Riverton

    Levi walked along side a fence, Imani to his right, when she stopped him and gestured to his left. He turned to see building painted a light green with a sign on the front reading "Tatiana's Diner".

    He turned and glanced the place over. It was a one story building with wooden tables seated outside under umbrellas. He smiled. "This looks like a cozy place. No wonder the teens want to hang out here after school."

    Imani playfully elbowed him. "Well, that, and she gives them a small discount on shakes." She giggled as she sped past him and opened the door.

    His smile brightened as he shook his head. He stepped through the open door, and breathed in the smell of hamburgers and bacon frying in the kitchen.

    To his right stretched a counter with barstools, and the kitchen directly behind it. To his left were blue patted booths that lined the wall, and tables and chairs spread out across the rest of the floor.

    He watched as many teenagers crowded around the counter as a young, dark complexioned, woman busted about taking orders.

    Levi laughed. "I guess you weren't kidding."

    Imani stepped around him, and sat down at one of the booths. He followed her and sat across, slipping off his backpack. He unzipped his jacket, and laid it beside him on the booth along with his backpack as Imani unbuttoned her jacket and did the same.

    She sighed as she placed her hands on the table. "You're going to love the food here. I come here every day after school to get dinner." She rolled her eyes. "My dad's always busy finishing up some paperwork. I usually bring him diner home unless he tells me not to."

    Levi sighed and rubbed his cold hands together. "Smells delicious! Whatever they're cooking back there."

    Imani smiled. "Oh!" She pointed at him. "The mayor won't be upset your not home for dinner, will she? I totally forgot to even make sure you were okay with this."

    He lowered his gaze to his hands as his smile dropped. "Well, let's just say I don't care if she is. I've honestly been trying to avoid her, and breakfast didn't go so smoothly this morning you might say."

    She gritted her teeth. "Sorry to hear that."

    He shrugged. "Nothing I can do about it I supposed." His smile returned. "I wouldn't want to be thrown in jail for upsetting her."

    Imani laughed as she playfully hit him on the hand.

    A man stalked over to their booth, same dark complexion as Imani and the woman at the counter, and gave a bright smile as he held up a notepad and pencil. "Nice to see you again, Imani," he said, his accent matching Imani's. "Your usual?"

    She smiled at him. "Hello, Nicholas! And yes please."

    Nicholas turned toward Levi, and pointed at him with the pencil. "What about you, young man? Never seen you around these parts before."

    "I'm new," Levi replied, his smile remaining. He glanced around at the table. "I completely forgot to look at a menu." He pointed toward Imani. "Just give me what she's having."

    Nicholas winked. "You got it!"

    When he walked away, Levi chuckled below his breath. "You sure he's not the reason you come here every day?"

    Imani narrowed his eyes at him. "Shut up! He is not! He and Tatiana are married. They run the place. I wouldn't dare think of him in that way!"

    Levi rolled his eyes, a hint of a grin still present. "Okay, sure." His attention was drawn to the door as it opened, and Stella walked in. She must've seen them quickly because she immediately started heading this way.

    She sat down, and sighed, unwrapping a scarf from around her neck. "Sorry I'm a little late. Someone kept me held up at the library."

    "Library?" he asked.

    Stella smiled. "Yeah. Where I work."

    "We've already ordered, but I'm sure Nicholas will be back over here soon," Imani said.

    Levi cupped a hand around the right side of his lips. "She's obsessed," he whispered.

    "Levi!" Imani shouted as Stella busted out laughing.

    Once she had settled down, Stella leaned in toward the center of the table. "So, what did you want to meet about?"

    He gave her a puzzled look. "Meet? Imani told me she thought you came here every now and then after work."

    He could see Imani's dark skin turn red. "Well, I may have given her a little heads up yesterday," she said, slipping down in her seat. 

    He rolled his eyes, and turned to see the woman who was at the counter disappear behind a metal door that swung both ways.

    "Levi, found a series of books he says are his under the troll bridge," Imani continued.

