Touch of Madness.

Part 1.



Jane Lane walked home from school alone as her sole companion had been noticeably absent from school that day and the two days before. She didn’t head to her house as she planned but instead headed directly to said friend’s home.

She didn’t bother knocking as she rarely did anymore and started up the stairs.

:What the hell is that?: She thought as a thumping sound grew louder as she moved up the staircase. It was quickly followed by a banging and what might have been a record playing at double speed without the chipmunk voice.

“Jane!” Helen Morgendorffer said as she started down the stairs.

Jane was taken back by the almost frightened appearance that the woman had taken on.

“Hi Mrs. M. I just want to check on Daria and see how she’s doing.” Jane said politely.

Helen grabbed her and pushed her down the stairs gently until they both reached the ground floor. Jane couldn’t help but notice the agitated state Helen was in.

“Something wrong?” Jane joked.

“Daria is really tired and I don’t want you to wake her up. She needs her rest.” Helen replied but it was growing clearer that her calm was almost gone.

“Oh.” Jane said. “Any idea when she’ll be up. I’ll call her later.”

“I doubt she’ll feel like a call today. Why don’t you call tomorrow and if she’s feeling better ….” Helen started only to me interrupted by a smash from upstairs.

“What?” Jane started back up the stairs toward the noise.

“I’m sorry but you’ll need to go.” Helen said grabbing Jane and pushing her out the front door and closing it quickly.

Jane stood looking at the door in shock.



Jane started away but she kept looking back toward the house. She should have spared an eye forward.
“Hey watch it!” Someone said as she plowed into them and sent both of them spiraling to the rough concrete.

Jane looked around and saw Quinn Morgendorffer nursing a cut on her hand, still sitting on the ground.

“Why don’t you look where you’re going?” Quinn said as she held her hand away from her clothes.

“Sorry. Your Mom just weirded me out about visiting Daria.” Jane sighed.

Quinn suddenly looked panicked.

“She’s sick.” Quinn said far too quickly.

“I know that but I still wanted to see her and check how she’s doing.” Jane replied trying to gauge Quinn’s reaction.

“I’ll tell her. She sleeps a lot when she gets sick but I know she’ll want to know you stopped by.” Quinn said nervously.

“Ok thanks.” Jane said now fully convinced something was wrong.

“I have to get home. I’ll tell Daria you came by and well you two can go do whatever you two do.” Quinn said before almost running for her house.

:Ok that was really weird. Somebody isn’t telling old Jane Lane something.: Jane thought as she started back to her house.




She had been home for a few hours when a knock on her bedroom door distracted her from the blank canvas she had been staring at for almost an hour.

“What you want Trent?” She called.

“Jane it’s me Jake Morgendorffer.” Her friend’s father said.

“Come in, but I warn you I’m not wearing anything but that’ll be our little secret.” Jane joked.

“Just holler when you’re dressed.” Jake responded and Jane stared at the non opening door.

“That was a joke. I’m fully dressed.” Jane sighed loudly.

“Oh.” Jake said and the door swung open and he walked in visually relived when he confirmed she was dressed.

“Hey Mr. M.” Jane greeted him.

“I hear you came by the house earlier.” Jake said and she could tell it wasn’t a question.

He took a deep breath and started.

“I guess Helen freaked you out and Quinn told us about running into on your way home.” He said and then looked serious.

“Daria’s sick. It was pretty bad but the doctor says she’s going to be fine. It was rough and well everyone is pretty shook up right now. I’m sorry Helen scared you.” Jake said and she saw at least some truth in what he was saying.

“Oh.” Jane said and she felt tears welling in her eyes. “Is… is … she…”

“She’s going to be ok but it’s going to be at least another day before she can have a guest. Ok.” He said firmly as he rested a hand on her shoulder in a reassuring manner.

“I’m … sorry.” Jane said and she hugged him tightly and felt one of his arms hug her back.

“Hey nothing to be sorry about. It’s great that Daria has such a good friend.” Jake said warmly.

“Thank you for telling me.” Jane said as she managed to regain her self-control.

“We should have told you sooner but well Daria doesn’t have a lot of friends.” Jake shrugged.

“Can I call later just to see how she is?” Jane asked weakly.

