by C. G Leigh
The town square comes into view and I perk up, taking in the beautiful large white gazebo in the middle of the town. Dozens of people scattered all around eating, drinking, and laughing. They all seem so normal, so human, but I can't let myself get confused. I know that these people are, pardon the expression, wolves in sheep's clothing.
I catch sight of Quincy standing beside the snack station, plate heaping, an annoyed look on her face as Dmitri stands beside her looking protective. As soon as the truck comes to a halt, I bolt, not wanting or needing Shep to open it for me, I'm a strong, independent woman. He doesn't try to stop me, or say anything, like he knows I need him to just let me go.
Quincy's face turns into a smile as she thrusts her plate into Dmitri's hands and we run to each other, neither of us hesitating as we embrace in a tight hug, "Are you okay?" I ask, pulling away to get a good look at her.
"I'm fine Moody Pants over there would hardly let me leave his sight, but G listen Alice and Edmond they're really nice people. You should tell them,” She glances from me towards the vampires.
I don't spare them a single glance, ignoring her suggestion but quickly remember my mission, "I need to talk to you,” my tone grows serious as my eyes shift to Dmitri.
He licks his thumb, taking the cake off his finger that smudged him when Quincy nearly threw her plate at him, setting her plate to the side he nods, "I'm done keeping secrets for the Creed, for my parents.”
"Oh so now you're willing to answer questions, what about when I asked you?" Quincy crosses her arms looking annoyed.
"That's different,” he gazes at her like she's the only woman in the whole world.
"How?” She asks dumbfounded.
"Love I know, I've always known,” he smiles reaching out his hand and strokes her cheek. It seems like such a personal moment, but my head becomes filled with even more questions. What does he know about her? Quincy looks more confused than I am, before her blank look becomes replaced by a scared and knowing one.
"No you can't know, not that, you wouldn't have been like you've been if you knew, if you know who, what I am,” she steps away from him scared and in denial.
"Quincy what's wrong?"
She turns to me terrified, "I'm so sorry G, I haven't been honest with you. You have always been like family to me, since the day we met, two peas in a pod,” She looks so sorrowful.
"Look at me Quincy,” Dmitri urges, as she takes another step away from us.
Reaching out his hand he gently grabs hers, "I don't care what you are, because I know who you are,” his eyes shining with nothing but love.
"Quincy it's alright just tell me what's going on,” I nearly beg. I now notice a few eyes on us, but ignore them to focus on her.
A tear slides down her eye, "I'm a monster, I always have been, I just keep it at bay with snacks, appease the creature and it stays calm, I won't become what I was born to be,” she stammers.
"What, I don't understand?", I question, confused by her words.
Smiling painfully, she looks so sad,"My Dad was a hunter, he was sent on a mission to hunt and kill creatures known as Bogarts. They're giants, with the capability to rain destruction and mayhem wherever they go. What he didn't know was that Bogarts transform into humans a few times a year to mate in the hopes of having a child. My Mother is a monster, she was attracted to my Father simply because he smelled like a Bogart, she didn't know what he was, she thought he was a male of her kind, but he had hunted one down and killed him earlier in the day.
When they learned the truth, they tried to kill each other. Mom ran away and gave birth to me, she sent me to live with my Father, so disgusted by my very being. He was no better, he sent me away to a facility owned by the Creed, a facility where people like me are tortured, broken, picked apart for medical research. I was good though, I kept it at bay, they said as long as I became a hunter, killed others like me that they wouldn't put me back into that hell. I was so scared to tell anyone, they said if I did they'd send me back,” she cries, more tears flooding from her eyes.
"I won't ever let that happen,” Dmitri says in finality.
Quincy pulls away from him, "How can you even say that, even care about me, all this time you've known just what kind of awful beast I am. What did they want you to watch me to keep me close in case I snap,” she asks angrily.
Dmitri shakes his head, "No in fact they told me to stay away from you, but I couldn't because from the moment my eyes landed on you all I've felt is love, and dammit woman everyone seems to know it but you. You've got me by the bloody balls and it drives me mad, you drive me absolutely bonkers,” he marches up to her and places his head against hers, before gently placing a kiss on her forehead.
She closes her eyes leaning against him, "You're some kind of man you know that,” she whispers, placing a kiss on his lips.
"Only for you Babe,” he grins.
Their moment of intimacy is quickly ruined by clapping, "Aww you two are so adorable, I just love when love is in the air,” the girl, I recognize instantly as Effie chimes.
"Sunshine can't you see that they were having a moment,” Ward asks, taking Effie away from the scene.
"Sorry,” she mutters as she is led away by Ward. It becomes clear then that just about everyone has witnessed the reveal.
I can't think, don't know how to process all this. My roommate, the person who has been sleeping beside me for years, my partner in crime, isn't human.
"Gemma", Quincy whispers, looking to me for a reaction.
I look away and then back at her, "What do you want me to say?" I hold out my arms in question.
