For a while, Tomas thought he was finally granted a break. He should have realized it was just the calm before the storm, one that would throw his whole life into a whirlwind of changes. School was as usual, mostly boring except for the lessons of Latin and the lunch breaks. Few days after his last fit the kids at school started to keep away from Tomas, even the bullies. Tomas wasn't sure if they become scared of him per say... it seemed that some of his classmates let a rumor slip about his eyes going all white during the fit and it creeped the hell out of everyone. Or maybe they just didn't want to risk being anywhere near the freak when the episode hit him, lest they be accused of some wrongdoing. At first Tomas was angry at that... angry at hearing the whispered freak wherever he went, seeing the looks the other kids were throwing his way. He heard the rumors and knew it was useless for him to even try looking for friends right now. So when a girl from his class approached him with a request for help with the material, Tomas brushed her off. He could see her colors swirl as she neared him and he didn't want the pity she was hiding deep inside. It was only two weeks till the summer holidays and Tomas thought he could handle them without any attempts at friendship.
The one thing that kept his spirits up at school however was Marcus and their now regular football games during the lunch break. Tomas didn't want to think what would happen after the summer ended as Marcus's teaching job seemed to come to a close in two weeks as well.
"Hey, you don't have to worry. I might not be teaching here anymore, but that doesn't mean we'll become strangers," Marcus said during one of the lunch breaks when Tomas was feeling especially down at the thought of what came next. They were sitting on the bench behind the school, aside from all the other kids parading around the playground. Marcus was enjoying a sandwich and Tomas could tell it was one made by Peter, just by the amount of salad peeking out between bread. Marcus grimaced at the greenery, but relaxed when he saw there was also ham inside.
"I am starting to think Peter wants me to become a rabbit," he muttered and Tomas snorted, looking at his measly peanut butter and jam sandwich he put together that morning.
"Olivia trying to put you on a diet?" Marcus commented, eyeing his lunch and Tomas rolled his eyes.
"Nah, but her paycheck comes in tomorrow and this was all I could find in the fridge." Tomas shrugged, taking a bite of the sandwich. He wasn't trying to complain really. Ever since he became a permanent visitor at Marcus's house, he got treated to a huge dinner at least three times a week. It might've made a difference in their food budget, however Tomas's appetite was back to what should be normal for a boy his age, which meant he was hungry more often than not. Olivia didn't complain though. It meant Tomas was eating more and looking less like a starved kid.
"Why don't you grab this? Think I'm full," Marcus threw him a small bag of chips. Tomas caught it with a raised eyebrow.
"Thanks," he muttered, diving in.
"So... what will you be doing during the summer?" Tomas asked carefully, trying not to look too interested in the answer but obviously failing if Marcus's smirk was anything to go by.
"Oh, I don't know yet. I have a few extra jobs lined up along with volunteering at the shelter as usual. And I reckon I'll be spending some of my time tutoring one of my favorite students."
"You will?" Tomas asked a corner of his mouth going up in a smile and this time it was Marcus who rolled his eyes.
"You worry too much, kiddo. Me and Peter aren't going anywhere. Whether I work at the school or not... you're always welcome at our house. You understand?"
"Yeah," Tomas said, the food forgotten as he was overcome with feeling of happiness. Marcus wasn't just going to abandon him because he was no longer paid to teach him. Maybe Tomas finally found a friend he could keep.
With that thought in mind, Tomas was in relatively high spirits when he returned home later that day. He declined Marcus's invitation for dinner, seeing as he was at their place a day ago and they had another lesson tomorrow. He wouldn't have minded to spend some time at Marcus's place every day, but he knew the two men also needed some alone time. He was already spending more than enough time with them and Olivia was starting to complain that she never saw him nowadays. So Tomas decided he might for once surprise his big sister with a home cooked meal. He took the lunch money he had stashed away during the last few months when the nightmares drove away his appetite and bought some pasta and sauce. It wouldn't be the fanciest meal, but it might put a smile on Olivia's face in any case.
Tomas was lost in thought and trying to find his keys with one hand, the other holding the shopping bag awkwardly, so he didn't really notice the black car parked in front of their apartment building. He walked up the stairs, mind focused on his first summer in Chicago and how different it will be from Mexico. Tomas was a bit surprised when he turned the key in the door and realized that Olivia was already home. Frowning a bit, he tried to recall her latest work schedule, but came up empty. She was so busy with school and work lately that Tomas wouldn't be surprised if she forgot to go for her shift for once.
