Chapter 2

I couldn't believe I betrayed my brother for a guy I'd only known ten minutes at most. Seth just seemed so honest and I knew Cass lied to me a lot, I just didn't realize how much until now. Did he know about those pills? Had he known what they were capable of doing to me if I took them? He was four years older than me, did he ever take them? I couldn't remember him taking any, but Cass never did like medicine.

Now I understood why. “Are you alright, Maya?” Seth asked coming over to where I was sitting.

“I just hope they're not planning on running away into the wilderness or going north I hear it's even colder up there,” I chewed on my nail, “Maybe I shouldn't have said anything.”

 

“You are a part of this, Maya you should see other people's ability and realize that everyone else is abnormal,” he sat down next to me, “Once they're finished gossiping I asked two of my girlfriends to come and introduce themselves.”

“Girlfriends, so you are a ladiesman,” I raised an eyebrow and his cheeks reddened which was cute to me.

“They are just friends,” he muttered then caught me grinning at him, “The blue eyed beauty calls me a ladiesman so my cheeks reacted out of embarrassment.”

“You better quit that talk before your girlfriends arrive,” I leaned back against the wall, “You know this is the biggest room I have ever been in other than the one time I tried going to church.”

“They like small rooms upstairs, they think they're making it feel 'cozy',” he sighed, “Sorry you had to betray your brother's trust over this.”

“Now that I know about those pills, I am glad I am finally on the right side,” I replied, “How long have you been involved in this?”

“They call me a junior member, but I've been a part of this since I was eleven,” he remarked.

“How old are you now?” I inquired.

“Seventeen and a half,” he smiled, “Yourself.”

“I am seventeen in a few weeks,” I nodded.

 

“Birthday coming up then,” he said casually, “Do you have a lot of friends out in the city?”

“Not exactly,” I bit my lip, “I promised my brother not to interact with a lot of people so this is probably the longest conversation I've ever had with anyone, but my brother.”

“A day of firsts,” he remarked, “Oh here they come.” I looked up and saw a purple haired girl and another blonde coming over to where we were sitting.

“Hey you,” the blonde hugged him, “How is your hot brother?”

“Still going to school to be a doctor,” Seth rolled his eyes.

“You have a brother,” I asked Seth.

 

“His name is Max and he is the most attractive man anyone has ever seen, abs, deep blue eyes and thick black hair you just want to run your hands through,” the purple haired girl insisted.

“Where as his brother is a redhead with a missing tooth and no muscle tone,” the blonde turned to me, “Hey there, I'm Eva.”

“Right introductions, I am Kiara and you're Maya,” the purple haired Kiara extended her hand.

“Yeah,” I shook her hand.

 

“So your brother is in military too, my father and uncles were all part of the navy back when I lived on the coast,” Eva informed me.

“It keeps them away from home a lot,” I got up to my feet, “How did they react to your affliction?”

“I am crashing at Seth's house right now, but they are starting to talk to me again once in awhile,” she shrugged.

“I guess I got lucky with my brother,” I said seriously, “They just kicked you out.”

“Well I did set the house on fire by accident,” she answered, “I was just trying to make the flames go higher in the fireplace and I got distracted.”

 

“It happens to everyone,” Kiara joked, “I still can't believe my mother hasn't condemned me to hell fire for reading other people's minds.”

“You can read my mind,” I raised an eyebrow.

“Yes and Seth wants to know what you're thinking,” Kiara smirked over at him.

“I am thinking it was a good decision to tell everyone, but if it gets back to my brother I'll need a place to hide.”

“Seth could offer his other spare room,” Kiara said and Seth kicked her, “I speak only the truth, Adams and you know it.”

“Well hopefully I will still have a home for a long time,” I ran a hand through my hair, “How old are you two?”

“I'm fifteen and Eva is seventeen,” Kiara said calmly, “Seth is the oldest of the four of us though.”

“By four weeks,” Eva muttered.

“Let it go, Eva,” Seth laughed then Rogers came walking over to us.

 

“Maya Garnet,” he pulled me aside from the group, “Are you certain your information is accurate?”

“Yes, I am certain,” I said seriously.

“Would you be willing to seek out more information through your connections?” he questioned.

“I don't know.” I did not want more trouble with my brother.

“All I need is a time line and a location map order if possible,” he said, “You would be rewarded and we could ensure your safety.”

 

“You can't ensure it otherwise,” I shuddered.

