[A story about one of my favorite book series ever, the Cassidy Jones Adventures. If you love kickbutt girl superheros, I would highly recommend! This is set somewhere after Cassidy Jones and the Luminous. So SPOILERS. Duh.]
Jared didn't know why he was in such a poor mood. He really didn't. By all accounts, he should be excited. More than happy. Ecstatic. He was going to spend the entire afternoon alone with his girl. It was a rare occurrence, considering his understanding with Drake about seeing his daughter, the fact that Cassidy was almost always flanked with siblings or girlfriends, and the irksome existence of Emery Phillips. Jared felt ridiculous just thinking about it, but he was convinced the two-faced genius was out to sabotage him in some way.
Of course, Phillips was all smiles and coolness, seemingly relaxed and unperturbed. But the guy was a snake. Try to tell Cassidy that, though. Jared sighed irritably. She practically thought the sun rose and set on the his glasses, for Pete's sake.
But, despite all this, she still was going to spend the rest of the day with only him. She'd been so enthusiastic about coming to help pick out his mom's birthday present, and her father had given him the okay two days before. So why was he so aggravated?
He turned to look at Cassidy, who was bobbing down the boardwalk a few steps ahead of him, excitedly taking in the sights and shops bustling with mid-afternoon activity. Watching her, he felt himself relax a little bit. She looked so pretty today, with her long, red hair loose and windswept, the way he liked it. She wore an airy, white sundress and silver sandals, a small leather handbag thrown over her shoulder. There was also a long, scarlet ribbon wrapped around one of her arms; a tribute to their school's Cancer Awareness Drive. He couldn't recall which sickness the red ones were for, but Cassidy appeared to be content and happy.
So what the heck was his problem? Hearing a familiar chime and seeing Cassidy pull her phone out for the third time since they'd left, he suddenly remembered.
"Can Emery do anything without consulting you?" Jared spoke up sourly, opening a wooden door to an organic bath & body shop, gesturing for her to enter.
Her beautiful green eyes shot up from the screen, her thumbs freezing on the keypad. "Oh, um…" She tittered nervously, "It's just something he was asking for Serena… you know how it is…" She looked embarrassed. He immediately felt bad for his tone, but the growing irritation was still climbing up his throat.
"And that couldn't wait until you got back?"
She bit her full bottom lip and frowned. "I, uh, I don't know. I don't think he'd ask if it wasn't important."
Jared found himself snorting as he drifted to a shelf with cat-shaped soap and candles. Yeah, I'm sure that you being out with me has nothing to do with it. "Whatever."He mumbled,obviously heard by his superhero-girlfriend to be.
Her fair skin flushed pink as she fiddled with a glass bottle containing shimmering liquid. "I'm sorry." She apologized, clearly at a loss as to what she'd done to upset him.
Jared felt like the world's biggest jerk, but he couldn't seem to stop himself. Ever since he'd shone up at her house to take her to the boardwalk, he'd been in a bad mood. It specifically flared up when Emery joined her in the foyer and informed them both that he wanted her back at the lab by five. It didn't take much to set Jared off these days, but that was certainly enough.
Yet, deep down, he knew what the real problem was, and it didn't have anything to do with Cassidy or her watchdog neighbor. After the night he'd horribly murdered his own spider, the headaches and irritation had been rampant. Trying to ignore the voices in his head was the worst of it. He wanted to scream most days, tell someone, do something! But he felt like he was walking through molasses. Who could he tell? What would happen to him if he did? What would Cassidy think? The knife of uncertainty and fear twisted around in his gut.
"Jared… what about this?" Cassidy's voice timidly broke through his agitated thoughts. He swiveled around and regarded her calmly, not wanting her to see his inner struggle or the hot anger that she hadn't caused.
She held a beautiful candle set with wax that looked like it was fashioned out of swirling water. On one hand, he knew his mom would love it. On the other, he wanted to hurl. It looked too much like the water he'd destroyed Killer with. Too much like the water that had shot from his own father's hands that fateful day in the plant.
"No." He answered her too sharply. "I don't like the color."
She quickly put it down and nodded. "Okay. Um, they have one in purple too… and yellow, if you want-" Her words were cut off by another loud chime.
Jared's teeth clenched at the sound. Cassidy must have noticed, because her hand froze midway to the bag on her shoulder. "I can just turn it to vibrate." She offered.
"Or you could just tell him to stop asking you important questions every ten minutes." He snapped back at her.
Geez, I'm such a loser. Cassidy doesn't deserve this. Yet, he was somehow unable to voice an apology.
Her face was beet red as her hand hovered uncertainly over the bag's opening. "Do you… want me to ask him to stop texting me?" Cassidy asked, looking apprehensive.
Jared couldn't believe he was being such a douche. He raked his hands frustratedly through his hair and groaned, "I don't know! Why don't you just ignore it? Do you even want to be here, or would you rather be poked at in the Phillipses' basement!?"
The words seemed to hit her like giant hailstones. "N-no! Of course I want to be here. I've been looking forward to this all week, Jared. You have to know that."
Oh man. Judging by the look on her face, he was about to make her cry. If he could've at that point, Jared would have beaten the daylights out of himself. He took a sharp breath in and nodded tersely, "Alright." Then quickly surveyed the store. "I'm going to look at the bottles made from blown glass. You… can you look through the perfume and tell me what you think?" He tried to make his tone as gentle as possible. Cassidy deserved better than this.
She agreed a little too enthusiastically, obviously trying to act like he hadn't just treated her like garbage. His resolve strengthened. He needed to get a grip. With that decision, Jared rubbed her shoulder apologetically and hurried to the opposite end of the store.
Cassidy watched him go, shaken and mortified. She'd known something was wrong the moment they'd left her house. Jared's mood had darkened like the morning storm clouds, and she'd sensed him withdrawing deeper and deeper into himself. She spent the first half of their outing wracking her brain for every possible comment she'd made that week, positive she'd offended him horribly somehow.