"Liv?" he called out, putting the grocery bag down on the kitchen counter and heading automatically towards the small living room. He could hear voices and they were definitely not coming from the TV. Tomas noticed a pair of pricey looking heels by the door and for a moment thought Olivia might've brought home one of her friends or coworkers.
"In here," she called out a bit unnecessarily, as Tomas was already in the door.
"We have a guest, Tomas," she said with a smile and Tomas turned towards the couch, where a distinguished looking woman was sipping tea. She was sitting with her back to him and Tomas couldn't see her face, but he didn't really need to. He knew who she was even before she turned her head and gave him a smile that sent chills down his spine.
"Hello, Tomas. It is nice to finally meet you, young man," she spoke and even though her voice sounded distinguished in itself, to Tomas it was like fingernails on a chalkboard. She wasn't possessed, that much Tomas knew. There was no dark shadow hanging over her shoulder, whispering things to her. No. But her colors were all wrong... a sickly yellow with splotches of black swirling all around, seeping through and boring into everything she touched.
„Tomas?" Olivia threw him a questioning look, a bit taken aback by his reaction, or rather lack of it. Tomas shook off his shock and forced the disgust and sudden fear down. At least he hoped none of those feelings were palpable, but he wasn't so sure. The smile on the woman's face got just a bit cold the longer he stayed silent.
"Uhm, yeah, sorry. Hello," Tomas cleared his throat and very reluctantly reached out to shake the woman's offered hand. "Who... who are you?" he dared to ask, even though he already knew the name, saw it on the webpage with Peter.
"Maria Walters," Maria introduced herself, her hand squeezing Tomas's hand strongly. He tried to return the squeeze, but he felt like a dead fish... his palm was clammy and he could feel cold sweet running down his spine, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. 'What was Maria doing here? How did she find him? And did she know?'
He couldn't voice either of them however, so he put on a shaky smile and stepped over to his sister, leaning almost casually against the chair she was sitting in. His eyes swiped through the living room, almost expecting father Simon to pop out from somewhere, but luckily at least Maria seemed to have come alone.
"Maria is the head of a special outreach program and came here to offer you a place in one of her summer programs. Isn't that great, Tomas?"
Tomas blinked and realized he somehow tuned out when Olivia started to speak. He couldn't help it, Maria's colors fascinated him. While Marcus emanated a warm golden light, Maria was the complete opposite. Her yellow was dull, sickly looking with a hint of pea green. Tomas felt like a long time ago her colors might've been bright but then something terrible happened, something that started the decay of her soul and gave way to the darkness that was starting to appear. It made him feel at the same time pity for the person she could have been and fear of the person she was becoming. He would've most probably reacted unfavorably to her offer even if he didn't know she was working with father Simon. Right now though all he wanted was to get her out of his home, away from Olivia.
"Uhm, sorry. I don't understand," Tomas muttered, looking at his sister who was throwing him concerned looks. "What program?"
"I'm glad you asked. I hope I didn't catch you too unaware, Tomas," Maria spoke and her lips turned up in what was supposed to be an apologetic smile, but for Tomas it held a spark of danger. "I've already visited your school and spoke to your principal, Mr. Stanley a few days back. He highly recommended you for our program, along with two other students."
Tomas swallowed, wondering just who those two unfortunate souls were and why would Mr. Stanley throw them to the wolves, then he shook off the thought, sure that the principal didn't know what was really going on.
"Me? Why... why me?"
"Because you're one of the brightest students at your grade and you're very good at Latin. I think at one point Mr. Stanley called you the 'rising star' of the school, the one who could help the team win in the next Certamen."
Tomas blinked.
"Rising star?" he asked, rather dubiously and was startled when he felt Olivia squeeze his hand and give him a proud smile. That wasn't what he expected and he couldn't understand what his school performance had anything to do with a woman that might've been behind the death of several people. Just the thought made him feel sick to his stomach, but once again he tried to push back the panic. He couldn't show it, not here, not with his sister in danger.
"Oh yes, Mr. Stanley is rather proud of your achievements, especially seeing how complicated your situation is."
Tomas frowned at that, feeling the first hint of anger towards his principal raise. How dare the man talk about his private life with some strangers?
"I'm sorry, but I still don't understand what you're talking about," Tomas said and maybe some of that anger managed to leak into his tone, because Olivia tugged at his hand sharply. Maria just put on a sickly smile, which was all the more scary because Tomas could see the darkness move around her, enveloping her in a cocoon. If it wasn't for Olivia by his side and the fact it was his home, Tomas would've just turned and run right then, knowing he needed Marcus. But he couldn't just leave Olivia with Maria and he instinctively knew that showing he knew something would just make the danger more real. So he gave a half apologetic smile and listened as Maria started explaining about the very prestigious Catholic University of St. Lucia, which she founded along with her husband and two other gentlemen whose names rang a bell for Olivia, but didn't mean anything to Tomas.