"That you're still my best friend, that this doesn't change that,” her eyes beg.
I look away, my own rare tears forming, "I'm so sorry that all those terrible things happened to you. I really am, but you lied to me, people keep doing that,” I can't stand it for another second and run. The sound of my name being called is the last thing I hear, running seems to be something I'm becoming quite good at.
I knew I wouldn't make it far without hurting myself. So once I make it past all the leering eyes, I find a nice quiet spot behind a large oak. Leaning up against the tree, I pull my knees to my chest, crying. A genuine, crying mess, that's what I become. I expect Quincy, or one of the others, even maybe Shep to find me, but who I least expect is Alice.
She kneels down beside me, "Ah sweetheart I know it's hard, change always is. Learning the truth about friends, about the world and yourself,” wiping my eyes I look at her.
"It seems like I never knew anything about anyone, about what's right and wrong, I mean am I a bad person, am I on the wrong side of this?" I ask her.
She smiles warmly, "That's for you to decide, everyone has to make a choice between what's right and what's wrong. That choice can only be made by you, if you truly follow your heart it'll lead you the right way."
"What if I make the wrong choice?" I question, needing an answer.
Before she can answer another voice intercedes, "You're young with your whole life ahead of you and more potential then you know what to do with. If you do choose wrong, there is always a way to make things right,” Edmond appears, wisdom in his words.
Looking at them both, talking to me like this, in this moment I feel like they're my parents, I can forget what they are, what I am and all the secrets, and then it's just us. Not me and them, but us, a family, something I had always longed for. Yes, Memere and Pepere were always there for me, but it always felt broken, like only part of a puzzle, and some of the pieces have been missing.
"What's that?" I ask, catching sight of a necklace around Alice's neck.
She smiles completely uncovering it, "It's a dove, Edmond has one like it in the form of a pin and I have this. It's a symbol of our love for each other, we never go anywhere without them.” Everything seems to click, my dreams I've been dreaming about them, the doves, my protectors.
Maybe this is it, maybe this is the moment that I tell them, give them the truth, t
he truth of our reality. Just as I open my mouth to speak, "Hey guys we have a problem you better get up here.” A voice shouts drawing all of our attention back towards the party. We all hurry, emerging, I see what has the voice so spooked, dozens of armed military vehicles entering town, stopping at the square, surrounding us.
I was right, I knew they'd come for us, but some part of me, so small, almost too small to acknowledge, hoped they wouldn't.
SEVENTEEN
Somehow we all come together, Quincy, Dmitri, Hudson, Beatrice, Savanna, Dante, and Rick and I. All of us find each other as chaotic whispers spread throughout. The doors on the trucks open and several men step out holding guns, I recognize members of the Creed, Professor Maycomb, and Dean Tremaine amongst them.
Dmitri's Father, Jeremiah pulls out a megaphone bringing it to his mouth to speak, "Give us the kids and our operative or we will be forced to act without conscience.”
Ward steps forward, "They may leave if they wish to otherwise, they will be welcomed here. As for your man, he will be brought to you. Do not mistake my kindness for weakness, if your men hurt a single one of my people, the consequences will be harsh.”
"Sandy,” Ward gestures towards us, and she whispers a spell holding out her staff, I can guarantee that the spell is a work of show for the others having still believed the bracelets to be a safety net for the townspeople.
"It's done, they're free to go,” Sandy says, as my bracelet falls to the ground like a tether breaking.
"I meant what I said, you don't have to go, none of you do,” Ward looks at each of us with genuine kindness in his eyes.
"Right I'm out of here let's go Beatrice,” Savanna ignores Ward and makes her way towards the safety of our teachers, but Beatrice doesn't budge.
"I'm staying, this place is amazing and way better than the Academy.”
"Fine, I was only friends with you because I felt bad for you, Hudson Baby, let's go,” Savanna turns her attention to him, but Hudson doesn't move either.
He crosses his arms, "No thanks I'm sick of being your dirty little secret I like it here and I'm staying.”
Savanna laughs, "Fine if you all want to stay with these freaks go for it, but I'm going home and getting back to our real life you know the one we've been training for, hunting vampires, it seems you've all forgotten,” she storms away.
"You have to go to Dmitri,” Quincy surprises me.
"I'm not going anywhere I want to be here with you,” he argues.
Smiling warmly she kisses him softly, "Alice and Edmond want me to stay with them, and Seraphina thinks that she can create a necklace for me to calm the beast. I will be fine, but you and I both know that your parents won't leave without you. I love you, so for me, please go,” she begs.
He struggles, touching his head to hers knowing she's right he whispers, "We'll see each other again. I'll find some way to get back to you.”
He pulls away only turning back to look at Dante and Rick, "You guys coming?"
"Nah, we're gonna stay but do us a favor and tell our parents that we're happy?" Rick asks.
