Hey all, so, the whole replying to Reviews has me befuddled. I can't tell who I have responded to and who I haven't. Sorry If you didn't get a reply this time around. I'll try to be better about it this next go around.
We're slightly thickening the plot with this one. I hope you all like it. REVIEW to let me know!
Entry 3- August 18, 2111
I woke this morning with an odd sense of dread within me. Mina's comment last night had stuck to me like Velcro. Seiya was a potential threat; that was a danger. Then, there was this mysterious Darien character. Mina had referenced him a few times and Raye had done so once. From the sounds of it, he was the leader of the group. I wondered what he was like. Would he be potentially dangerous? If he was the leader of the group what was his motivation with all of these people?
I smiled as if felt Luna stretch out at the foot of the bed. Throwing the blankets off of me I shivered as I remembered I had slept in the bed nude. Rising up I dug into the closet and found some pants and a shirt. No dresses. Dresses not only screamed that you are a woman but is also far too easy to get off.
I stared at myself in the mirror hanging on the wall next to the closet and sighed. This would be the first day I stepped out into a space where there were men without a disguise on. I only hoped I would not be harmed.
With caution I unlocked and opened the door to my little room and peaked out into the great room. I was immediately greeted by the smell of cooked food. My mouth watered and Luna must have had the same reaction because she ran out of the room towards the dining area. In the dining area there was a long table with a variety of different foods on it. I simply stared at the spread and wondered if I was welcome to eat it. There were foods I had only seen pictures of in books. Bacon, eggs, pancakes, waffles with butter and syrup, juices, muffins. I mean, the whole breakfast deal. I was most drawn to the bacon.
"Eat your heart out." A masculine voice washed over me. The voice was sultry and caused a shiver to travel down my spine. I felt my heartbeat quicken as if I was preparing to flee or fight. "Lita knows her way around a kitchen. She's our chef." The voice continued. As if my reaction was normal, the man reached past me and grabbed a plate then held it to me.
Bringing my hands up I took the plate and nodded. Why I couldn't speak, I'll never know. Honestly, I'm not entirely sure I was physically all right. He chuckled, another shiver, then he picked up another plate and stepped in front of me. Even from the back, I knew he was a powerful man. Malachite was a massive man, Nephrite too, but neither exuded the amount of power this man did.
He was tall, six three maybe, his shoulders were broad, waist small. In fact, his body formed a perfect "V." He had thick arms, and shining black hair. Was this the Darien I had heard of? It would make sense, he was a leader, and his black hair was very similar to Raye's. His skin was tanned slightly, a testament to the fact that he spent time outside in the harsh sun.
"Serena? You should dish up your plate before the guys get out here. They devour everything around here." He spoke as he piled food onto his plate.
Realization of what he said dawned on me and I jumped forward. Grabbing for the tongs in the bacon dish I put a large helping on my plate and moved to the next item. When I was done my plate was piled high with food. I didn't care though. It was my first real breakfast of my life and I was going to enjoy it.
With my plate of food in my hands I looked up and saw Darien staring at me. His deep ocean eyes fixed on my cerulean ones. I froze. He was by far the most… handsome man I had ever encountered. He had defined jawline that spoke of good breeding. His hair fell gently over his perfectly shaped eyebrows and his perfect lips were held in a slight smile.
"Sit next to me?" He asked charismatically with a smile that weakened my knees. I could only gulp and nod my compliance. Walking towards the table I felt giddy and a little light headed. What was happening to me? I had never had this happen before.
"So, what do you think? Are you going to stay here?" He asked suddenly when I sat down.
"I um… don't know." I stated simply and chomped down on some crispy bacon. I'm not going to lie, it was the most amazing thing I had ever tasted! I continued to eat, well, scarf down my food is more like it. I could feel Darien's eyes on me but I was far too preoccupied with my food to notice him.
When I was finally full I sat back only to see an amused grin on his face. "I don't think I've ever seen a woman eat like that." He chuckled which made me blush.
"Sorry, my first real breakfast." I whispered lightly and watched him nod and take a bite of his bacon.
"I see. Then that explains it. In any case, we don't care around here. We have tons of supplies and the means to get more." He then fixed his eyes on me once again. "So, tell me, why consider going back out there alone when you could have us? You don't have to hide here. You would be free."