Even the most innocent remark was now tainted with her suspicion. And confusion, for that matter. Cassidy handled the delicate perfumes gently and squirted out only the tiniest amounts. Spray too much, and she'd end up unintentionally chloroforming herself with the toxic aromas. I am so unqualified for perfume testing, she mused, allowing her mind to wander as she preoccupiedly admired the intricate bottles.
Maybe she'd chattered too much? Nate always made fun of her tendency to babble. She'd been so excited over her sorta-date with Jared that she hadn't stopped to think about the fact that her version of small talk could become tiresome… and why shouldn't he be upset? He had every right to be! He'd been through a ton the past month, and she, of all people, knew how easy it was to break down when life became too heavy. His father was a leader of a horrible, parasitic cult! Of course he felt terrible!
That doesn't mean he should take it out on yooouu, the pesky thought arose in her mind. Cassidy scowled and shook her head stubbornly, disgusted at the traitorous criticism. Don't be a hypocrite. She told herself. If some girl kept texting Jared while they were out, she'd be in quite the sour mood herself! So there!
On that note, after surveying the room to make sure Jared wasn't near, Cassidy whipped out her cell phone and quickly selected Emery from her contacts.
It rang for a couple seconds before she heard him pick up.
"Hey." He greeted her. She heard a clatter of silverware in the background and assumed he was making himself a PB&J, because it was quick, easy, and vegetable-free; three of his favorite things when it came to the food he ate. "Date over already?" He asked amusedly.
Cassidy frowned slightly. "No. At least, for now. But you gotta stop texting me. Serena can ask me all that stuff when I get back to the lab."
Emery chuckled slightly. She could hear him unscrewing the lid from a jar and knew her PB&J assumption was probably on the money. "Why?"
Cassidy let out a frustrated breath and wearily glanced over her shoulder. "You just have to. Okay?"
The jelly was being plopped onto bread now. "Mm. That's not an explanation I'm hearing."
She hissed into the phone, "Fine! Nosy. It's annoying Jared. And he should be annoyed! It's rude to text when you're out with someone!"
Emery's smirk was palpable through the call. "One would think he'd make an exception in your case."
"It's still rude. He's going to think I don't even want to be with him. And he nearly bit my head off a minute ago. So cut it out, already." There. She said her piece.
"Bit your head off? My, playing the overly-jealous boyfriend card a few months early, isn't he?"
"Emery! This is not the time for jokes! He's had a rough time lately, and I need to be as supportive and understanding as possible! I'm turning off my phone now." Cassidy informed him severely. "I'll see you when I see you."
She heard him put down the jelly jar. "Hey, wait-"
"You have five seconds." She replied.
Emery sighed loudly. "Remember, five o'clock, Cassidy."
"Sure."
"And-"
Cassidy hung up before he finished, when she saw Jared circling back around her way. She shut her phone off quickly in case Emery tried to call back and finish his disgruntled request.
Jared stuffed his hands in his jean pockets and regarded her with a tired expression. "I don't see anything here that I like. Can we go?" He sounded less than enthused. The sinking feeling in the pit of Cassidy's stomach came back in full force.
"Yeah, there are still lots of places we haven't looked!" She answered him, trying not to wince at the too-bright response.
He only nodded and turned to the door, leading her out.
Jared's light headache had turned into a full-on migraine in the time he took to peruse the various glass bottles with a disinterested eye. The store was too small. Too crowded. He had to get out of there quickly. Hurrying back onto the open boardwalk was better, but not by much. People walked and pushed around him like insects buzzing to different weeds and flowers. He didn't know how they could stand it.
They? Since when did he not include himself in the general Seattle population?
Since you became one of us, of course... Jared barely suppressed his hiss at the familiar voices crawling around in his mind.
Get out of my head! He growled inwardly.
But how could we? They taunted, We are you, and you are us.
No! You do not control me.
They were practically laughing at him. Don't we, though? Did you forget Killer?
"Enough!" It took the startled stares of the people around him for Jared to realize that he'd shouted the word out loud. He felt Cassidy's warm hand on his elbow a moment later.
"Jared?" She asked him cautiously. He hated the worried tone of her voice. "Are you alright? Maybe we should sit down…"
"No." He replied, glancing around anxiously before tugging his arm from her grasp. He wanted to be anywhere but here. He didn't want Cassidy to see his weakness… or see him fall to pieces. "I just… I need to get away from this crowd." Jared jogged forward abruptly, away from the stores, the noise, and the throngs of people. He kept going until the boardwalk ended, leaping down onto the gravel and grass, and headed towards the docks. The gentle lap of water hitting the shore was music to his ears. Awful, wonderful music.
However, that music was interrupted by a light pounding of feet behind him, skidding to a stop at his side.
"Jared," Cassidy gasped, her pretty eyes brimming with concern. "Please tell me what's wrong. I can help you. I know how you must be feeling-"
He let out a sharp snort, hurling a pebble from the ground into the dark water. "I really doubt you know how I'm feeling right now." The harsh tone was unnecessary, but he couldn't seem to stop himself.
Hurt flashed across her face for a moment, but it melted into determination. "My life has gone through some extreme changes these past months, and I could never have faced any of it on my own. Isolating yourself from others will only make it more horrible. I know."
"Yeah, well, your problems and my problems are nothing alike. No one is going to hold my hand through it all and keep me from losing my mind." He turned away from her and moved closer to the water, standing on the stone ledge that separated the hard ground from the lapping waves.
"I would…" Cassidy cleared her throat and edged towards him. "I'd hold your hand through everything, Jared, if you'd let me." Sincerity shone in her unwavering gaze.
His heart pounded at her words, as he stared into those big, jade eyes. He wanted to believe her. He wanted nothing more than to wrap her up in his arms and take her away. But something inside wouldn't let him; wouldn't let him be comforted by her much-needed words, or take her up on her offer. His head throbbed in agony.
