Finally Chapter 8 is here for your enjoyment! :)
Special thanks to; bjq for reviewing the last chapter!
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Disclaimer: I'm just visiting this world. Lena & Abby however belong to me.
"You can't wake up, this is not a dream. You're part of a machine, you are not a human being."
-Halsey; Gasoline
Chase was definitely toying with them, Lena thought as she sat in the pool bleachers. She hardly paid much attention to the boys and girls as they partook in their practice as her mind was rather on reasons why it had been nearly three weeks since Halloween and still Chase had made no attempt to ruin her mental state.
However, she supposed she didn't really need a homicidal warlock to help with that. She was doing just fine ruining her own mental state by herself, thank-you-very-much.
Though in the last three weeks she'd taken to meditating and yoga. It had been her idea to join her roommate every morning and night mostly out of jest, but Lena, still not a morning person, could not deny that it was working.
She had learned that anger was a huge trigger for her so if learning to stay calm would keep her from worrying about accidentally killing people, then so be it.
Lena glanced out the corner of her eye to look at her roommate, who was taking this morning and evening meditation very seriously. She had claimed that she wasn't that different at first, but after some irritated outburst, her friend had admitted that she was feeling more different than she cared to admit.
Guilt did gnaw at Lena as she watched her roommate throughout the days. Most days she seemed okay, but there was Abby's less than sunny disposition on other days that reminded Lena that Abby was dealing with the consequences of Lena playing god.
It hadn't escaped Lena's notice that though Abby was pulling from everyone around them it would seem she was more attuned to Lena's emotional state. But when she practiced her breathing and staying calm, it improved her roommates mood significantly.
I'm going to fix this.
Of course, Lena also thought that all the time Abby spent with Tyler might have had something to do with it as well. Quietly she watched as Abby waved at someone across the pool, she didn't need to look to know it was the exact boy she was thinking of.
They'd become inseparable as of late, but Lena wasn't sure that either one of them had closed the gap between friendship. Or whether there was even a gap to be closed.
She wondered how Kate and Sarah did it with Pogue and Caleb. It had been natural, while all that other information was just extra and had come later, and yet it didn't seem to change a bit how they felt.
Lena sighed and allowed her attention to move back to the pool just as Reid was making his way to the starting block. She couldn't help but think it was criminal for them to be wearing next to nothing, though she would be a liar if she said she didn't enjoy the view.
Her eyes trailed over Reid's body, first his torso, and his arms with tattoos, before she let them go back to his face. He was watching her—as he always seemed to—with a knowing look in his blue eyes and a smirk on his lips. He gestured to his eyes while his lips mouthed at her—
"Up here."
"Bite me," she mouthed back. Reid laughed and looked away but not before he was sure to mouth a "Later" back at her.
She rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help but smile a little to herself.
Reid had been a vital part to her staying calm and her overall joy. They hadn't exactly defined their relationship, but it wasn't as though when either were referenced to as boyfriend and girlfriend did they find it important enough to correct.
They weren't holding hands in the hallways or sneaking away to dark corners of the library.
Though one would suspect they were as Lena had been noticing that people had been giving her more of a stink eye than usual.
However, outside of the occasional stolen kisses not much had happened between them. Well, if one didn't count that more than once would one of them accidentally fall asleep in the other's room…others might even say it had become a habit.
"You like him a lot," Abby's voice sang softly.
"Are you picking up my emotional vibes?" Lena asked. Abby rolled her eyes.
"No, you jerk," she replied. "I would have said this before all that. Everyone can see it, Lenny."
Lena didn't respond as for a moment she watched as Reid stretched.
"I'm not trying to hide it," she frowned. "And before you say it, I know he likes me...a lot," she added. "It's just that…"
"With everything it all feels fast and slow at the same time?" Abby supplied. Lena nodded. "I understand that…"
"I do too," Sarah turned to look at them. Kate followed suit. "But you've got a connection, right? One you haven't got with anyone else. It's indescribable and wonderful, isn't it? I don't think you should worry that much."
But it should scare us, it just doesn't. She thought.
"I guess," Lena said instead. "I'm afraid of him getting hurt."
"He's a big boy," Sarah smiled. "He's going to be fine. You like him and he likes you."
It wasn't the kind of hurt she was alluding to. She supposed they'd all been ignoring that there was a high possibility that she could kill one of them by accident. They clearly had a faith in her that she didn't have in herself.
"I've known Reid for years at this point," Kate said. "And I've never seen him like this with anyone."
"Like what?" Lena asked.
"Like he's ready to go all in," she said. "He might be reckless, but he's not stupid."
Before Lena could respond she was startled by the sound of the shot going off signalling the swimmers. She had looked up just in time to see Reid dive into the water. He was practicing freestyle today.
She found it interesting it wasn't the style of swim he preferred. She was surprised when she learned he preferred the butterfly. It was one of the more difficult strokes in swimming. But she also admired that it was his favorite. Reid Garwin never stepped down from a challenge.
Neither did she for that matter.
Perhaps it was why they understood each other.
The reason why they weren't afraid of whatever it was they had.
She watched the practice, never taking her eyes off of him. She wondered if he could feel her watching.
No, she knew that he could. Just as she always knew when he was watching her.
Truthfully it always made her feel warm as though as long as he was there she would be okay. It was a lot to put on one person, she knew, but the thought of him not being there caused a dull ache.
As the swimmers came to the finish, Lena let out a breath she wasn't aware she was holding. The coach had gone up to them at that moment to speak to them at the pool's edge.
"Practice is finally over," Kate said stretching. "What are you doing after this?" she asked.
"Tyler and I were going to head to the library and then get some dinner," Abby replied. "You?"
"We're meeting up with Pogue and Caleb," Kate answered. "But we're going to head to the room first. We're trying to do something normal."
"Normal being the keyword there," Sarah said. "What about you Lena?"
Lena shrugged, her eyes going back to the pool.
"I haven't decided," she said standing and stepping around them.
"Haven't decided?" Sarah laughed. "Looks like you decided on Reid," she added.