"Perhaps, or maybe I'd be caged like an animal. My father always said that if something seemed too good to be true, it was. I will not disillusion myself into thinking that this place is paradise." I snapped with a little more venom than I intended.
"Serena! Don't talk to Darien like that! He's been a saint to us all!" Mina suddenly materialized next to me with the face of an irate rhinoceros.
"Mina." Darien scolded then looked at me with a twinkle in his eyes. "Learn to recognize intelligence when you see it. Serena, I commend you on your skepticism. Everyone else here was all too eager to enter the group. You are weighing your options, measuring us. This place is what you make of it. If you enjoy the company, commodities, and rules then yes, it is paradise. If you do not, then all I am offering you is pointless. I will say this." He turned serious for a moment. The darkness that entered those blue depths terrified me. "I have been following you for months now. I have personally killed ten men who were going to attack you. If you leave here, you will not last a day. I am not threatening you, simply telling the truth."
I felt the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. He had been following me? This powerhouse of a man? I suddenly felt the need to take another good look at him. Yes, I was right, this man was dangerous, dangerous in many ways. He was physically powerful, intelligent, and skilled. The part that worried me most was the effect he had on me. I wanted to faint when he spoke, to be close to him… even more disturbing, I wanted dig my teeth into his lips, jaw, and neck; hell, any part of him for that matter. I would rip the flesh off his bones with my teeth if given the chance.
I quickly silenced my thoughts. Cannibalism was not my thing, it was other peoples' thing. I didn't eat humans, nor did I want to. Well, I didn't want to eat Darien per se, just, attack him?
"So, you want me to join you so I can grow vegetables?" I asked incredulously. "Seems like you're doing fine without me."
"We are, but we cannot grow them as well as you. You have a gift. Also, you're intelligent. Not many people are. Don't look at this in terms of what you will give, look at it in terms of what you will get. Human companionship and camaraderie, a safe place to stay with clean water and food, and something to occupy yourself with. In addition, if you go anywhere, one of us guys will go with you as well in order to protect you. You know how volatile it is out there." He leaned back in his chair with a smirk. "Come now, make the logical choice."
"I will make whatever choice I want." I huffed and stood. Luna was on my heels in a moment. "I don't know what you're up to but I'm not sure I like it!" I shouted. Darien simply laughed which infuriated me.
"Wow, you could cut it with a butter knife." Mina stated plainly.
I glared at her. "Cut what?" I snapped. "Cut what with a butter knife?"
"The sexual tension." She smiled. "I have never seen Darien so set on something." She laughed again. "I mean damn."
I paled and looked at him again. The amused glint in his eyes was gone, replaced now with a warning for Mina. I stepped away from the table and Darien. Of course, that was his motive. What a surprise. If I entered into this world I wouldn't be able to get away from him. I would be in his debt, his personal slave. Well, Serena Tsukino is no idiot.
Without warning I rushed towards the room I had been given. Luna was in first and I shut and locked the door. Moving a chair to block me in I let out a panicked breath. I was trapped, I couldn't leave without them letting me! How stupid I was to think this could ever be a good thing!
I leaned against the wall and heard shouting. "Damn it Mina! What the hell were you thinking! She just came in from the outlands and you go cracking jokes about that?" Darien sounded angry, furious even.
"I wasn't thinking! Darien!" She cried. "Darien wait, I'm sorry!"
"Sorry! You had better be! Because of you she's going to leave. Your idiotic comment just killed her. Congratulations!" He shouted and I heard a loud smash. Even through the concrete and metal I could hear his rage. Hear Mina's regret. Was it true? Was Mina joking?
No, of course not. Even now they were acting, spinning a web of deceit in order to keep me here. Darien obviously had ulterior motives with everyone there. I'd be damned if I fell into his trap. No man was going to touch me, much less one that schemes like Darien.
I sat on the bed and looked at Luna. She seemed sad, as if I was about to break her heart. Hell, I was going to break my own heart. I didn't want to leave. I would have everything here but the price was too high. I would not bow down to a man, not now, not ever.