"It is a private school which was founded ten years ago. All our pupils are very intelligent and after finishing their studies with us, they usually end up working very 'high end' jobs."
Tomas didn't doubt that but was a bit dismayed to see Olivia throw him a hopeful look.
"I'm still just a junior in high school and well... we don't exactly have money for a private school. So I really don't understand..."
"I can see you're indeed bright, Tomas," Maria's eyes flashed and Tomas fought the urge to take a step back. How could his sister not see she was dangerous? Though seeing the dark circles under Olivia's eyes Tomas felt a pang of guilt. Of course she wouldn't be looking a gift horse in the mouth. She was nearing the end of her rope as it was.
"I'm not offering you a place at our school, well, not yet. We shall see how your studies will continue. But what I can offer is a summer program. 6 weeks spent at the school, boarding, food and all expenses included in the form of tuition."
"Doing what?" Tomas blurted out, just the idea of stepping foot into the school he saw in his vision making him go pale. He squeezed the chair harder, glad that Olivia was shading his hand from Maria's view, because he was sure his grip turned ghost white. "Sorry, but... who would want to spend their summer studying?"
At that Maria laughed and for the first time Tomas thought it might've been a sincere reaction. He was startled by it so he didn't even note Olivia's hissed warning. "Tomas, please."
"That is quite alright, Olivia," Maria said with a smile and Tomas felt his heart skip a beat at the familiarity with which Maria addressed his sister. Just how long did they spend talking before his arrival? Tomas's eyes instinctively turned towards his sister, but he couldn't see any change in her colors, except maybe the growing annoyance he knew was caused by him.
"I'm sure not many teenagers would want to spend their summer at a boarding school. But here's the thing, Tomas," Maria said and their eyes met, causing Tomas to freeze in place.
"I'll be absolutely frank with you. Our school is prestigious and our students all come from families with high incomes and good names. We pride ourselves on that, but the times are changing. Inclusion and diversity is the current boom." She waved her hand in the air and Tomas bristled.
"Are you offering just because I'm half Mexican?" he asked, voice full of disbelief and righteous anger. For a moment he totally forgot that there must've been some other plan, some other reason to pick him. It would be too much of a coincidence otherwise. Next to him Olivia also tensed. While she wasn't the one to decline help, especially where Tomas was concerned, she had her limits as well. And once those limits were crossed, well... good luck in convincing her of anything. Tomas felt relief rush through him... there was no way she would want to send him there.
"Now, don't go putting words in my mouth, young man," Maria opposed and for a moment managed to look even regretful. Tomas didn't trust a word that left her mouth. "My personal thoughts on the matter are that we indeed need students from less fortunate backgrounds. While I love most of the children at our school, even I can recognize some of them are 'spoiled brats', so to speak," Maria said with a wink aimed at Olivia and Tomas was disgruntled to see that Olivia's shoulders marginally relaxed.
"How would bringing in poor kids help with that?" Tomas couldn't help but ask. He had enough bullying at his current school where the differences weren't so huge. He couldn't even imagine what kind of bullying could go on at a prep school like this. As if reading his thoughts, Maria inclined her head and gave a slight shake.
"I can assure you, Tomas, there's a zero tolerance for bullying at our school. But that is beside the point right now. Seeing as during the summer program there will be only the minimum amount of our students."
Tomas frowned, trying to figure out what was the woman's angle and how he could find out without outright calling her out. His sister however didn't seem to have that dilemma. Olivia squared her shoulders and put on a smile, but her voice was firm when she asked:
"Is inclusion the only thing you're looking for? I hope you won't take this wrong, Mrs. Walters, because I think your summer program offer is very generous and I'm sure it would help Tomas further his studies and better his chances at getting to a good university in the future. But to put it simply... what is in it for you?"
Tomas blinked, surprised his sister asked so bluntly. He was equally impressed but also scared, because he saw something more than just the 'friendly' looking smile on Maria's face. He saw the darkness swirl nervously and knew she was trying to suppress her annoyance, could read it in her aura clear as day. Tomas gently touched his sister's shoulder and bit at the inside of his mouth, stopping himself from commenting.
Maria sighed.