Lena looked at them over her shoulder as they all laughed. So what if she had.
"I'll see you all later," she rolled her eyes.
Lena walked to the edge of the pool, Reid had swam over to meet her. She squatted to bring herself closer to him as he threw his cap and goggles down next to her.
"Not bad Garwin," she said. "Though your breathing technique could use some work."
"Jokes," he folded his arms on the side of the pool and rested his chin on them. "Where are the others going?"
Lena looked at them over her shoulder again, they waved as they all started out. Turning back to Reid, she saw him just as he was lowering his hand from waving at them.
"Abby's going to wait for Tyler, something about the library and then dinner. Kate and Sarah are heading to their room before meeting up with Caleb and Pogue."
"I guess that leaves us," he said.
"I guess it does," she replied. Reid ran his wet hand through his already wet hair and Lena had the urge to want to run her fingers through it herself.
"Have you eaten?" he asked.
"No but I'm starving," she said.
"Perfect," he said, pulling himself out of the water. Lena stood up straight, picking up his goggles and cap as she did. "Meet me outside the dorms in about thirty minutes," Reid said once standing. "We'll go to town. Eat."
Lena handed him his swim equipment, "That sounds like a date."
Reid grinned as he took them, "It is. See you in a few."
"Yeah," Lena could feel herself smiling as he backed away from her. "You will."
They had taken a cab into town after Reid had joined her. Once Reid had paid for the taxi he had led Lena to a small diner near the edge of main street. Lena had always been curious about this particular diner named Hayes' Truest. When she would go into town with any of her friends be it all together or in smaller outings they always frequented different restaurants and cafes, but never this one.
It wasn't particularly busy but one could tell it was still frequented by many.
Lena thought the place was cute, it made her think of home as they walked through the doors. There was something oddly familiar about the place. Inviting and comfortable.
She was surprised at how the place made her miss Ithaca in a way she doesn't recall ever missing it.
As they picked a table by a window, Lena took in the pictures that were hanging around the bar. Pictures of the owners throughout the years, pictures of the townsfolk, pictures of even a tourist or two. It really felt like home. There was an intimacy about the place that filled Lena with a longing for something.
Her eyes squinted at a picture just behind Reid.
Four boys probably around thirteen or so were sitting at a table in the diner, beaming at the camera. Four boys she realized she would recognize anywhere.
"Is that you and guys?" she asked anyway. Reid glanced over his shoulder to see what she had pointed at.
"Oh yeah," he said, turning back to face her. "Somewhere around here there's one of our fathers," he told her. "The place has been around forever. Family owned. The owner Mrs—"
"The owner is wondering why you and those friends of yours haven't been by here in damn near months. Not even to pop in to make sure that good ol' Hayes is doing alright!"
An older, dark haired woman with a considerable amount of gray, had come to stand at their table, hands on her hips. And though she was chastising him there was a smile on her face and clear adoration in her eyes.
"Sorry about that Mrs Hayes," Reid smiled at the woman. "We've been busy…"
"Yeah, yeah. I've been your age, Reid Garwin. Though I know it's hard to believe," Mrs Hayes said.
"You don't look a day over twenty-five," he told her. Even Lena couldn't help but giggle a bit at this. Reid was such a schmoozer.
Mrs Hayes hit him lightly on the shoulder, "I see you haven't changed," she said. Her green eyes danced and she looked at Lena, "Though perhaps a little," she gave Reid a considering look before looking at Lena again. "What's your name sweetie? You must be new around here."
"Lena," she smiled. "I transferred to Spenser in October."
"You haven't been here long at all," she said, her eyes shifted to Reid for a moment. "I hope this one is treating you well."
"Oh, he's great," Lena responded. "I literally ran into him on my first day and he hasn't gotten sick of me yet."
"Is that so?" the woman all but sang. Her green eyes sparkled, "He must really like you then," she said. "He never brings girls here."
Lena could feel her cheeks warm and she looked at Reid and he was watching her closely, though there was no mistake of the pink tinge on the tip of his ears.
"Yeah?" Lena looked back at Mrs Hayes. "And why would that be? It's nice here. It's like being with family."
Mrs Hayes tapped the side of her nose, "You got it. I've known these boys since before they could walk and watched them get into their fair share of trouble over the years. So you're right, coming here it's like taking someone home to meet family. And clearly you're worth it, Lena, darling. I can feel there's something special about you." Mrs Hayes looked at Reid again, "I like her."
"Me too," Reid replied.
Lena felt warm at his bold admittance. It wasn't new to her but all the same it made her want to hide her face or shout on rooftops how much she—
Mrs Hayes smiled, "Alright, I take it neither of you know what you want to eat yet but I'll have someone bring you some water and tea. How does that sound?"
"Sounds good, Mrs Hayes," Reid nodded. The older woman smiled at them again before leaving them alone.
Once she was gone, Reid sighed and rubbed the back of his neck before leaning forward on the table.
"I'm sorry about that," he said. "I forgot how invested she is in my life."
Lena laughed, "It's fine. I like her as well…and you too in case that's ever been unclear," she said. Reid smiled a bit.
"Oh yeah, it's definitely been unclear," he said. Lena rolled her eyes and playfully kicked him under the table. Reid shook his head with a laugh.
Lena rested her crossed arms onto the table and leaned forward, "So," she began, "You've basically taken me home to meet your family. Does that mean we're official?"
"Have you been waiting for an official title, Lena?" Reid asked.
"Not really," she shrugged. "But now that it's in the air…"
A sly smirk made its way to his face, "Well fuck," he said. "Lena, do you want to be my girlfriend? Check yes or no." He acted as though he was passing her a note. Lena laughed and pretended to take it.
"Hm," Lena hummed, though she was fighting to school her face into something neutral. "I'll have to think about it. It's a lot to commit to," she joked.
Reid let out a loud laugh which made Lena follow suit. She reached across the table and offered her his hand. He took it without hesitation, his thumb running smoothly over her knuckles. They rarely held hands outside of when she was cuddled against him and they would eventually thread their fingers together. This was by far the most public they'd been.