“Of course and if she’s feeling better than you can talk to her but I think it might be too soon.” Jake nodded and pulled away as he started toward the door.

Jane just nodded her understanding and followed him out to the living room and watched from the window as he got into his car and pulled out of the driveway talking to someone on a cell phone.

:Ok that doesn’t fly.: Jane thought. She believed almost all of what he said but something Daria told her once. Something about the order you tell truth in.



Later that evening she walked into her front yard after calling and speaking with Helen who after apologizing about the afternoon informed her that while Daria was much better she wasn’t up to a phone conversation.

Jane was about to go inside when she saw Quinn walking down the sidewalk to her house.

:Another visit from damage control I see.: Jane thought before sighing and opening the door of the tank and grabbing a pack of Trent’s smokes and a lighter.

She sat down in the grass and lit a cigarette and waited for Quinn to move next to her.

“Daria gave this to me to give to you.” Quinn said and Jane almost wanted to laugh.

She took the note and noticed it did indeed look like Daria’s handwriting. It was a simple message.

Jane

I’m sorry I didn’t have a chance to tell you ahead of time. I’m ok and should be back in a few days. I hate being sick but then I hate everything so why should that be any different.
See you soon.
Daria
“Thank you.” Jane almost cried after reading the brief note.

“I didn’t mean to snap at you earlier.” Quinn said nicely. “It’s been a rough couple of days.”

“If you need anything. I mean it.” Jane said strongly.

“Just make sure to tell Daria I was nice. She can be really grumpy after she gets sick.” Quinn said with a half smile.

“I will. How’s the hand?” Jane asked pointing to the bandage on Quinn’s hand.

“It’s fine. I have to get back. Mom is exhausted after de .. taking care of Daria all day.” Quinn said before hurrying back in the direction of her house.

Jane watched her leave and took a slow drag on the cigarette and stared at the note.

:Ok Amiga. I’m betting there’s something else here.: Jane thought searching for a clue.

Part 2

Jane spent the evening searching for any kind of buried message in the short note and finally conceded there was nothing there.

:Maybe that’s the hidden meaning.: Jane thought. :There’s isn’t a message because either a she couldn’t put one in or b there wasn’t one to put in.:

She went to bed and tossed throughout the night as nightmarish images of her friend in trouble plagued her.


The next morning Jane knew what she had to do. A quick change of clothes and a dashing run allowed her to arrive at the Morgendorffer house in time to watch Jake and Quinn head off to work and school respectively.

Helen seemed to be busying herself downstairs as Jane circled the house to get into the back yard.

:This is crazy. I’m going to break my neck.: Jane thought but that didn’t stop her from starting the climb.

She made the roof with little difficulty but the only window she had access to without moving over to the street side was into Daria’s parents bedroom. Jane forced the window open and crawled into the room.

She stood up and started toward the door, she had just reached for the door handle when she heard the bathroom door behind her close.

“Jane!” Helen Morgendorffer exclaimed.

“Well that really sucks.” Jane sighed.

“Jane. What are you doing here?” Helen asked and Jane turned and saw her looking at the window and watched as understanding sunk in.

“Jane. Did you really think you could sneak into the house while I was home?” Helen sighed.

“Um no.” Jane surrendered.

“Lets go.” Helen said sternly but Jane also noticed something else, something like relief.

“Can’t I see her please?” Jane said as Helen took control of her shoulder and pulled her into the hallway.

“Not today but I think tomorrow it will be ok.” Helen said nicely.

Several thumps entered the hall and Jane knew they came from Daria’s room. She started toward the door worriedly.

“She’s ok.” Helen said calmly and pulled her toward the stairs.

Jane allowed herself to be taken down the stairs until a sharp scream came from Daria’s room and Jane realized that the padding must be dampening the sound.

Jane broke free of Helen and darted back up the stairs only to be literally tackled to the floor by the lawyer.

“Jane you don’t know what’s happening.” Helen almost pleaded.

“She’s screaming.” Jane said desperately as she tried to crawl out from under the older woman.

“It’s ok. Jane I swear it’s ok.” Helen was begging now.

“Let me go.” Jane said as she continued to struggle.

“Please just give me a second.” Helen begged.