"I can see brightness runs in the family," she said, trying to put Olivia at ease. It didn't exactly work, Tomas could tell by the tense shoulder under his palm. "Very well. There has been some pressure from the Church to raise our participation in charity work. It is a bit complicated to explain the politics involved, but the board decided bringing in low income students might help. However, the board also doesn't want to just throw the children to the wolves, so to speak, so first there will be the summer program. Those who will do well will get a chance at a full ride in the following years."
Tomas wasn't convinced, but that might've been because he knew things, things that hopefully Maria Walters won't figure out he knew. His sister was a different matter however. Upon hearing the chance about getting a full ride at the university, Olivia's eyes perked up and Tomas knew she just clung to that last sentence like a drowning person.
"Full ride?" she repeated, as if dreaming.
"Liv?" Tomas blurted out, giving a slight shake of his head. No, no way. He wasn't setting foot anywhere near that school.
"Is Tomas already on the list or are you still deciding on who to take?"
"Liv, I don't-" Tomas started protesting, but Olivia gave him such a harsh look he closed his mouth. This wasn't the time, he clearly read in her eyes. Maria seemed to ignore the slight war between the siblings and just pushed a file across the table, towards Olivia.
"Tomas will be on the list if he decides to join. Of course we don't want to force anyone. This is just an offer. A rather gracious one, but you are free to decline."
"We won't-" Olivia started to say when Tomas couldn't stand it anymore.
"I don't want to go!" he said strongly. Olivia's mouth opened in surprise, which quickly turned to disbelief and also anger.
"That's enough, Tomas. Stop acting like a brat. If you can't discuss this matter seriously, you better go to your room."
"But-"
"No buts. Go." There was a look in Olivia's eyes Tomas hadn't ever seen before, not aimed at him at least. It was disappointment and it cut deep. Despite his resolution not to leave his sister alone with Maria, Tomas couldn't stay in the room anymore. He wanted to rush out and slam the door, but knew it would only deepen Olivia's disappointment and right now she was more important than making sure Maria Walters got the message to stay away from him.
"I'm sorry," he muttered through gritted teeth and bid a curt goodbye to Maria, trying not to look into her eyes, even though he could clearly see the look of triumph.
Tomas left the living room but despite the anger that was slowly simmering under the surface, he paused in the hall, leaning against the wall and listened as Olivia said excuses for his behavior and assured Maria that Tomas just needed to take it all in. Maria's voice now dripping with honey reassured Olivia that it is quite alright, she was used to sulky teenagers and most of them didn't like when their summer plans were thrown over.
Tomas gritted his teeth so hard he could feel a headache building. He couldn't stand the fact Olivia was deciding about his future without him in the room, that she felt compelled to apologize to Maria Walters of all people.
"As I said, it is a good offer, better than Tomas will ever get. My number is in the files. Read it then decide. I know it's fast, but I'll need to hear back from you within the next two days. If Tomas doesn't want to join us, there is plenty of other students that will."
While that was said calmly, Tomas could read the warning behind the words and he was sure Olivia could as well. 'Take it or leave it'. Only in this case he had a feeling that leaving it wasn't really an option, not one without consequences.
When there was a sound of movement and thank yous exchanged, Tomas beat a hasty retreat to his room. He didn't want to face the woman again, not if he could help it. Closing the door behind himself with a soft click instead of an angry slam took a huge effort but somehow Tomas managed. Not that it helped much, as two minutes later Olivia stormed into his room, looking more angry than Tomas saw her for quite some time. If ever.
"What the hell was that, Tomas?" she started even as Tomas fought the urge to take a step back when seeing the anger and disappointment emanating from his sister.
"I could ask the same," he said quietly, standing in place.
"Excuse me?" Olivia was now only inches from him, frowning. The tone in which she asked irked Tomas. He heard the same tone from his mother several times and it never bode well for him. The thought of his mother brought back memories and feelings Tomas was trying hard to suppress for the last few months, if not years. None of them were good, reeking of disappointment and a promise of abandonment. That's when Tomas looked up and his own fear upon encountering Maria Walters in his home turned into anger. Anger over being ambushed in the one place he should've felt safe, anger over Olivia not seeing the bigger picture. But most of all...
"You just want to get rid of me." He spoke quietly at first, but as the look of confusion on Olivia's face deepened, his voice rose. "Is that it? Am I too much of a freak to handle for you too?"
"Tomas, what the hell are you talking about?" Olivia managed to ask, reaching out towards him, but Tomas stepped back. He ignored the look of hurt on her face or the weariness. For the moment he was being consumed by bright hot anger. He didn't know where it came from or why, he just knew that for a moment it felt good.
