Disclaimer: I do not own Lorien Legacies.This is the property of Pittacus Lore (James Frey and Jobie Hughes)
A/N: This isn't my best writing. I will admit that. The dialogue between Sarah and John made me want to cringe. It's just so sappy I had to cut some stuff out. Re-reading and writing this scene made me think John's a little sissy. I tried to interject some Mark/Sarah between the John/Sarah. A huge shout-out to proud shipper for leaving an awesome review and reminding me there are still readers out there. I'm currently on vacation so updates may be slow but I have a project planned for when I'm back.
Part 2 – During
Sarah slowly eased the door closed, winched at the sound of the door clicking. She paused, waiting and listening to the sounds of the house. Her father's deep snores could be heard along with her mother's lighter breathing. Creeping towards the stairs, Sarah peeked into her little brother's room. Corey was sleeping with his facedown against the pillow. His dirty blond hair stuck up in various directions. A tiny smile tugged at her lips as she closed his door before descending down the steps.
"Isn't it a little late for a midnight stroll, Ms. Hart?" The blonde cringed at the sound of his voice and her foot slipped, hitting a creaky step. Sarah sighed and looked up, meeting the FBI's agent's dark eyes. He smiled from his relaxed spot in the Hart's arm chair, arms relaxed as his thumb flicked various keys on his smart phone.
"Just getting a drink, Carter." Sarah replied, placing her hands into the pocket of her jacket. She noticed the man as he looked at her warm coat. "In my coat…" Sarah sighed, walking towards the man and tried to look sad. She was grasping at ideas in her mind before settling for one. "I'm going to see Mark." Carter's head tilted to the side, a little surprised by her answer.
"Your ex?" He asked and Sarah nodded her head. It didn't feel like a lie but more like a half-truth. Carter looked at Sarah like she was a logic puzzle and he made a mistake somewhere, he just couldn't find it.
"I'm not a prisoner, am I?" She asked, pulling her arms around her tiny form. "I miss him." Her chest unconsciously clenched and Sarah wasn't sure which him she was referring to. Carter sighed and walked over to the door. His jacket opened slight, just enough to reveal the holster and gun safely secured at his side. Some incoherent buzzing came from Carter's ear piece but the man barely reached to the feedback.
"You're not a prisoner, Sarah." He said, calling her by her first name. The lock clicked loudly as it flicked the deadbolt. Sarah felt the tension leave her body. She was free. Another soft buzzing came from Carter. The agent opened the door and Sarah walked by, pausing at the door to look at Carter's dark eyes. "But remember, there's a terrorist on the loose." For some reason, his friendly advice sounded like a threat. A chill ran up Sarah's spine but she ignored it and walked into the dark without looking back.
Her sneakers crunched loudly against the loose gravel of the trail, heading down a familiar path. The wind was biting her face, blowing her blonde hair over her shoulders. The girl shivered, curling inwards to conserve what heat she could. Mark's whispered words still rung in her ears as she stared at the dark surroundings. I meant what I said. "I meant what I said." She repeated, biting her lips as she looked at the playground.
It was the same as she remembered. The woodchucks were spread underneath the huge play toy and slide to break anyone's sudden fall. The swings sat a good distance away, swaying in the breeze. The moonlight illuminated the merry-go-round as it squeaked and slowly spun like ghost children were playing on it. Sarah smiled at the playground, recalling a distant memory.
"Catch me if you can!" A little boy with dark brown hair and eyes shouted from the top of the slide. He stuck his tongue out and ran off with the other children. Five year old Sarah growled in frustration and took off, already knowing who she was going to tag next.
"I'm going to get you, MARK!"
Sarah laughed at the memory, not even trying to fight them off. Paradise was littered with memories of the two of them in various stages of their lives. They grew up together. On this playground, he pulled her into his group of friends. On the streets, Mark helped chaperone her younger brother during Halloween, offering his coat to help fight off the cold October air. Everything seemed to have a linger memory of Mark. He was her first love and for some reason, she kept on going back to him.
