10. The Dreamer-Father Knows

Her mother and the police had lots of questions to ask.  Anna told them she had seen the bomb under the chair.  Her reason for being in that area of the club was simply she had gotten tired of waiting for Nick and the drinks.  Bored, she had decided to walk for a moment.  The police seemed satisfied with all her answers.  There was no need to mention Scythe Girl.

From her other she learned over a day had passed since then.  It was a day Anna would never remember.  Apparently, she had been conscious, but her mind had been stuck in a loop.  She would open her eyes, ask what happened, ask where her father was, and then repeat.  Nick had visited, but he was at work.  Michael was also in the hospital, although he had managed not to have slammed his head when the explosion happened.

There was also a reporter.  The news was calling her a local hero.  Which was all well and good, but she didn't feel like a hero.  Her mother had left when the officer arrived to ask his questions.  Someone needed to pick her father up from the airport.  The reporter had just finished when he walked in.

There were dark circles under his eyes, wrinkles in his clothes, and a five o'clock shadow.  Yet when she waved at him, he lit up.  Winning the lottery could not have made him happier than seeing his daughter recovering.

"Hey dad," she greeted him through the head injury and medicinal haze.

"Anna, if you wanted me to come home early you could have asked," the sarcasm was empty and the words fell flat.  Still, she managed to smile.

"Honey, can you wait outside?" he asked his wife, Anna's.  The surprise was evident on her mother's face.

"I'll get you some food.  You didn't stop for lunch," and then she left.  Father and daughter were alone in the room.

"Your mother told me what happened and what you told the police," he paused to look intently at Anna.

"Yea, lucky I got bored," she laughed, haltingly.  The lie which had come so easily with everyone else was a strain with him.

"Is there anything you didn't tell the police?" his gaze increased in intensity.  Anna looked away.

"What are you talking about, dad?  I told them everything I knew about the bomb," she huffed, trying to play it off as defensiveness.  He shook his head.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply...tell me, has anything strange been happening lately with your dreams?" he asked.  Anna's mouth went dry.

*****And tomorrow, there will be some answers!  And this is your last chance to submit what you think Scythe Girl's name should be*****