A light knock came at the door and I held my breath. Sure, I knew that whoever it was knew I was in here; but I felt better holding my breath. "Serena?" I heard Lita's voice from the other side of the door. "Can I talk to you?"
"Talk." I stated plainly. I wasn't about to open that door. There was too much danger.
"I'm not going to talk to you through the door. I just want you to know, that I understand what you're upset about. If you'll let me in we can talk about it. No one else is near me." She soothed through the doorway. She made me want to open the door.
I finally gave in and opened it for her. She slipped in and shut it behind her, flipping the lock. When she turned to me she had an understanding glint in her eyes. "Serena, I'm sorry about that. Mina is a bit dense. She doesn't understand what women like us are worried about." Lita frowned and stepped towards me. She sat on the bed and sighed. "Mina has always had everything her heart desires. Her family has lived in this compound for some time. She was born here and will likely die here. Darien and Raye kept her sheltered, never allowing her out unless Dare went with her. Then she met Malachite and everything else was history. She is naïve and childish. She has never really seen the outside world. She explores now, but she doesn't know what it is like to be attacked. To not have security." Lita spoke from her heart and I nodded in understanding.
"I grew up in the outlands. Scraping for food, I was on my own since I was ten. My parents were murdered. I got away and simply ran. I've spent my life running. Alone, scared. Darien found me first. God I was terrified of him. He was so much bigger than me, stronger. With him was Nephrite, you saw him, he was ginormous. I thought they would rape and murder me. I was begging for my life before Darien had ever uttered a word." She chuckled lightly then shook her head. "He asked me if I could cook. I said yes and now I'm here. I've grown close to everyone, especially Nephrite. I know he is interested in me, but, he understands. He is so patient with me, one day, maybe, I'll be able to be with him but not now."
"What does that have to do with me?" I asked while feeling my patience run thin. I didn't care about her story. Not really at least.
"Serena, Darien is the leader around here. As leader he understands us and knows what we need. If he is interested in you in a romantic sense, he will never, ever, make an advance unless he was sure you would accept him. He is not an animal like so many of the others are. He is kind, caring, and very perceptive. He will not harm you in any way. I swear to you he won't. Besides, even if he ever thought of it Amara would have it out with him." Lita laughed heartily and closed her eyes to picture a scene in her mind.
"I don't want anyone to be interested in me." I shook my head and pouted. "I just want to live my life."
"Live your life here and it will be better and longer." Lita finished and stood. She smiled at me then excused herself from my room.
She had given me much to think about. Maybe I could live here. Mina was simply naïve, everyone else understood me… maybe. Lita's comforting words washed over me. She would look out for me, so would Amara. Maybe I could live here. I could be happy here. Luna would be.
With that thought I nodded and stood. I walked out the door to the great room where I saw Mina jump up from her seat. Raye pulled her back down with a warning glare then looked at me with sad eyes.
"Where is Darien?" I demanded firmly.
"I'll take you." Seiya smiled as he seemed to materialize next to me. I jumped a bit and gulped. I nodded and looked at the group who was staring at me intensely.
Seiya placed a hand on my back and began to lead me to the stairs. With a glare I shook him off and continued up. I could feel his eyes on me and I wondered if this was a good idea. Maybe allowing Seiya to lead me around was a terrible idea.
We reached the second floor and Seiya stepped forward and opened a door for me. Beyond the door was a stairwell that lead up. I stepped in and Seiya followed. The door closed behind us and I felt the hairs on the back of my neck prickle up.
"So, I hope you stay." I could hear the suggestion in his voice and I hated it. "Can I persuade you at all?" I felt his hand on my hip and I turned to him angrily.
"Keep your hands off of me! Touch me again and there will be consequences." I snapped at him and felt a chill run down my spine as he smiled.
"I like my chances." He added then stepped into me.
I'll admit, I was a little surprised. I had never been this close to a man before. I went so speak then heard a voice in my place.
"Back up Seiya. I'll remind you, you're still on probation. One wrong move and I'm throwing you out." Darien's voice drew my eyes to the top of the staircase.
"Yeah yeah, I was just bringing her up to you." Seiya shrugged then turned from me and exited the hall.
