<div style="text-align: center;"><a class="postlink" href="http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/SociallyToxicBeauty/d79a6451-7684-4475-b516-5e22f7eaef3d.jpg">[ img ]</a></div><br/><br/>Mira had been in a blissful state of sleep. She had not been dreaming of anything and had been allowed a moment of peace --until she heard someone calling her name in the distance.<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #800000">"Mira...Mira, wake up,"</span></span>the voice called gently as she felt someone stroking her cheek.<br/><br/>Slowly she opened her eyes, blinking rapidly against the light of the room as she tried to take in her surroundings. Above her was Chuck, his features twisted in concern,<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #BF0000">"You okay, babe? You really freaked out on Merlot earlier."</span></span>Her eyes were still adjusting and missed the color of his eyes as he turned away. She gave a groan, rolling over some to face him better.<span style="color: #FF8080">"Wh..what?" </span>she asked, still trying to come to life.<br/><span style="color: #BF0000"><span style="font-style: italic"><br/>"Your friend down at the video store called. Said she saw some guy in a red coat getting in your car last night when she came to check on you. She said you peeled out after that, and wanted to make sure you're okay," </span></span>Chuck then stood as he paced some. At the mention of the man in red, Mira shot up in a sitting position.<span style="color: #FF8080">"Freaked out? Freaked out?! I did not freak out, Chuck! That wasn't Merlot or whoever the fuck you keep calling him!"</span>she replied with angry grogginess. She stood, stumbling some as she shook the rest of sleep from her.<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #BF0000">"We need to get you away from here 'til you can calm down. You up for it?"</span></span>Chuck asked as he looked up at her.<br/><br/>Mira felt a strange sense of unease wash over her as she examined Chuck. He almost didn't seem to be listening, but at the same time he was offering for them to leave town for a while--something she knew he would usually be so against. But, what if Chuck simply hadn't believed her at first? It was possible he changed his mind based off a call. For a moment she almost agreed, but then a sudden thought occurred to her--no one was at work with her last night. She had been totally alone.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF8080">"Who are you?" </span>she asked as she took a step towards the door, her eyes narrowed as she looked at 'Chuck'. In the back of her mind she told herself she was just being paranoid and that Chuck was going to think she was insane. However, the majority of her gut said the man in front of her wasn't Chuck. How could she know, though? It looked like Chuck, spoke like Chuck, wore Chuck's clothes, and walked like Chuck--it had to be Chuck, right? And what if the call had been real? What if someone had called Chuck and was simply posing as a friend of hers to lay a trap or maybe even to help her escape the PM?<br/><br/>Her eyes darted back and forth as her mind ran through different scenarios in hyper speed. She was beginning to hyperventilate as she was consumed by overwhelming panic, her eyes watering and finally landing back on Chuck.<span style="color: #FF8080">"I...who...I'm not...I'm not crazy, am I?"</span>she asked with an uncertain, terrified whisper. Chuck took a step towards her and Mirabell seemed to lose it for a moment, jumping back quickly and snatching her body out of his reach.<span style="color: #FF8080">"Don't touch me!" </span>she snapped hysterically, her voice aggressive and dangerous.