“We just have to know that you are loyal to the cause,” he said then I felt someone by my side.

“You do not need to bully your allies, Jack,” Seth's voice was a relief, “Try asking nicely.”

“Just listen in when your brother talks to people and try to give us updates,” Rogers pushed past Seth then went back to the leaders' group.

“Don't worry about having his protection,” Seth nudged me and I relaxed a little, “He may be a leader, but he is not a cautious person or a very safe one.”

 

“Good to know, who can I count on then?” I frowned.

“The leaders have two members who are very knowledgeable about safety and discreetness,” he handed me a handmade list, “Call Jeffery Waites or Jeremiah Hill if you're having trouble and need to get out of town, but for any small emergencies I added Kiara's and Eva's numbers.”

“Thank you,” I smiled slightly.

“You should probably head home, the leaders just want more information for now,” he suggested.

“My brother is probably freaking out by now,” I felt a little guilty.

“It's cold out there and I know this city like the back of my hand I'll walk you home,” he started towards the elevator.

“You don't have to,” I argued.

“If you're worried about your brother seeing me then I'll veer off before your road, where do you live?” he waved at Kiara and Eva who blew fake kisses back at him.

“The west side of town on Emerald Ridge Avenue,” I answered.

“Interesting area, have you ever been to the park?” he inquired.

“Just a few times,” I grinned and he laughed.

“I bet,” he climbed onto the elevator and we headed back up, “What are you going to tell your brother when you get home?”

“I'll say it was stormy and I lost track of the streets,” I chewed on my lip.

“Good, elaborate lies seem to unravel faster than basic ones,” he said then the elevator door opened.

 

“You were right about the storm,” I could only see white outside.

“I know where they keep the spare coats here if you aren't warm enough,” he offered.

“I am fine,” I assured him, but I did like that he was so concerned about me. Even though I was sure nothing romantic was in my future. Once we were outside, I almost regretted not going for another coat, but Seth put his arm around my shoulder and I could feel his warmth against my back.

“Come on, little dove,” he started to guide me down the street.

 

“Little dove,” I gave him a look.

“You just look like a dove, Maya,” he laughed, “I am willing to bet money that you're not a perfect saint.”

“Well you'd probably win, I betrayed my brother today, I steal candy from the convenience store downtown when the line is too long and I do the bidding of ghosts who don't always have the best intentions.”

“Well what can I call you if you don't like little dove,” he sighed.

“I don't know what friends would call me, but my brother calls me May and it's easier to say,” I suggested.

“May,” he said putting my hood over my head, “Agreed, friend.”

“Did I say friend, I meant acquaintance,” I joked.

“Too late,” he chuckled, “So are you going to come to more meetings or did today prove your brother right about us being lunatics?”

“Actually it proves the opposite, everyone else is crazy and misleading,” I looked around, “There is supposed to be a storm coming.”

“How long do you think it will last?” he inquired.

“This one is probably going to be about the same length as the others,” I thought about the dream I had last night about ice covering the land.

“This one, do you think they'll be another one after that,” he frowned.

“I am not sure,” I lied.

“That's another quirk of yours, you're a terrible liar,” he commented then turned to me, “I can keep a secret, though May if you ever feel like telling me I will not let anyone else find out.”

“For now, it should stay with me,” I shrugged, “So do you just have the one sibling?”

“Yeah, but I have five step siblings my father remarries a lot,” he informed me.

“Sounds like my doctor, Doctor Peck he's the head medical advisor and he works the science department,” I remarked, “He's had seven wives and I hear outside of the office he isn't very pleasant.”

“You see Doctor Peck too,” he said casually, “He must have taken an interest in your case.”

“More like an interest in my family, he knew my parents and my brother holds Peck and his head Officer Warner up on a pedestal,” I leaned into him a little bit.

“Hero worship,” Seth's voice sounded sad.

 

“Are you alright?” I worried I'd said something wrong, “Is Doctor Peck hard on you about trying to act normal too?”

“He's a complex man,” he pointed up and I saw my street sign, “We're here.”

 

“Oh,” I felt disappointed, “I guess I'll go home.”

“Wait May,” he caught my arm as I started to walk away, “You have contacts in a case of an emergency, but if you ever feel like you're going crazy or are afraid, you can call me my number is on the back of the list, I promise I won't judge you I have no right to judge anyone.”

 

“Thanks, Seth,” I smiled at him once more then headed home.