Hi! So I did a poll for the chapter Zoo on my one-shot collection about what I should write next. This is an extension of Chapter 18 'Reasons'. It is a Marly (Marcus/Carly) story so they'll be the main characters. It will be mostly in 1st person, possibly switching between Carly and Marcus. Disclaimer: I do not own Bloodlines, its characters, or the classes I mention.
'You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice'–Bob Marley
Carly POV (CPOV)
I'm facing the door as I block space for the title of my poster. While most of them are printed, some are still made using markers and glue. Like the aforementioned, for example. Girls sit around me alone or in groups working on their own posters. Quotes go up on them as well as phone numbers for various support groups and therapists. The work is fun despite its content. It makes me glad I'm double majoring in psychology and pre-law. Most of the girls here are, in fact, studying one of the two or have experienced something similar to what Keith did.
Someone raps on the door and Annie, a small blue-haired girl, pops up to get it yelling something about pizza. She peers out and I only look up when her annoyed tone filters through the rest of the noise. "Where's the pizza?"
"Do I look like a pizza guy?" Gabby, my roommate, nudges me with a wink.
"Sounds like your boyfriend." I toss her a disgusted look.
"He's not my boyfriend. He's my younger sister's friend."
"Uh-huh, sure." I toss her another look before heading over to the door.
"I got it Ann, thanks."–Turning to Marcus I raise a brow.–"Yes?"
"Thought I'd come to see you. I'm off and am in the area for a while." I take a moment to look him over. He looks exactly like he did last time I saw him and I sigh.
"Marcus…"
"Look, Carly, I get it. I do. You are about as trustful as Sydney, which is to say not at all, but she trusted me…and I really am in the area for a while. Can't keep the Alchs away forever."
"The…you mean Alchemists? It's impossible and Sydney trusts more than I do." Marcus shrugs.
"Sure she does. When was the last time you saw her?" I swallow and know he has me. Grinning to myself I stand straighter and send him a haughty look.
"I distinctly remember you promising to take me to her." Marcus blinks and shrugs again.
"Okay, when do you want to leave?" I gape and shake my head.
"I can't, I was just…theorizing, Marcus. I have a thing on Saturday and classes starting up again on the Monday after that. I just can't."
"She misses you a lot."–I scowl at the carrot he's dangling.–"And, if you feel bad about making me pay. I won't. Adrian will." I have to smile at that thought. I'd rather make Marcus pay, but Adrian will do just as well.
"Fine…but only until Wednesday."
"That's three days." I bite my lip.
"I know, but I'm busy, I told you." Marcus nods once before turning and heading back out of the dorm building.
"See you tonight at 7!"
Marcus POV (MPOV)
I'm slightly surprised when Carly actually meets me by the baggage drop-off around 6. By the way she acted this afternoon, I wasn't sure she'd come at all. Or, if she did, I'd have to work for it. We go through airport security fairly quickly and board the plane half an hour after that. Carly doesn't release her pepper spray the entire time. Once we're seated I lean over with a small grin. "I'm pretty sure you'll do more damage than the spray."
"How would you know?"
"I know what muscle definition is Carly." A light blush covers her cheeks and she turns towards the aisle. I feel relief that my intuition was right in buying all three seats, she's more relaxed here than she was in the entire airport. A twinge of guilt courses through me. "So…what are you taking?"
"Senior classes."
"Which are…?"
"Health and Human Rights in the World Community for starters. Sex Crimes, Sex Panic; which is not a required class, but I had a bit of free time."–I roll my eyes at this, Sage sisters.–"The Politics of Law and Legal Thought, and that is required for pre-law. Psychoanalysis and the Visual, again for pre-law. The final pre-law one is Psychoanalysis, Behavior, and Memory. Then, of course, Pre-Law and Psych…and AP Hebrew."
"You are taking a lot for a senior." I guess, but Carly just shrugs.
"Sorta. I feel like I have to take a lot to make up for the fact Sydney was supposed to be the one going to college, not me." I soften and tap the back of her hand twice.
"It's all good, she liked her school." Carly smiles, obviously getting the reference.
"Still." I hesitate, unsure if I should mention what went down in Nevada.
"Carly…what do you know about your family line?" She glances at me with a weird expression.
"Why?"
"Because I'm curious about something Sydney d…mentioned." Carly turns to face me fully at that.
"Do you know? About the…thing."
"I know what happened when the Alchemists tried to control her." Carly swallows.
"I thought I was the only one in the family…they never. I didn't…"
"I didn't know until a few weeks ago."–Carly sits back heavily.–"There's something else, but maybe she should tell you that one." Carly hesitates before nodding.
"Yeah…maybe she should."
"Don't tell her I told you, I'm not supposed to know."
"I'm not surprised you do."
"Ouch."
"We're about to land I think, the cabin light went on."
CPOV
The anticipation for seeing Sydney is greater than that of being in a large crowd. I barely notice we're in an airport until a brunette ushers us into a limo and slides in front with a tall man, also brunette. "I'm Rose, this is Dimitri. We're friends of your sister, Sydney."
"I know who my sister is."
"You have two. I was clarify…"
"Roza." The word is spoken quietly, but it shuts the girl up immediately.
"Right, your safety and comfort is our utmost concern…wow; I would suck at being a server of any kind."
"Roza, try to stay on track. Remember what Lissa said, no questions."
"Right, but be real Comrade, no way I'm getting out of this without at least a smidgen of more info." The man, Dimitri, just shakes his head. In the mirror, a slight smile is reflected. Rose babbles on about something while I look out at the landscape. It doesn't take long before a sprawling college with wrought iron gates looms in front of us.
"Whoa." Rose grins back at me.
"Yeah, welcome to Moroi Court." Otherwise known as Queen Vasilisa's Court. We usually just go with plain old, Court."
"She's wasting time. She hasn't been active all day." Rose sticks her tongue out at Dimitri just as they pull up to a guard. "Stan."
"Dimitri, Rose. You're passengers?"
"A team of highly trained Strigoi."
"Rose! Carly Sage and Marcus Finch. Human." Stan snorts and nods toward the gate.
"I got that once you said Sage. Queen Vasilisa said they'd be coming. Apparently, Lord Adrian found two plane tickets charged to his account. Go on." We pull through and stop right by one of the buildings. Dimitri and Rose exit the vehicle before coming around and quickly escorting us into a long hallway on the second floor.
"Ready? They're in here." It's Dimitri who says this, but they both look concerned. Sydney is behind the door. For the first time in three and a half years I'll come face-to-face with her. Am I ready?
Cliff-hanger! I live for writing cliff hangers. So, chapter one! Or two, I suppose…'Reasons' can be the prologue. Hope you like, it was so much fun writing I almost forgot to stop :) Please send feedback, I will also be doing a holiday one. PM me for holiday prompts (Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year's, etc). Today is the exception to me posting chapters, they will normally be on Saturdays.
R&R
Ciao