“Get off me.” Jane ordered and felt Helen comply.

“Just calm down and listen to me.” Helen said holding both hands out as Jane backed away from her on all fours.

“What did you do?” Jane said as a million ideas formed in her head.

“Nothing, we haven’t lied to you. Remember when Daria had the flu last year.” Helen said making a show of keeping her distance.

“Yes.” Jane answered and she inched closer to her friend’s door.

“And the trip to her grandmother’s during our first summer here?” Helen pushed.

“SO!” Jane wanted to scream.

“It doesn’t happen often but when she gets sick it takes a while for her to come back from it.” Helen sighed.

Another short scream came from the room and Jane darted to the door and tried to turn the handle before finding it locked.

“She didn’t want you to know. She is embarrassed please Jane. There isn’t any going back and she’ll never forgive us if she loses her friend.” Helen pleaded.

Jane pulled out a folding multi tool and grinned at Helen. “There isn’t anything that could ever do that.” She deftly forced the lock and swung the door open.

The room was in shambles and most of the furniture was nowhere to be seen. Weird writing covered the walls and the bed seemed to be leaning against the wall. In the middle of the chaos sat Daria. She was writing on huge sheets of paper and her head never turned.

“Please Jane.” Helen said from behind her. “She’ll be ok in a few days.”

Jane took a step forward and reached out toward her friend. “Daria.”

Daria looked up and Jane fought the urge to run before. “Jane.”

Daria bounced from the floor and grabbed her hand and pulled her close to the walls and started talking far too fast for Jane to understand pointing out different places on the wall.

“It’s good to see you.” Jane said and was surprised to find she still really meant it.

“Jane early.” Daria responded and pulled her over to the other wall and pointed out something that Jane couldn’t understand. She would point to two separate spots and claim one was Jane and the other was Jane early.

“It’s a calendar. It uses …. something to figure out what day it is. She’s managed to predict when her chemical levels will stabilize.” Helen explained.

“So I came here to early and you’re still …” Jane found herself at a loss for words.

“Ok.” Daria shrugged and pulled Jane back to where she had been sitting on the floor and started writing again. She never even loosened her grip on Jane.

“What are you writing?” Jane asked.

“History, or future.” Daria said quickly and continued writing.

“She doesn’t know. She writes down all manner of things and she’ll try to salvage some of it once she’s better.” Helen said moving closer.

“Hungry.” Daria said toward her mother.

“Ok. Can Jane come with me to help?” Helen asked.

“Jane visit.” Daria said.

“She can visit but I could use some help.” Helen said nicely and Jane felt her hand released.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Jane promised and she saw understanding and hope in her friend’s eye but there was fear there to.

“C’mon Jane. We’ll be right back.” Helen said to her daughter before locking the door behind them and starting down the stairs.

“Wow.” Jane said as she felt shock set in.

“The door is that way.” Helen said as she point toward the front door before heading into the kitchen.

“I thought … she asked me to stay for lunch.” Jane said surprised.

“Jane you don’t have to face this. Most likely she won’t remember you stopped by. Go home.” Helen sighed.

“No.” Jane said defiantly. “That’s my best friend up there and I’m not leaving her alone with someone who puts tartar sauce on a ham sandwich.”

“Damn.” Helen said and tossed the ruined food into the trash.

“Go take a nap and I’ll keep an eye on her.” Jane offered.

“I can’t leave the door unlocked; she might try to run away.” Helen sighed sadly.

“Then lock me in with her.” Jane shrugged.

Helen looked at her and nodded weakly.

“And I’m ordering pizza.” Jane smirked.

“Take lots of napkins.” Helen sighed.

Jane grabbed the phone and made her order.

“I don’t know what this means to you Jane but … it … it’s been a long time since anyone besides us showed that they cared. She needs that.” Helen said tiredly.

“She’s my friend.” Jane said as if that explained it all.

:Maybe for her it does.: Helen thought.

Part 3


Quinn arrived home and after quickly checking the house found her mother sound asleep on her bed.

:She’s earned it.: Quinn thought as she went to check on her sister.

The sounds of laughter came through the door as she unlocked it and swung it open.

“Jane!” Quinn gasped in surprise.