Maybe this would become a more public thing now.
They sat like that for a while as they each looked over the menus in silence. Eventually they did separate but not without Lena feeling as though she had just lost something. She wondered if Reid ever felt like that too when not with her.
"Has something been bothering you lately?" she asked after their teas and waters had come.
"You mean besides the looming threat of a psychopath?" he asked. Lena rolled her eyes but nodded as she picked up her tea. The heat of the mug was welcoming.
"I, um, spoke with my parents," Reid frowned. "They got me an early birthday gift. A car."
Lena's eyebrow raised, "Even though there was the accident in a car that wasn't yours?"
"Surprising, I know," he scoffed. "I think it's an excuse to get me to come home for a while before my birthday. Try to bribe me home since I usually skip out on Thanksgiving dinner if I can help it."
"I've never asked, but…" she trailed off. "Is your relationship with your parents not good?" she asked. "If you'd rather not say that's fine too."
Reid shook his head, "It's not a bad relationship," he said. "Honestly, in comparison to a lot of others it's pretty damn good. So what I said to your dad on the phone about him making my dad look like father of the year. I mostly said it because your father's an asshole. Mine isn't." he tapped his finger against his mug.
"My parents care about me and everything but it's like…" this time he trailed off, his eyes lowered to the table. "They can be a bit overprotective. And if I go home, I already know they're going to lecture me or worse want to talk about my ascension. My dad is basically the Caleb of his generation. So I try to avoid him just based on that."
Lena blew on her tea and took a sip.
"Ah, Caleb's worried about you because you're his friend and he's the oldest and your leader. But your dad is worried because of the mere fact that you're his son and he's been here before. Both of them love you and that's why they do what they do."
"Yeah, I know, babe," he sighed. "And I should count myself lucky…"
Lena didn't have to ask why he should, she already knew what he was thinking. He was lucky because at least his parents cared about his well-being…unlike hers and many others.
Setting down her mug, she reached across the table again for his hand and he gave it to her.
His birthday was the Fourth of December and they had spoken about it briefly but they never stayed on it too long. He'd complain about it being a Monday but otherwise didn't say much else on it. All she knew was that at the exact time of their birth the Sons of Ipswich received their full powers. She also knew that it apparently wasn't all that pleasant.
"Are you worried? About your birthday?"
"No," he shook his head. "We more or less prepare for it our entire lives," he said. He paused for a moment as their food had come. After thanking the waitress, Lena suspected that the conversation about his birthday would be dropped, so she was surprised that he continued.
"Even though we couldn't do the typical ceremony with Caleb, he's been determined to make it happen for the rest of us," he said. "It's not your usual birthday…" he seemed to hesitate. "But after I was wondering if you wanted to meet up…Tyler mentioned going back to his place. I figured we'd make a small party out of it, if you wanted to."
Why had he hesitated to ask her?
"Reid, what's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing's wrong," he said. "Just would rather spend the better part of my birthday with you around."
Lena thought that though there was truth to it, there was something he wasn't saying but she smiled and gave his hand a squeeze before releasing it.
"Count me in," she said. "I like spending time with you."
"Cool," he smiled and their conversation after that drifted away from his birthday as they ate their dinner. Topics such as how she and Caleb hadn't really spoken still. And though Reid made light of the situation and told her Caleb would come around, that wasn't what she really cared about. What Lena couldn't stop thinking about was that Reid was undoubtedly worried about something.
But she never brought it back up. Not when they left the diner. Not while they walked the streets of Downtown Ipswich hand-in-hand. And definitely not when they got back to campus and he pulled her to him and kissed her goodnight.
Reid had been growing antsy over the last month and it was worse the closer it drew to his birthday. He wasn't sure if it was because of the anticipation of coming into his full power or something else entirely or perhaps a combination. Perhaps it was the fact that he couldn't shake the feeling of something terrible happening on the day of his birth. They had left the girls alone many times over the weeks since Halloween, but he couldn't for the life of him feel okay doing it now.
He didn't want to leave Lena alone. He'd contemplated taking her to his ascension, he wasn't exactly big on tradition anyway. But he bit his tongue and promised Caleb he'd be there early to prepare.
Even though he wanted to do neither of those things because his mind had really been on Lena and her safety.
Chase had a way of just showing up when least expected and Reid had a feeling that Chase not showing since Halloween was because he couldn't and because he was waiting for something. That something could easily be an ascension.
On the day of his birthday, he'd be at his strongest but simultaneously his weakest. When Caleb had ascended he'd already been running on adrenaline and then the extra dosage of power willed to him by his father, but following his fight he slept for hours. When Pogue ascended, he'd been exhausted though he still found the will to say they should go to Nicky's for the hell of it.
However, Reid was ascending and he truly didn't know what to expect. Would he have to tap into adrenaline or would it be more traditional in the sense that he'll crack a joke when it's all said and done.
Reid sighed and leaned against his car. The Nissan 350Z Coupe that he'd gotten from his parents. Though he had told Lena he didn't do Thanksgiving, he had changed his mind and spent time with his parents. And just as he suspected, they had lectured him on his upcoming birthday. He knew they came from a place of love and concern for his well-being but he was still easily irritated by it.
He knew the consequences and didn't like them reiterated to him over turkey and mashed potatoes.
After all, he played a lot of games with his powers since getting them at thirteen he knew the rules were changing but rather than mulling over those rules that were spewed back out to him for the umpteenth time…Reid's mind went to a conversation he had with his father before he left that night.
"You haven't been using like before," his father Joseph said. "And it's not because you're ascending is it?" Reid shrugged and shoved his hands into his pockets. Joseph sighed, "We've been letting you boys handle whatever it is that's been going on, even after what Will did for Caleb, we haven't intervened or asked too many questions. But Reid is something going on with you?"
"Nothing's going on, dad," Reid answered.
His dad tilted his head to the side to study him, a slight frown on his face.
"So, what's her name?" he finally asked.
"Dad," Reid growled. "What makes you think it's a girl?"
Joseph smiled. A hint of mischief in his eyes, "His name then."