"You think you can handle the likes of him?" Darien spoke and turned from me. He disappeared from view. That irritated me instantly. I walked after him angrily.
"I would have been fine. I can defend myself." I retorted and crossed my arms. Something about that smug tone of his got to me. "You think you're sooo much better than me but you're not!" I shouted at him. When he didn't respond I stomped up the stairs and was met with pitch black. I continued forward a bit, one hand gliding along the wall the other in front of me in case I collided with anything.
It was quite a ways to walk then my hand met fabric. I stopped, my heart started beating erratically. I didn't move my hand despite my need to. The heat that was coming off of the fabric made me all too aware of what my hand was on. Finally removing my hand I took a deep breath. Why wasn't he speaking?
"Are you scared?" His voice filled the room we were in, his tone was no longer amused or smug.
"Of what? You?" I asked as confidently as I could. Truth be told I was terrified. "No."
"You're lying." I knew he was close because his breath tickled my ear. "You are scared. If you weren't you wouldn't have run from me at breakfast. Truth is, you should be scared. I'm stronger than you and I have more experience in combat. So, don't lie to me. I know better."
"What do you want from me?" I whispered into the darkness. I was afraid of the answer to tell the truth.
"I want you to live Serena. You're a good person, smart and talented. You don't need to die, you don't need to suffer. Stay here with us and I will guarantee you'll be safe." He was being very convincing really. I wanted to say yes.
"No, I can take care of myself." I repeated.
"Prove it." He challenged.
"What?"
"Prove to me that you can take care of yourself. Fight me." He demanded. I didn't have time to respond before he grabbed me by the arms and forcefully pushed me against the wall. I could tell he was being gentle with me and it irritated me to no end.
I struggled against him a bit without success then cried out when he threw me to the ground. I landed on my hands and knees and began to scramble away. I could hear him walking after me. He grabbed my feet and pulled me towards him, I gasp as I realized his body was between my legs then growled as he held my hands down.
"You don't stand a chance." He stated plainly and released me. Moving away from my body I missed the heat he'd provided. "You're not ready to face a bunch of men who want to do damage." I let out a breath and stood.
"I'm not staying." I insisted then frowned when I heard him chuckle. "I'm not!"
"Fine, don't." He stated then a light flooded the hall we were in. I could see him, standing beneath an opening in the ceiling. He then climbed up a short ladder and out. "Come here." He offered his hand. I climbed up the ladder and gasp as I looked around. We were outside, atop a large rock formation. I could see for miles and miles. It was beautiful.
Looking towards Darien I knit my brow with confusion. "Why did you bring me here?" I asked.
"I come up here to watch, to think." He revealed to me simply. "I understand why you don't want to stay, but I also want you to know that I'm not going to let you go alone. If you leave, I'm going with you. You can fight me if you want but I'm going. You need protection. I don't trust Seiya to go with you, Taiki and Yaten are a little strange, and all of the others hate being away from the girls. That's why you're stuck with me." He smiled at me. "I want to talk to you about what Mina said."
I felt my back stiffen as he turned to me. "She's not wrong you know? Certainly not tactful at all, but not wrong." He laughed a little. "You don't need to worry though. Just because there's tension now doesn't mean there will always be tension between us."
"I don't understand what you're talking about." I stated. Mina had mentioned something about sex. What the hell was sexual tension?
"My apologies. Sexual tension, is where there is an uneasy air around two or more people. The unease is a result of being sexually attracted to one another." I blushed a little as he said it. "I won't lie, I'm very attracted to you but, I'm not one of the animals what run around outside. Based on your reaction to me, I'm very sure you're attracted to me." He smiled. I didn't respond to him at all.
"I'm not attracted to you." I defended myself and crossed my arms. How dare he say I was sexually attracted to him! I wasn't sure how to tell whether or not he was right but still.
"You are. I can see it in your eyes, in the way you blush. Let me ask you this, when you first saw me, did you want to attack me in any way?" He asked almost as if he had read my mind.
I hesitated then looked down at the ground. "Yes." I admitted. "Don't freak out but I wanted to tear your jaw off with my teeth."