Sarah sat on the swings, recalling when Mark would push her on it; slowly bring her higher and higher. She leaned her head against the rope, remembering how soft and strong his touch was. How he would always guide her safely to the ground and greet her with a breathless kiss, leaving her craving for more. Sarah sighed, hating how much she loved the memory.
"I love John." Sarah whispered, sitting down on the swings and mindlessly twisting around. She does love him. She loves John so much it hurts to be away from him but whenever she's with Mark, the ache subsides that it's almost bearable. Mark is her best friend, no matter what happened between them. They were each others' confidant, silently supporting each other regardless of their stupid decisions. Their history was entwined together so tightly, Sarah couldn't remember a time where Mark wasn't there. "And I love Mark." She won't deny it, her heart was split between two wonderful guys. "I'm a messed up girl."
"Hey beautiful." Sarah looked up at the sound of his voice, all memories of Mark fading into the background as John stepped out of the shadows. His voice was scratchy and raw but she knew it was his. Her heart pounded painfully against her chest as she looked at him, not believing her eyes. John, John, John. His name repeated in her head with each step he took towards her. Sarah struggled against the swings, trapped by the twisted ropes and reached out to touch him. John caught the top, laugher in his blue eyes as he untwisted her just enough to pull her close. His lips slanted over hers before she could say anything and Sarah's heart soar. She felt whole again. "Sarah…" He whispered into her ear, cradling her close. She wanted to smile. She wanted to cry. "I've missed you so, so, so much."
"I can't believe you're here." Sarah whispered, pulling back to look at him. He was covered in cuts and ashes but the smile on his face erased it, making him look like the boy she remembered from high school. His blue eyes were bright as he traced her face. John's hair was super short, almost none existence but she didn't care. He was here in front of her. "This can't be real." He kissed her, proving how real he really was and she welcomed him. He showered her with kisses, cherishing every part of her. "Somebody got a haircut." Sarah whispered as the adrenaline from seeing John finally worn off.
"Yeah, it's my whole tough-guy-on-the-road look. What do you think? You into it?" He smiled and ran his fingers though his hair. His arm still held her securely against him.
"I am." She replied, placing her palm on his chest. His heart was beating fast, maybe even faster than her own. "But you could be bald for all I care." He stepped back and looked at her, studying every little detail. She did the same, marveled by how much John has changed. His shoulders were broader, filling out his form. There were tiny cuts along his face and dark rings underneath his eyes, making him look older than sixteen. He looked so different but he was still John, right? He was still her John underneath the changes.
"I've thought about you every single day, Sarah Hart." He declared, reaching out and encasing her smaller hands with his large ones. Sarah never realized how big John's hands were. She smiled, blinking away the tears threatening to fall from her face.
"I promise I've thought about you twice as much." He lowered his head, kissing her hands and pressed his forehead against hers. They just listened to the silence, savoring the moment.
"It's so hard to be away from you." John whispered, lifting her hands and kissing each cold finger. Sarah blinked at the gesture. A memory of Mark slipped through their happy moment as she recalled how Mark would blow on her icy cold fingers before rubbing them warm. I can't let my good luck charm freeze. Sarah pulled away from memory and John, who barely noticed, still talking. "I'm constantly thinking about what it feels like to touch you and hear your voice. I've come close to calling you every single night." Another memory slipped under her defenses.
"Do you know what time it is, you crazy girl?"
"Sorry, I just want to hear your voice."
"God, now I sound like a bad boyfriend. Sorry Sarah. You know I love you."
The line between reality and memories blurred and Sarah reached out to touch John's face, trying to focus on the boy in front of her and not the one in her mind. Her fingers caressed his lips, but her mind was recalling another pair. I don't deserve you. Sarah thought as she spoke to John. "I've sat in my dad's car so many times just wondering where you are. All I needed to know was which direction and I would've started driving." Would I? Sarah questioned her own words. Could I really leave everything for a boy? "I want to come with you, John." The words slipped out of her mouth before she could take them back.
