Part 41
Harper finally stopped Zal, and looked around finding that they were in a dead end, behind some building in a quiet deserted street. "There's no music here, it was back there," Harper gestured, hearing the sounds in the distance.
"I know," Zal shrugged.
"Another trick?" Harper questioned, looking around but he sensed no threat.
"I needed to get you alone," Zal smiled, with a glint in his eye.
"What do you mean?" Harper asked backing away slightly, seeing that Zal was between him and the only escape route.
"You know what I mean," Zal suggested, and he was clearly having too much fun at Harper's expense.
"I promised the others I wouldn't wander away from them, I should get back," Harper stressed, unnerved by Zal's odd behaviour.
"Relax idiot," Zal then changed his tone completely, and Harper was about to yell at him when he saw her; Junia stepped out from around the corner. "I didn't think you gave her a fair chance earlier, especially with your colleagues all giving her the evil eye."
"We said what needed to be said," Harper stated, but his eyes were fixed on her as she approached.
"Junia is a good friend," Zal simply said, as he moved to Harper's side, placing a hand on the human's shoulder. "She really wants the chance to get to know you better, and you know, it kills me because she used to be my girl so you best give her a fair chance, ok?" he warned quietly so she didn't hear.
"I thought I had, considering," Harper hissed back but he knew Zal was unawares of events that had happened previously.
"Please?" Zal then requested, and Harper knew deep down that he wasn't all that upset by this development.
Harper took a deep breath and saw how uncertain Junia was, and he relaxed slightly, in knowing that she must have been talked into this by Zal as well, who couldn't possibly know all the facts but seeing the Edenians current drunken state he knew how hard it was to talk him out of anything.
"Ok, just go, I'll be good," Harper dismissed Zal, who quickly smiled at Junia before leaving them alone.
For a tense few moments they both just stood and stared at everything but each other, until Junia finally stepped forward and they both acknowledged each others presence as they moved closer.
"Does that bother you?" Junia asked, whilst gesturing to the collar that Harper wore.
"Only when people mention it," Harper half smiled, then absently tugged at it and shrugged. "Not really," he added.
"It is wrong that you are wearing that," Junia simply said, and the silence then returned but the distance between them got smaller.
"I'm not sure it's a good idea for us to start anything," Harper then spoke up. "I might not be here for long," he added.
"I know," Junia accepted quickly.
"What I mean is, we shouldn't do anything that might make that leaving harder," Harper attempted to further explain his situation.
"I know," Junia said again. "Can we be friends?"
"Of course, and we already are," Harper was quick to confirm, seeing how much it meant to the girl, but still surprised that she was even interested in him, or that he was interested in her. Finally he concluded that his timing always sucked when it came to crushes or potential romance. "So you used to be with Zal?"
"I'm his carer, it happens," Junia shrugged.
"What do you mean?" Harper caught her words, and was suddenly thinking of Beka again.
"For carer and the cared to, you know, get closer than maybe they normally would," Junia explained. "Oh no, I'm not coming between you and Beka am I? I didn't realise, I know you're good friends."
"No," Harper was quick to dismiss, but the panic in his expression was clear.
"But," Junia hesitated. "It would explain why she was looking at me like she was," Junia continued oblivious to Harper's sudden unease.
"She was?" Harper asked and then quickly realised what he had said. "No, there's nothing going on," he was flustered now, and moved closer to Junia, taking her hands into his own, and he focused on his hold on her, to dismiss the other thoughts that were taunting him. "It's just she's very protective of me, that's all."
"So there's still a chance?" Junia questioned, and already they were moving closer together, as Harper finally looked at her.
"There's nothing between me and Beka, so I guess yeah," Harper found himself saying, as if convincing himself of the fact and dismissing any thoughts of Beka in that way, as he leaned forward slightly, and tentatively kissed Junia. Before either of them could properly register what was happening, they were kissing with more passion, becoming lost now in the lust of the moment.
A few meters away, Beka suddenly stopped and took in the scene, before quickly backing away out of sight again. She quickly turned to return to the crowds listening to the music without looking back. "I really have to stop doing that!" She stressed to herself, once again having caught Harper in an embrace with someone, but this time she wasn't confused by what she had seen.
Harper wasn't being forced into a kiss, and he wasn't in any difficulty, or in anyway the one not in control, she had seen him initiate it, in full control. Beka wanted to pull them both apart, but she knew that there was nothing she could do, and she feared how Harper might react. Something about their chat earlier, and his sudden mood swing, had concerned her, and how twitchy he had been since they'd arrived at the Festa were ominous signs. With a reluctant sigh Beka decided to wait, knowing Harper like she did, for him to work it out of his system and hope that things didn't get complicated.