"You're annoying," Reid glared. "But her name is Lena…"
"Well, if she can calm even you, I'd like to meet her," he said. "I'm sure your mother would too. You should have brought her tonight, unless she went home to see her family."
"She didn't," Reid said.
"Then you should have brought her!" he argued. "She shouldn't have to spend time alone on Thanksgiving."
"It's not that easy," Reid muttered. "But I'm going to see her now, okay? Thanks for dinner and the car. I'll see you later."
"Next time bring your girlfriend…"
Reid remembered not responding and later telling Lena only that his parents had wanted to meet her, she had smiled and said she'd meet them when he was ready for her to.
He sighed again as he looked up at the dark gray sky. There was a threat of a storm coming through. Not uncommon for a Son of Ipswich's eighteenth birthday.
"I've gotten a hang of not feeling how others are feeling," Reid looked away from the sky to see Abby standing at the hood of the car. "But I could practically feel you across campus. I thought maybe it was Lena but I haven't felt her in days and I live with her but today you're just as loud as she can be."
She was alone which was unusual. If she wasn't with Lena she was typically with Tyler. Reid had been telling his friend that he needed to just ask the girl out already, but Tyler was notoriously slow with these things. Claimed that Abigail McLean didn't like him that way. Reid thought that was a stupid excuse, she obviously liked him more than friend.
"Happy Birthday," she said, moving around the car to stand in front of him.
"Thanks," he mumbled.
"I'd ask you how you are but…"
"You take the fun out of lying," Reid told her. "How often do you know what I'm feeling?" he asked.
"Not often," Abby frowned. "But when I do it's…" she trailed off.
"Yeah you said, loud," he responded.
"Yeah, but also interesting because it's like—"
"There you are!"
What was it like?
They both looked away from each other to see that it was Lena rushing toward them. When she reached them panting slightly her cheeks were pink, either from partially running or the cold, Reid wasn't sure.
"When I ran into Tyler in the dorms I realized you were still around," she said. "Happy Birthday!"
Lena moved forward and pulled him into a hug. Reid held her tightly in his arms. It was always like this. Like he'd been missing her and hadn't seen her in some time, when the truth was the time may not have been that long ago at all.
In any case, he felt better when she was around.
She pulled back with a sigh and looked at Abby, "I was wondering where you'd run off to."
Abby shrugged, "Was trying to get some fresh air before class. Ran into him looking as if the whole world is about to open up for him."
"It basically is, sunshine," Reid said.
"If you say so," she responded. "In any case, I'll see you in homeroom, Lena. And Reid good luck."
"I don't need luck," he said. "But thanks."
Abby smiled before taking her leave. Lena watched her go with a look of curiosity on her face before she turned back to Reid with a wide smile.
"What?" he asked.
"Can't I just be happy to see you?" she asked.
"You'll see me later."
Lena frowned, "Yeah that's true…hey, what's up?" she asked.
Reid shook his head realizing he was coming off cold without meaning too.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled. "I guess I am just a little…Nervous."
She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his middle, pulling her tightly against him, Reid let out a breath he didn't realize that he was holding.
"It's going to be fine," she said. "You ascend a quarter after noon," she was saying. "You told me it only lasts thirty seconds tops, right? I've literally seen you hold your breath longer than that. You're going to be okay."
Reid laughed a little, "You're right."
But he couldn't tell her the actual reason he was nervous.
That he was feeling as though something bad was going to happen today and not to him but to her. He couldn't tell her that because if he told her that, she'd reassure him that it wouldn't. She'd roll her eyes and say he's being overprotective. And though she would be joking to lighten the mood. There was a little truth to it.
But he wouldn't let that conversation happen, so he agreed with her and pulled back just enough to look at her a moment.
He brought one hand up and cupped her cheek before leaning down and kissing her. Kissing Lena sometimes felt intoxicating. It was like he could never get enough of her.
It was things like that that should have scared him. Scared them both. Yet, he found himself not afraid of it. Not afraid to want to give her everything if he could.
It should scare him.
A lot of things about Lena should have scared him.
It just didn't.
She didn't.
She was sometimes the only thing that made sense.
"Hm," she hummed when they broke apart. She hadn't opened her eyes yet as she asked, "What time will you be back?"
"Miss me already, babe?" he teased. Lena opened her eyes with a laugh and hit him lightly against his chest. "Probably by four."
She nodded before kissing him lightly on the lips, "Okay cool. Gives me time to stop by the library after I change. I'll see you later then. Good luck!" she pulled back completely and Reid felt cold not just from the lack of her body against his. He more or less always felt like that.
"You know I really don't need luck," he told her. "Lay in a circle, get struck by lightning, levitate a little, then it's over," he said.
"Even though I've basically given into this whole supernatural world thing, I've got enough normal in me still to be very concerned by that. So…good luck," Lena laughed.
"Thank you," Reid rolled his eyes. Lena laughed again and her eyes danced as she saw something he didn't.
"Hey Tyler!" she called. Reid glanced over his shoulder to see Tyler was heading toward them.
"Hey Lena," he said when he was near. "You act like you didn't just see me."
"What is with you boys being less than enthused that I'm happy to see you," she shook her head. "Tragic. Anyway, I better get to homeroom. Drive safe and I'll see you both later."
She didn't wait for either to respond before heading off into the school. Reid didn't miss a few people giving her looks as she went, looks she pointedly ignored. She'd been getting that look since she started going to Spenser, but it had seemed to be getting worse since it was clear he and her were in fact a couple.
Lena said that there were bigger things to worry about than whether the Kira Snyders of the world thought she wasn't worthy of a Son of Ipswich.
Which Reid knew was true, but still he couldn't help but think a lot of things were unfair for Lena. It may not have bothered her, but it certainly bothered him.
"You alright, man?" Tyler's voice cut into Reid's musings.
"Yeah, I'm fine, let's just go before Caleb starts blowing up our phones."
Staring up at the ceiling, Reid counted the number of cracks in it. The Colony House as old as it was, it had withstood years of use and semi-abandonment. As the candles that circled him at five points, Reid, thought about this old house and how as a kid, it frightened him as much as it interested him.
