Chapter Two: Paranoia is a Bitch
MAX'S POV
It was the perfect night until I knew I was being watched. After that, I had to pretend that I was enjoying myself. Eating my hot dog and sharing a coke with Fang, dancing with the group, taking silly pictures and just chatting like I didn't have a care in the world. I had to block off my mind without seeming suspicious to Angel. I had to try and not seem suspicious to any of the flock. I trained them too well in detecting differences in mood and any shiftiness.
I can't really blame myself for ruining the night over saying just to ignore whatever was looking at me in the woods. Except, that isn't going to happen because paranoia is a real bitch.
I really wish this night was still the perfect night that it started as. I really wish I wasn't so paranoid. I really wish I could just go home and go to bed, forgetting about the woods and the eyes that stared at me like I'm prey. I guess I am.
I lean against Fang who is sitting beside me at the table we claimed earlier. Ella and Iggy are dancing while Nudge, Angel and Gazzy are off playing some game.
I sigh, tired. I glance at the large clock over one of the buildings. It's one in the morning but the party is still alive, mostly with the teenagers and sugar-crazed kids left.
"This has been a fun night but it's weird that everyone gets so dressed up for a casual party."
I smile. "Yeah, it's weird but it's tradition I guess. At least that's what Ella says. I'm just glad we're not the only group so dressed up. That would have been embarrassing."
Fang glances at me with a small smile and nods. "Either way, you look hundred times prettier in anything than half these girls." I blush, burying my head in Fang's shirt as he laughs.
"Come on, one more dance before gathering up the others and calling it good." I nod and he pushes me. I let out a surprised squeak and he catches me before I hit the ground. He pulls me in the direction of Ella and Iggy. I let out a laugh, surprised and delighted by this sudden change in Fang. He seems so carefree tonight. It's nice to see.
After several more songs, Angel and Gazzy approach me. They are having a hard time keeping their eyes open and their hyperness seems to have dissipated. I smile, signaling Fang to go find Nudge and meet me at the car. He nods, leaving the dance floor. Iggy and Ella stay a little longer to finish the song. I lead Angel and Gazzy to the car, about half way I pick Angel up and she falls asleep almost immediately. Two in the morning is late for a seven year old to be partying. I unlock the car and Gazzy climbs in, buckling his seat belt and falling asleep as I place Angel beside him. I buckle her in and climb into the driver's seat. I yawn, ready to go to bed as soon as we get home.
I almost fall asleep when I hear a crash. I look out the window in the direction of the sound to see movement in the shadows of a small bookstore. I squint to see but whatever it was is gone silent and still.
Nonetheless, I stay tense, afraid that it's the same person as before. The one who was watching me from the shadows of the trees. I don't let up until I jump when the car door opens. Iggy and Ella file in, out of breath and smiling wide. It must have been one hell of a song.
They don't notice my unease as they chat quietly and buckle up. I continue to stare out the window until I see Nudge and Fang walking towards the car. I loosen up so Fang doesn't get suspicious as Nudge climbs in and Fang takes the passenger's seat.
I start the car and we are cruising down the road. Everyone is asleep apart from me, Iggy and Fang. The headlights only show the road ahead causing the woods around us to create an abyss. It doesn't help my nerves that haven't settled and Fang has seemed to finally pick up on them.
He shifts his position to face me but I keep my eyes on the road. "Is everything alright, Max? You have been on edge all night." Shit. So he knew something was off all night. Why didn't he say anything, though?
"I'm fine. Maybe just a little paranoid."
"From the noise in the woods?" Damn, I seem to have forgotten how close Fang pays attention to the little things.
"What noise?" says Iggy, leaning forward to whisper.
"It's nothing." I say as Fang gives me a look. He cuts me off before I could say anything else in my defense.
"As we were walking towards the main square, Max said she heard a noise. She has been on edge ever since, causing her to not enjoy the night."
I huff. Just how close was he paying attention? I thought I was doing a good job covering it up. "It's nothing, Fang." I say through my teeth. Through the mirror I see both of them give me a knowing look. Why can't they just believe me for once?
"Look, it's nothing. It was just an animal. The woods are always super active at night and you guys know how sensitive our ears are. And that's not true, Fang, I did enjoy the night." The fight has seemed to leave both of their tired faces and they drop it. As we drive home in silence, though, Fang and Iggy continue to look at me with concern.
I know the looks they're giving me. They don't believe me and quite frankly, they have every right to be. They know that my paranoia is a bitch but it's also always correct. They know there is probably something out there.
As I park the car in front of the house, Iggy wakes up Ella and the two of them carry the three sleeping children into the house. The house is silent meaning that my mom is sleeping but I check anyway. I smile when I see her sleeping form, closing the door silently to see both Fang and Iggy leaning against the railing with their arms crossed in front of them.
Damn, they have me cornered. "We'll let the others sleep but first thing in the morning we are packing up and leaving. No sense in getting captured after they finally think we are free." says Fang, standing up straighter.
"That's the problem, they thought we'll be able to live out the rest of our childhood here, Fang."
He nods and walks up to me. "I know but we can't stay here."
"The emergency packs are in the closet. Let's just take those and leave the rest of our stuff here. Who knows, maybe we'll be able to come and give it another chance." We both look at Iggy who points in the direction of the closet before heading up the stairs.
Fang looks at me again and the air around him has changed. He's angry. "Next time please don't try to hide this from me, Max. I know you wanted to let the other's have a night of fun, but we're in this together. Okay?"
I nod, unable to form words. He kisses me gently before walking up the stairs. I stand there for a moment, pondering. One year of bliss. A new record. Honestly, I'm surprised it lasted this long.
The dark is suffocating with my rising paranoia and nerves so I step outside for a moment to breathe in the cool night air. I lean against the porch and put my head in my hands. The flower crown falls off and lands on the ground. I sigh, walking down the stairs and crouching down to pick it up. I sit criss cross in the grass, examining the crown in the faint porch light. It's truly beautiful, the delicacy of the weaving and the precise placement of each flower. I smile, thinking of how long it probably took the boys to make these.
A tree branch snaps in the woods in front of me and I freeze. The loudness of it meant that it was on purpose. They are here and they sure as hell want me to know that.
Here is chapter two of Willingly! Two chapters will be posted tomorrow.
-Kath