Chapter 12.

"Dad!"
A door opened and footsteps came towards the bathroom.
"What's going on Will?"
"I can't hear her. I can't feel her. I can't reach her."
"So she pushed you out. Crystal does that to me all the time." Xav sounded careless about it.
"Maybe, but Crystal isn't a new-found savant, who happens to be a shield, with no idea of how to use her gifts, is she?"
I could hear Xav was more serious now, even though he still joked. "I'm sure she's fine. She's just finally gotten enough of you."
"Not funny, Xav." Saul said as he came walking up the stairs. His steps stopped at the other end of my door and he knocked on it. "Are you okay Linda?"
"What if something is wrong with her?"
"Really, Will? What do you think happened, the shower curtain attacked her?"
"Xav." Saul snapped, his usual calm voice sounding sharp now.
"Linda, if you don't answer, I'm going to kick in this door." Will almost had a full-on panic attack. I sighed, with frustration as well as exhaustion. I didn't even know if I could keep him out, it strained me.

Fine. I'm fine. Now can I just please take a shower without everyone hovering over me?
Will's relief washed over me.
"She answered me. Nothing is wrong. Let's go down."
Xav and Saul start asking Will what happened, but I didn't pay attention any more. I finally got to take my shower in silence.
It helped. I still felt on edge, but the water calmed me down a bit again. As I emerged from the bathroom, Will came walking up the stairs. As he saw me he raised both hands.
"Just want to take a shower myself. Mom made you some snacks in the kitchen."

Karla handed me a plate and I took a seat at the kitchen table. Phee and Yves were sitting on the other end of the table and Xav was standing at the counter, talking to Victor. Karla sat down beside me.
"Would you like to stay in Will's room or would you like another one? Will thought you might feel more comfortable in his room."
I looked at her but didn't answer. What was she talking about? I turned to Phee and Yves who were both watching me as well.
"What do you mean Karla?" I turned to Phee; "Aren't we going back to your house? The snow has cleared enough hasn't it?"
"We're going home tonight, but Will thought you might want to stay here."
"I'm sorry, but I don't think so, I don't belong here."
"Of course you do dear, you're our daughter now."

What? For the umpteenth time in just a few days I felt like I wanted to flee. I got up and headed for the door.
Don't go out on your own! Will didn't want me to leave. Victor positioned himself blocking the door but Xavier looked at me.
"Let's go."
I walked out and Xavier followed me.
"I promise I'll be quiet."
And for a few minutes he was. I was really getting sick of this situation. I didn't know what was happening and all of them were telling me things I didn't agree with. Will tried to tell me what to do and where to go. His mother as well. Victor was really getting on my nerves. Uri seemed to be avoiding me today, I'm sure Will put him up to that. Karla calling me her daughter. As if I didn't already have a family! And every single time I wanted some time to myself, one of the Benedict brothers kept following me because Will sensed some danger surrounding me. I believed him but at the same time it was hard to believe. Why would I be in danger? It didn't make sense.
"You know, we all just mean well. We just want to help you. And with people leaving tomorrow, we just want to try and find out things quickly."
"Didn't you promise me you would shut up?"
"Yeah, but..."
"Shut, up, Xavier."
"Woah, just Xav, only my mother calls me Xavier. Well, Crystal as well, but only when she's..."
"Xav." I interrupted him.
"Right. Quiet it is." He made a gesture as if closing his mouth, but I didn't pay attention. I wasn't paying attention to where I was walking either. Which was why I didn't see a low branch hanging and it hit me in my face. It burned, but even that I didn't really register because of my anger.
"Let me look at that."
"No."
"Really, I can just..."
"No, Xav."
He backed away and respected my privacy. When I got to the end of the trail, I saw the bench Will and I had sat on earlier today.

I sat down and closed my eyes, trying to calm myself. All this time Xav didn't say a word. After a while I felt the bench shift a bit as Xav sat down. I opened my eyes and looked at him.
"Here, take my coat, you must be cold."
Now he said it I realized he was right. I hadn't put on a coat and was feeling cold. I still didn't want his though.
"No thank you." At least I managed to be polite this time. Xav stretched out his hand and touched my arm, gasping a bit.
"You're freezing! Please take my coat." He got up from the bench and put the coat on my shoulders. I shook it of and stood up as well, my anger fully flared up again.
"Can't any of you Benedicts take no for an answer? Do you need to order me around and tell me what to do? Are all the other girls just fine with that? Because I am not! I don't like to be told what to do. I can make my own decisions and I'm sick and tired of you all treating me like a child!"
I was kind of hoping he would shout back at me. I was in the mood for a good fight. But Xav surprised me by stepping towards me. He didn't say a word, but caught my arm. The tears of anger I had in my eyes begun to run freely and I leaned into Xavier. He now really pulled me into his arms and let me cry.
My eyes were red and puffy and I had a headache – again –, but it had felt good to just cry it out. Xav looked at my face and put his hand on my cheek. It started to feel warm and my headache went away. I knew he must've healed the cut I'd got from the branch as well. I took his coat without any more complaining and we headed back to the house.
Will was waiting outside for us. I wondered why he hadn't come running to me when I was crying but remembered that he wasn't under my shield anymore. Maybe he had communicated with Xav about it.
Yeah. Xav said it was best to just leave you. I wanted to come though. Was Xav right?
Yes he was, I'm sorry.
You have nothing to be sorry about. He assured me. We should be sorry, you're right. We tend to look at a problem and want to solve it without consulting first. We act, then think. We'll include you more. No, not more, it's your call from now on.
I walked up to him, smiled and hugged him. With a small groan Will lifted me up and kissed me. When I turned around, Xav was gone.
"We should go inside. Dad has an idea."
Not letting go of me, Will turned us both around and opened the door.