He pushed back his fear and explored every inch of the place, the more off limits it was, the more likely he found out why. It never lived up to what his imagination had created. While his mind formed images of some almost medieval contraptions, the reality of it was that it was usually just a few loose and questionable floorboards. Still too dangerous to be around, but not nearly as exciting as dodging flying arrows.
Reid's view of the ceiling is obstructed by Pogue looking down at him.
"You good?" Pogue asked.
"Yeah, why?" he asked.
"Because you're quiet," Pogue retorted. "Normally it's a chore to get you to shut up."
"Fuck you," Reid growled up at him.
Pogue grinned but it seemed strained. Or maybe it was just distorted because of the candles and the fact that Reid was essentially looking at him upside down.
"But really," Pogue pressed on. "Are you okay?"
Reid closed his eyes, "Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"
"It's nothing, can't I be worried about my favorite little shit?"
"You'll make Tyler cry if he hears you," Reid snorted.
"Please," Tyler's voice sounded somewhere in the room. "I'm everyone's favorite. Pogue's lying to you."
"No one asked you, Baby Boy," Pogue responded. Reid opened his eyes as he heard two sets of footsteps heading toward him. Tyler and Caleb were both looking down at him now.
"Can you guys not," he asked. "I hardly like looking at your ugly ass faces sitting up, this angle does you no justice."
"Ha ha," Caleb deadpanned. "You sure you're good?" he asked.
"I will be once people stop asking me," he said. "What time is it? I want to get this over with already."
"It's nice that your attitude hasn't changed," Caleb muttered. "You have—"
There was the sound of loud thunder that shook the old building, before the very clear noise of rain and wind whipped the windows from the outside.
"Two minutes," Caleb finally spoke. "It'll be over before you know it."
"Yeah, yeah," Reid sighed as they backed away from him. "I know the drill and I'm not worried about this."
"Then what are you worried about?" Tyler asked. Reid turned his head to look at him for a moment before looking back at the ceiling.
Reid didn't bother to respond, there was no point in voicing his worries. Especially when with each passing second the power started to fill the air around him. The last thing he wanted to do was to have an impromptu therapy session with his friends. Besides he doubted they could give him any sound advice in the span of seconds.
It was with that passing thought that he heard Pogues's voice sound.
"Happy Birthday, Reid."
It was instantaneous, when Reid felt the first jolt hit him. The pain of it bordered on the side of unbearable. It was as though every piece of him was being torn apart in two and restitched, over and over again.
It was a reminder of the price that this gift of theirs was as much a curse, that it would always cost them something. Their mortality. Maybe their morality. A price was always paid.
Reid felt his eyes shift to black on their own accord as the power within him surged and intensified. No longer the little taste, but an overwhelming indulgence. The promise of invincibility calling to him.
Even knowing what that call would do with him. It was a sweet call.
But there was something else. Something familiar but yet something foreign.
Reid was suddenly standing in a room he'd never seen before, when he heard movement behind him. Turning at the sound, Reid froze.
"Lena?" he blinked at her. Something wasn't right. She whipped around and looked at him as though she was as confused as he was.
"This isn't right," she breathed. "Oh no…" And before Reid could speak or move toward her, without warning he was falling.
"Son of a bitch," he cursed as he rolled onto his side coughing. He had hit the floor of the old Colony House, where he'd started out before. The room was spinning and he felt sick as though he was going to throw up.
"Woah," it was Tyler that came into view. He pulled Reid into a sitting position, and despite his single word of astonishment, why did his friend look panicked.
"What?" Reid frowned. "Why are you looking at me like that, what's wrong? I grow a fucking tail or something?"
"No, Reid. You were screaming," Tyler was saying, and Reid was confused, screaming was expected. "But there was a moment where you weren't making a single sound," Tyler continued. "You ascended and it was over but Reid, you didn't come down."
"What are you talking about? It was only a few seconds…" Reid said looking from Tyler's face to the other two.
Pogue was shaking his head, "Dude, it wasn't a few seconds. It was minutes. And you weren't responding to us. It was like you weren't even here."
"Not here? I—" Reid swallowed around the lump in his throat.
"Where'd you go, Reid?" Caleb finally spoke up. "What happened?"
Reid shook his head, "I don't know, it wasn't…" he paused. "Lena was…" he jumped up to his feet despite the fact that he was still feeling a bit sick and his head hurt. "Where's my phone?"
Pogue handed him the device, but not without asking, "What happened, Reid? You're not making any sense."
Reid shook his head as he went to Lena's contact and hit the talk button. He pressed it to his ear and listened.
The phone rang three times before her voice sounded.
"Hey, what's up?"
Reid let out a sigh, "It's nothing, I just…wanted to hear your voice."
He could hear the sound of people talking in the background, she had to be in between classes.
"Who's missing who now?" she joked. "You caught me at the right time, I was on my way to Lit," she told him. "That storm, was that you?"
"Yes and no," he replied. "Hey, Lena you weren't feeling anything weird were you?"
She didn't respond right away, but he could tell she was walking.
"Weird?" she asked. "I can't say that I did. I mean I totally dozed in physics, but that's nothing new, the guy's a total bore. Why do you ask? Did something happen?"
"No, I was just curious. Apparently ascending causes you to fucking hallucinate."
Lena sounded like she snorted, "Hallucinating me?" she asked. "You need a hobby, Reid. But if it makes you feel better, I'm fine. I promise. I had no weird urges to kill or bring anything to life. It's just been me taking my everyday classes and trying to stay awake in them."
"Alright, I gotchu," he sighed.
Lena seemed to stop walking, "Hey," she said softly. "You just went through a lot a few minutes ago, right? Maybe you just need to take a nap or something. You've got a good three hours to do that. Maybe go eat."
"Maybe I should."
"Did I say maybe?" she asked. "I mean you definitely should." she paused again. "Whatever it is that you're worried about, I'm fine. We're all fine."
"Alright," he muttered. "I'll see you later."
"You will," she replied. "See you, Reid."
