A/N: Hell on Earth has now occurred for me because editing this chapter is a nightmare and a half because I don't get to just sit and edit and maybe add a few scenes that weren't there before. I must tie the previous 'was not there before scene' to this one, add some more scenes to further the plot, change a major detail because it won't work in my plot line anymore (which literally tears up what I already had written down into tiny pieces) and shift a whole section of this chapter to the next one. Also for some old readers, is it just me or is Tybalt's interaction with Lydia appear to increase? Especially in this chapter because oh my god Lydia's reaction has completely changed from before and I hadn't planned on it at all to come out the way it did.
I was gasping for air as I ran up to the steps, my thoughts occupied with Juliet. Please let me reach her in time. Just as I turned to continue climbing, Juliet runs by holding irises to her chest and a silly smile on her face. Before I could even ask, I saw the figure from before takeoff in the direction it came. I stopped, my hands on my knees as I gasped for air before questioning her. Juliet noticed me instantly and became worried over my state. "Lydia, are you okay? What happened?" I held up my hand in a signal to give me a moment. Once I felt better I began to speak. "I saw someone land here and I thought you were in trouble. How was I supposed to know it was your fair Romeo who flew here?"
Hearing his name made that silly smile of hers appear on her face again. "He wants to meet here tomorrow at the same time." I couldn't contain the excitement I felt for Juliet. "That's great!" I felt relieved that Romeo was willing to see Juliet. I just hoped he wasn't seeing Juliet as a pastime. Then another thought hit me. "You don't expect me to lie to Cordelia, do you?" From the sheepish look on her face, that was exactly what she was thinking. "What am I supposed to say this time?" Juliet was quick to answer. "We could say Tybalt invited you to another meeting tomorrow in a different place." I sighed, remembering that I also must give details on my fake date today as well. "Oh, all right, but let's go home. The last thing either of us need is for Conrad to find out we left our home."
Our way home was filled with Juliet talking about her meeting with Romeo went. I was mildly curious about the timing since neither of the two had any idea the other was heading there today but I chalked it up to fate. Juliet going on and on about her crush on Romeo had me chuckling at her innocence. The again, this was the first time someone from the opposite sex had caught Juliet's attention so much. My giggling didn't go unheard and the rest of the way was spent pushing each other around. Once we got home, we made sure the area was clear before heading inside. As I was about to close the door, William rounded the corner and I was glad that Juliet had already went inside. It would be best if I was the one caught sneaking out. Will didn't say anything but the sly smile on his face had me thinking that Cordelia hadn't kept my rendezvous such a secret. Closing the door, I went to where Juliet was currently talking with Cordelia. Cordelia had already set up everything and only told us to wait upstairs until she got us so it looked like we had been there the whole time.
It wasn't long before the front door had opened again, the voices of the others filling the space. Cordelia yelled for us to come down to the kitchen. Everyone was already sitting and I was glad that I was sitting next to Curio though the drawback was that I would be facing Francisco. I believe the best part was the looks of incredibility that Antonio was throwing Juliet from time to time. He was the only one who didn't know Odin was a girl. The celebration was a fun affair and Francisco wasn't at my throat anymore. However, all good things must end and it wasn't long before Cordelia and I were picking up the dishes. Everyone else was currently preparing to depart and I told Cordelia that I would handle everything if she needed to go. She appeared reluctant to but thanked me for helping. She went upstairs to get ready to head out while I started cleaning the dishes. It was a hand, gently squeezing my shoulder that stopped me.
"Lydia, we need to talk." I turned at the sound of Conrad's voice and he motioned for us to go a bit further away from the others. "You have been with us for a long time and though your origins are unknown to us, I am confident enough to place my trust for you." I felt honored to get such a response from Conrad, since he is the one in charge of everyone else. "Yet, this secret is a heavy burden to bear and I do not wish, should I come to tell you, that conflict arise between this and your past." Conrad gripped my shoulders, a kind smile on his face. "This isn't meant to be an attack on your personally Lydia." I smiled in return and place my hands on his arms. "It's okay, I understood the moment I was brought here that this secret must be big enough for you to risk bringing a stranger home with you. I promise that I don't intend to bring harm to any of you."Conrad shook his head. "There is no need for such promise. I know you never intend us any harm. I just don't want to include you in this situation because you may come to regret becoming involved with."
