Cryptographic

>Nolan<

Today's performance was supposed to be like any other night's. But the evening wasn't off to a great start. Nicole was acting strangely, barely being able to look him in the eye. She kept nervously tugging at her hair and her eyes kept wandering up, avoiding Nolan's gaze.

He didn't know what was up with her, maybe she was just nervous because today's audience was larger than usual. He peeked out from behind the curtain like in any cliche theater movie and studied the crowd. The front rows were usually filled with regulars, or people who always came to watch. These seats were the most expensive. Nolan smiled when he recognized most of the people. But a group of 3 stood out. They were seated in the exact center of the row, each person holding a brochure.

The girl on the right had light pink hair and was wearing a short blue dress that complimented her eyes. Next to her sat a very serious looking guy with jet black hair and cool green eyes. The sight of their hands linked together made Nolan smile. The girl on the final seat stared straight at him, her hazel eyes unwavering. Her silver hair was pulled up into an intricate hair-style that Nolan guessed was a sort of braid. And her red dress made her stand out even more. Forming a smile with her matching color lips, the girl looked away, leaving Nolan completely confused. Had she seen him?

__________________

Nolan inhaled slowly and then exhaled in the same fashion. He straightened his suit and tightened his tie before stepping out onto the stage. Nicole emerged from the opposite end, still looking downwards. They settled on center stage and a little gasp escaped Nicole's lips as her eyes scanned the crowd before them. Nolan cleared his throat and sounded out his first line trying to focus on the play at hand.

He knew Nicole was trying to do the same, but it seemed fairly hard for her. They kept on with their lines, with their practiced steps and their perfected face expressions until intermission. Nolan had 30 minutes to try and establish peace with his co-actress. By the time he changed out of costume, Nicole had run off the stage and out into the lobby's bathroom. He ran after her, but very suddenly stopped when a familiar voice echoed from behind the staff bathrooms. "How I've missed you."

Very slowly Nolan turned to find the face he hadn't seen in almost 10 years. He gulped and smiled. "Mo-mother. You're here. Um, wow, what a surprise." Grinning, the woman Nolan had run away from embraced him in a tight squeeze.

He let go of her tentatively, trying to form a smile with his lips. She grinned once more and straightened the tight-fitting dress that was meant for girls in their twenties. "Aren't you going to say anything else to your mother?" She rose an eyebrow and let a soft laugh escape her throat.

Nolan scratched the back of his neck, and rummaged in his brain for something reasonable to say. "Yeah, just one thing."

"And what's that?"

"What the hell are you doing here?! I told you to stay out of my life. You've already ruined my childhood! I don't need you here!" She just smiled in response.

"Well, I've come to claim what's rightfully mine." She lunged at him with her old lady hands,  but he dodged just in time.

"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH ME!" His voice went hoarse as he backed away. His hand covering his silent scream.

"Oh, sweetheart, don't be like that. You know I'll take you anyway, so why don't you just cooperate?" When she finished her sentence, 3 strong and bulky men positioned themselves at each exit. With each passing second the old woman's smile grew bigger.

Glaring her down Nolan began to back up farther away from the woman who was his biggest nightmare. She followed after him, each of her steps audible because of the heels she wore. He tried not to cry out as her hands settled on his shoulders and she started to guide him towards one of the men. 
What made it worse was when she whispered into his ear. "Don't be afraid Nolan, it'll all be over soon."

_____________

End of chapter 2

Word count: 717