No, Delilah would DIE before she gave in. She would fight toe and nail until the end. She would not go easily.
But that didn’t really help the gnawing emptiness in her gut any either. Without Delilah, she felt - unbalanced. She was sure Nick had noticed, what with the amount of clinging she’d been doing as of late since their return from her Homeworld. Now that he knew...
Her chest constricted and she had to remind herself to breathe.
She’d had not choice though - nor did she really regret it. Nick knew - there was no getting around that and she was just going to have to accept the fact. It didn’t help her panic any. Her eyes kept darting through the crowd of people as she sat in the coffee shop, pretending to work on homework that had been finished hours ago.
She would find Delilah - she needed to know she was ok… or… not.
---
Imara had been in town on business. Bank business nonetheless and that was just one headache after another. While there had not been a problem to say the least, the bank had called them in concerning the random larger sums of money that found their way into the account. Mathias was the better liar. Imara was the better with numbers. They would have done better together…
But Mathias had other matters to attend to and until he returned, she had to handle it all.
Deciding she needed something strong before heading back to work, and it was too early for a beer, Imara made a dive into the nearby coffee store. As she waited in line, the woman glanced around and spotted a rather familiar face. It took her a moment to place it but finally, coffee in hand with a sudden appearance of a brownie, Imara made her way over to the table and took a seat without asking, sliding the brownie onto Mercy’s books.
“Not holding up well?” Imara asked, not needing to question the fact she had caught Mercy looking up every time the door opened. They all knew Delilah was missing. It had taken all her will to stop Mathias from going on a manhunt for his cousin.
---
Mercy glanced at the magically appearing brownie, then up past it to the woman with whom she was somewhat familiar. She’d seen Imara around the gym, had met her once or twice, though hardly to the point that it didn’t take her a moment before she bit her lip, nodded a bit, and rubbed the bridge of her nose. Those familiar to the Haynes family would recognize this as a nervous tic that ran through the entire line. The pressure on the bridge of her nose helped Mercy focus, and kept her centered in the now.
Something her therapist had been hammering home for the last two weeks. The past and future aren’t as important as the now! Enjoy your now!
Well right now her now sucked.
“I’ve been better,” Mercy admitted taking a sip of her latte with a small grimace as it had long gone cold.
“I mean, you know,” She said, gesturing vaguely outside. “I’m sure Mathias isn’t much better.”
Probably worse, she suspected. Granted, she hadn’t seen him around the gym lately. He’d actually asked her forgiveness and had suspended their lessons since… well Since Delilah’s parents had died. Which, to be fair, she hadn’t argued with him because he’d probably been in mourning too - in his own way.
“I mean first her parents… now this…” She sighed deeply. “I just wish I knew she was okay.”
---
“We all do.” Imara sighed, leaning back in the chair as she watched the woman. “Mathias is besides himself with grief and blaming himself. I’m even having trouble getting through to him...though he’s locked himself away with….” she held her tongue before finishing ‘Work’.
“No one has heard anything? Not you or the other girls?” Imara asked, trying to at least let Mercy talk about it.
There was a long pause as Imara looked down at her drink. “If it wasn’t for the cop who is a personal friend of Delilah’s, I would swear they have just written this of as a run-away case. It just doesn’t seem like her…”
---
“He needs to take care of himself too,” Mercy said in a chiding tone. “It’s really not his fault - I mean I know he didn’t get along well with her family from what I understand, but that doesn’t make what happened his fault at all.”
“And it’s not like her at all,” Mercy said with a vehement nod. “She’s always faced things head on, and I can’t think this would be any different.”
But then again, she could be wrong? Had this been too much? Had the war and now her parents death finally broken her last straw? Mercy didn’t know - but she had to hope that it was simply not the case.
“We haven’t heard from her at all,” She said with a low sigh. “We’ve all reached out to her phone but nothing. I’ve been by her apartment trying to find clue but…” She wasn’t family and as much as the guards liked her… her spare key only got her so far.
---
“If there is anything I know about my husband, it’s that he’s stubborn and once he feels as if he could have done something…” Imara waved a hand, clearing the thought from the air. Mathias would heal. After he saw to the demons.
“She’s strong and fierce. Heaven help anyone who gets in her way.”
“But what about you? Clearly you have been dealing with the same math problem now for...how long?”
---
“Two hours,” Mercy said with a small sigh. “I mean, it’s not even part of the homework it’s just to make me sitting here not so awkward. I figure she’ll have to come in for coffee eventually if she’s out there.”
She was of course, kidding herself. If Delilah was trying to hide - trying to be “off the grid” there was no way she’d venture into a coffee shop and spend money. At least not a card - that’d be traced. Cash only.
Unless of course, Delilah wasn’t Delilah anymore. The thought made her shiver involuntarily and shake her head a bit with a sigh. No, she wouldn’t have…
Would she?
---
Imara sat there, sipping her coffee a moment longer as she watched the young woman gaze at some distant idea. None of them could believe Delilah would just up and disappear. It just...it wasn’t her.
But who was the same after the death of the only family they have?
“Call me the devil’s advocate but what’s the use sitting here mopping about it?” Imara finally spoke, her voice level but her eyes soft. “Delilah wouldn’t want you to stop living your life, I’m sure of that. The cops are looking for her. Everyone who knows her is looking. Wherever she is, we will find her.” Imara was doing her best to make sure the words she used referenced that Delilah was alive. She had been practicing on Mathias because the first time she used a past tense, he had lost it.