"You... you let that woman into our house. That woman who did despicable things, who has blood on her hands and what for? So that you could get rid of me for the summer?"
"Tomas, listen to yourself! What are you talking about? What blood?" Olivia turned from angry to concerned, even scared, but Tomas didn't care. He started pacing his room, needing to get some of the anger and energy out. It was like Maria's essence reached out to him... he felt almost tainted. Tomas shook his head and rubbed his left arm so hard it must've left red marks under the shirt.
"She's not good, Liv. I saw her... before... at the school. And the man... they want to hurt me. I don't want to go anywhere. I need to stay here, with Marcus and Peter. It's important. Please, don't make me leave. Don't..." He realized he wasn't making much sense but he couldn't help it.
Olivia blinked, standing near the door and watching him with wide eyes. At the mention of Marcus and Peter though she seemed to be pulled out of her stupor and she stepped in front of Tomas's path, blocking it.
"Tomas, I don't know what you're talking about. But this has to stop. Ever since... ever since you met those men, something has changed about you. Did... did they hurt you?"
Tomas froze, the words like a kick in the gut.
"What?"
"You're acting strange, Tomas. You spend most of your days over there... then when you come home you pray... I don't understand. And it scares me."
"How... how could you even think they hurt me?" Tomas's anger turned to disbelief and hurt. "They would never hurt me. Never!" Tomas said forcefully but Olivia still didn't look convinced.
"Unlike my own family... who likes to send me away at any opportunity," he said with venom and watched as Olivia took a step back as if he had slapped her. The look of shock on her face sent a pang of guilt through Tomas and he blinked. Suddenly the bright hot anger didn't feel so good anymore, not when it caused pain to his sister. It felt cold and dangerous and Tomas shuddered. His right arm reached instinctively for his left wrist where the bracelet lay. He could feel the warmth seeping into his skin and there were pins and needles as if his arm had fallen asleep. Tomas looked at it like it was some strange body part that didn't belong to him at all.
He was brought back to reality by a choked sob. Head swinging up and eyes wide he looked at his sister, who had a hand over her mouth, trying to stop the sound.
"I... I didn't mean that Liv-" Tomas choked out and took a step forward, but this time it was Olivia who stepped back.
"How... how can you even say something like that?" she said, her voice shaking and tears running down her cheeks. It tore at Tomas's heart.
"I would never... never send you away, Tomas," she hiccupped. "Even when m-mom did. I tried... I tried to stop her! I wanted to go with you!"
"I'm sorry, Liv-" Tomas said, hoping she would take his apology, but Olivia shook her head, rubbing the tears away and squaring her shoulders even though her whole body was shaking.
"I'm doing e-everything I can so we can stay together," she said, weariness and anger returning to her voice. "I have two j-jobs and school, just... just to keep you with me. We still didn't ... didn't get any money from mom's insurance and there are so many bills for everything and I... I don't know what else to do, Tomas. You're acting strange, but I don't have the time to figure it out and now... now when we get at least a little break, a chance at a better future, you're throwing it all away for what? Some stories about the woman you never met before?" Olivia was sobbing now and Tomas couldn't help it, he had to take a step and just pull her into an embrace. He was still a bit smaller than his sister, but she buried her head into his shoulder.
"I can't do anything else, Tomas. I just can't. I'm barely keeping us afloat now. I'm too tired and I don't know what to do anymore and you're scaring me."
"Shh..." Tomas rubbed his hand over Olivia's back and kept making hushing sounds. "I'm sorry, Liv. Lo siento. Por favor, perdóname."
It took a while, but Olivia calmed down and Tomas didn't feel so shaky either. If anything, his outburst left him feeling empty and tired.
As Olivia pulled away with a somehow embarrassed sniff, she looked at Tomas concernedly, a hand reaching to his face.
"What happened Tomas? That summer program-"
"Please," Tomas caught her hand. "Can we... can we just not talk about it tonight?" he shot her a pleading look and something must've shown on his face because she slowly nodded.
"Okay. Not tonight. But we need to... this... you can't let this slip away, Tomas."
Tomas didn't comment on that, didn't know how. He needed to speak to Marcus and Peter first, to figure out some plan or to get their support. He knew he couldn't do this alone, couldn't face his sister alone. Because he knew that in the end he would give up and agree, just to get that worried look off her face. To do anything not to disappoint.
"I... I bought some pasta. Wanted to make you a nice dinner..." Tomas said and Olivia blinked, taken aback by the change of topic. Tomas hoped she would take it though. He really didn't want to fight anymore.