Curio then came in, announcing that everyone was ready to head out. With a pat on my head, Conrad and the other headed off while I stayed behind. With the click of the door closing, I was enveloped with the silence of the place. I didn't know why but being alone in such a place always innerved me. I decided that instead of freaking out over the eerily silence, I would go spend my time with William. He was typically occupied writing his work than sleeping anyway. Taking a candle to light the way, I made my way to where I knew Will would be. "Lydia what are you doing here?" I took the seat next to him. "Well the other have left and I don't like the idea of being alone in there. What are you working on?" He placed his pen down as he turned to me. "That is not as interesting as this meeting between you and a boy? And I had to find out through Cordelia of all people? Why wasn't I informed?" I let out a sigh and laid back, feeling Will's jealousy of not being the first person to know such gossip.
"Well you weren't informed first because I didn't really meet up with any boy?" Will's expression morphed to one of confusion so I kept going. "Actually, Odin needed an excuse to go meet someone but we knew that they wouldn't let Odin out. So, I made the story of my rendezvous." Will stroked his chin in thought. "That does sound more believable than you leaving to meet some boy." I felt relieved, thinking everything was good again. "Still, that does not explain why you never told me about this Tybalt fellow. From what Cordelia informed me, you have met up with this fellow twice and never told me about it." I was shocked that Cordelia had shared that much information with Will. "You see, I don't really like Tybalt. He's a conceited prick, that's all. He gets enjoyment riling me up every time we have met!"
Will burst out laughing at my choice of words and I couldn't help but flush in embarrassment. "Ah Lydia, you don't even refer to Francisco like that and you hate the poor fellow. Am I really supposed to be led to believe that this Tybalt fellow is worse than Francisco?" I sighed, crossing my arms. "Well, I wouldn't go as far as to say that. I do see Francisco daily." Will had that stupid sly smile on his face. "That is true but Francisco has never got you this riled while this Tybalt did with only two meetings." I couldn't fight the truth but I didn't like what he was implying. "Are you trying to insinuate something here, dear William." Will's smile only seemed to widen. "I don't know what you mean." He was trying to throw me off and I knew that this conversation would only delve into more on Tybalt.
"It was a joy talking to you but I'm going to go take a walk outside." Will's smile was wiped off his face. "Though I do get your trying to stop me from teasing you but I would not suggest taking a walk outside now." I waved off his concerns. "It's fine Will. Besides this would not be the first time I took a stroll in the dark." "Just be careful and come back home safe." "Will do!" I made my way to the exit, hoping that a good walk would shake my trouble away. It reasonably became a ritual when I had too much in my mind. Though Will was a good companion to talk to, I just didn't want to think of Tybalt. Thinking of him would add on to the ever-growing list of things occupying my mind.
The fresh air felt relaxing as I continued walking my usual path. Still, my thoughts were preoccupied with Conrad's words. That I might regret becoming involved sounded like whatever they were keeping from me was anything but safe. Then again, the fact they were hiding in Will's home alluded to that. It then brought up the question of what they were hiding from? The guards were a reasonable answer but then again everyone avoids the guards like a plague. My list of suspects only reached that far, my knowledge of powerful people only extended to Montague and Will's family. The only reason I knew about Montague was because the people in the market place would constantly complain of his ruthless acts that only further made it harder to keep on living. Will's family was an obvious choice but then again, Will's mother is close to the Montagues. She didn't appear to be the kind to harbor fugitives but I really couldn't put it past her.
Thinking about it would only get me to go around in circle. Then came to my own circumstances. It's been months of a blank memory and nothing seems to be triggering it to come back. I did have that image but it wasn't much to go on. No one seemed to have an idea of where I came from or who I could have been. No one has ever reported me missing so all that I know was that I was alone. Maybe it was better that I forgot my memories because I would have never met Juliet, Will or the others. On the other hand, something in me was insisting that whatever my memories were, that they held something of importance.
