Sunrise
Chapter 3: Freedom
Maggie grunted and roughly shrugged the icy cold hand off her shoulder. She started for the yellow house again, but in one swift motion, Demetri blocked her path.
"What do you want?" Maggie spat.
"Maggie, Maggie, Maggie,"Demetri chimed. "I asked you for one little, teeny, weeny favor. All I wanted was for you to bring Hugo to me so I can convince him to join the Volturi. It's been over twenty-four hours and I still find myself Hugo-less…"
"Look, it's not my fault, okay? It was that super wolfboy, Jacob, that got in my way!" Maggie crossed her arms, resembling a pouting child.
"Wolf?" Demetri's eyes flashed with rage. He forcefully pulled Maggie to him as she shuddered under his cold touch. He began sniffing her all over. Maggie winced, clearly uncomfortable. "Werewolf! HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?"
Maggie freed herself from Demetri's aggressive hold and stared daggers at him. "I. Don't. Know. One second Hugo is all for joining, the next second he's lying on the floor in pieces!"
Demetri's eyes became angry slits. Shutting his eyes, he inhaled deeply and ran his long, pale fingers through his smooth, black hair. Maggie eyed him warily and was expecting another round of yelling and curse words.
"Ok. This wasn't your fault. I am a very perceptive vampire. So instead of deducting 2 years of the debt you owe me, I'll just add 2 more. Sound fair?" Demetri's mood was lifted as the harsh punishment sunk into Maggie, eliminating any ounce of hope she had left within her. "Now who did you say this werewolf was?"
"Jacob."
"Well, next time, let us be certain that this Mr. Jacob, doesn't interfere with my scouting, as it will be held under your account. Do I make myself clear?" He said, calmly.
Maggie's fierce stature never changed. She sucked in her teeth and nodded reluctantly.
"That's a good dear. Now run along before sweet Auntie Helena begins to worry," Demetri said, as he disappeared into the shadows of night.
Maggie scoffed. 'As if Aunt Helena would give a rats ass about my whereabouts.' She thought.
She quickly raced to the house and prepared herself for whatever absurd punishment she would be receiving from Aunt Helena for a crime not worthy of the label.
The warmth of the house felt foreign to her frozen body. Uncle Jack was already passed out on his favorite green sofa chair, which he rarely left. Half empty beer in one hand, mouth unattractively hung open with a hint of drool threatening to leak, and cheeto crumbs decorating his already grimy shirt—Uncle Jack depicted the term "lazy son of a bitch" perfectly.
Maggie rolled her eyes and quietly headed up the stairs.
"Maggie? Is that you?"
Maggie's heart softened at the angelic voice of her 4-year old cousin, Olivia. (Nicknamed Olive)
"Hey, Olive! What are you still doing up?" Maggie whispered soothingly as she entered her cousin's tiny bedroom.
"The monster's are out to get me," Olive said matter of factly. Maggie's forehead creased.
"Monster? Honey, there aren't any monsters here. There are no such things as monsters," She reassured her baby cousin while stroking her white blonde hair.
"Yes, there is! Daddy said so!"
"Daddy? What did he—" Maggie froze. She noticed Olive flinch as she touched her arm and stared in horror at the tiny purple bruises freckling her fragile arms. "Olive, tell me now…did Daddy do this to you? Did Uncle Jack hurt you again??"
Tears formed in her innocent blue eyes, as she turned away and hid under the safety of her blanket. Fury filled whatever emotional space Maggie had left in her. She couldn't take it anymore. Angry tears were on the verge of spilling over. She stubbornly wiped them away and instantly felt the need to scream and curse and shout and then curse some more.
"Hey, Olive, baby, come out from there," She gently lifted Olive up so that they were eye level. "Do you trust me?"
Olive nodded softly.
"Good. We're getting out of here, okay?"
"Like a vacation?"
"Something like that…but we have to be very quiet, okay? It's…part of a game. Whoever is the quietest wins, do you understand?" Maggie was making this up as she went. She had no idea where she was going to go or what they were going to do, but one the thing she knew for sure was that they needed to get the hell out of there. She had enough money for airplane tickets and maybe a night at a cheap hotel. Maybe.