    Stella's eyes brightened. "Really? Do tell!"

    He leaned in nearly as close as she did. "Okay, but listen closely." He acted like he was being suspicious, close to like Stella had done.

    He went through telling Stella everything he had told Imani. About how he had found the books, remembering how special they were to him, Raven keeping them afraid it would mess with his mind, hiding one book away from Raven so she couldn't find it, and about how he wanted to get them all back.

    He was interrupted when Nicholas returned moments later placing down two plates, one in front of him and the other in front of Imani, both with giant, juicy hamburgers, and a mound of fries.

    "Seems like we have another stomach to feed," Nicholas said, pulling out his notepad and pencil. "What can I get you?"

    Stella gave him a polite smile. "Actually, if I could just have some tea I'd be perfect."

    Nicholas gave a smile, and put away the items in his hands. "I'll be right back with two cokes, and some tea."

    Levi shoved a french fry in his mouth as Nicholas walked away.

    "Oh!" Imani pointed at his arm. "Tell Stella about that mark on your shoulder."

    Stella glanced between Imani and him. "What mark? Did it make you remember something?"

    He sighed. "I'm afraid not." He pulled on his collar until his scar could be seen. He only let it show for a split second before he covered it back up, sticking another fry in his mouth.

    "Levi let me take a look at the book he's hiding, and I read Prince Levi in the book had been hit with an arrow," Imani filled in. She stuck some fries in her mouth before continuing. "Levi has the same scars in both places. From an entrance and exit wound."

    Stella's eyes grew big as she glanced between them again. "That's amazing! What do you think it could be?"

    Levi lowered his head. "Imani thinks I could've done it to myself?" His voice sounded cold, but why wouldn't it? The thought of him hurting himself didn't settle well in his stomach. He picked up his burger and took a bite, the juice from the meat spilling over the sides. It was one of the best things he had ever tasted.

    Stella leaned back in the booth as Nicholas delivered the cokes and tea. "You guys let me know if you need anything else," he said before walking away.

    Stella placed a hand around her coffee mug as Imani took a big gulp from her coke. "It is possible, Levi."

    Levi's heart skipped as fear overtook him. "Wha—What do you mean? What's possible?"

    Stella leaned forward once more. "I've heard of it happening. It's rare, but definitely a real thing. I've seen a couple cases where a child has been abused their whole life, and once they're finally free, they actually go through withdrawals."

    "Withdrawals?" Imani asked, a disgusted look on her face. "How can someone go through a withdrawal from being beaten?"

    Stella shrugged. "Like I said, it's rare. I only know of two teenagers who have ever been like this."

    "And you think..." he paused as his voice shook. "I can be one of these people?"

    Stella sighed. "I don't know, but it would explain a few things. Like, the memory Dr. Bones brought up. That scar on your arm."

    His hands began to shake as he lowered them to his lap. He nodded his head. "Yes. I does. That memory, or what I thought was a memory, once I had gotten my books back I remember that Prince Levi talked about how Snow White abused him as a child, and in the very early parts of the books, it showed the exact same scene that went through my mind, and now having the same scars as the character..."

    He stopped as confusion racked his mind. He was doing this to himself? He was hurting himself? What else had he done? What kind of a person was he? He stole and abused himself? Why? Why would a person do that?

    He looked down at his half eaten burger, and pushed the plate away. The sight now only made him want to vomit.

    He looked back up at Stella, tears glistening in his eyes. "But why?"

    "Maybe..." She paused seeming to search for words. "After the life you lived, you just wanted to be someone else. So you did all this pretending that you were someone else."

    He shook his head rapidly. "But I'm not someone else!" He gripped the edge of the table. "I know what's real and what's a fairytale!"

    "I'm sorry, Levi," Stella apologized. "I wouldn't have suggested this if I didn't think it was a possibility."

    Imani suddenly grabbed her jacket and backpack, her complexion a little green. "I'm sorry, guys. I have to go. I'm starting to feel a little bit under the weather." She threw some cash down on the table.