"No, it's way too dangerous." John dismissed, pulling away from her. A look of angst crossed his face as he looked at her. "We just finished battling fifty Mogs over at Sam's place. That's what life is with me right now. I can't put you in the middle of it."
"John, you know what people say about you. That you're a terrorist and a murderer and you hate the United States." Sarah started, allowing the words to tumble out of her mouth. All the pent-up emotions just started spilling out. She couldn't stop it even if she wanted too. "Guys at school call you names like Bomb Smith. My parents say you're a dangerous and I'm never supposed to talk to you again no matter what; and an added bonus, there's a reward on your head. People always talking about shooting you." John reached out to hold her but Sarah stepped back, needing the space. He needed to hear this, hear what she was going through. "I've almost lost every friend I had. I'm new at my school and everyone thinks I'm this weirdo." The pressure of everything came crashing down and Sarah was surprised she was still standing. Tears she tried to hold back started falling from her face as she looked at John. So much has happened after falling for him.
"Things won't always be this way." He whispered like those words could just fix everything. Sarah knew they wouldn't. He can only do so much.
"I love you so much, John. But I can't imagine how we're going to get out of this mess." Sarah pleaded, recalling Mark's words from the diner. He's not safe in prison. Even though Sarah knew it, she allowed the words to leave her mouth. "Maybe you should turn yourself in."
John looked at her like she was a different person. Maybe she was. She has changed too from the time apart. "I'm not turning myself in, Sarah." His voice had harden into something she didn't recognize but then quickly softened. "I just can't. We'll get out of this. Of course we will." More magical words. Sarah thought as John pulled her close, tucking her underneath his chin. "My one and only love, Sarah. I promise, if you wait for me, things will get better."
I don't think I can wait. Sarah thought as the tears continued to fall from her face and her phone buzzed in her pocket. Pulling away, she slipped it out, peeking at the screen. Mark's face appeared on the screen with his message beside him.
Mark: If you're with him, get him out. Something's happening.
"Who's texting you so late?" John asked, looking like he wanted to peek at the phone. She quickly slipped it back after looking at Mark's face once more.
"Just Emily," she lied, not knowing why. "But John listen. Just turn yourself in. I don't want to lose you over and over again." John didn't answer her and instead stepped close, cupping her face between his large warm hands. She didn't know why but she needed him to be here in Paradise so her stupid heart can decide between the two boys. Sarah clenched at the end of his torn t-shirt, trying to ground him here.
"Listen to me, Sarah. I can't turn myself in. I can't sit in a police station and try to explain how an entire school was destroyed and how five people were killed. How am I supposed to explain Henri? Those documents they found in our house? I can't get arrested. I mean, Six would absolutely kill me right now if she knew I was here talking to you." Ice ran through Sarah's veins at the mention of the other Loric girl.
Sarah stepped away from John, needing to be away from his warmth and sat on the bench. Her thoughts were spinning. She wanted John to stay here. She needed him to go for his own safety. She wanted him here with her, away from Six. Six, the girl who was just like John in every way possible. The girl who was extremely brave, strong and pretty. Her heart clenched and the green-eyed monster reared its ugly head. Even John's presence couldn't pull her out. "Six is very pretty." She murmured, recalling the girl's shiny dark hair and hazel determined eyes.
"She is." John agreed without thinking before backtracking. But the damage was already done. Sarah didn't hear his compliments as he tried to repair the damage. She stood up and away from John, regarding him with cool eyes.
"Have you kissed her?" She sounded bitter and Sarah hated herself right now. She was thinking about Mark during this whole thing and now she was accusing John of this. I'm a horrible person.
"What?" John asked, taken back by her accusations.