Hanging up the phone, Reid sighed and brought a hand to his head. The room still hadn't stopped spinning.
"Reid, what happened?" Caleb asked. "You had us worried. Honestly I'm worried now."
"Newsflash, Caleb, you're always worried," Reid said. "It's basically been your default since we were twelve."
"He's definitely sounding like himself," Tyler commented. "C'mon man, you know we wouldn't be like this if something weird didn't happen."
Reid breathed slowly through his nose, "Yeah I know," he said. "I don't know what to tell you happened. I know I ascended, it was exactly how you described it Pogue. Pain, cutting, sewing, whatever you said. But then…" he paused and closed his eyes a moment. He really wished the spinning would stop.
"I don't know where I was," he said. "I couldn't tell you, but I saw Lena…at least I thought it was her."
"Did you go to the same place Abby went?" Tyler asked.
"I don't know, maybe?" he said. "I just know something wasn't right. I mean she literally said something wasn't right and she looked surprised to see me. Next thing I know, I'm attempting to break every bone in my spine."
"And what did our Lena say?" Pogue questioned.
"She said they were fine," Reid answered. "That I should go eat and take a nap."
"Maybe you should," Caleb sighed. "We'll go get the girls in a few hours, but until then you should rest man."
Reid's snip that Caleb should take that advice himself died on his tongue. He simply nodded before Pogue patted him on the shoulder.
"It's all going to be okay," he told him.
Reid wasn't sure how convinced he was.
"You said you were a slacker," Abby commented as they left their dorm and trekked across campus to the library. The rain from earlier had stopped but it did nothing to lift the dark clouds. "I thought I checked out too many books. When did you find the time to get all these?"
"These aren't even all mine," Lena argued. "Some of them are yours…or Tyler's…Oh look, this one on top is Sarah's. Our room's become the group's lost and found for books. In any case, thanks for helping me take them back. If it makes you feel better, you're still without a doubt the nerd of the group."
Abby scoffed, "Shut up," she said, though Lena could hear the smile in her voice. "How do you figure?"
"Because once I hit college, I won't care about my grades ever again."
"Liar," Abby snorted.
They had just reached the library building. It was unusually quiet for a Monday evening. Lena expected to at least see the librarian bustling around, but as she pulled the door open she realized that that wasn't the case.
It was like a ghost town.
As they dropped off the books in the bin at the front, both girls let out a collective sigh.
"There's literally no one here," Abby said looking around. "Whatever, there's something I need. I'll just leave a note for them to put it on my account."
"See, what did I tell you? Still the nerd," Lena joked as she followed her roommate toward the back of the library. As Abby walked down an aisle, Lena hung back and leaned against one of the tables.
"What are you looking for?" Lena asked, as she pulled out her phone to check her messages. Even though she had gotten that call from Reid earlier she hadn't thought too much of anything. In fact, they had not talked much since a little after his ascension. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't a bit concerned, but she hoped that he took her advice and rested.
Because she was really excited to see him.
Hey, we're on our way back.
"Don't laugh," Abby said as she crouched down. "But a book on the occult."
Okay! Drive safe. We're in the library right now.
Nerds. The both of you.
Lena couldn't help but chuckle lightly as she shoved her phone into her pocket.
"I'm just surprised that Spenser even has one," Lena said. "You'd think they'd banned something like that."
"I know right," Abby said as she continued to search the shelf. "The Catcher in the Rye? Too scandalous. Books detailing the occult? Wholesome."
Lena shook her head with a laugh. She was looking forward to going to Tyler's for movie night. Apparently his parents had a large entertainment room.
It would just be nice to be able to relax and enjoy the company of her friends and…boyfriend on his birthday, even if not alone. She liked the idea of it.
Though it had been a few weeks since they'd officially used the titles it still made Lena smile. Perhaps because she knew it was the first time that the person she was dating actually liked her. And she liked Reid.
A lot.
And it was nice to feel normal for once.
"Oh you're far from normal, Lena," Lena's head whipped to the right to see Chase standing a few tables from her. Her eyes cut down the aisle at Abby who had risen to stand, her eyes wide.
Though they were together, Lena suddenly felt alone. And being alone was dangerous.
Abby had joined her and perhaps subconsciously, Lena had moved herself in front of her. As if she could protect her. Lena would have laughed at the thought, but she clenched her jaw and continued to stare at Chase Collins.
This was her own fault, she should have known that because they were comfortable and trying to be normal that something like this would happen. She should continue to remind herself that though she might feel normal most days, she was anything but. And neither were her friends.
Lena was starting to think that this was perhaps why Reid had been on edge lately and his birthday had only been a little part of it.
Of course he'd wait until we were alone. It doesn't matter that Abby's here. I can't stop him…hell, it's debatable if the other's could…but I could use them right about now. If only to get Abby out of there.
And yet as fearful as she was, the only emotion that Lena could truly describe herself really feeling was irritation. Chase had a way of showing himself to her with the ease of someone that was familiar and comfortable with her. He exuded a level of intimacy that made her skin crawl.
Chase walked towards them as though his intent wasn't to harm them but Lena wasn't stupid he was trying to corner her at least. He might need her in the grand scheme of things but that didn't mean he wouldn't hurt her or her companion. He proved that on Halloween. He'd do anything to get what he wanted from her.
She needed to stall. Reid and the others weren't far.
Buy time.
Lena frowned, was that her own thought? She wasn't sure it was, but glancing around her there was an exit in the back right corner. Several rows of bookshelves could provide shelter or he could use them to crush her and her friend, she told herself. The only option she had was to stand her ground.
Whatever standing her ground meant in this situation, because her head was starting to pound and her hands were aching. This was not a good sign in the slightest. She hadn't felt like this in a month.
Calm down, she hissed at herself. Calm the fuck down Lena.
Abby let out a slight whimper and Lena reached behind her to grab her friend's hand.
She was shaking.
Swallowing around the lump in her throat she watched Chase's steps closely. Every slow step he took she took twice as many to keep a distance between them, making sure to turn to keep her and Abby from winding up in a corner. She tried to keep a table or two between them. Less open space for him the better, she was thinking to herself.