Seeing his lack of response, Cassidy placed her small hands on his shoulders and held on as tightly as she could without hurting him. "I promise I will be there for you. And I will do everything in my power to keep anything bad from happening to you." Jared wanted so badly to lean into her and bury his face in her hair. He was so tired. Why couldn't he rest in her arms, just this once?
"And Emery and his parents will help you too. I know they will!"
Her words were like icicles to his chest. He stiffened immediately. "The Phillipses won't help me. They'll use me." Just like they use you, he thought in bitter silence.
Cassidy's big eyes widened at his dark expression. "Use you?" She asked incredulously, like it was the most ridiculous accusation ever made. "No, Jared, they want to help. And Emery says-"
He growled and jerked away from her. "Emery says, Emery says." Jared saw her freeze when she picked up on his mocking tone. "He's got you so brainwashed that you can't even see things clearly when they're dangling in front of your face. You'd throw yourself off a building if he told you to. In fact, I'm sure you've already done that."
Her face was turning white in mortification at his cruel words.
"Open your eyes, Cassidy. Don't be an idiot."
She looked like she'd been slapped, but the uncontrollable, inexplicable anger was swelling inside him. He needed to get away. Now. Or he was going to explode.
Jared ran down the ledge, leaping over any obstacles in his way, and wiping Cassidy's crushed expression from his memory. He needed space. He needed space or he was going to do something terrible.
"Jared!" She cried, "Jared, come back!" He could hear her chasing after him again.
"Stay back, Cassidy! Stay away from me!" He yelled, pushing himself to go faster. The pressure was building at an unbearable rate. What he felt before destroying Killer was nothing in comparison to this. It was a horrible, euphoric high mixed with smothering dread.
But Cassidy wouldn't listen. She never listened. She was much faster than he was and caught up only seconds later. The moment her fingers made contact with his jacket sleeve, he let go. He couldn't hold it back any longer.
"I said stay back!" With that, a horrible, monstrous spout of icy, swirling water shot from his arm. The jet pummeled into Cassidy, who was only inches away. The force and mass of it wrapped around her body and threw her mercilessly backwards. He would never forget the haunting sound of her scream as the torrent dragged her into the dark, choppy waves below.
"Cassy!" He cried, horrified. The water kept coming!
No, no, no! He screamed internally. STOP! Jared had no control over the horrible spouts of water twisting around Cassidy's small body, spinning and plunging her under the surface over and over, cutting off every possible chance for her to draw air.
He sank to his knees on the ledge and struggled with all his strength. "NO! STOP IT! STOP IT!" Seeing Cassidy, with all her strength and power, struggling to breathe as she was strangled, made him want to die.
"HELP!" Jared yelled weakly, trying to rip his arms from the vortexes that were drowning the girl he loved. He couldn't move.
She can never be assimilated. Her kind must be destroyed. The voices hissed in his ear. He snarled in rage. They were causing this! They were hurting Cassidy!
You are hurting Cassidy.
"No!" He shouted, "I won't! This is my body! I'm the one in control! STOP!"
Maybe now you'll learn not to involve people you can't save.
The words sent violent chills down his back. The awful spirals of water abruptly slid from his arms and fell into the dark waves below as harmlessly as rainwater. Jared fell forward and gripped the concrete ledge with trembling hands.
He gasped and shuddered at the sudden change, then frantically searched the water. Just below the surface, only feet away, Cassidy floated motionlessly; her fiery hair spread into a million different wet tendrils, and her white dress billowed around her like the skin of a jellyfish. The red ribbon tangled around her pale arm mocked him like it was a stream of her own blood. Seeing her blue lips and closed eyes, Jared dry heaved into the gravel behind him.
He then pushed the panic aside and jumped into the water, not even flinching at its freezing temperature. He swam to her as fast as he could and wound his arms under her limp ones. "You're going to be okay, Cassy." He murmured feverishly, "I'm so, so sorry. You're going to be okay."
Jared used all of his strength to swim her back to the ledge and pull her upwards. He wanted to yell for help… but there was no one in sight. His phone was no doubt ruined in his pocket, and his hands trembled so badly that he wouldn't have been able to call anyone to save his life. But this wasn't about his life. This was Cassy. His sweet, wonderful Cassy. How could he have done such a thing!? He would have tried to kill anyone else who harmed her like this. But he was the one who deserved to die.
Jared shook like a leaf as he desperately searched for her pulse and tried to find any sign of life. A rising chest, the slightest movement, anything. He wanted to cry, scream, or beg for help from some unseen force. But he knew, if he didn't get a grip, he would fall into a full-out panic attack, and there would be no one to save Cassidy.
With that knowledge, Jared put everything he had into bringing her back to consciousness; CPR, chest compressions, desperate prayers to anyone who would listen... She didn't move no matter what he did. She looked like a corpse. A pale, beautiful, saturated corpse.
This could not be happening! This was Cassidy! The girl who could face tigers and gunfire and ninjas and still come home as chipper as ever! She couldn't drown! She couldn't!
God, someone please help me!
The Phillipses. The answer came to him immediately. He had to take her to the Phillipses. Even if he didn't like them, even if he didn't trust them, he knew they would do everything in their power to keep Cassidy alive. Jared scooped her soaked form up at once and spun towards the boardwalk, several hundred yards away. If he ran, he could get to their house within-
A terrible, familiar pain shot up his spine and through his head. He nearly dropped Cassidy.
You can't take her to them! The awful voices rang through his mind loudly. They'll see what you did to her! They'll lock us up and poison her against you!
"This is not about me!" Jared growled, pushing forward with Cassidy's limp body in his arms. "I will do anything to save her, even if it gets us all destroyed. You hear me? You won't stop me this time!" Strength rang clear in his tone. The voices seemed to recoil, but continued with,
Very well. But what can the Phillipses do to save her? They don't understand how we operate. They'll chop you to pieces before you can even tell them what happened. Take her to someone that knows how to deal with this, unless you want the entire Phillips family to treat you how they'd treat anyone else who damaged their precious pet.
Jared marched Cassidy up the steep incline and stiffened at the words. "What are you saying?"