"Answer me." She half-shouted, needing to know. She allowed jealousy and loneliness to seep into her words accompanied with just enough anger for a kick. John shook his head and stood up; reaching for her but her pride wouldn't allow it. "It's a simple question, John. Have you kissed her?"
"I haven't kissed Six, Sarah. We haven't kissed." He shouted, looking at her with angry eyes. "I love you." The last phrase sounded like a sad attempt to fix whatever was breaking between them. She wasn't sure she wanted to fix it now. Sarah hugged herself, hating the dark thoughts. "It doesn't matter what's going on between me and Six. Nothing is going on. Sarah, I love you, so Six doesn't matter. No other girl matters!" It sounds like he was trying to clean up the mess that exploded between them with his words. So many words but so little meaning.
"I feel like such an idiot." Sarah whispered, tilting her head down and looked at her hands. They were shaking as she held the ends of her long sleeve coat.
"Stop, please. Sarah, you're misinterpreting everything!"
"Am I, John?" She bit back as her vision blurred from the tears she was shedding. She wasn't sure she could see things straight. Her mind was jumbled with thoughts and various things were tugging at her heart. She looked at John, committing to memory and felt her phone buzz against her side. She knew it had to be Mark. "John, I've gone through so much for you." She said and flinched away when John tried to touch her. This was a mistake. A huge mistake. She thought.
"I want to be with you, Sarah." John promised, pouring all his emotions into his words. Sarah wanted to shut them out but she listened because it was John and she kind of wished his words could fix them. "Nothing I say right now seems to come out right. All I can really say is that I've spent weeks missing you terribly and there hasn't been a single day that I didn't think about calling you or writing a letter. I love you. Don't doubt that for a second."
"I love you too." Sarah echoed, stepping away. And maybe it's enough, Sarah thought, looking at him. Or maybe it's isn't. A soft rustling sound came from the corner of her eyes. She turned and gasped as Sam, awkward lanky boy she remembered, appeared from the forest. "Sam?" She sighed before rushing over him and pulling him into a bone crushing hug. Sam buried his head into her hair and she hugged him even tighter because he was part of Paradise.
"Hey Sarah. It's really good to see you." He said before pulling away. His brown hair was messy, falling over his big brown eyes covered by his father's glasses. "But I'm sorry, Sarah." She knew he was sorry because Sam's chocolate brown eyes could never lie. "I'm really, really sorry and I know you guys haven't seen each other in a long time but John and I need to go. We're in a lot of danger. You have no idea."
"I sort of do." She replied, remembering the FBI agents who tailed her, remembering Carter's cryptic message. Her eyes widen and she pulled her phone out, remembering Mark's message. She turned away and pulled her phone out. GET OUT NOW! Someone grabbed Sarah around the middle and she dropped her phone. The man pulled her away from the boys. Sarah screamed over the man's shoulder as she watched a cloud of smoke explode at Sam's and John's feet. People rushed from all sides with guns drawn and aimed at the boys. Sam was on the ground, struggling against a huge man as he drove his knee into the boy's back. On his blue jacket, yellow words were printed clearly: FBI. No…
"Don't move! Put your hands on top of your head and get on your stomach! You are under arrest." Sarah turned her head and gaped at Agent Carter Williams standing there with a megaphone in hand. He looked dispassionate as a man kicked John in the stomach and painfully pulled his arm behind him. Sarah pushed herself off of the man holding her and turned, unable to watch the scene in front of her. The empty streets were full with FBI issued vehicles. People wandered from their houses to witness Bomb Smith's arrest. She wanted to hide her face from the crowd but stopped when a friendly face appeared.
"Mark…" She whispered as the boy pushed through the crowd. He was panting from his sprint. His brown hair fell over his eyes as he watched John and Sam before him get escorted into a car. He slowly turned to Sarah. She dissolved into tears at the disappointed look in his eyes.