“Hey Quinn.” Jane said as she stood still in the center of the room wearing only her underwear as Daria concentrated on covering her with the strange writing.

“How did you?” Quinn said confused.

“I snuck in and found out and your Mom needed a break so I took over for her.” Jane said and laughed as Daria hit a ticklish spot.

“Still.” Daria scolded her.

Quinn watched in surprise for several minutes before she remembered the door was standing open and Daria wasn’t trying to get out.

“She wrote the note in case I ever got nosey didn’t she.” Jane asked her.

“Yes. I promised I would give it to you.” Quinn nodded.

“Won’t it have been easier to just come clean and tell me the truth?” Jane sighed.

“She didn’t want you to know. Everyone who has ever found out disappeared out of her life.” Quinn said sadly.

“Well I’m not everyone.” Jane snorted.

“Quinn’s turn.” Daria declared as she finished on Jane’s collarbone.

Quinn sighed and much to Jane’s surprise started removing her shirt. “Just not the black ink. It takes forever to come off.” She said with a grin at the black covered Jane.

“That’s just wrong.” Jane groaned.

Daria started writing on Quinn as she stepped out of her pants and Jane found herself standing next to Quinn as it seemed Daria needed to reference the writing on her.

“So you’re planning on sticking around.” Quinn mused.

“Yep.” Jane replied.

“If you try to turn this into some art project I’ll make your name mud at school.” Quinn threatened.

“I’m sure I’ll do some paintings based of this but it won’t be for public viewing.” Jane answered calmly.

“She’s getting better. Yesterday she couldn’t even talk.” Quinn mused.

“Levels dropping.” Daria answered as she wrote what Jane thought might be some kind of math equation across the top of Quinn’s breast.

“Hey.” Quinn said seeing where she was looking.

“Relax Princess I’m looking at what she’s writing. If I wanted to stare at you I would be checking out the thong.” Jane said teasingly indicating Quinn’s choice of underwear.

Quinn blushed and nodded.



Jake Morgendorffer came home and heard the talking as soon as he opened the door. He hurried up the stairs and turned bright red as he rushed into Daria’s room before dashing back out.

“Really not wearing anything this time.” Jane laughed.

“I don’t want to know.” Quinn said looking mildly amused.

“So Quinn tell me about your day.” Jane joked.

“Same old same old. Sandi complained, Tiffany didn’t get it and Stacy cried. Oh and Upchuck got stuffed in the English hall’s trashcan.” Quinn shrugged.

“So the world didn’t stop spinning just because I wasn’t there.” Jane pouted.

“No but there is a rumor that you two ran off together, to someplace where your love won’t be looked down on.” Quinn giggled.

“I hope it has a beach.” Jane complained.

“I think they said Alaska, they have beaches there right.” Quinn laughed.

The girls joking was interrupted by Helen entering the room looking like she just got up.

“Jane why did you let me sleep so long?” Helen scolded her.

“Um I was locked in. I didn’t think it was a good idea to bring the Leatherman pliers in here so I left them downstairs.” Jane nodded toward the door.

Helen slapped her forehead and groaned. “I’ll get you a key.”

“Cool.” Jane said as Daria ended her writing on Quinn and after a brief hug to Jane’s legs crawled between the wall and her leaning bed, dragging a blanket behind her.

Jane looked at Quinn clearly concerned.

“She’s tired. She’ll sleep for a few hours and then be roaming around again.” Quinn explained.

“Ok.” Jane replied.

“Well since I’ve already had my nap how about you two take the pictures then scrub that off.” Helen said.

“Pictures?” Jane asked.

“Daria wants us to save it so she can study it later. Apparently it’s important.” Quinn groaned and carefully picked up both her and Jane’s clothes then headed to her room. Jane followed and Quinn pointed over to the wall. “Stand over there and I’ll do yours then you can do mine.”

“Ok.” Jane agreed and stood there fighting the urge to start posing.

Quinn took several dozen pictures of the writing before confirming she had it all.

“Now she wants it all.” Quinn sighed and Jane started snapping away.

:Ok the camera does like her.: Jane admitted and it made her laugh.

“What?” Quinn demanded.