We think you know.
He did know.
Jared had to find his father. Immediately.
For the first time since they'd made their presence known, Jared was slightly grateful for the parasites swimming around inside him. The sky was darkening and rumbling fiercely, and he hadn't had the slightest clue where to look for his dad first. It was hard enough to track him down under normal circumstances. And this was anything but that. However, the voices in his head seemed to know exactly where to go.
Jared held Cassidy's dripping body to his chest tightly, each tiring step a testament to the wrong he did her. He would do anything to make things right. She had to be okay. He picked up the pace in urgency.
When his dad's "chick magnet" came into view, Jared couldn't believe his luck. Of all the times for his father to be home, he was actually there when Jared needed him. There was a first time for everything. His jog became more frantic and adrenaline-induced as he pounded up the steps to his dad's door, not caring what anyone watching might think when they saw a soaked, motionless girl being ran into Owen Wells' place. Jared was certain stranger looking women had been invited into the house, as a bitter as the thought made him.
Carefully, he cradled Cassy's wet head with an arm and rang the doorbell manically, ten to twenty times. Jared could hear his father cursing from the other side of the door, most likely just interrupted while napping, drinking, admiring his wealth, or whatever else he did in his spare time that didn't involve caring for his family.
"WHAT?" Owen threw open the door and glowered, his shirt untucked and his hair a mess. Jared saw shock, confusion, and understanding light his eyes in sequence as he took in the sight of his soaked son carrying an equally soaked, unresponsive girlfriend. "Jared? What- what happened?" He asked, incredulously scrutinizing Cassidy's still form.
Jared narrowed his eyes at his father, who was to blame for his entire life currently being in shambles, and hissed, "I think you can see what happened, Dad. You see what I did to her!?" He felt the hysteria ebbing back in like the tide, "Do you see what you did!? If you had just left me out of your crap, instead of infecting me, this would not have happened!"
Owen Wells' dark eyes narrowed menacingly on his son as he jerked him inside. "I did not infect you, Jared. Stop being so melodramatic. And keep your voice down! Do you want the neighbors to come running?" He shut the door tightly behind them and locked it carefully. "Now," He turned back around and surveyed Cassidy with a clinical eye. "Is she dead?"
The way his father said it, like he believed his son wanted help hiding her body, made Jared's blood boil. If he hadn't been afraid to drop Cassy, he would have tried to sock his dad in the face. But Jared wasn't so foolish. If he wanted to save the girl he loved, attacking the one person who might be able help was the wrong move.
His throat constricted as he took a raspy breath. "I- I don't know. There was… there was so much water. Please! You have to help her! I'll do anything, Dad! I swear! Whatever you want! Just help her!" Jared didn't care if he had to plead at his father's feet. His pride meant nothing now.
He watched silently as his dad approached him and placed a hand carefully above Cassidy's chest, his brow furrowed in concentration. "You're right." Owen spoke up, after a seemingly endless minute, "That is a great amount of water. Too much, some might say. But she's alive."
Jared let out an enormous breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. Thank God. Thank God. But his father's next words dampened the relief considerably.
"How is that, I wonder?"
Jared's lungs tightened with anxiety as he tried to steadily meet his dad's gaze. "Really, really good luck."
Owen cocked a disbelieving eyebrow. "Or something else entirely." He seemed to be gauging Jared's reaction, his stare hard and unrelenting. When Jared met his gaze squarely, refusing to cow or confess, his father frowned reproachfully, abruptly turning around and lumbering to the other side of the apartment.
"Hey-" Jared called irately, trailing him to the kitchen, where the older man actually had the nerve to casually begin spreading mayonnaise on a slice of bread. "What are you doing!? This is a life or death situation! Cass-"
"Should not be living at present." Owen finished dryly, pulling a bag of roast beef out of his large refrigerator. "Yet, somehow, she is. And I think we both know what I'm getting at, Jared. If you recall the last time you tried to hide something from me, you'd know that there is nothing that I don't eventually find out. So, you can be upfront with me and cooperate, or that strange girl you seem to worship will be destroyed by the Luminous currently swarming her lungs. I don't help people that don't help me in return. Understand?" He punctuated the sentence by slapping several slices of meat and cheese onto his sandwich.
Jared felt an icy chill soar over his skin, listening to his dad's words and watching him prepare lunch, with a dying girl right in front of him. He hated Owen with a passion at that moment, wishing it was him close to his deathbed, and not innocent Cassy. Suddenly, without warning, she started to shake and tremble in his arms. Jared gasped in horror as the veins in her porcelain skin became visible all over her face, neck, and arms, pulsing and blackening like burning paper. "Dad!" He cried out, trying to hold Cassidy still.
Owen placed a second piece of bread onto his roast beef and lazily lifted it to his mouth. "Yes, that happens." He replied disinterestedly, wiping a stray smudge of mayonnaise from his fingers.
Jared's hands clenched in rage, struggling to keep Cassidy from falling onto the hard, tile floor. He watched her beautiful face being marred by the rivers of poisonous looking veins and felt like he was being torn in half. He promised- he promised her- that he wouldn't tell a soul about her abilities, their origins, or anything that would put her or her family in danger. He promised! But, looking at her helpless, motionless form, Jared knew he had to make a horrible decision. He would have to break his word and her trust… if she survived.
No, he couldn't afford to think that way. If Cassy- if she- if he lost her… he didn't know what he'd do. Cassidy wouldn't want him to say a word, especially to someone like his father… someone so connected to the Luminous… And he knew she would sacrifice herself to keep the secret hidden. But he couldn't sacrifice her. He was too selfish. He loved her too much. Pushing back her messy, wet hair with a trembling hand, Jared swallowed air down his burning throat and met his father's gaze once more.
"I'll tell you everything. Just get her help."
