Davy knocked on the door of apartment 241. He still wasn't quite sure what he was doing there, only that it was the best place to be. His instincts had led him to this place. He only hoped that his instincts were correct.
The door opened and a girl's face appeared from behind the wooden doorframe. She had long, dark hair with several thin braids that had beads woven through them. Her thin face looked small behind the thick locks of unbraided hair and her green eyes seemed bright against her pale-looking face.
Davy found himself lost in her face, and not because of her looks. There was something else there, something almost magical that seemed to draw him closer to her. For once he found himself not having to look up to a girl, and his big brown eyes stared deep into hers.
"Can I help you?" the girl asked. Davy stared for a moment, and then blushed slightly. He realized that he had been staring.
"I'm sorry," he apologized. "I-I was looking for someone. Maybe you can help me?"
"Who were you looking for?" she asked.
Davy realized that he had no idea who he was looking for. He had come here in something of a trance-like state. He shook his head slightly and sighed, turning away. She would think him insane.
"I don't know," he replied. He wondered why he was spilling the truth to her. He had planned to lie.
"Come in," she told him. He followed with out hesitation into the apartment. Her voice was like velvet caressing his ears.
A beaded curtain hung in the doorway and he passed through it. He momentarily came out of his trance and glanced around the room. He could smell the light aromas of vanilla and lilac drifting through the room, urging him to relax. Soft acoustic music played in the background, adding to the atmosphere.
The walls were cornflower blue with a touch of yellow green. The curtains were light pink and the carpeting was pastel purple. Pink beanbag chairs and cushions were scattered about the room.
'Gee, Petah would just dig this pad,' Davy thought to himself. Indeed, the entire room appeared to be in a very hippie style.
"My name is Mari," the girl told him, and Davy jumped slightly, not expecting her. "But I think you knew that already. Or at least you could have if you wanted to."
Davy stared at her. How could she know that? Mari chuckled at his blank stare.
"Would you like some tea?' she asked him. He shook his head, blankly. She nodded and gestured for him to take a seat, and he lowered himself into one of the fluffy beanbag chairs.
"Do you know why I've come?" he asked. She smiled.
"I have a vague idea," she replied with a smile. "You are here to help a friend." Davy stared blankly.
"Do you-," he began, but stopped himself. "Are you-?" He paused, unsure of whether or not he wanted to ask the question. He shut his eyes and focused. He was trying to get a sense of her intentions.
Mari seemed to sense the mental probing and opened herself up to him. There was something extraordinary about her, he could tell that much. He just couldn't tell what.
He opened his eyes and fixed his brown eyes on her. "Can you 'elp me?" he asked her.
She looked back at him. "Maybe," she replied, and he could tell she was honest.
Peter sat by the window but Mike could not stop pacing. He stopped when the door opened but then began again moments later when he saw it was only Micky.
"Any sign of them?" Micky asked Peter, who'd been staring out the window, watching and waiting for Davy.
"Them?" Mike asked. "Them who?" Micky shrugged.
"I dunno," he replied. Mike frowned. There was knock on the door. Micky, being closer, stepped over to open the door.
"You must be Micky," the girl told him. "I've learned all about you."
Micky stood eyes wide and mouth gaping, staring at the girl. "Who are you?" Mike asked.
"My name is Mari. I am a friend." She smiled sweetly.
"Where's Davy?" Peter asked, suspicious.
"Oh, he went to get something," she replied. "Something to help me."
Peter frowned. He couldn't be sure why, but he didn't trust this girl.
Mari seemed to sense his distrust. "Davy says you have a problem," she said to Mike after glancing for a long period of time at Peter.
"You could say that," he replied amiably. Peter frowned. Mike seemed to show none of the distrust he felt. Was Mike letting down his guard?
The door opened just then and Davy re-entered carrying a bag that appeared to be full of groceries. He gave them to Mari without speaking or greeting anyone else.
"Good, thank you," Mari told him, smiling. She set the bag on the table and began to sift through its contents.
"Are you really gonna be able to help us?" Mike asked, and Peter breathed a sigh of relief. Mike's skepticism had returned, apparently.
"I certainly hope so," Mari replied. She took a few things out of the bag. A jar, a box, and a pot were removed. She smiled briefly around the room at them. "You do realize I require some…repayment, don't you?" she asked, sweetly.
Peter sat ramrod straight. "Payment?" he asked before he knew what he was saying. She nodded.
"What kinda repayment?" Mike asked.