“Just thinking that if you really want it, a career in modeling isn’t that much of a reach for you.” Jane admitted.

Quinn grinned and Jane had to groan inwardly at the almost giddy response from the younger girl.

“Don’t get a swelled head.” Jane warned. “I can always leak pictures of you like this once you’re big and famous.”

“Humph.” Quinn pouted.

“I think I got it all.” Jane said and played the pictures on the screen and had to admit she took a perverse pleasure in Quinn’s reaction to the writing on her butt.

“Ok, since you’re the guest you can take the shower first. The lava is under the sink. Use it and use lots.” Quinn instructed.

“Yes ma’am.” Jane stated and she walked into the hall heading for the bathroom. Unfortunately Jake had finally gotten the nerve to leave his bedroom and didn’t see her until standing almost next to her mostly undressed body.

“Hi Jakey. I’m hitting the showers. Want to do my back?” Jane teased as she headed into the shower. “I’ll leave the door open.”

“JANE!” Quinn said from her doorway. “Quit teasing my Dad or I’m telling Daria.”

“Fine.” Jane yelled back.

“I need a drink.” Jake said as he headed downstairs.



Daria woke up in the morning feeling like her head was made of wool. She didn’t bother moving toward the door as she knew it would be locked.

She looked at her calendar system and groaned when she realized that she lost four full days and at least one more before she would feel like a human being again.

“Might as well get started.” She said to herself and was grateful for the lack of an answer.

She righted her bed and dug out the camera that she always kept on the top of the closet shelf.

:Funny I can do complex math but I can’t figure out how to open a damn door.: She thought bitterly.

She heard Quinn moving toward the bathroom and called through the door. “Quinn.”

The sounds of a key being inserted into a lock followed within seconds and the door opened.

“Hey Quinn. I’m better.” Daria said knowing that the words alone would be sign of that.

“About time.” Quinn smiled.

“Well excuse me. I see I went to town with the markers again.” Daria said pointing to the faint outline that remained on Quinn’s arm.

“I’ll be wearing long sleeves for at least a few days. I have the pictures.” Quinn dismissed Daria’s guilty look.

“Ok. I just wish I knew where are this came from. I understand it but just barely.” Daria sighed and accepted the pictures that Quinn had retrieved for her and started looking through them.

“Nice thong.” Daria joked before she got to the next picture. Daria froze staring at the picture her face drained of all color.

“She broke in and found out then wouldn’t leave. I had to call her brother to make her go home last night. She understands or something.” Quinn said quickly.

“Damn it.” Daria said looking miserable.

“Quinn I’m sending Jane up.” Helen called from downstairs.

“Ok Mom. Daria is ok.” Quinn called back.

The footsteps that had been coming up the stairs turned into a stampede. Jane quickly entered the room.

“Amiga!” Jane cheered.

“Jane.” Daria groaned.

“I let you strip me and then write all over me and that’s the best I get. Talk about ungrateful. I should have eaten the last slice of pizza.” Jane teased.

“Is this the part where you say that we can still be friends but then when I call you’re never home?” Daria said sadly.

“I’m really getting offended by the way everyone seems to think I’m going to bail of something. We’ve stuck together through a lot worse than this so shove it and get it through your head. YOU ARE STUCK WITH ME.” Jane tossed out tensely.

“Should have ran when you got the chance she’s a nosey busybody.” Quinn joked to her sister.

“I’ll deal. You sure you want to hang with a crazy person.” Daria said and Jane saw the hope in her friend’s eyes again.

“I’ve been hanging with you forever; this doesn’t even flip my weird o’meter.” Jane laughed.

“Alright but if you bail on me I’m going to hunt you down and kiss every boyfriend you have for the rest of your life.” Daria sighed.

“I already figured that out.” Jane teased.

“You two have a really strange kind of friendship.” Quinn sighed.

“Hush now tell me, what in hell did you write all over Quinn’s ass yesterday?” Jane asked.

Daria laughed then looked at the pictures and studied them for a few moments before answering.

“I think it’s the chemical makeup of rubber mixed with something to make it much stronger.” Daria started to explain.

Jane sat down on the bed and listened as Quinn escaped to avoid something that quickly became too close to school for her tastes on a Friday.

The end.