The hurried drive to Patrick Grimm's mansion was the tensest of Jared's life. The buildings and landmarks whizzed by without the slightest bit of recognition on his part. He could only cradle Cassidy on his lap and rock her slowly, trying to calm himself and fervently beg her forgiveness in his mind. He'd refused to leave her in the back seat, like his father had suggested when they jumped into his car. Jared wasn't letting Cassy out of his sight. He didn't like the gleam in his dad's dark eyes. And he really didn't like the feeling of complete and utter loss of control. He wanted to take Cassidy and jump out of the passenger side door.
Mistake, mistake, mistake... It echoed over and over again in his mind.
He shouldn't have told his father. He shouldn't have told him. This echoed even more frenziedly.
Mistake, mistake, mistake.
Please forgive me, Cassidy. Jared traced the black threaded veins under her skin as they traveled from her temple, to her throat, and disappeared under the neckline of her dress. I can't let you die.
Jared didn't register the Porsche slowing down the enormous driveway to the Grimm mansion, the key being removed from the ignition, or being led from the car and into the massive house. He didn't try to take in the grand décor or expensive wall hangings. Everything in the colossal home gave him a strong sense of déjà vu from his last visit. Only this time, it wasn't his life on the line.
His father led him to a large set of double doors and threw them open. "Patrick!" He called jovially, "We have a very special visitor!"
Jared was sickened by his father's too-pleased tone and tugged Cassidy protectively against his chest.
"Owen, my friend! Come in, come in. And who've ya brought to see me this fine afternoon?" A clap of thunder accompanied Patrick Grimm's equally booming, deceivingly hospitable voice. Jared shuddered at the sound.
His father turned around in the room and motioned for him. Jared reluctantly edged through the doorway, while every fiber of his being told him to run in the other direction, fast. The ceilings were high and the furniture was immaculate, much like the rest of the house. An enormous fireplace lit the dim room from one end. Two large chairs were placed nearby, seating the imposing figure of Patrick Grimm and the harshly beautiful one of his vengeful wife. Jared fought back a shudder at the sight of her.
"Jared, my boy!" Patrick cried out welcomingly. Far too welcomingly, considering the happenings of their last meeting. "Well, what have we here?" He continued, slightly less cheerful, as he stood and surveyed the wet, sickly girl brought into his home. Constance's almond eyes were less curious and far more snakelike, eying Cassidy as if she was a struggling mouse in a trap. Jared wanted to shield her from the woman's gaze.
"My son had a bit of an accident with his girlfriend, as you can see." Owen continued in that nauseating tone, "Like the intelligent young man he is, Jared brought her directly to me for help. And, while at my apartment, he informed me of something very interesting that I believe you both need to hear."
Jared's stomach was in knots, and he wanted to lose his lunch on the grand Persian rug covering the floor. He silently cursed his father with every profane word he knew, clutching Cassidy closer.
"Son, put her over there." Owen continued, gesturing to an expensive looking, sturdy coffee table in front of Constance's chair.
Jared scowled. "No way."
His father's gaze darkened considerably. "You want to save her, do you not?" Each word was punctuated icily. Before Jared could react, Owen came back to his side and plucked Cassidy from his aching arms, taking her directly to the cherry wood table and setting her down.
Jared burned with anger and lurched forward, stopped by Patrick's large hand on his forearm. "What might this very interesting thing be, young man?" He questioned, giving him what he must have thought was an encouraging smile.
Jared didn't respond, his attention riveted on Constance's close proximity to Cassidy, and the chilling glare the woman's gold eyes were directing at her. He stiffened when Constance stood- especially striking in a steel gray dress and metal-tipped stilettos- and leaned over Cassy.
"Mmm." The woman murmured, running a talon-like fingernail across Cassidy's pale cheek, haunting recognition in her stare. "Fool me once, shame on you. But," Constance's chuckle was as about as soft as a razor blade, "fool me twice, shame on me." She drew a muscular, slender arm back and stared down at Cassy with the full glory of a monstrous predator. It was the look in her eyes that caused Jared to spring forward. He didn't know how, but something in him knew that if Constance let loose now, there wasn't a person in the room that could stop her.
"WAIT!" He yelled, flinging himself in front of the table and throwing out his hands. The enormous torrent of icy water that propelled from Constance's sharp fingers barely grazed the top of his head, as she redirected it towards the wall behind him at the last second. It broke completely through and soared into the hallway outside. Jared shuddered, not even wanting to picture what a surge of water so powerful might do to someone's body.
"Watch it, boy!" She hissed at him, golden eyes blazing like fire. "You're very lucky that I have the control to stop. Unlike some of us."
He recognized the words as a barb, mocking his lack of discipline in the area of destroying and not destroying people, he assumed. What a joke. Jared stared her down harshly. "Listen, Mrs. Grimm, my father brought us here because he assured me that you all were capable of saving Cassidy, not hurting her more! What are you, a psychopath?"
Constance's almond eyes narrowed to slits. "If we are going to be pointing fingers here, young man, why don't we start with your lovely girlfriend. How dare you try to defend this creature? She attacked our kind. Because of her, we had to destroy our best incubators! If I'm a psychopath, then she is just as bad. Or does she have you so wrapped around her finger?" Venom practically dripped from the woman's lacquered and lined lips.
Jared moved protectively closer to Cassidy at the table. He warily eyed his father and Patrick, both watching him seriously and walking to Constance's side.
"This is Drake Jones' girl, isn't it?" Patrick spoke up, glancing at Owen. "And she's somehow the same person that attacked our people in the water and at the plant?" Jared's father confirmed the inquiry with a nod. His stomach dropped when Patrick's face became noticeably less hospitable. "Oh, I see."
Fear gnawed at Jared's gut as Patrick and Constance moved closer to Cassidy, observing her white, vein-covered skin in a detached, clinical sort of way. He briefly glanced at his father's expression, only causing himself more distress. The apathy in Owen's gaze chilled him.
"We had a lot of injuries on both accounts." Patrick continued, almost to himself. "No, no. That just won't do. I was never a math whiz, but I know we can't have unknowns in this equation. And persons of inexplicable power and danger, prone to this level of violence, qualify as an unknown, I'd say."
