Summer of Changes

Chapter 9 – Uh oh

At the edge of the bushes, Daisy gripped the edge of the branch with both of her hands, adjusting it nervously.  It all didn't make sense...what had happened to Ezra?  The guy was still holding the knife up to his throat, but Ezra didn't look scared.  In fact, he seemed almost close to laughing!  Daisy looked back at the knife, checking to make sure it wasn't just her imagination acting up.  Yeah, it was definitely there, and there was still a thin trickle of blood around it.  She had to do something.

Everything seemed to go in slow motion.  In one large leap, Daisy jumped out from behind the bushes her arms already raised to strike.  She saw Ezra's open in shock and his lips slowly form a large circle.  But before he could speak, with one large whack she'd hit the guy crack! on the head.  Then everything came back to reality, and she could hear Ezra.

"NOOOOOO!" Ezra was screaming at her.  "Oh, my god, Daisy, oh my god, oh my god!"  Then he was kneeling beside the guy on the ground and yelling in his ear.  "Shane!  Shane!  Are you okay?  Can you hear me?"  Daisy just stared, shaking her head in confusion.  What was going on?  Hadn't she just saved Ezra?  Unless...oh no.

On the ground, Shane grunted.  Daisy heard Ezra give a sigh of relief and mutter Thank God.  Then he was standing up, and yelling at her again.  Taking charge of the situation.

"Daisy, go call an ambulance.  Now!" he said when she still hadn't moved. 

"Ye-" she tried, but couldn't speak any further.  She couldn't tear her eyes off Shane's limp form on the ground.  Ezra took hold of her shoulders, looking at her in the eyes.

"Daisy, everything's going to be fine, okay?" he said gently.  "But we need an ambulance, now.  Can you do that?  Please?"  Slowly, Daisy came back to reality and nodded her head, not trying to speak this time.  Then, only glancing back once, she was off running towards the crowd. 

- - - - -

Scott was now sitting on the ground with Shelby, still holding her.  She was shaking in his arms with tears.  Scott felt almost like crying himself.  But now everything was back to the way it should be...back to...his eyes met Talia's.  Still holding her knees close to her, her eyes, now full of tears, seemed to pierce into his own.  Do you really want this? she seemed to ask him.  For a second, he couldn't tear his eyes away.  But then, Shelby turned her face up to his, and he lost himself inside a kiss.  Off in the distance, he heard a slight sob and was only half aware of Talia getting up to leave, David close behind.  But he was back with Shelby.  And that was all that mattered.  Wasn't it?

- - - - -

 Talia wandered off in the woods, straying off the trail, her walks purposeful from habit although she hadn't the slightest idea where she was going.  Not that she cared.  David was following her, but he hadn't yet dared to come right up to her.  Smart of him.  In the mood she was in right now, she wasn't sure what she'd do.  Finally, she sank down under a large tree, putting her head on her knees.  Trying to forget.  Like always.  She heard David come up beside her and stand still.  Then, he sank down on the ground too.  There was silence.  Then David spoke.

"I'm sorry, Talia," he said so softly she almost didn't catch his words.  He sounded sincere enough.  Talia looked up at him, but he was looking away, hiding his face.

"What would you know about it all?" she asked him.

"What do you think I know about it all?" David said bitterly.  "Look at me.  I'm hiding every second of my life.  I think I came out of the womb this way.  Nobody knows me.  I don't think anyone's ever wanted to know me.  And I don't let anyone get near me for fear of their hurting me.  But that doesn't stop me from wanting that something.  Something I've never known."  Talia didn't answer, only stared harder at David.  Then she reached over and took his hand.  He turned his head and looked at her.  Then softly, he laid his other hand over hers.  And stared down at their joined hands. 

From behind a tree, Peter watched them.  For the first time David had let out what Peter'd known was inside of him, but hadn't known how to get out of him.  Should he just let them alone?  They were breaking all the rules, but at this point, that might be for the best.  He turned around to go. 

Then Roger came crashing out of the bushes, seeing Talia and David and pouncing on them. 

"Here you are, huh!" he yelled at them.  Taking them by the collar of their shirts he stood them both up.  Then, taking David he began to shake him.  "And where's Scott, huh?  Where is he??"  Peter stared at Roger, his mouth open in shock.  He'd never seen him this angry.  Before he could react Talia was standing between Roger and David yelling.

"Get your hands off him!  What did he do to deserve this anyway?  Aren't you supposed to be helping us, not hurting?  Isn't that what you think you're trying to teach us here?  Why don't you practice what you preach?"  Roger stopped shaking David, staring at Talia.  She was now crying, breaking down completely.  Roger let go of David, and tried to reach out towards Talia.  She backed away.  Protectively, David put his arm around her.  Suddenly, Roger looked tired, and at a loss.

"I'm sorry.  David, I'm sorry, Talia -" he gave a sigh, holding out his hands open towards them.  Asking for something.  They just stared at him.  He was the adult after all.  He was supposed to have all the answers.  Then Peter stepped out of the bushes, and they all immediately felt a sense of relief.  And then it turned to guilt.

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