Persona

by Amy Lunderman

  “Alright, shows over. I think that was enough fun for one night huh? Why don’t we all clear out of here, and call this the last hoorah. And if I catch anyone out here again, I’ll have to be the ‘bitch’ and tell my father.”

  There are grumbles of disappointment, but as soon as they are all a good distance away from her, she feels like she can breathe again. It doesn’t even bother her, when it is only now, that everyone else walks away; is when her own friends finally come over to her.

  Moira can’t really blame them; she has been a little flighty lately. And even she felt that way, until Marshall gave her a little confidence boost with her control. As Raven is about to get into her line of sight, Moira’s gaze wanders to Liam; who hasn’t taken an eye off of her. He tenses, like he is about to say something, but his face shuts down and he turns away from her.

  With clenched hands at his sides, he abruptly storms off, leaving a cinnamon scented cloud in his wake.

  He doesn’t get very far before the girl Gianna, with the wild hair, quickly follows after him. He doesn’t slow down or even glance at her, but Moira can see how his body eases just slightly. If she wasn’t so confused about what they are to one another, she might have been jealous, but as it is she is not. Or that is what she is going to keep repeating over and over in her head.

  Otherwise they’ll be having a round two of the crazies.

  As her friends are the ones to converge on her now and with a now shaken William in tow. Daisy says, “Moira, what was that?”

  “Yeah seriously, that was pretty kick ass.” Ray tells her with a huge grin.

  Daisy gasps, and smacks him lightly on the arm, for which he pretends like it hurt more and simply shrugs. Moira has no idea what to say, and luckily Raven speaks up first; or she should say unfortunately.

  “Is there something going on between you and Liam that you forgot to mention? Because I have to tell ya, it really looked like something is going on.”

  Trying to decide what to say in response to that, whether to lie or tell the truth, Moira turns around and starts for the truth. The others follow close behind her, and she doesn’t mistake their intakes of breath when she doesn’t exactly deny having feelings. It is however, way too complicated to just blurt out in the middle of nowhere with anyone listening in.

  It’s not very far before both Daisy and Raven both appear on either side of her, and keep up the speedy pace she is using as an avoidance technique.

  “It’s alright if there is Moira, there isn’t anything wrong with it.” Raven says in a whisper as she leans in close to her.

  “Raven is right, but you don’t have to tell us anything you don’t want. I understand trying to keep things private.” Daisy says in an equally hushed whisper.

  How she got such great friends, Moira has no clue. One moment they were in a shocked silence over her acting like a monster, and then in the next they are completely at home with girl talk. If only she was just as comfortable, in telling them everything that has been going on with her emotions lately. She realizes for the first time, that she hasn’t even told them about the kiss she shared with either boy.

  Maybe a good natured girl talk is in order for them, but not now.

  She really could use to vent about everything, but she doesn’t know where to start. Deciding it’s probably best to think it over before she talks, she figures it’s a good idea to stale any confessions. As it turns out, she didn’t have to worry about spilling the beans. Because before she can even utter a word, Ray and William come up on either side of the girls all smiles.

  “So Moira, I have to tell you, that was freaking awesome what you did to Lucas. That guy has been a thorn in all our sides for ages. I doubt he’ll even cough around you now.” William says with a laugh, which gets the others going to.

  She blushes, as the light tension around them all finally fades. She has to admit, she is a little impressed too. It turns out she is quiet the badass under all her skinny frame and strawberry blonde hair. She is starting to feel at home being a freak, and no skills can help her do anything to change what she is. Even if her persona isn’t anything except to scare away unwanted attention obviously.

  That could be pretty helpful from time to time though.

  “I totally agree, Moira. Looking for a side job as a bodyguard? I bet that would pay pretty well.” Rays says seriously, but with a laughing note to his voice.

  She is laughing before she can stop herself, and it’s a full out one that she hasn’t felt in a while. As she clutches at her aching sides, Raven pounces over to Ray and smacks him at the same time as Daisy does.

  Raven is already at Moira’s side snickering, when Ray even has the time to figure out he just got attacked by both girls.

  “What the heck was that for? I was just picking.” Ray says while acting all wounded.

  Moira is still smiling the closer they get to the infamous fence that circles the property and it doesn’t go unnoticed by her, that with every step they take the two couples inch closer to one another. This leaves Moira alone in the middle of them, and a digging pain works its way into her chest.

  She tries to not pay attention to it, especially since it’s something like jealousy. She doesn’t want to get lost in it, because if she does, then it’s like she is giving up on the hope of having Marty back. As quick as the feeling arrived, it soon flees as Raven and Daisy push into her sides as they near the back porch of the house.

  “So what is the what now? Should we hang for a little while, because I gotta tell you I am in no way ready for bed.” Raven says more to Moira and Daisy and not to the boys that are close on their heels.

  Daisy is quickly nodding, and Moira can sense the excited mood that lingers all around them. But for the life of her, she just can’t muster up the same feeling to join them.

  So before she can change her mind, and subject herself to more jealousy feelings, Moira grabs each girl on the arm and brings them to a stop.