"Oh, that... that sounds nice, Tomas. I would love some pasta, but... I need to go to work tonight."
Tomas frowned.
"Again?"
Olivia shrugged and Tomas could see her eyes were getting misty again so he quickly shook his head.
"That's okay. I just lost track. Well... can you stay for dinner at least?"
"Y-yeah. I don't have to leave until nine."
"Good. Cause I couldn't eat that much food by myself," Tomas said and they both smiled.
The dinner was a quiet affair, at least where conversation was concerned. Olivia wanted to help with the cooking but Tomas sent her away, to freshen up or get a short nap before work. He didn't care as far as she was out of the kitchen. Olivia obliged and took a shower while Tomas tried to remember what his Abuela added into the pasta sauce that made it taste so good. He gave that up however, because he was pretty sure it was something from the herb garden Tomas didn't have an access to now. In the end the dinner was quite edible, if a little bland. They ate it in the living room with the TV turned to the news station. Tomas was just happy they were focusing on the international politics and weren't reporting any new gruesome murders. He still felt a bit wonky around the edges every time his eyes fell on the file lying idly on the coffee table. Even in the half lit room, Tomas thought he could see small dark shadows dancing around the paper's edges, though he was sure that one was just his imagination.
When Olivia finished eating, she somehow reluctantly started to get ready for work.
"Tomas, if you need me, I... I can stay home tonight and we can talk." She offered, standing in the kitchen door, while Tomas was putting the dishes to the sink. He paused then shook his head.
"No, that's okay. I think I need some time to get my head straight. We... we can talk tomorrow."
Olivia didn't look convinced. She walked up to Tomas and on an impulse enveloped him in a hug from behind, putting her chin on his shoulder.
"Are you sure, hermano?" she asked softly.
Tomas's mouth twitched at the word and for a moment he leaned back into that hug and closed his eyes, trying to remember the times when things seemed to be easy, times when his older sister was huge as the world and seemed to know everything and protect him from everyone. Those times were over now though. He knew Olivia was still doing her best to protect him, but he also knew she was operating on a limited knowledge base. But how could he explain that to her? To show her the truth? And was it really the truth?
The doubts started gnawing at him and Tomas knew he needed time to think but even more he needed to talk to Marcus. He needed to feel the grounding presence, needed reassurance that the situation was still under control. With a sigh, Tomas turned and plastered a mostly honest smile on his face as he kissed Olivia on the cheek.
"I'm fine, Liv. Honestly. What, are you afraid I'll call up some girls and throw an impromptu party?"
"Well, now that you said it... should I be?" Olivia raised an eyebrow and Tomas rolled his eyes.
"Please, as if you didn't know me. I'll just... finish the dishes and hunker down with a book. Like I always do."
This time it was Olivia who sighed, looking like she wanted to make some point but changed her mind. Tomas was grateful. He wasn't sure how well he could handle another debate with his sister right now.
"Just go, sis. I'll be fine."
She finally relented and with another kiss on his cheek, she headed for the door, but paused.
"If you'll feel like it... the file about the summer program is on the coffee table." Olivia raised her hand to stop the protest that was already coming out of Tomas's mouth. "Just... give it a look. Nothing else. Please?"
Tomas bit at his lower lip, then gave Olivia a short nod and turned back to the dishes. He could hear her standing there for several more seconds, watching him, but she didn't say anything else.
Tomas waited until he heard the front door lock to let his shoulders fall. He finished washing the dishes and waited few more minutes, just in case Olivia would've changed her mind or just forgot something. When ten more minutes passed by and Tomas's lip was sore from all the worrying, Tomas finally picked up his phone.
"Tomas? What's wrong?" Marcus asked as soon as he picked up the phone and Tomas blinked, thinking that perhaps he had it all wrong and Marcus was the one with visions.
"Uh. How did you know something's wrong?" he asked a bit stupidly and heard a short chuckle.
"Usually you don't call at this time. Are you alright?"
"Sorry... I didn't want to disturb, just..."
"Tomas," Marcus's voice rang through the phone. "You're never disturbing. Now tell me what happened."
Tomas swallowed. The sentiment sent a rush of warmth through his veins, which was probably the only reason why he was able to say Maria Walters's name without his voice shaking.
"She was here, at my place. I... I don't know what to do."
