend gave me a "I <3 Kirk" shirt. I got lots of cool cards (one even advised me to watch out for plastic mannequin and little kids who say "Are you my mummy?"). Plus, family showed up and people came who I haven't seen in a while! It was great. I wanted to do it again, but my mom said I'd have to wait another four years. Sigh.