Dmitri nods, and walks, not looking back knowing he can't bear to see Quincy again, or else, he will not be able to leave.
Ray, Charlie and Shep bring Fletcher forward, Shep frees him from his handcuffs, "Do us all a favor and don't come back, hunter,” Charlie shoves Fletcher ahead.
"I told you they'd come Gemma, now come along you and I both know this place isn't for you,” Fletcher marches ahead waiting for me, only sparing a moment to glare back at the three lycans.
Quincy takes a step towards me, "G don't go, you know what he is saying isn't true. You do belong here.”
Swallowing the lump in my throat I take a step back, "I don't belong here and I never will.” I look back briefly and glance at Anna, Madgi, my Parents, and Shep. Turning away, I step towards the trucks, and my freedom.
"Wait,” I stop in my tracks, as my Golden Eyed Nemesis calls out to me. He comes to stand in front of me, blocking the trucks from seeing me.
"You know Darlin you don't make things easy for a guy,” he touches my hair like he always does. I smile, a single tear escaping, he catches it, kissing it away. Reaching into his pocket he pulls out a small vial holding it out to me. "I had Effie make this, it's for your uncle to help him out of his psychosis,” he whispers.
"You remembered,” I whisper in awe.
He cocks a crooked grin, "I'll always listen to you.”
Angling my head up I kiss him, before pulling away, "Thank you".
He looks grave, trying to contain his pain, "Come back to me one day crazy girl and for the record I loathe you two.” He walks back to stand with his family. I tuck the vial deep into my pocket, and my feet finally decide to start working again. I begin to realize the gravity of what I'm leaving behind. My parents, best friend and maybe the only man that I'll ever truly want to kiss. Touching the necklace that Shep gave me, I tuck it away under my shirt, a determined look replacing the lost one.
"What did that furball want?" Fletcher asks walking the rest of the way with me.
"He was just saying goodbye.” I answer truthfully.
"Is this all of you coming back with us?" Professor Maycomb asks when he sees me coming into view.
"Yes, the rest have chosen to stay.”
"May God have mercy on their souls,” Jeremiah prays aloud. We are all loaded into a truck and driven back to the Academy. A place I once called home, but that now feels as far away from home as a place can get.
EIGHTEEN
The room is big enough to be a cell, with only enough room for a table and two chairs, one on either side and what I imagine to be a window with people on the other side. They're watching me, Fletcher must have told them about my parents, well either him or Savanna, they're trying to decide if I can be trusted.
I've been in this room for a few hours now, they separated us all once we got here, back to the Academy. We're underground, near the dungeons.
Jeremiah strolls in holding a thick file, setting it down with a clunk, he takes a seat in the empty chair across from me, "I've been reading over your file, it's impressive, first in your class.” He waits for me to give a response, but I remain silent. "Fine, why don't I cut to the chase. You now know classified information, and with the familial relationship that you have with two of our cases you're a liability.”
Slamming my hands down on the table he stops talking, "What business did you have sending eight amateurs into a hostile environment, without the proper information or protocol. Furthermore I have no familia relationship to those creatures, as far as I'm concerned my parents are dead.”
He perks up, "Well I'm glad to hear that, it would be a shame for us to lose one of our best and brightest. Though you are correct what happened in Fillmore was an unfortunate occurrence, one that the Creed is hesitant to make again, rest assured. Now that we know where your loyalties lie that's all that matters. My only question for you Ms. Knightly is what are you willing to do for the cause?"
"What do you have in mind?" I ask.
He smiles, "Start preparing yourself Gemma because that little town of theirs isn't going to be safe for long, we'll have those abominations taken care of soon enough.”
I plaster a smile on my face, "Good, they're finally going to get exactly what they deserve".
"Welcome aboard,” He holds his hand out for me to shake, without a moment's hesitation, I shake his hand.
Walking to the door he holds it open for me, "Your Grandparents have asked for us to allow you to return home for a few days considering the circumstances, we agreed, but I expect you back and in training by Monday morning.”
"I'll be back by Sunday,” I assure him.
"That's a good girl,” he smiles proudly.
My Grandparents sigh in relief as I step outside, both of them embracing me in a tight hug. They lead me to the car and help me inside. The drive home is filled with nothing, but empty conversation, because they know, that now I know the t
ruth.
When we reach the house I sit down at the large table in my usual spot, "Would you like something to eat?" Memere asks as she takes off her coat and heads toward the kitchen.
Pepere hesitates by the door, knowing that I want answers. "Please sit.” They each cautiously sit down in their designated seats. "What happened, to my parents, and to Uncle Jonas? Please, I need the truth, I know what my parents are.”
Memere looks away, "I had hoped this day would never come. That you could live your life without knowing.”
"Really Gemma we were doing what we thought was best for you,” Pepere agrees.
"How's lying to me, letting me become a hunter even though vampires aren't all bad? Knowing that I would kill innocents?" I look to each of them begging for answers.