It didn't take too much convincing for Marcus to hop in the car and drive to Tomas's place. Tomas felt such relief he didn't even try to protest. When he ended the call with reassurances that Marcus will arrive shortly, Tomas sat down on the couch, his eyes stuck on the file looking so innocent yet so dangerous at the same time. He caught himself staring at it for over five minutes, fascinated by the hint of the sickly yellow with moving dark specks that was surrounding the file. He almost reached out to open it, but his hand stopped a few inches away as the dark shadows seemed to reach out towards him. Tomas pulled away and with wide eyes stood up and left the living room. He busied himself with making tea and waiting for the doorbell to ring, trying hard to ignore the strange pull towards the living room.
Finally, Marcus was there and Tomas felt true relief for the first time since his return home.
"Sorry, for calling you out. I just... don't know what to do," he said as he let Marcus inside and led him towards the kitchen.
"Hey, it's okay." Marcus put a reassuring hand on Tomas's shoulder. "I told you to call me whenever you need, right? I think an unwelcome visitor is more than enough reason."
Tomas gave a thankful smile, and with a nod settled behind the kitchen table. The tea was already prepared and Marcus gave it an amused glance.
"I know we Brits like our tea, but I'm quite partial to coffee as well," he joked and Tomas blushed.
"Sorry. I didn't think coffee was good this late."
„Hey, relax. Everything's going to be fine."
Tomas wasn't so sure, he had some strange feeling of foreboding and he told Marcus just the same. Marcus took a sip of the tea and looked questioningly at Tomas.
"What do you mean? Like a vision?"
Tomas shook his head.
"No. I'm just... "Tomas shrugged, frustrated. "Like when stuff is good for too long and you just wait for the other shoe to drop?"
Marcus inclined his head. Tomas might've had trouble explaining it, but Marcus understood all too well. He was having that feeling ever since seeing Tomas's journal however, so it wasn't new to him.
"Everyone has that feeling sometimes," he tried to brush it off. There was no sense in admitting his own fears, least he worried Tomas even more. "Okay, tell me what happened, every detail."
Tomas did. He recounted every word Maria Walters uttered, the strange look she gave him as well as the way the sickness was eating away at her soul. Then he nodded towards the living room door with a look of disgust on his face.
"That file... I can still see it crawling with her energy. I don't even want to touch it, but Olivia will want to read it, I know. I can't stop her."
"Well, I can always take the file and burn it," Marcus offered, and even though it sounded good, Tomas shook his head.
"That won't stop them," he muttered under his breath, his face scrunching up in a grimace. "I don't understand. Why me? What good am I to anyone?"
"Hey, stop talking like that," Marcus protested then put a hand on the back of Tomas's downcast head, waiting patiently until Tomas looked up at him with a sigh. "Stop putting yourself down, Tomas. You're much more important than you can even imagine."
There was deep conviction in Marcus's eyes that made Tomas feel confusion but also a surge of warmth. It seemed like Marcus meant it.
"Thanks, but I... I didn't mean it like that," Tomas said finally, blushing a bit.
"What did you mean then?" Marcus leaned back in the chair, not letting his eyes off of Tomas's face.
"I get how they could use those kids I suppose. They're all from influential families, rich, headed into important positions. But me? I'm a charity case for them... there's no way I can get a job that would mean something for whatever plan they're brewing..."
Marcus sighed then run a hand over his hair.
"We don't really know what they want, Tomas. Though I think you're selling yourself short. If you put your head to it and had someone influential on your side, you can go very high indeed. But-" Marcus paused, seemingly mulling over his next words. "I think with you it's something else entirely."
Tomas was almost too afraid to ask what he meant by that, partially suspecting the answer.
"What is it?"
"Do you remember what you told me a week ago? When I asked if those shadows can see you too?"
Tomas did and now he swallowed the sudden nausea. He was glad he was sitting, because he felt a bit lightheaded.
"You okay?" Marcus asked a bit worriedly.
"They do see me, just like I see them. Is that... can that even be true?" The idea that he could be seen by any demon or possessed person and instantly identified as someone different sent a pang of fear through his body. It was so strong he physically gasped, the only thing keeping him from bolting or succumbing to full blown panic was Marcus's touch grounding him in the here and now.
Tomas shook his head in denial.
"No. I... I can't stop that... how can I stop that? If they see me I can't be safe. They'll keep coming for me wherever I am and then they can hurt Olivia too..."
Tomas couldn't take that thought. Hands clenched into fists, fingernails digging into the skin of his palms, Tomas resolutely pushed away from the table and stepped towards the sink, grabbing a glass and pouring some cold water into it, ignoring how much his hand was shaking. Was this even real?
