Two

"Wait—"

"What?"

"Hold on a second—"

Everyone is gaping at me. They are staring and confused and don't know what to do. So they sit and they watch. I feel my face go pale and my eyes open a little bit wider as I stare, unblinking, at the two people before me.

"Juliette, you are only 17. It has come to our attention that even though you were sent away we are still your parents. You have to come home with us. We get to have you back and you must do everything we tell you, do you understand? Oh, and now that you are the leader of this nation, well, that is just a bonus for us because that means we are in charge."

"No." Warner is furious. "You can't walk into my private quarters and demand to take Juliette back. Especially after what you did to her. So I generously ask you to leave because if you don't you will have to be escorted out."

"Oh, Juliette! Is this one of your friends?" My mother asks surprised. "Last time I saw you, you didn't have any friends. But that was always your fault and I can't say I blame the other kids form staying away from you—"

That's it. My bones have turned to dust and my body is liquid all over the floor, and I'm dead. I'm dead and I don't want to come back to life again. Not to this. Not to my parents who haven't changed a bit, not to the memories of my terrible childhood or to the past I have tried so hard to forget. I've tried too hard to keep the memories away. I locked them in a safe of my own making and I threw away the key.

Warner is processing this new information, calculating his next move so fast I can almost see his brain working. He is looking at me for guidance or a cue of some sorts. But I am already dead. I'm just a corpse on the ground. A worthless lump of limbs and powder.

"No. You can't take her away." My parents turn to James a look of disbelief written across their faces.

James. Sweet, sweet James. He is looking at my parents, shaking, his words are firm and angry. His ocean blue eyes full of determination and courage. Something I wish I had when I was his age. If I had known the strength I possess I would have been free along time ago.

"I'm sorry little boy but you don't get to make the decisions around here. Now if we are done here, Juliette! Come along, we must be going!"

James flinches. "I am not a little boy. I'm almost twelve years old!" He stands with his arms crossed over his chest. My parents have underestimated him. Everyone seems to underestimate him. In a way it amuses me, entertains me. But not when it is my parents. And not when they are attacking him—or anyone—I would know more than anyone what that feels like.

I can't take this anymore.

Something inside me snaps.

I jump up and slowly, so slowly, I creep towards them. My eyes are wild and I don't care. I stalk them like an animal stalking her prey.

"Never." I say, venom in my voice. "I would rather die than go anywhere with you. But you're right. I do control this nation now. And here you are. And here I am. So while you are here I am the one who controls you."

I have backed them up so far until their backs are a meter away from hitting the wall beside the elevator doors. My father takes a step towards me. I flinch. He hasn't been this close to me since I was 13 years old. No one ever comes close to me.

"My dear Juliette. You have once again forgotten your role."

Before I have a chance to understand he grabs one of my arms with his free hand and curls the other into a fist right before he punches me in the jaw.

I am so overcome by an all-consuming rage that I grab him but the shoulders and slam him against the wall so hard his body makes a dent. Everyone is crowding around me trying to pull me away. Trying to tell me not to make any rash decisions. But they are too late. I have already decided that I am going to kill him. Just then Adam grabs me from behind and uses his power to combat my own. And that is it. I have no more power, no more lethal touch, he has reduced me to what I always thought I was— just a girl that is weak and pathetic and couldn't throw a punch with enough power to save her life.

"Let me go!" I scream. "Let me go right now Adam!"

My father stumbles away from the wall and my mother helps him into the elevator.

"Don't worry Juliette. I'm sure we'll meet again soon enough." He says.

I'm still shouting as the doors close behind them.