It was like a weird dance, but she was thinking he was getting a little sick joyment out of the cat and mouse game.
Lena didn't like being the mouse in this scenario.
Keep calm, Lena…your friends are coming…just stall. They know. They can feel him using what little power he has.
Lena frowned, that voice couldn't have been her own but she gulped again and let out a small breath.
"Okay, Chase. What's the trick?" Lena asked. Chase stopped moving and she did too. He merely gazed at her, as though suddenly curious about her. She wished she could punch him because he had no right to be curious about her.
"What are you doing?" Abby hissed. Lena ignored her as Chase spoke.
"What trick?" he asked finally.
"The trick to you coming to me like this," Lena clarified. "Do you need to go recharge your batteries or something?"
Chase seemed amused as he put his hands in his pockets. It was such a casual thing to do, Lena momentarily forgot that this was not a casual conversation.
"If you want to put it that way, sure," he said. "It's not easy being two parts, yet you do it without knowing. Part of me is there and another part of me is here with you."
She wanted to ask what he meant about her being two parts without knowing but she also didn't want to hear him talk about her as if he knew her.
"What do you mean by there?" she asked. He rolled his eyes and took a step back toward the table behind him and pulled himself onto. Lena raised an eyebrow as she watched this boy bring one leg up onto the table. He was getting comfortable as though this was normal and they were friends having a chat.
It's fine. Just keep stalling.
"You know what there is, Lena," he finally said. "Purgatory, hell, I don't really don't care what you want to call it. It's not fucking roses and rainbows that's for sure. Plus there's someone there that's been a real pain in the ass whenever I try to do anything."
"Who?"
He shrugged, "I don't know. We don't really do much chatting, but I'm sure you'd get along with her great. Ask your friend Abigail, she met her. You have very similar energy."
His blue eyes roamed over Lena, but whatever it was he was thinking he didn't voice. Lena somehow found this interesting and frustrating all at once. Chase hadn't held his tongue before, why now?
"Alright," Lena mumbled. "So when you say there's a part of you here with me…"
Chase smiled and again Lena thinks had she not been afraid she may have thought it would have been nice. Charming, trusting even. But she wasn't stupid.
"Oh we're connected Lena," he said. "We have been since that night. You accidentally kept me from going fully over there when you killed that asshole, even in your loss of control and not knowing what was happening or what you were really doing, you subconsciously wanted to save him. It's kind of sad really, but I'm not complaining because I'm more or less alive and again, he was trash. But you're what I draw on because we've connected, but I know it probably can't last which is why I need you to finish the job, you're halfway there you know?"
They're getting closer, Lena didn't know how but she could tell her friends were getting closer. She just needed to keep him talking a little longer. But did they even know how much danger they were in? She swallowed around the lump again, for the love of god, please stay calm for just a little longer.
"Finish what I've done?" Lena inquired. "I don't know how," she said. "And even if I did, I wouldn't do it for you. You tried to kill my friends more than once. You basically killed Abby and yes, I brought her back but not because I knew I could. Honestly, Chase, it would be easier just to let our little connection fade, don't you think?"
"God, you're frustrating," he said. His leg went back to the floor and he jumped off the table. "Let's cut the bullshit, Lena. I know you've been trying to buy time for my brothers to get here and they will be here soon which is wonderful, I want them to have a front row seat."
He started to move again and so did she. Their odd little dance continued as he spoke.
"You've been teaching yourself to control this power since we last met," he said. "At the least how to dampen it. Even with Abby here, she's pulling some of what you're feeling away," he added. "But it's still burning through you and it's tearing you apart isn't it? Because you usually have the others for distractions, for channeling. You have Reid."
Lena felt a tingle in the back of her mind at the mention of Reid. A thought long forgotten.
He was like healing to her…
"Even as you think of him your energy lessens," Chase said. "But you've got so much of it. It's amazing. Beautiful. You don't even know how powerful you are. All of that power, just look at your hands."
As if she was compelled to do so, she did look down at her hand that wasn't behind her holding onto Abby. It shook, it hurt…it felt like it could do anything. She let out a breath, it felt amazing—she looked up at the same time that Abby had pulled her back to see that Chase had gotten closer to them in that short amount of time.
They took quick steps away from him, but he followed each one of those steps.
"All you have to do is to stop being afraid and embrace what you are, Lena."
"You're so annoying," she said, trying to keep her distance though he seemed to be making sure it wasn't as great as before. "I still don't know how to use it on command, dumbass, and again even if I did I sure as hell wouldn't waste it on the likes of you."
Was it just her or was she having trouble breathing.
You're not calm. Calm down.
"Lenny, they're almost here…" Abby breathed. "Calm down."
"It's funny that you think I'm giving you the choice at this point," Chase said. "I actually was trying to be nice to you. But you're so damn stubborn. There are ways to get you to use it and you know it."
Chase's eyes flashed and despite knowing she shouldn't have, Lena backed up, bumping into Abby as she did. Her friend tripped and hit the floor, she scrambled backwards out of the way, but Lena's back hit the wall and Chase paid no attention to Abby as he caged Lena in with his arms and body.
He was solid. Somehow she knew this was her doing and not his.
"Back off of me," she growled pushing against his chest. Her breathing was coming faster. Her vision blurred at the peripherals. Chase's hand had come down and he gripped her chin to bring her face up to look at him.
"Abigail, if I were you I wouldn't move," he said, his eyes shifting to look at her. "I'm not going to hurt her but I will if you so much as move an inch." Lena couldn't bring herself to look at her friend, but Chase seemed satisfied as he looked back at Lena.
"Hm, you've made this easier than I thought," he grinned at her. "That means you were barely holding it in…C'mon Lena, use that anger and fear. Just as you did that night you killed your classmate. Use that anger but bring me back like you brought back your friend."
"Or what? You'll kill me?" she panted.