For the sake of everyone who knew her, Imara prayed Delilah was alive and well.
She didn’t know what the people who loved her would do otherwise…
---
“You’re right, but…” Mercy started, then paused for a deep breath. “No, no buts, you’re right.” She could not get mired in what ifs right now. With Delilah gone, the Council was short its leader - and that meant she had to step in and hold the group together as best she could. After all, all three of them were searching as their senshi forms in addition to their nightly patrols - so hopefully a clue would come up soon.
“My therapist says that I have to seize The Now, but I’ve been letting The Now control me, instead of taking control of it,” She said, eyes moving to the other woman slowly. It was the face of someone who had seen far too much, far too soon. The sugary, upbeat mask had been wiped away, leaving the scarred, damaged girl underneath. “Like, Delilah was a rock for me, you know? I always knew if I had a problem I could go and sit on her couch and sip tea and eventually she’d have me laughing at how silly it was. I’ve lost that with her, and I know I’ve been putting more of it on my boyfriend - which I’ve felt is kinda unfair to him.”
“We will find her,” She continued, quietly. “One way or another, we will find her, but until then - you’re right - I need to live for myself.”
She closed the textbook quietly, stacking everything neatly as she pushed the cold latte away. “You know, this might sound a bit rude, but you never seemed the sentimental type,” She added, watching the other woman carefully. “But, thank you.”
---
The words gave a long sigh from Imara as she watched the woman, aged beyond her teen years begin to stir. “Blame my husband. Man wears his emotions on his sleeve for the world to see.” There might have been an eye roll going on but with the slight smile, it really was clear Imara loved the man.
“Besides,” Imara stood up, gazing at the woman she she put her books to the side. “We still owe you guys for what happened at the gym. Call it what you will but you three are like little sisters to us. Ever need anything, call. I’ll make sure the place is open for venting.”
---
Mercy smiled, not a weak, awkward one - but a small, genuine curve of the corners of her lips. It was funny how things worked out at times. Mathias did have a penchant for taking on an almost brotherly role at times - especially with Delilah - though she suspected this came from them both being only children. She vaguely wondered then, if Imara was more like her - and came from a family piled to the roof and some with children. But still - sisterly offer aside, she was not one to pry.
At least - not directly. Not yet.
Mercy also stood, tossing her books and school folder into the bag and with a bit of a sigh, zipped it up and shouldered it over her shoulder.
“Thank you,” She said again. “I mean it. Mathias wearing his emotions on his sleeve or no, you guys are great.” She added with a nod. “Oh… Yeah - if Mathias doing my lessons pro-bono is ever a problem, let me know - invoice me for all the time if you need to, I’ll make sure it gets paid.”
She knew that Mathias had done it as a favor for Delilah - because she had cried on the phone in her desperation, and the man seemed to fold immediately the minute tears came into the equation. But, still - she felt kind of bad about it now, all things considered.
“Oh, and tell him I said hi,” She added, with a slight nod toward the door. “You mind walking me out? Unless you have somewhere to be?”
---
Imara rose, picking up her cup and finishing off the last of it with a jerk of her head. Eying the trash can by the door, she began to follow Mercy out. “Don’t worry about it.” Imara waved a head at the mention of the money for the lessons. Yes she wanted them to pay but there were things she had decided were better not to fight Mathias on. Delilah and her friends were one of them.
Besides, the male population seemed to enjoy the estrogen around the gym.
“I am on my way back to the gym. Had to meet with our banker today and settle a few matters.” Imara offered with a shrug. Her name wasn’t on the gym but she made sure it kept its doors open. “Someone has to work around here. The front desk crew can only do so much. So hard to find good help.”
---
“Well I should be free this summer if you need some extra hands?” Mercy pipped in as they slid out the door. “I mean, if you’re looking for seasonal help.”
It wasn’t like she had major plans or anything, and a summer job might help her save up for college and…
It was surprising how quickly her twin lives flip-flopped about, the focus changing to her normal future.
—-
The peeping of an eger chick caught Imara by surprise. She hadn’t really been hinting but an extra pair of hands that she could trust might be nice. Alot better than what she had now. The no cell phones on the clock rule was really about to get enforced.
“I mean if you want?” Imara asked with a brow rising. “It’s not easy work as it’s all hands on deck. But if you are looking for a summer job, bring by your resume and come fill out an application. Laws dictate I have to have those.” Rolling her eyes, Imara waved a hand flinging the annoyance off.
---
“Yes, I will definitely do that,” Mercy said with a resolute nod. “Laws are important though, they keep society functioning and running smoothly. They just need to be updated every once in awhile.”
That line was totally Mr. Haynes talking and it was pretty easy to see that Mercy believed in her father’s words.
“But, yes - if I can help at all I’d like to.”
—
“We’d love to have you.” Imara smiled, a true smile behind her words as she slipped out the door.
“Do you need a ride? My car is around the corner.”
---
“I’d love one, actually,” Mercy said with a small nod, falling in beside the other woman, and letting her lead the way. “I took the bus here, and it’d be another hour or two before it came by again.”
Her car stayed parked at home - since she hadn’t asked her parents to pay for a spot at Crystal - and she really didn’t want to drive all that often still. But she was getting used to it… slowly.
---
“Alright then. No use in wasting time waiting on a bus then.” Imara nodded, flicking her keys out of her pocket and leading them back to the public parking lot she had made use of. The weather was turning to summer and soon, the humidity would return as well.
For now, it was all Imara could do to keep Mercy’s mind off Delilah and on to a potential summer job.
Torvil