What were they going to do? Had he told his father all the wrong things, only to deliver Cassidy directly to her executioners? Jared's chest tightened in anger and fear. I won't let them hurt you, Cass. He promised. This would be a promise he would do everything in his power to keep.
When Patrick's large hand approached Cassidy's neck, Jared threw out his hand. "Mr. Grimm- Patrick- please! Let me explain! Just give me a chance to explain!" He gasped, pleading with his eyes.
Patrick withdrew his hand and gave Jared a stern look. "You'd better have a silver tongue like your pop then, kiddo. Because I do not take kindly to those that harm the people I consider my family. No matter how young and innocent they seem."
Constance scowled when she realized her husband was allowing him to talk, but kept quiet. She must have been convinced there was nothing Jared could say to change his mind. He had to prove her wrong.
"Sir," Jared began, as respectfully as he could manage. "Cassidy is a sweet, kind girl. She hates hurting people! I've seen her cry over dead baby birds. The only reason she's as powerful as she is, is because of an accident! Just a stupid, awful accident that made her different than everyone else. There is no secret race of people like her. She's all alone, don't you see? She has no one to look after her. So she tries to look after everyone else, even though they'll never truly understand her. Cassidy is a gentle person. The only reason she fought you was to protect the people she considers her family. And she never would have interfered in either situation if it weren't for the people that purposefully influence her decisions." Jared took a deep breath. Patrick's face bore a thoughtful expression, while Constance's hadn't budged. His father observed him curiously. He hadn't given as many details to Owen in his kitchen, after all.
"People that purposefully influence her decisions?" His dad questioned, rubbing his chin.
"Yes, I was getting to that." Jared exhaled, forcing himself to continue. He didn't care about anyone else but Cassidy at this point. He'd do anything to keep her safe. "The Phillips family, you remember them?" Owen's expression darkened as he nodded sharply. Jared knew he could use his father's dislike of Gavin to his advantage.
"They were the first people to discover Cassidy's… changes. They've been taking advantage of her from day one. I've only recently come to understand the things they put her through on a regular basis." Jared turned to Patrick, making certain he had his attention as well. "Cassidy is only fifteen years old, and one of the most trusting, softhearted people you'll ever meet. She's so terrified of being alone and having no one to help her face the world… she is easily manipulated and used by people like the Phillipses. They're an extraordinarily intelligent, calculating bunch; all adept at deceiving insecure teenage girls." Jared's words rang with truth, as he seethingly recalled the family's tight grip on Cassidy. He hated people who took advantage of the kind and pure-hearted to meet their own ends.
Patrick looked deeply interested now, and Jared knew that he needed to continue. "They've gotten Cassidy to love and trust them completely, while they've done nothing but treat her like a weapon to be utilized and put back in its case when they're finished. The son has been especially key in their game. He's about her age and pretends to be her closest friend. He's trying to change her. They all are." Jared took another breath and ran his fingers carefully over Cassidy's forehead. Patrick frowned and looked at her almost sympathetically, if Jared was gauging him correctly.
"Change her? How so?" The man questioned.
"They try to make her more like themselves… maybe they think she'd be easier to control that way. I don't know. More calculating, more fierce, more violent, less empathetic, less emotional… the list goes on. They've had her do things that young girls should never have to do. 'Cassidy go', 'Cassidy come', 'Cassidy stay', 'Cassidy attack', 'Good girl'. It's like they think they're training a Rottweiler. And Cassy feels like if she doesn't do everything they say, she's doing something wrong and letting everyone down. It makes me so angry sometimes." Jared hadn't realized that he'd removed his hands from her face and was clenching them bitterly at his side. The others did, however.
Owen nodded slowly, a nonverbal agreement to his son's words. "He's right about the Phillipses being serpents. That I do know."
"That poor girl. She really doesn't have anyone, does she?" Patrick commented, which caused his wife to whip her head in his direction.
"But, Patrick-"
"Oh, hush already, would ya?" He gave her a look, "If she was an adult, things would be different. But this is a child we're talking about… what if it was Ashlyn? What would you do?"
Constance bit her lip and scowled. "Well, it's not."
Patrick chuckled. "Stubborn woman. I know you're bitter about her interference and whatnot. You always did like to get your own way." He seemed to disappear in his thoughts for a moment. "But, while this girl might not be like us, she's not like everyone else either. You, of all people, understand what it's like to be different. To look like the people around you, but be nothing like them, with no one that understands?"
His wife frowned and reluctantly nodded.
"Can you imagine a group of people taking you under their wing, making you feel safe and at home, while they don't have your best interests at heart?"
She opened her mouth with a sour expression, but Patrick cut her off.
"What I really want to know, Constance, is what would you do if someone took your daughter in when she was vulnerable, then used and manipulated her for her abilities, causing her to make poor decisions? Would you despise her, or the people who took advantage of her?"
Jared couldn't believe this was happening. He'd been almost positive that he'd have to keep fighting tooth and nail to even get anyone on his side.
Constance sighed heavily and raked a slim hand through her caramel locks. "Fine. I'd despise the people who used her. I'd make them wish they'd never laid eyes on my girl."
Patrick smiled amiably. "Precisely. Young people should never be condemned because of the people that influence them."
"But she cannot be assimilated-"
"Don't be closed-minded, hon." Patrick moved closer to Cassidy and watched her carefully. "From what I've seen, what this girl can do is extraordinary. And we don't even know the full extent of these abilities. Someone like her would be a valued asset to the family, wouldn't she? Much better than fighting her constantly. Such a bright light shouldn't be snuffed out. It'd be a crime!"
"I suppose…" Constance replied begrudgingly.
"All she needs is a little bit of guidance. Just like the rebellious members of our own people. With you training her up, this lovely young lady will do amazing things in the world. I guarantee it!" Patrick declared heartily, clapping his hands together.
Jared frowned slightly, watching the interaction. He didn't fully understand where this conversation was going, but he knew there was something wrong. They were supposed to heal her… not guide or train her up… Yet, somehow, he found himself unable to voice such concerns.