Chase chuckled, "Even now, you act like you're brave. You want people to remember you. To commit you to their memory. I actually like that about you. That fire you have. But no, I'm not going to kill you that would be pointless. I'd kill your friends. I've got just enough of my old self that I can do it, one by one. Start with one of the girls. Make them suffer. Abby would be number one since she's right here. Then perhaps Tyler? Not a dry eye for the Sons of Ipswich's Baby. Oh wait," he paused as he let go of her chin and stroked her cheek.
"It's Reid that I'd get to first, he'd be the one because you're deeply connected to him. It would hurt you more because you—"
"Don't touch any of them!" Lena screamed. She pushed against him again, harder than the first time, but he stood firm. The pain in her hands was lessening. She must have made a face because he laughed, true joy in the sound. "No…" she gasped.
"Yes. Just a little more, Lena," he said, brushing her hair behind her ear. His voice and touch had become delicate as though he was comforting her, as though he was kind. As though her distress wasn't his fault.
She could feel the tears burning as she pushed against him again, she needed him away. She needed him to go. She needed freedom. She needed to breathe.
And for her to have it, he needed it too…
NO…she heard a voice that definitely didn't belong to her yell.
But she already knew it was too late.
Chase grinned and backed away from her as she screamed. A shock ran through her body so hard that the strength in her legs left her. She sank to her knees, her breath ragged. She was tired but she watched Chase in horror as Abby crawled to her side.
"Lena…oh god…" Abby whispered as she too looked up at Chase.
A glow and a surge of light flowed under his skin.
He looked more alive than she had ever seen him…
Because he is, she thought. What have I done?
The glow faded and Chase looked up from his hands to grin widely at her, "You did it," he said moving back toward her. "I could kiss you, but Garwin wouldn't like that much."
He crouched down in front of them, he tried to touch her and before Lena could swat his hand away, Abby had beat her to it. Hitting his hand with a resounding smack.
"Don't touch her ever again," she growled.
For a moment, Chase looked surprised before he chuckled and the doors burst open. He seemed annoyed as he stood to his full height and turned to face it.
"You're late," he cackled. "Happy Birthday, Reid, but the party's over. See you around brothers…Lena and Abby," he added over his shoulder before he disappeared as though he had never been there to start.
Lena shut her eyes as she tried to will the tears to stay where they were, her roommate's hand was on her back rubbing soothing circles.
She heard Abby let out a shaky breath, "Lenny, it's okay. Just breathe. You're okay. We're okay. Stop blaming yourself…It…the guilt…hurts." she was saying quickly, but Lena shook her head as she heard running and felt another body directly in front of hers, but they didn't touch her…
"Lena…" she slowly opened her eyes to meet Reid's blue eyes. His eyes were warm and inviting when compared to the blue eyes she'd seen only moments before.
"Reid…" the tightness in her throat threatened to come out a sob, which it did the moment Reid gently pulled her toward him, she felt Abby's hand leave her back as Reid's arms wrapped around her. Her hands balled the fabric of his shirt into her fist, her face she kept tucked away from him.
"I tried. I couldn't. I—" she mumbled. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry…"
"It's okay," he said. "Lena it's okay, you're okay. Lena, please look at me…Lena…please…"
And though she was sure she heard a crack in his voice.
She didn't look at him…she couldn't…
She buried her face into his chest and shut her eyes tight, the tears still squeezing past. She couldn't look at him. She couldn't look at the others. She brought back someone determined to hurt them.
"He's back and it's my fault. He's going to hurt you. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry—"
The repeated words were the last thing she remembered before her world went dark.
Her words tapered off and her breathing went quiet as the hand that had been clutching his shirt went limp. Despite that he was holding her, Lena's body sagged heavily against him.
Worst of all, he couldn't feel her. Not like before. Not that familiar buzzing. And definitely not the awareness he had with her…what he felt now was nothing…just like he'd felt the night of the accident when he was sure Abby had been gone…
Reid couldn't breathe.
"Lena," he shifted her so that he could look at her face. Her lips were still moving slightly, he could just make out the words.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
She was definitely breathing and she was still warm…burning even…but…
She wasn't here…
"Lena," he tried again. He cupped her cheek but there was still no response. "Lena…" he whispered.
He looked over at Abby who's face had turned ghostly white as she looked down at Lena. Her eyes shot up to look at him before looking back at Lena again.
"I…I…" she muttered before she let out a cry that was not unlike the one Lena had made. She pulled her knees to her chest and hid her face.
Reid looked away from her and up at his friends for the first time. What was he seeing on their faces? Was it pity? Was it pain like he and clearly Abby felt? He wasn't sure.
But he needed them. He's never needed them like this before. It was like everything hurt.
All this power and…
"I don't know what to do," he managed to choke out.
Caleb was the first to break out of whatever spell they'd been under to speak. He kneeled beside him and put his hand on his shoulder.
"Reid, breathe," he said. "We can't take her to the hospital. We have to take her back to the house," Caleb said. "Pogue," he called out. "I need you to make sure Kate and Sarah are okay. Stay with them until we get this settled but we can't leave them again. Tyler…" Caleb paused. "Abby…" he said.
"Okay," Pogue and Tyler chorused.
"What are we going to do?" Tyler asked when he was on the floor by Abby. She hadn't lifted her face and she was still sobbing, though she had allowed Tyler to take her hand.
"Whatever we can do. Just try to get her to calm down…" Caleb answered, turning away. He didn't bother to make sure that Pogue had left, Caleb was the leader for a reason. He kept eye contact with Reid.
"Reid, I need you here okay," he brought his other hand to his shoulder. "Are you here with me?" Reid glanced down at Lena for a moment before looking at Caleb again. Reid nodded. "Okay, listen to me…She's going to be okay. Wherever your mind is going, bring it back here, Reid, focus. She's going to be okay. I promise you, she's going to be okay."
Reid looked away from Caleb then, not that he didn't believe him, but because he wasn't sure that Caleb believed it himself.
Happy fucking Birthday, Reid.
Thank you for reading! Chapter 9 is still in the editing/reworking phase but I hope to update in a months time. Fingers crossed!
I hope you're all doing well!
Stay safe,
TR