"What if I'm crazy? What if this... everything is just in my head? How can I refuse such an offer when Olivia is working herself half to death just to pay the bills?" Tomas blurted out, turning back to Marcus with a look of despair on his face. Marcus was in front of him in a second, a gentle hand on his face.
"Hey, hey. It's okay. Kid, you're taking too much on your shoulders. The weight will crush you if you keep going like this."
"I don't know what to do, Marcus. I can't tell Olivia the truth or she would lock me up in an asylum. And I don't even know what the truth is. What if it's all just in my head? What if I'm really just crazy?"
"That would be easier, hm?" Marcus said and Tomas blinked, taken aback.
"What?"
"If you were indeed crazy. It would be all so much easier. Knowing all those horrible things are just in your head, that they aren't real. Knowing that maybe a pill or a bit of therapy could help?"
Tomas found himself nodding, because yes. Being crazy at this point would at least be an explanation he could understand and maybe deal with. But then Marcus's finger tapped his chin and Tomas looked up into his eyes and saw the sorrow and the weariness of experience in them.
"I'm sorry Tomas," Marcus said and Tomas understood.
"It's all true?"
"I'm afraid so."
"No. How... how can you be so sure? Maybe I just saw something on the TV or read the papers," Tomas was grasping at straws even as Marcus shook his head.
"We didn't tell you because we didn't want to worry you needlessly. But Peter's contact came back to us and some of the information you had... it was never released. There was no way you could have known if you weren't there... and I'm pretty sure you aren't a mass murderer, Tomas."
"What?" Tomas felt his legs go weak and his hold on the glass slipped. He was watching as if in slow motion as it dropped towards the floor, expected it to shatter into hundreds of shards just like his mind felt right now. But Marcus was there, grabbing the glass mid air and saving it from that fate and Tomas blinked. Marcus was there and maybe he could save him as well.
"What should I do?" he asked almost in a whisper and let himself be led to the table without protest.
"Maybe you should tell Olivia the truth," Marcus offered, though even Tomas could hear the doubt in his voice. Tomas shook his head.
"No. She would never believe me. She would accuse you of putting ideas into my head... she might even call the cops. She... she's already thinking there's something weird going on."
Marcus's eyes turned a bit darker and Tomas felt embarrassed for his sister, for the accusations that hang silently in the air.
"I'm sorry. I really don't know how to fix this... what to do. I could refuse; I would, even though Olivia will be mad about it. But... I'm scared. They already know where I live, they know about Olivia. What if they decide to do... to do to us what they did to those families? I can't protect us." Tomas felt his chest grow tight with fear and panic over the thought that someone might barge in and simply cut his sister's throat.
"That's not going to happen, Tomas. Do you hear me?"
Tomas did, but hearing and listening were two different things.
"You can't promise that. You can't protect us-" Tomas was shaking as one horrific scenario after another jumped through his head.
"Hey, stop it!" Marcus barked putting a momentary pause to the gruesome images of decapitation. "Nothing happened yet, we still have a few days and even if you refuse, there's no reason to think they would act right away. In the meantime, we will figure something out, yes?"
Tomas wished he was right, hoped for it with all his heart. He gave a slight nod and closed his eyes, trying to fight down the panic. Marcus pulled him into a hug and for a moment Tomas thought it might actually be okay, that maybe Marcus was right and they could figure this all out.
They spent another half hour talking, until Marcus was sure that Tomas was calm enough to actually be able to get some sleep. It was already quite late when Marcus texted Peter that he was heading back home shortly.
"I'll talk this over with Peter and you stall Olivia. Tomorrow when you come over we'll decide what to do next, okay?"
Tomas nodded and followed Marcus towards the door.
"Thank you, Marcus. I don't know what I would've done..."
Marcus shook his head and ruffled Tomas's hair.
"That's okay, kid. Try to get some sleep, yeah?"
Tomas nodded and opened the door to let Marcus out. The hall was dark, the only light source coming from Tomas's apartment. He frowned, knowing well the lights should turn on with the motion detector. Marcus stepped out of the door, joking about hopefully not breaking his neck on the stairs, when there was a crack, his voice pausing in the middle of the word. Tomas heard a thud of a body hitting the floor and before he could react, the darkness of the hall moved towards him, reaching out. Tomas stumbled backwards a few steps, reaching out blindly to slam the door, but it was too late. A bulky man he didn't know stood in the doorway, a gun in his hand and a double pupil glaring threateningly at Tomas.
Tomas could only open his mouth and call out Marcus's name before something descended in a swift motion. There was a blinding pain in his head and then only darkness enveloping him in its cold embrace.