"Are we all in agreement, then?" Patrick asked, looking back and forth between his wife and Jared's dad.
Owen Wells nodded thoughtfully, his eyes never leaving his son. Constance was silent for a long minute, then consented.
"Excellent, excellent. Well, you both know what to do." The boisterous man continued, moving to left side of the cherry wood table, near Cassidy's head. Jared stepped aside to make room, but not by much. He was still burdened with wariness. Constance moved to the other side of the table, and Owen stayed at the end. She placed her long fingers on Cassidy's chest, and he placed his hands on her abdomen. Jared stiffened and watched them both suspiciously.
Patrick patted his shoulder and raised his hands to Cassidy's head. "No worries, my boy. All will be well."
Jared wasn't very pacified by this, but one look at her deathly white skin adorned with unnatural black veins kept him from speaking up. You're going to be okay, Cassy. You're going to be okay.
Constance and Owen's brows furrowed in concentration as they began moving their hands up and down Cassidy's torso, an eerie blue glow lighting every area they passed. Soon, as they began lifting their hands up and drawing some invisible force towards themselves, a spiral of water escaped from Cassidy's mouth and nose. It kept coming and coming for several minutes, and Jared struggled not to gag. He couldn't believe he'd hit her so hard with so much. He could only pray that she could find it in her heart to forgive him.
He was relieved to see the flow of water stop, and the sickly black veins begin to fade and disappear under her pale skin. His father and Constance took a step back, only looking slightly drained.
"Alright. She's ready." Owen informed Patrick, sitting down on one of the large chairs nearby. Constance stayed on her feet, crossing her arms and watching Cassidy intently.
"Good." Patrick replied, turning to look at Jared. "Now, son, this is where it gets tricky." The man didn't bother to elaborate, and Jared was far too anxious to pester him with questions.
Without further ado, the older man touched both sides of Cassidy's head with his fingers and closed his eyes, concentrating deeply. Jared couldn't help his fascination when the spots Patrick touched lit up, like a blue light bulb had been turned on inside of her head.
The man moved his fingers skillfully across her temple, down the sides of her face, and back up to the roots of her hair; the lights following everywhere his hands ventured. After at least three long minutes, Patrick stopped, pulling his hands back and observing Cassidy's still form carefully. Jared did the same. He almost fell into the chair behind him when her chest slowly, delicately began to rise and fall again. He wanted to shout out in relief, but only managed to run his hands over his face and breathe heavily. Thank God.
"Ah, great." Patrick announced, patting Cassidy's head lightly. "She should be good as new. I'm sure she'll come to within the hour."
Jared gave into his weak knees and collapsed onto the chair that Patrick had previously occupied. "Thank you." He managed weakly, never taking his eyes off of Cassidy's vibrant red hair.
"No, son. Thank you." The man replied, clasping Jared's shoulders briefly and sharing an enigmatic look with the other two adults in the room.
Patrick had been correct. After fifty two minutes and forty one seconds, Cassidy finally began to stir. Jared had counted every excruciating moment; each tick of his father's watch felt like an entire year. But all of the anguish was well worth it to see her pale eyelids flutter and her cute little nose twitch like a rabbit's. He had to hold himself in the chair, not wanting to risk falling on top of her in eagerness.
After another long minute, those jewel-like green eyes popped open, and her dark eyelashes fluttered up and down like fans on her cheekbones.
"Cassy." He breathed, feeling like he could choke on air. Owen stood up immediately and watched her from above, like Patrick and Constance, who stared at Cassidy with very keen interest.
She slowly pulled herself up on wobbling elbows and glanced around the room with tired, glossy eyes. Jared couldn't move. Heck, he couldn't even breathe properly.
"Where…" Her sweet, sweet voice trailed off in bewilderment, and Jared could only think about how he was sure he'd never hear it again. Cassidy rubbed her eyes with one hand and pushed herself higher up with the other. "Where am I?"
Patrick approached her confidently and got down on his knees, so she didn't have to crane her neck. Jared was immediately distressed, more than worried about what she would do- how she would react- when she realized she was in the presence of the Grimms and his father. Please don't do something crazy, he pleaded. Please, Cassy. He still couldn't bring himself to move.
To his surprise, instead of yelling, lashing out, or behaving with general violence, Cassidy blinked slowly and met his gaze, her brow puckered in confusion. "Where am I?" She repeated.
Patrick gave her a friendly smile and patted her back. "Your new home."
What? Jared gripped the arms of is chair. This was not good. Not at all. This wasn't the agreement. He needed to do something. He needed to say something… but his thoughts seemed to scatter before he could even gather them. His father gave him a stern look, shaking his head ever so slightly. Jared knew there was something extremely important he needed to say, but the words and thoughts wouldn't come.
Cassidy looked around the room one more time, her eyes bouncing from Patrick, to Constance, to Owen, to the enormous fireplace, then to Jared. The breath caught in his lungs as her quavering eyes met his. Please don't hate me. Please don't hate me. Please don't hate me.
He was shocked when her gaze only rested on him for a couple seconds, returning to Patrick a moment later. His chest clenched painfully. But a sense of dread and apprehension took its place. There wasn't a flash of anything in her eyes when she looked at him. Not anger, not sadness, not relief, not hurt… not even recognition. Was Cassidy truly that out of it, or did she… not even know who he was?
Patrick stood back up and helped her shakily rise to her feet. She held onto his large arm like he was the only thing keeping her from falling to the ground. Jared couldn't remember a time he had ever seen her look so helpless.
Patrick walked a foot or so with her and turned his head towards the doors, an amused smile crossing his face. "Why don't you come on in now, Ashlyn? I'm sure it's become quite boring eavesdropping out there." He bellowed merrily.
Jared shot up straight in his chair. Ashlyn? He hadn't wondered where she was in the big house until now. Sure enough, after a very quiet thirty seconds, one of the large double doors slowly opened and a head of wavy raven hair leaned in. He recognized Psycho-Girl at once and edged back instinctively.