  “Why don’t you guys go and do something fun, I’m a little beat after all the excitement. Besides, we have more than enough free time to all hang out another time right?”

  Raven and Daisy both try to look like they really want her to join them, but at the same time they both share a look with the boys. Moira knows she is making the right decision to leave them then, what’s worse than jealousy is being a third wheel.

  Moira leaves her friends, who are still gazing at one another, and flees forward to the fence in a full out run. As she doesn’t stop to worry about flashing her goodies under her skirt, Moira flings herself over the fence in one smooth motion.

  As she glides easily over the other side, she feels like she is really in the mood for hiding under the blankets and listening to some sad sappy music. Getting to her feet and ignoring the startled gasps of everyone in the clearing that saw her jump, she realizes she has no way to listen to music. Getting to her feet, and not thinking about how she cleared the fence to easy, she takes off for the house.

  She perfectly fine with climbing into bed and settling under the covers for the night, even if it’s not the best getaway; but it’ll do.

  ***

  Stomping through the tree’s, Liam is so angry but can’t explain why, well that’s not completely true, he can think of a lot of reasons. But that is something he can’t afford to think about right now, especially after almost attacking Will.

  He still can’t believe what came over him back there.

  It felt like a heavy rage coursed through him and took control, and he doesn’t have the slightest reason why. Almost like all the things he’s been keeping hidden the last couple of weeks just took front runner of his control and decided to make him comes to grips with it.

  He just wishes he could take it back; and not just the fight with Will.

  If he wasn’t so out of control still, he’d make sure to make things right, but he’s having a hard enough time to not punch a hole through every tree that blocks his way. Gia is following close behind him, and for o
nce he is grateful for not being alone at the moment. He could only imagine what he’d be doing to the poor defenseless trees if she weren’t laughing over his antics. And by the time they reached the border fence, his mood calms until he can’t even remember why he was so angry in the first place.

  They are standing side by side gazing up at the fence, and Liam extends his hands low to the ground; offering a boost for Gia to hop on over.

  She gives him a scrutinizing look, but still smirks at him.

  “That is some interesting company you’re keeping now Li, but that’s not me. I never needed help over this thing before, and I’m not going to now.”

  As if to prove her point, Liam can only watch as she barely bends her knees before launching herself up on top of the fence.

  She lets out a catcall when she lands, and gives him a slight grin showing off her deepened brown eyes and smoothed out hair, before jumping to the other side. With a shake of his head, Liam laughs softly as he too calls on his persona and makes the leap up to the fence.

  The humming vibrations coarse through his body and by the time he is at the top his vision is sharpened giving him a clearer look at the other side of the fence. What he sees is Gia kneeling in a crouch staring up at him still smirking.

  But then she grins, and he spies her sharpened teeth past her lips. His body tenses as he knows what she is going to do before she even does it. And like he thought, she turns away from him and springs into a full out run towards his house and letting out a yeti yell as she does.

  He answers her call with his own, and doesn’t even feel embarrassed, like he would if he were around the others. In one movement, Liam leaps from the fence and is already running after just as his feet grace the ground.

  This side of the fence is tree free, and he only has to avoid houses as he tries to keep up with Gia. This used to be a game they would play as children, one that Will was never fond of. They called it ‘keep up’ and it was mostly to see who was the fastest among them. Usually it’s Liam, but more often than not Gia is a close runner up; especially when she has a head start like now.

  This is why she is a good couple feet ahead of him; and why he knows something is wrong when she comes to an abrupt standstill just before reaching his house.

  Liam picks up his pace, as he takes in her tense posture, and even more so when he follows her gaze to his porch. On the steps only a foot away now, is his father, and he doesn’t look at all pleased. Not that he really cares about whatever mood Marshall is in now, especially the way they left things a short time ago.

  But still, it must be bad, to make the man come out to confront him again.

  Liam wonders if he did something, but quickly disregards it. Considering, he’s been rather on his best behavior since he came home, not mentioning his own mood swings of course. By the time he is within reach both his fathers and Gia’s eyes are on him; one irritated and one worried.

  “What is it pops? Felt the need to harass me some more and couldn’t wait until morning?” Liam says with a smile.

  Gia gasps at his remark, but his attention is all for his father. Who crosses his arms over his chest and glares at his son. When his father doesn’t say anything to him, Liam sighs and places a gentle hand on Gia’s shaking back.

  “Why don’t you leave boss man with me, I’m sure I’m about to get a stern talking to; no since sticking around to witness it.”

  She simply nods and averts her eyes from his father and walks away as fast as she can without looking like she is running. As he watches her, he realizes that she isn’t under her persona anymore.

  If these were such curious times he was living in, he’d find it hilarious that everyone seems to be skittish around his father. But then, he used to be too and turning his eyes back to the man in question, he knows he isn’t anymore.

  When Gia’s quick footsteps fade out of earshot, Liam can’t help glaring up at his father now and imitates his pose.

  “Did you need something dad, or are you just going to glare me to death?”

