Pulling Off the Façade of Normal

Chapter Two

"So. What's your story." He asks, eyes looking straight ahead. "Why do you wanna know?" I question, my voice harsher than I meant it. "Because I'm trying to get information on you to take to the division." Kane mutters in a sarcastic tone. "Because I'm curious, and you're a stranger."

"Well, that's comforting." I say, equally sarcastic. Then I pause. "If I tell you mine, you tell me yours. It's only fair." I look at him. "Ah, so you're interested in my story. What, curious why I'm so rude? That's how it usually is." He gives a crooked grin. "I'm surprised you trust me enough to even give you a real story." I give him a look as if to say: I won't hesitate to push you. He sighs. "It's a deal. But you first."

I sigh. "My mom walked out when I was really little, my dad become drunk and abusive, so I escaped with my best friend... But then I was taken away by the division when I was ten... Alex and I fought back, but they ended up killing Alex…" I pause, temporarily lost in memories:

The Division appearing what seemed like out of nowhere. It was dark, so we couldn't see where to run as they began to gun us down. I knew there was something strange with me—being a pusher and all, but I didn't know that. I didn't think those things existed, that the Division was just some nightmare; not real. It came as a shock, seeing a few bullets hit Alex straight in the stomach. He dropped to the ground, and in a fit of rage and what felt like utter invincibility, I pushed all the guards to kill themselves. I had no idea what I was doing, being only ten. When they were all dead, I didn't allow myself to grieve, to try to save Alex, because I knew he was dead. I picked him up, dragged him to the park nearby, and buried him under our favorite tree. I left him there, in Tennessee. I haven't seen my father in five years, and I hope never to see him again.

"Who's Alex? Your boyfriend? Or, used to be boyfriend?" Kane asks, pulling me out of the darkest parts of my life. I could detect only a little bit of sympathy, but he doesn't seem like the sympathetic type. "My best friend... And also my brother…" I say, softly. I haven't visited this part of my memories for years at a time. "Sorry about your friend…" He tells me quietly, awkwardly patting my shoulder. Like I said, not the sympathetic type.

We walk along, and I look at him, whisper in his brain: The past can't be changed. I finish off my story. "Anyways, I escaped from the Division and I've been on the run ever since…" He nods, staring at me for a moment before looking ahead. "May I cordially welcome you to the Forever on the Run Club."

"Forever on the Run Club?" I smile. "Great. Now, I believe it's your turn." I look at him, stepping over a crack childishly. Kane looks at me strangely, and then a weird smile crosses his lips. I'm not sure what it means. "Right, my turn. Oh boy!" He fakes excitement, then takes a deep breath. "My story. Well, it all started when I was conceived. Nine months in the womb, which I don't remember, and then I was born. I grew into a young child, and then a teenager, and here I am now, at your service." He gives me the smart ass version. I can tell I'm not going to break him easily.

I smirk. "Want me to convince you? It takes a lot out of a person." "You wouldn't do that to me, would you?" he acts hurt. "Besides, you want this relationship; hate, like, whatever it may be, to be real, don't you?" Kane tips his head. I sigh.

"Damn you. I suppose so, but my only real friend is dead. I don't expect this "relationship" to get very far." I say truthfully. "Ooh, ouch." he touches his heart teasingly "Painful right in the heart." Kane narrows his eyes slightly, looking forward. "I made a deal that I'd tell you if you told me. I never specified when I would tell you. It could be tomorrow, maybe next week- if we last that long. You don't seem to think we will. But I will tell you in my own time."

"Ugh, fine. If it was anyone else, I would've forced it out of them…" I mutter, running a hand through my hair. I glance over at the sinking sun, turning the sky a peach color. Pretty, if we were out in the open, and the buildings weren't blocking the sun halfway. "Oh, well don't I feel like the bell of the ball. Didn't know I was so special." Kane smirks at me, then looks back ahead, turning a corner. I follow.

I roll my eyes. "No, you're just the first... mover... I've ran into out here. In a while, anyway. And besides, I don't wanna ruin trust, no matter how small it might be." I say, shielding my eyes from the sun that was now in front of us. "Admit it, you like me a little bit." He holds up his fingers, gesturing to the smallest amounts. "I can't imagine why. I mean, there's a reason I have no friends, besides the fact I trust almost no one. I'm a stubborn ass." Kane smirks, as if he's proud of being that way.

I keep up with him as we round another corner. "Sure, I mean, rebels have to stick together, right? If we all want to stop the Division, there's power in numbers." I say, happy the sun was now away, but now it was colder, with no heat on our back. I cross my arms.

"If that's why you're still walking with me, it's best you leave. I may be considered a rebel, but I'm not getting myself caught up in the fight. I keep out of the Division's business, I run away, that's all." He says, glaring at me. I hold up my hands in a surrendering fashion. "Point taken. So, run into anyone else like us?" I ask, just curious now. "

Besides you? No. I tend to avoid them actually." Kane says. I look at him, a bit confused. "Why? There's comfort in knowing you aren't alone." "Not when half the time they get hurt. And just because there are others like you, it doesn't mean they get along with you. Ever met a bleeder? I have. Didn't like me so much." I couldn't help it. I smiled. The way he was so… rebellious of being a Rebel made me grin.

"What?" He asks as we come out of an alley. "Nothing…" I whisper, looking around warily. It was dark. "Nothing at all."

Alright, second chapter complete! :3 Also, I know these first two chapters have been boring, but think of it as two parts of a prologue. The real story begins next chapter. :D That will come soon, I reassure you. Thanks for reading! XOXO