She didn't look particularly insane today, in her over-sized peach sweater and white capris, but Jared had since learned to not judge a book by its cover. She might not have looked crazy or vengeful, but she did look sheepish and irked. Likely quite a bit embarrassed by being called out in front of him and his dad, Jared assumed.
"I didn't want to barge in while you had… company." She defended herself peevedly, straightening the lopsided sleeves of her sweater and sending Patrick a challenging glare.
The man chuckled light-heartedly. "Well, now that you're in here, why don't ya say hello to our guests?"
Ashlyn shuffled in and nodded to Owen, then turned her gaze immediately to Jared. He shivered unconsciously. "Hey." She said, drawing out the word and fluttering her eyelashes. He was sure lots of guys would find the greeting more than appealing coming from her mouth, but, honestly, the girl seriously creeped him out.
"Hi." Jared replied shortly, immediately turning his attention back to Cassidy, who was drowsily observing Ashlyn with inquisitive eyes. Not with anger or resentment, like she should have been.
"That's a pretty sweater." She commented, holding herself up on Patrick's arm and gesturing blearily to Ashlyn's top.
The girl seemed very surprised by Cassidy's declaration, but covered it quickly, giving her a stiff smile. "Thanks. It's Isaac Mizrahi." Ashlyn's fake grin seemed more like a grimace to Jared, making her even less attractive than he already found her.
"Speaking of clothes," Patrick declared, leading Cassidy to a cushioned stool by Constance. "Ashlyn, be a sweetheart and find something of yours for her to wear. Poor thing's soaked to the bone."
The request seemed to irk Ashlyn further, if her tight expression and crossed arms were any indication. "Sure." She consented after a moment. After targeting Cassidy with an almost undetectable glower and sending a lingering glance in Jared's direction, she left the room.
Patrick then helped Cassidy sit down and gave her an encouraging smile. "Be sure to let Ash know if you don't like what she brings you. Her fashion sense can get a little out there, if you know what I mean." He laughed heartily, "No one will think less of you for not appreciating all the latest 'vogue trends'."
Constance rolled her eyes at her husband's ribbing, yet there wasn't much malice behind it this time. Jared watched Cassidy carefully, his concern mounting by the minute at her lack of… well, anything… over the situation. She held onto her stool carefully and glanced timidly over their faces once more.
"Who… who are you?" Cassidy questioned carefully, sounding confused, but not afraid, or anxious, or anything else natural, considering the circumstances.
Jared's stomach had already dropped, but now it nearly hit the floor. Oh no.
Patrick smiled in that familiar, amiable way, and even Constance didn't look quite so scary. "Well, darlin'-" He looked to his wife for encouragement. Her expression was actually welcoming. She knelt down- a difficult feat in her skyscraper heels- and rubbed Cassy's back in a harmless, motherly way. Jared was thoroughly disturbed.
"We're your new family." Constance supplied, fixing Cassidy's messy hair and straightening the neckline of her dress. Patrick nodded in agreement and patted her knee. "That's right." He added, "We'll be taking good care of you from now on."
Jared dug his fingers into the leather chair, unable to move a muscle. What? What on earth… Were they? Was she…? Something was very colossally wrong here. This wasn't right. This didn't make sense. What were they doing? What was she doing? Why couldn't he even bring himself to spit out so much as a sentence!?
The confusion and dread kept growing, yet Jared felt like he was locked in a cage with a muzzle placed firmly over his mouth. One look at his father, and he knew that this was no coincidence. Owen shot Jared a warning glance, then looked away indifferently.
Cassidy was far too relaxed and much too accepting of the Grimms' answer. "Oh." She managed, adjusting the wet, wrinkled skirt of her dress. "Alright."
What, was she drugged up to high heaven? This was very bad. Jared knew it in the depths of his bones. What had he brought her into!? What had he done? His head pounded in apprehension and frustration. Say something! He screamed at himself. But he couldn't.
"Would you like some tea, dear?" He vaguely heard Constance ask kindly.
Cassidy looked at the small table by her stool and nodded in her cute way. "Oh, um, yes please."
"Mm, at least someone here has manners." The woman replied mirthfully, eying her husband, who'd poured himself a big cup of the steaming liquid and dumped what appeared to be a half-ton of sugar inside.
Patrick chuckled merrily and winked at Cassidy. "Don't listen to her. I am the definition of a southern gentleman."
Cassy laughed softly, taking the teacup that Constance handed her. "Thank you."
"You're very welcome, hon."
The display made Jared sick. Oh God. Oh God, what did I do? What did I do?
Looking at the way Constance had her hand on Cassidy's shoulder… the way they both strove to keep her attention and warm her up to them… Jared knew the Grimms didn't plan on letting Cassidy go. He'd delivered her to prison. A prison she wouldn't even realize she was in.
She barely looked his way. Those green eyes he loved so much were blank, like an old, fuzzy TV screen. She didn't know him. Did she even know who she was?
Jared was overtaken by nausea, and he leaned back weakly in his seat. He'd saved Cassidy, perhaps. He got what he wanted. She was alive.
Thunder clashed outside and harsh drops of rain pelted the large windows that lined the opposite wall.
Yes, he'd gotten exactly what he'd asked for. Yet, something inside told him that he'd lost her- truly lost her. Perhaps the world had lost her. The real her. The drowsy shell corralled between Patrick and Constance was not the same girl that had gripped his shoulders with such strength just hours before and promised to protect him. He'd failed to protect her.
What would he tell the Phillipses? God, what would he tell her family?
There was only one honest answer.
He'd saved her… but he'd saved her by destroying her.
And that was utterly unforgivable.
Fin!
[A Somewhat Belated Disclaimer] I really don't know how the whole Luminous thing works yet, so I made a bunch of stuff up. Lol
And, I know I said this about the fourth book, but when book five comes out, it will be the best day of my life. ;)
Hope the story was entertaining!