Maggie packed whatever she thought was necessary. She threw in some clothes, toiletries, food, coupons and Olive's favorite blanket into a large duffle bag. She called a cab and told it to wait for them around the corner. Opening the window, Maggie held her breath as she threw the bag down to the first floor. Thud! She eased up when the loud snores of Uncle Jack drowned out her worries. Maggie quickly scribbled a letter to Aunt Helena and Uncle Jack saying that she took Olive and if they attempted to look for them, she'll call the cops and report them for their abuse.
She placed her finger over her lips and smiled when Olive mimicked her. Gently picking Olive up and gliding down the stairs with as little noise as possible, Maggie and Olive became free girls.
She hastily paid the cab driver and felt a twinge of guilt for not being able to leave a tip. All feelings of relief quickly melted from her body as Demetri stood outside the airport waiting for her.
"What the—Um, Olive, we're going to play a new game, okay? We're going to close our eyes really, really tight and not open them until I say so."
"Why?"
"Because, that's just the game. Can you do that for me? Good." Olive obediently closed her eyes and Maggie headed for the security of the tall, dark trees just next to the airport.
"Oh, I wish you wouldn't think so little of me, Maggie," Demetri said in his deep, captivating voice. Maggie froze and braced herself. Demetri twisted a stand of Maggie's stray hair and she instinctively slapped his hand. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Aunt Helena and Uncle Jack's place isn't safe anymore for us," Maggie explained with little expression. "But that shouldn't be a problem for you seeing as you always have a scary way of finding me anyway."
Demetri laughed. "That, I do. And where may I ask do you plan to reside in for the mean time?"
Maggie opened her mouth to reply but found no answer. Where was she going to go?
"Maggie…" Olive whined
Demetri took a threatening step toward her. "Same old Maggie, Naïve as ever—thinking she can rid the world of monsters." He was now towering over her small frame. "I'd hate to wake you up from your dream in which you play the super hero, so instead, I shall advise you turn around and run back to Uncle Jack and Aunt—"
There was a loud growl from behind the trees. Olive's hands shot up to her ears. "I don't like this game anymore!"
"Shhhh! It's going to be fine," Maggie wasn't sure if she was trying to reassure Olive more, or herself.
Maggie could feel the warmth from the giant wolf emitting from both her sides, and surely enough, two large wolves came protectively in front of her, causing Demetri to take a step back. His mocking smile never left his lips.
"I see you've made some new friends. No matter, I will surely be seeing you around. Do take care," And with that, Demetri was gone.
Maggie was still frozen. Her breathing was harsh and she shut her eyes tight to calm herself. When she opened them, two extremely well built, tan boys were standing before her. She suddenly felt dizzy.
"Whoa, Jacob, she doesn't look so well," Sam said.
"Maggie? Maggie? Are you okay?"
"I'm…fine…I think," Maggie responded, drearily. "I think I just need to sit down."
"Right," Jacob said and threw Sam her duffle bag while gently scooping Olive into his arms.
"Be careful with her! She doesn't like strangers!" Maggie warned, but was dumbfounded when Olive giggled willingly into Jacob's friendly hold.
Jacob and Sam guided her inside the airport and sat her down on the bench.
"So…was he a friend of yours?" Jacob asked, attempting, but failing, to be inconspicuous.
Maggie focused her gaze on the dirty floor and the cigarette butt stuck in between the crack. "No."
"C'mon, Jake…we've got to go," Sam urged. Jake looked hesitantly up at Sam.
"Just give me a moment will you?" Jacob asked and Sam walked a couple of paces down to give them privacy.
Jacob handed Olive back to Maggie, who instantly fell asleep on her shoulder.
"Thanks for saving me…again," Maggie mumbled.
"You're welcome," Jacob said.
'Awkward silences should be illegal.' Maggie thought.
"Where are you going?" Jake asked.
"I'm not sure. Maybe Olive's old nanny's house in California," She replied lamely. She had hoped that a brilliant plan would have somehow magically formed in her head by now and felt foolish that it hadn't.
It was like Jacob could sense her dilemma. He pulled out a scrap of paper and hastily wrote something down on it.
"If you're ever in Washington," Jacob smiled boyishly at her. Maggie unfolded the paper and found an address messily scribbled on it.
"Will do," Maggie smiled as Sam made an impatient cough. Jacob gave her a curt nod and left with Sam at his side.
She sighed heavily and heaved the large duffle bag over her shoulder. Olive groaned in her sleep as Maggie shifted her onto one arm.
"Two tickets to California, please."
I don't own anything related to the Twilight series
Reviews are greatly appreciated :)