She hated the idea of Harper having anything to do with one of those girls, after what she had seen them try to do to Harper, and their obvious loyalty to Buz, the man hell bent on sending Harper to the edge, so she silently vowed that she would take the first opportunity she had to ensure it didn't go too far.
With a deep breath, Beka found a spot where she could keep an eye on the ally that led to the dead end where Harper was, frustrated in part, that that was all she could do for the moment.
Back in the ally, Harper was the first to pull away, and for a moment there was an uneasy silence. "We can't do this," Harper then spoke, avoiding Junia's stare.
"Why not?"
"Because," Harper snapped, and then softened his voice. "I'm not here through choice, and this is just wrong."
"What are you afraid of?"
"Here?" Harper now looked at Junia with mild amusement. "Everything practically, I don't know who is who or what is what, only that I seemed to be getting into trouble left right and centre whilst my friends can only look on!" he argued. "How do I know this isn't another trap and that Buz hasn't ordered you to do this?"
"I can understand your paranoia," Junia admitted softly.
"Then let's just leave it there and pretend nothing happened," Harper suggested, already backing away.
"I can help you," Junia then spoke.
"The only way you can possibly help me is by getting me off this rock, and I'm not sure you're the person who can," Harper spoke wearily, as Junia approached and she put her arms around him.
"You're the only person who can get yourself off this rock and your friends with you," Junia now whispered in his ear. "But I can help, if you trust me."
"Trust you?" Harper rested his forehead against hers. "I don't even trust myself right now, not this close anyway," he admitted with a slight grin, as Junia moved to kiss him again.
Beka was still watching the ally, and her mind had gone over and over just what Harper could be getting mixed up in, remembering what he had said about Brendan always needing to look out for him. Had his time on Edenia somehow triggered old instincts and that now he was looking for trouble to alleviate the boredom he might be feeling? If so he had done well, she considered with an ironic grin.
"There you are," Rhade then spoke up, with Dylan beside him as they moved to sit next to Beka. "Where's the runt?"
Beka was in no particular mood to talk, and simply looked at Rhade and Dylan tiredly before answering. "He's nearby, don't worry," she offered.
"I thought the agreement was that he'd stick to us like glue?" Dylan questioned with a hint of concern.
"He found someone else to stick to," Beka idly spoke.
"No way!" Rhade exclaimed catching on immediately with a huge amused grin.
"That girl, Junia?" Dylan checked and saw Beka slowly nodding her head.
"And you haven't broken them up and told him what for?" Rhade asked. "Beka, I'm impressed, you're letting the little guy live a little."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean!" Beka suddenly snapped and Rhade immediately backed off.
"Sorry, I wasn't thinking, I was just," Rhade quickly shut up, moving away.
Dylan moved to Beka's side, sensing her mood, and approached her with care. "Beka, what's going on?"
"I really don't know," Beka admitted, a little softer now and suddenly she felt the need to speak frankly, having considered the situation over and over in her mind. "I have this awful feeling that Harper's beginning to accept life here, that he's adapting," she frowned. "He asked me earlier if this was it, our life and then I saw him with Junia," she paused. "I didn't see anything wrong with it, well not exactly, and yeah initially I wanted to just rip them both apart but I couldn't, I just walked away and came here," she stressed with confusion.
"Sometimes a distraction during the bad times is a good thing," Dylan offered. "Maybe that is all this is for Harper?" he added.
Beka smirked now. "That explains your many distractions over the past few years," she returned, by way of her own distraction, and Dylan knew exactly what she was referring to.
"I'm perfectly ok with Harper getting the girl," He mocked himself now. "I've been distracted on other matters, it happens sometimes," Dylan added with a smile, and was pleased to see Beka relax slightly, as she grinned.
Rhade tentatively moved forward. "I am sorry, Beka, I wasn't thinking, had a bit to drink," he offered.
"It's ok, and I don't really blame you for making that remark," Beka frowned tiredly. "I still can't believe I didn't do what you would think I'd do," she shrugged. "Maybe after some of the talks we've had lately, it was just nice to see him happy, and he was in that moment, I just really hope it goes no further," she added, and the three of them were silent now, as they watched the festival continue in front of them.
Time had passed but neither of them had acknowledged it as Harper pulled away, finally breaking what seemed to be a very long kiss, that neither had wanted to end as they explored each other. They both nervously smiled and for a moment neither knew what to say or do. Harper then moved a little closer again, and brought his hand to Junia's face tenderly.
"This is so sudden," he spoke with care. "But I really need some time to think about this before we do anything else, and I should get back to the others, they worry," Harper added softly.
"I need to return to the base, check on things," Junia offered in return, a little breathless. "But if you want to trust me, the offer still stands."
"If you could give me some clue as to the help you can give me," Harper broached, but Junia just shrugged.