    "Oh, that's a bummer." Stella got up, and let Imani pass, Imani quickly disappearing out the door.

    Levi looked down as he wrung with his hands. They were shaking, and his stomach was growing more queasy by each passing minute.

    He fumbled for his wallet in his jacket pocket, and withdrew fifteen dollars. His meal shouldn't be more then that, and if it was, he'd repay the rest later, but right now he was kind of starting to feel like Imani.

    He stood up, and grabbed his jacket and backpack. His legs felt wobbly from his weight. "I'm sorry I have to leave so suddenly, but I have things I need to go think about."

    Stella nodded her head. "Okay, I'll tell Nicholas you both had to go."

    He gave her a quick nod of his head, and stepped toward the door. The rush of fresh air blew back his hair as he stepped outside, and it had already gotten dark from the shorter days.

    He quickly made his way to the Noble's household, and slipped inside the gate. Nausea suddenly arose from the pit of his stomach, and he felt something creeping up into his throat. He lurched over one of the nicely trimmed hedges, his diner spewing out. He coughed, and spit once before covering his mouth his jackets sleeve. He felt weak and drained, and he didn't know why or what was going on.

    He opened the front door and stepped inside to see Raven sitting on the white couch wearing her black pajamas, and her sopping wet hair up in a clip.

    "Oh, Levi! There you are!" She stood up from the couch, setting her phone down beside her. "I was getting worried. I almost sent Daniel out looking for you."

    Levi rolled his eyes as he threw his jacket onto the coat rack. "I was out having dinner with some friends. You guys don't need to babysit me."

    Raven cocked her head. "Babysit you? We're just looking out for you."

    He gripped the strap of his backpack, and placed a hand on the wall as dizziness overtook him. He gritted his teeth,  and clenched his eyes waiting for it to pass. Seconds later, he felt a hand catch his elbow as if someone was trying to steady him.

    "Levi, what's wrong?" Raven put a hand on his forehead. "You're burning up."

    He threw her hand off of him. "Nothing's wrong. Just leave me alone." He wanted to get angry and yell at her, but he couldn't find the strength to do so. Instead, he panted as he tried to catch his breath.

    He turned toward the stairs desperate to get away. As he started walking, he felt his legs grow numb and they could no longer hold him. He dropped his backpack, and began toppling to the ground as his eyes rolled into the back of his head. Fortunately for him, Raven was there to catch him before he could hit the ground. He felt himself being gently lowered to the floor as his body began to shake.

    "Daniel!" she shouted. "Call nine one one!"

     Levi tried sucking in air, but it was no longer easy to breath.

    Footsteps stampeded down the stairs along with Daniel's voice, "Raven, what's going on?"

    "I don't know, Daniel, but would you please just do what I ask!" Her tone sounded more then flustered. "I don't know what's wrong with him. We need an ambulance!"

    Someone he assumed was Raven pushed his hair from off his forehead. He was beginning to shake more violently as if he was stranded in a snowy wasteland in nothing but a short-sleeve shirt and shorts. The next thing he knew, something had been thrown over him.

    "There's no time to wait for an ambulance!" Daniel shouted. "Look at him!" 

    He felt fingers under his back and left leg for a brief second before they vanished.

    "No, don't lift him!" Raven shouted. "You don't know what it could do. You don't know what's wrong with him either. Moving him could hurt him. He needs an ambulance!"

    "Alright let me grab my phone." Feet that sounded as heavy as a mans echoed throughout the hall.

    Levi couldn't keep himself awake long enough to know what was going to happen. He wanted to cry fearing that this was the end for him, but what could've happened? They were all fine sitting and eating dinner when...

    A thought occurred. Imani! Was this happening to Imani too? They had eaten the same thing. What if this was some type of food poisoning? Could food poisoning make him feel this terrible? Was Imani all alone at home? Someone needed to get to her. Make sure she was okay.

    He wanted to cry out and warn Raven and Daniel, but unimaginable pain roared through his stomach causing him to cry in pain and curl into a ball as his mind drifted away before he got the chance.