I felt so torn up about it and the fresh air was no longer comforting as it was a while ago. It was then that I felt a drop of water fall and looked up at the dark sky to see more coming. It was only a drizzle but it usually was a warning for the downpour that was soon to come. Lamenting the fact that my walk had been cut short, I turned to head home before I got soaking wet. I hadn't take a few steps forward before I felt someone clutching the sleeve of my dress. I looked up, only to stare at some stranger's eyes. The air around him reeked of alcohol and I frantically wondered why I had not noticed his presence earlier?
"Well, what do we have here?" I instantly regretted not having thought of bringing my cloak, it would have shielded my identity from anyone I came across. "I-I apologize…but I h-have to go n-now…" My fear started floating to the surface as I freed my sleeve from his grasp. I didn't form any other thought but to run. I just didn't count on the stranger's fast reflexes. He grabbed me around my waist, pulling my body against his, my back towards him. His face leaned down towards my neck, his breath fanning over my skin causing my body to roll in disgust. "I don't *hic* think so. I'll pay you afterwards." I was terrified over what was happening and I fought back to get his arms to remove me. He made a move to remove my clothing and I screamed for help. I scratched his arms, tried to elbow him in his face and kick him to loosen his grip. It wasn't until I slammed my head again his that he let out a yelp in pain that he finally let me go.
I landed on the group hard, my elbow buzzing with pain. I turned clutching my arm as the stranger held his head, glaring at me with anger. "You cunt!" He lunged for me and I tried getting moving out of his way but it was too late. Before the stranger reached me, a shadow appeared, tackling the stranger to the ground. Tears blurred my eyesight as the two fought but it was clear the stranger had no chance against my savior. The familiar figure had the stranger pinned down, a dagger at his throat. I could see from where I was a sneer marking his face, his body shaking with rage.
The stranger struggled but Tybalt only held the dagger tighter against the stranger's throat and my heart jumped out of my throat at the thought of Tybalt killing this man. "T-Tybalt" I tried to keep my voice steady but the shock had my body shaking further. Tybalt glanced at my direction, the fury in his eyes intensifying when he noticed my state. I could see what he was about to do and yelled "DON'T!". His form froze at my words and I only hoped that he wouldn't do it. Tybalt appeared to be taking deep breathes but his form was still shaking, the dagger still at the stranger's throat. He spoke, his words seething with repressed anger. "I'll let you off with this warning. If I ever catch you laying your hands on this girl again, rest assured that I will chop off any limbs I find myself disagreeable with."
My assailant froze in fear but continued to struggle. I feared that Tybalt was really going to kill the man when he pulled his hand back but Tybalt dropped the dagger in favor of punching the man. I tried fighting back my tears as Tybalt left the man a bloody mess but he was still breathing. His eyes turned to me, the ferocity behind them filling me with dread. Tybalt stood up, putting his dagger back in their place before walking over to me. I couldn't get my body to move. Tybalt stopped in front of me, I couldn't bring myself to look in his eyes. I didn't want to see how I looked, reflected in his eyes, didn't want to acknowledge that this man was one short movement away from ending a man's life.
I clutched my injured hand towards my side, curling my feet against me. I just wanted to tighten into a ball and disappear. I heard some movement from Tybalt and before I could try to figure out what he was doing, I felt a cloak being placed on me. Tybalt moved to bend down next to me and I risked a look to see that the anger was completely gone, replaced by something else. He placed his blood covered hand on top of my head, telling me that everything was all right. It was like a dam broke inside me, the realization of what could have happened if he hadn't shown up hitting me like a ton of bricks.
I broke out into uncontrollable sobs, my hands feeling so cold at the thought of what could have happened to me. I suddenly found myself choking on air as the world spun around me. I felt Tybalt pull me into his embrace but I felt his touch revolting now. I fought against him, trying to sputter out to let me go. He refused to and held me against him, his hand that was holding me brushing up and down against my back, an attempt to calm me down. I don't know how long we stayed like that, my throat was soar and I was leaning heavily on Tybalt. He whispered into my ear that he was going to pick me up. I only gave him a small nod in understanding.