  Marshall lets out a sigh, and his glare turns into something that resembles tired. Shaking his head, the man looks every ounce of an old man, thus making Liam once again feeling guilty for being an ass.

  “As a matter of fact I do Li, but I’d rather we talked inside; if that’s alright with you?”

  “Sure dad, anything you want.” Liam says.

  He feels like he should be two inches off the ground with his tail tucked between his legs.

  His father nods and turns to go back into the house, and Liam just keeps his mouth shut and follows close behind. He remains silent the whole way to the study, and he doesn’t even argue when his father opens and holds the door open for him.

  He doesn’t even say anything when his father waits for him to sit in one of the oversized chairs facing the desk, before closing the door behind them. Or when his father takes his time walking over to sit behind his desk and Liam is feeling rather patient.

  It begins to run out though, when Marshall sits down and still doesn’t say what he wants.

  “Alright, spit it out already; the suspense is killing me.” Liam demands.

  He crosses his arms over his chest and stretches his legs out before him trying to appear like he doesn’t really care.

  “You were right Liam; the Purists have Gordon and the boy.”

  Liam remains silent, even though the urge to fall out of his chair is pretty freaking high. His father looks at him like he’s trying to win a staring contest. For which he thinks that maybe this is a scam, and he waits for the punch line.

  But it doesn’t come, and neither do anything else out of his father’s lips. Relaxing in the chair again, he tries to appear unfazed by the words.

  “I’m sorry what? Could you repeat that, because it sounds like to me you said the Purists have Gordon and Marty.”

  “You heard me just fine, Liam, and yes the irony is not lost on me thanks.” Marshall says with a heavy sigh.

  He finally looks away to something else of importance on his desk, but when he doesn’t elaborate, Liam wonders why he told him anything in the first place.

  It must burn his father’s hide though, that he was right about them not being arrested. It goes without saying that he was right and his father wrong, but he won’t tell him that; he needs help if he wants to makes things right.

  “That’s all well and good dad, but what does that mean to us? Like how did you find out and what are we going to do about it? Because you know we have to do something right?”

  “Charles called me right after we spoke earlier, and explained that he got a rather interesting call. It was someone in the pack that wanted to remain anonymous, but they were clearly working with the cult. As an intermediary, they wanted to make a trade for the girl.”

  Liam is surprised that Charlie went over his head and to his dad instead of talking to him about it; he figures though that maybe he had the thought that Liam would do something stupid. This would be about right, since he’s been itching to do something since he pulled into his driveway the other day.

  It wouldn’t come as a surprise if the ‘anonymous’ caller would be someone he fought with at the warehouse; someone like Bill or his two hick sons Paul and Joseph. But who called isn’t as important as what was said.

  “What did Charles say to them? I mean he didn’t tell them no outright did he?” Liam asks in a rush, almost worried about what his dad will say next.

  “He didn’t give them an answer, mostly because they knew he had to contact me first before deciding anything beforehand.”

  “So what are we deciding? Because this is a ‘we’ you know I want in on this.”

  Marshall leans further back into his chair, if that is at all possible and gives Liam a look of morose. That is something that makes Liam’s nerves spike towards a familiar rage and he has the feeling his father isn’t going to tell him anything he wants to hear.

  “There won’t be anything to be ‘in on’, we’re not tr
ading Moira.”

  “Of course we’re not trading her, which would be ridiculous. So what about getting Gordon and Marty back and when do we leave?”

  “Li, I think you misunderstand. We’re not doing anything, about anything. There is too much at stake to risk the low manpower we have for just two people. Our own is conspiring with the enemy, we can’t make ourselves known; not now.”

  The rage creeps into Liam’s chest and stirs around in a funneling twister along with the hum of his persona. As his eyes become sharper, Liam sits up straight and leans forward glaring at his father.

  “We can’t leave them there, and you know it. We’re not the bad guys and we don’t give up, at least I don’t anyway.”

  “I know your upset son, but there is nothing we can do. Gordon will understand, he is an army man after all. He wouldn’t want us to sacrifice everything we built these past years to ‘try’ and get him back.”

  Liam is already shaking his head before his father finishes saying anything; or is it his entire body that is shaking?

  “And what of Marty? He’s not an army man; he’s just a boy with a family that is probably worried about him. And speaking of family, are we just going to move on with our lives and forget all about mom. You remember her right, the woman you married?”

  Liam got to his feet mid tangent, and the only thing that makes him stop is when his father slams a clawed fist on the desk.

  “Watch your mouth Liam Black. I know very well who your mother is and why she isn’t here with us. It’s time you stopped acting like a boy and more like a man who has to make tough decisions.”

  Clenching his hands at his sides, Liam makes like he wants to argue with his father, but the man holds up his hands causing him to remain silent.

  “This is the end of this discussion. Clearly including you in on this was a mistake on my part, and it won’t happen again.”

  Feeling his persona coursing through his body, all he wants in this moment is to strangle his father and demand that he change his mind. He doesn’t do this though, and it takes every bit of his control to stay perfectly still.