He started laughing loudly. I felt embarrassed, shouldn't he have been scared of me? I just said I wanted to seriously damage him. Some time passed before he regained himself and looked at me with a large smile. "I'll say so. Well, try not to do that and we'll get along just fine."
"I can't promise you anything." I smirked as he laughed again. "So, you're going to follow me around whether I stay or go."
"Right. So, whenever you're ready, I'm ready. I just need to talk to Mal briefly. I'm putting him in charge while I'm gone." He stated simply then walked back towards the opening for the bunker. "Ready to get going?"
"I suppose." I stated simply and walked to him. He nodded and jumped into the opening. I jumped as well and squeaked when he caught me. Putting me down he reached up and closed the door then locked it. He then grabbed my hand and lead me down the dark hallway, to the stairs and down. He then released my hand and opened the door for me to step into the great room. I called for Luna and walked down to the room I had been given to gather my things. I hadn't brought much but it was still mine.
I gathered my items and stepped back out where Darien was talking to Malachite. Malachite was nodding. Mina then appeared next to me with Lita. "I'm sorry, please, don't go!" Mina insisted.
"Shut up ditz. She's leaving." Lita snapped and held out a package. "Here, it's bacon." She smiled at me then patted my shoulder as I took it. "Good luck out there with him on your ass. He's a stubborn bastard."
I saw Darien motion for me to follow and excused myself from Mina and Lita. I then walked to Darien and he went towards the door. I couldn't help but feel like everyone else was watching me leave. We went through the bunker door to the exit hall then out into the canyon.
"Going out guys, won't be back for quite some time. Malachite's in charge." He waved as we walked. I struggled to keep up with him, his long legs carried him farther in one stride than my short ones. I didn't find that to be all that fair.
"Will you slow down? I'm shorter than you." I complained. He slowed immediately so I could keep up. "Thank you."
"I forget I tend to walk quickly." He apologized. "So, how long have you been on your own?"
"A year maybe." I replied simply and hoped he wouldn't ask any more, something told me he would. "Dad died about a year ago, my mother two years ago."
"Sorry." He nodded. "My parents passed about ten years ago. Since then Raye and I have really focused on expanding our people." The way he spoke conveyed his sincerity. Why would they be focusing on expanding? What benefit did they get out of doing such a thing? They had plenty of supplies so they didn't need more. Maybe it was an expertise issue. They needed different people with different knowledge.
The next mile was walked in silence. Darien seemed fairly aloof about following Luna and I home. He certainly did not show signs of being uncomfortable about intruding. That's exactly what he was doing too, intruding. I didn't want him in my home, my family home. There was no reason for it. Sure he said he would help me defend myself but still. I had a bow and arrow now. I could defend myself!
When we came upon my home I walked to the dumpster and opened the secret door. Luna rushed in and was shortly back giving me the "all clear" sign. I opened the door and slipped in. Darien was in behind me and he shut the door and locked it.
The darkness that greeted us was a familiar one. I knew my way around this place. Much like Darien knew his bunker.
"I um, I use candles for my own light." I spoke simply and found my matches and a candle. I quickly lit the match then touched it to the wick illuminating the wax object. "Do you want a tour?" I asked a little awkwardly. He nodded and I sighed. "Very well. This is my living area. As you can see I have a little kitchen and a table for eating as well." I walked to the bathroom and motioned to it. "This is the bathroom. Only one so we will be sharing. I don't generally turn on the water heater but the water usually stays fairly tepid." He nodded again, it seemed his eyes were studying my every move. It made me uncomfortable.
I continued through, showing him my garden area, compost room, my room, then finally my father's old room. I hesitated in the doorway and felt my stomach drop a bit. I hadn't opened the door to my father's room in almost a year. "Th… This will be your room… f… for as long as you stay." I spoke and turned the door knob. The door swung open as if nothing had changed.
Darien stepped into the room and looked around. "This was your father's room." He stated more than asked. "I'm flattered." He turned to me then frowned. "I will sleep in the living area if you prefer. My being in here seems to upset you."
"It's not you. I'm just… remembering." Tears that I had tried to forget were soon trickling down my face. "Please, excuse me. I'm tired and need my rest." I then walked away from him and went to my room. Lying on my bed I hugged a pillow and sobbed away my sorrows.