"I need to know I can trust you too, so if you can give me your trust, then you'll have mine," Junia stated.
"OK, I get it," Harper suddenly moved out of the moment, and crossed his arms. "I'm not dumb; you want something in return, don't you?" Harper figured knowingly. "That's the only reason girls normally show an interest in me."
"Trust me, and you'll find out," Junia offered coyly, her face full of suggestion and Harper had to tear his stare away to focus.
"No," Harper then answered bluntly, turning his attention back. "I'm not going to trust you, I've had enough of the games your people play, either you want to help me or I'm walking away right now."
Junia stood uneasy for a moment. "I can help you," she assured him.
"Then what's stopping you?" Harper returned coldly, but Junia just stared back at him until Harper spoke again. "Well, maybe, we'll see each other again soon?" Harper gestured having lost patience.
"Maybe, but I don't know, it depends," Junia then spoke unsure, as Harper stood before her. "I'll try to visit, but the Gilads could take you again at any time," she reminded him.
"Yeah, well, we'll see, yeah?" Harper decided and in a show of arrogance he quickly kissed her again, before then walking away without looking back, returning to the music filled square.
It took him a moment to focus again on the reality, and finally he spotted Beka, Dylan and Rhade sat together. He moved amongst the crowds and suddenly felt embarrassed as he approached his friends, keeping his head low he moved to sit next to Beka without word, his mind still reeling from his encounter with Junia.
When no one spoke, Harper became convinced that somehow they knew about his little encounter with Junia, and he became even more self conscious for no apparent reason, and he was unable to look at Beka.
"I think we should return home," Dylan suggested finally.
"Yeah, we've all had enough fun for one evening," Rhade agreed, and Harper couldn't help but believe that was aimed at him.
"Beka," Harper then spoke hating the tension, and a deep breath quickly followed. "We'll catch you up," Harper offered to Dylan and Rhade, when Beka acknowledged him. "Can we talk?" he asked awkwardly.
"Sure," Beka agreed and they let Rhade and Dylan get some distance ahead of them before they began to walk.
"You know where I was, right, just then?" Harper checked.
"With that girl," Beka answered evenly, without explanation as to how she knew.
"Don't read too much into it," Harper then spoke coldly.
Beka slowly nodded her head. "It was just a kiss, right?"
"Maybe," Harper answered. "Yes," he then changed his answer. "I don't know, I think she's just playing another game," he shrugged, and they walked in silence for a moment.
"Seamus, listen, I'm cool, ok?" Beka decided to clear the air. "I'm glad you appear to have seen sense, but whatever, we're good, right?" Harper nodded his head to agree, and the tension that was between them lifted.
"You aren't mad at me?" Harper checked, and Beka shrugged. "So you'd be ok with me seeing her again?" he pushed, with a smirk.
"No," Beka couldn't help the smile she now wore, amusing herself. "Will you see her again?" Beka then casually asked, seeing Harper more relaxed now, and it was what she wanted, not wishing to add to his problems.
"I don't know, I really have no idea, she says she can help me but she wouldn't say how," Harper admitted, and then he stopped on seeing a small group of men suddenly turn the corner, men he didn't recognise and he counted three of them as they approached.
"This doesn't look good," Beka feared the same as Harper, on seeing the men move with purpose and their stares locked on them both. Quickly they both began to move away, and Harper soon began to run with Beka right beside him. Their fears were confirmed when the group of men gave chase, and soon they were running through the darkened streets of Edenia, looking for a place to hide or lose the men who were gaining on them both.
When Beka saw the street ahead split she encouraged Harper to go down the other street. "Go!" Beka ordered. "Keep ahead of them, I'll backtrack and get Rhade and Dylan, they are not far away," she stressed.
"I'm not sure I can," Harper feared. "I'm already tired," he added with fear, and was breathing heavily and Beka looked at him with concern, seeing how exhausted Harper had become in such a small space of time.
"OK, hide, I'll keep running and I'll backtrack till I find the others," Beka decided and she pushed Harper back into a house. "Wait till they've all passed, and take the street they don't go down, don't stay here in case they figure you're no longer with me," she stressed, hearing the men approaching and concerned for her friend's safety.
Harper flashed her a look of uncertainty, but he saw the logic and he could only watch as Beka run down the left hand street. He huddled in the door way and watched as a few moments later the men hurried past, clearly drunk and looking for blood. He held his breath without realising, and once they had passed, Harper got to his feet and quickly moved into the quarry of side streets and less populated areas of the right hand street.
Harper simply ran, and his eyes quickly scanned the area for any place to hide, but then a solitary scream caught his attention and sent a chill right down his spine causing him to suddenly stumble with fear, falling to his knees as the shock set in.
"Beka!" he suddenly spoke under his breath.
TBC