Disclaimer: I do not own I am Number Four. This is the property of Pittacus Lore (James Frey and Jobie Hughes)
A/N: Hi guys! I'm so sorry for not posting anything in almost 3 months. Yikes. I'm still alive and school is still taking up all my time. I'll like to thank The First Gatekeeper for the 99th review and reminded me this story still exist. The Logan in this story arc isn't the same as my flirting Logan. Yes, he's still a flirty cocky jerk we all hate to love but with a hint of sadness that just makes guys so irresistible. Enjoy and review!
Subtle pt 1.
A quiet groan escaped Marina's mouth when she applied pressure on a tender spot of her left shoulder, stretching the muscle. It was still sore from her private lesson with Six last night. The sun was just rising over the horizon, filtering through the cracks of the blinds. She sat up, hearing her back crack with the movement and glanced around. Her Loric eyes picked up every detail of the room without aid from the natural light.
The room was scarce with two twin beds, an empty closet and a night stand. On the second twin bed Marina anticipated a sleep Six with her hands clenching a Loric dagger. Instead, Ella was currently occupying the space. When did she move over there? Marina thought as she recalled the little girl was curled up beside her last night. Ella slept on her side curled up in a slight ball with the covers pulled up to her neck. Her heart-shaped sleeping face made her appear younger than thirteen. Ella's amber hair was tucked behind her ear like someone had just tucked her in a few moments ago. Marina won't deny it but it felt weird seeing her best friend as a thirteen year old instead of seven. Even Ella isn't impervious to time. She's growing up, slowly yes but she's still growing up. Marina thought as she slowly uncrossed her legs and stood up, ignoring the screams of protest from her tired muscles. Let's just hope all of this is done by the time she's my age. Grabbing a nondescript sweatshirt from the pile of clothes, Marina silently slipped out of the bedroom and right into a firm chest.
"Careful there, sweetheart," a male voice said as he steadied her with his arms and simultaneously used his telekinesis to close the bedroom door. Marina jumped when she felt the cool hands against her heated skin. Her hands automatically placed them on the man's chest, feeling a stable heartbeat underneath her fingertips. Her yellow tank top rode up slightly and his fingers accidently brushed her bare skin. "Morning," he whispered into her ear. Marina stepped back quickly, pushed pass him and into the bathroom without a second glance. "I guess it isn't a good morning." Logan muttered as he ran his fingers through his messy brown hair and continued down the narrow hallway.
"Very smooth," Marina whispered as she leaned her full weight against the solid bathroom door and tugged her tank top down. She lifted her eyes and studied her reflection. In front of her stood a strong girl with soulful dark eyes and long tangled hair, both rich shades of brown. She was lithe like Six with slender shoulders and tiny waist. Her running shorts stopped mid-thigh, revealing smooth skin and firm legs. Her skin was a shade lighter than Six's and Nine's olive complexion but she was darker than John and Ella. The middle, she thought as she tugged her loose curls. Marina gathered her hair up, intended to put it into a ponytail until an image of Six appeared in her mind. Six with her calculating hazel gray eyes and her smirking smile that exude confidence. Six who was always knew what her next step was and never second guessed herself. I'm nothing like Six, the thought flashed through Marina's mind. "Stop it," she ordered herself, splashing cool water into her face to chase the idea away. But it was already there, manifesting like an infected wound. She will never be Six. She shouldn't want to be her but the girl made everything look so easy. Marina studied herself in the mirror again as the water droplets rolled down her face. You're Marina, Adelina appeared beside her, gently running her fingers through her hair like she used too. Be the best Marina you can be, not a second Six.
"Yes Madam," Marina whispered and turned, half-expecting Adelina to be standing there, smiling at her, only to see empty space. A ghost of a smile tugged at her lips and she allowed herself to feel the pang of loss in her heart.
After finishing her morning routine, Marina quietly entered the kitchen to be greeted by a solemn sight. All the Lorics minus Ella were gathered there in various states of weariness despite the early hour. Nine was leaning against the counter. His arms were crossed over his broad chest, fiddling with a pocket knife in his left hand, flicking it open and close in time with the analog clock's ticks on the wall. His dark eyes were focused on the blade as it appeared and disappeared. Six was tucked in the corner of the counter, seated against the cool tile with her legs pulled up to her chest. She held a rapidly cooling cup of coffee, hands clenching the ceramic tightly like a lifeline. Her signature hazel eyes gazed into her cup, searching for anwers. John was seated at the tiny kitchen table with Crayton. Marina had only met him and Nine last night but she already knew John cared deeply for Six. It was evident in the way his eyes would unconsciously look towards her like he's afraid she would disappear again. Crayton, the lone adult in their batter group, gave her a slight smile only to have to fall back into a frown. Logan, the cheerful fool, was the only one who had any energy.
"Ello," he greeted as he attempted to turn on the stove. The gas clicked on but the signature clicks and blue flame didn't follow. "Damn faulty old stove," he muttered as he reached into a drawer for a lighter. John's lips curled up into something that appeared to be like a smile and he snapped his fingers. The flame jumped to life and Logan nearly fell down out of surprised. Six chuckled and instinctively looked over at John. They looked at each other before painfully turning away. Marina didn't need to know what was going on to recognize avoidance. "Thanks buddy," Logan started, sensing the tension and smoothly breaking it. "Well, you've found me, so what's the plan?"
That was their current predicament. Locating Five relied purely on luck. Logan was just returning from a tour of colleges at the airport when they landed. It was pure chance that he wore his pendant that day as Six and Marina were passing by and Marina tripped into him. Or maybe fate was finally on their side because Nine and John had just pulled into Logan's town to investigate a lead. But whatever it was, it was running out because things weren't as perfect as anyone hoped.
Nine moved first, hating the useless silence. He stood up, closed his knife after looking at it one last time and sliding it into the back pocket of his jeans. Everyone turned at the slight movement but his cool onyx eyes were trained on Logan. "Where's your Cepan?" Logan smiled to himself as he added a tiny amount of oil to the pan and nodded his head to a beat he could only hear.
"That's the million dollar question." Logan replied as he waved his hand towards the refrigerator. The white door opened and a carton of eggs floated over like magic. Another cupboard opened, right underneath the spot Six was seated and flew over to the boy. Logan cracked the eggs as his telekinesis closed the cupboard and refrigerator door and pour the whipped eggs into the heated pan. Marina smoothed her features to a cool indifference, trying not to look too impressed by the amount of control he had over his powers. Six frowned and hopped off her perch, grabbing Logan's unoccupied arm and forcing him to look at her away from their breakfast. "Yes, sunshine?"
"Quit joking around, Five." She demanded, using his number instead of his alias. Her fingers dug into his California tan skin. He didn't flinch as the pain and met her gray eyes with his darker ones. "Where is he?" Logan's lips curled into a sorrowful smile as he slowly extracted his arm from Six's strong grip. Marina walked deeper into the room, feeling the thick tension as she stood beside Nine, hugging the sweatshirt to her chest. Everyone waited for the boy's answer.
"I don't know." Logan stated, allowing the words to sink in. His tone completely changed from joking to a cool seriousness. John stood up from his chair; the sharp sound of wood against wood woke everyone up from their daze. Six backed away, mouth slightly opened. Crayton looked up from his musing and finally focused on the conversation. Marina unconsciously grabbed the back of Nine's wrist, needing something solid to hold. Logan turned away from Six and met everyone's eyes. "I haven't seen Don since I was eleven. He just left me here and never returned."