With his cloak shielding me from the drizzle, Tybalt started walking away from the unconscious man. I didn't care to pay attention to where we were going, my eyelids dropping with sleep as Tybalt's footsteps reached my ears like a gentle rhythm. I was almost unconsciousness when he started nudging me awake. "Lydia?" His voice was only a whisper in my mind. I clutched him, the only beacon keeping all those monsters away. "Don't leave me alone." His hands tightened around my form as he took shelter under some overhang as the drizzle turned to full on raining. My mind on the other was still occupied with thoughts of the incident. I was so caught up with the fact that I was saved, I didn't bother to think about what Tybalt was doing there.
"How…did you know I was there?" Tybalt body froze against mine as the rain continued to fall. He let out a breath before speaking. "I heard you crying for help." I did cry for help but why was he in the vicinity? It seemed to coincidental to be fate. "T-Tybalt why were you there?" The silence encircled us as I waited for him to answer. I had almost given up on getting one until he finally spoke. "If I were to say I was following you around, what would you do?" I froze thinking the worst, that his actions weren't of those of a rescuer. Then those thoughts were squashed because he had a lot of opportunities to do so, at the Rose ball, at the marketplace and if he was following me around, at the place where I waited for Juliet. There had to be another reason for his actions.
"Why?" I looked at his face, conflict shining in his eyes as he debated whether to tell me. "I'm protecting someone. You just happen to be in the same place." My brows drew together and I tilted my head to the side. "Who were you protecting? I was the only one in the vicinity." If there were any other people, they would have heard my cries, would have come to help me. Unless they were the same wretched scum as that stranger but something within me tells me that whoever Tybalt was protecting isn't so low. Tybalt's gaze flickered with an emotion I couldn't grasp. "It's for the better you don't know. I have not revealed myself and I would like to keep it that way." I struggled a bit in his arms and Tybalt gently let me on my feet. The movement agitated my injured arm but I wasn't so concerned about it.
"Who are you protecting…why are you protecting? Why doesn't this person know that you're protecting them? What's going on here?" I was grateful he was there but I couldn't help the growing feeling that this had to do something with Juliet. First today was the day they would tell her everything and here is Tybalt, saying he's protecting someone. "I…I can't tell you." I didn't know what I was expecting. We had known each other in such a short span of time, what chance did I have of gaining his trust. "Fine, don't tell me but I'm walking myself home." Before he could even stop me, I threw his cloak at him and stepped into the rain, trying to see where we are and how to get home. It didn't take me long to realize I didn't recognize this place and the rain was making it hard to look for any landmarks. Still, I kept walking, clutching my arms to myself to try and preserve body heat.
"What do you think you're doing?" Tybalt's voice was only a couple of feet behind me. "Getting away from you! I don't know what you want and I certainly am not looking to be some chess piece." Tybalt ran past me to stand in front, placing his cloak over me again. "I'm escorting you home." I grabbed his wet cloak and threw it at him. "I don't need your help!" I don't know what's happening to me but getting away from Tybalt sounded like a good idea. He only stood in my way again. "I can't prove to you that you can trust me." The rain seeped into my clothes, causing my shivering to increase. I looked at Tybalt "Why do you want my trust?" Tybalt only opened his mouth and closed it, the question even confusing him.
"I don't know why but you really intrigue me. Just allow me to escort you home so I know you got there safe." Even though I shouldn't, I had the feeling he was being sincere in his statement. "Okay, I can't really say I trust you but…I won't be so skeptical with you as long as you don't lie to me." Tybalt nodded his head. "Do you want to wait for the rain to stop." I shook my head. "I'm already soaked. The sooner I get home, the better." Tybalt held out his hand and I took it. He leads us to the other direction from where I was heading and I grew embarrassed that I had gone the wrong way.
We made it to the front of Will's house and Tybalt spoke. "I must go now. I have other business to attend to. Make sure you change clothes and keep yourself warm." I was touched my small concern over my health. I told him he should do the same, getting a small quirk at the corner of his mouth as a response. Once I made it inside, I turned to see Tybalt walking away. Closing the door, I quickly tried to make my way to our home, hoping I wasn't leaving puddles everywhere. The silence that unnerved me earlier felt very welcome and went upstairs to strip myself of my wet clothing. I let out a sneeze as I started putting dry clothes on and I grew worried that I would catch a cold. Going downstairs to start the fireplace, I sat next to it with a blanket hoping to warm myself up. It was there that I realized that Tybalt knew where I lived.