Chapter 8: Interrogation
Layla opened the door to a small greenhouse in the middle of a pretty little garden. "We can keep her in here."
Warren looked around. He had been checking Verity for a few blocks, ensuring that she was still unconscious. The last thing he wanted was to drop her if she started to drain him of his powers. He sat her limp body on a nearby wooden chair. Then he glanced around for something to tie her down with; he didn't really want to make her feel kidnapped, but he knew his friends would be more comfortable with her unable to move too much. Coming up empty, he looked to the other two for advice.
Layla sighed and made some strong vines wrap carefully around Verity's wrists and ankles, giving her very little mobility, but still being gentle enough to not leave marks. Warren smiled thanks at her and walked over to Verity, squatting down in front of her.
"Verity?" Warren said softly, brushing a stray hair out of her eyes quickly to avoid too much contact. "Wake up, honey."
She stirred and opened her eyes slowly, looking around. "Where am I? What happened?" She looked over to Warren, eyes pleading silently for an explanation.
Layla cleared her throat, approaching Verity, but staying back to avoid any accidental contact. "I can answer those questions. You're at the community garden I helped in this summer, in the greenhouse. I kind of had to use my powers to make you pass out, and we," she gestured to herself, Will, and Warren, "brought you here so Warren could talk to you."
Verity's eyes narrowed at Layla, and then softened after a few moments of contemplation. She sighed heavily and sank down against the restraints. "It's horrible that you had to sink to that level to speak to me." She flicked her gaze up to Warren, her jade eyes shining with unshed tears. "You really do care about me, huh?"
Warren smiled at her. "Why on Earth would I try so hard to get your attention all those times if I didn't?" He wanted so badly to touch her, but he couldn't risk her snapping and attacking him. "What's going on with you, Verity? You know the crowd you're hanging around with was in prison for a while, right?"
Verity took in the restraints, really noticing them for the first time, and then shrugged at them. She returned her attention to Warren. "I did know that. But, they said they could help with the voices. And I'd do anything," she stared straight into his eyes. "And I mean, anything, to keep the voices away."
Will, though not entirely buying the girl's story, chimed in. "When, exactly, do the voices come to you?"
Verity glanced over to him, and furrowed her brows. "Um, they start…" she closed her eyes to concentrate. "They start when I get on the bus every morning. And usually they don't end until almost bedtime."
Warren felt confused. "Really? That seems weird. Wouldn't they continue all day?"
Verity nodded. "My old voices did happen all the time. I'd wake up at night sometimes and hear them. And they didn't stop before I fell asleep, they got worse. I just think it's because these are new voices. They even sound different than the old ones." She shrugged like they were talking about going to go to the movies or bowling that night.
"Verity, I know you're used to this, but that sounds really suspicious. I mean, different behaviors, different sounds," Layla looked from Will to Warren and back to Verity. "I think someone's messing with you."
Will nodded. "Sounds logical. They just started. No stepping stones leading to these horrible thoughts, like a warning sign. They just automatically started. Right when you started getting serious about Warren. Don't you think it's strange?" He sunk to her level next Warren, and looked into her eyes.
Another shrug. "I suppose. I just assumed absorbing Warren's power that day triggered it. They could have been disguised to appear that way. It would explain the unrealistic pattern and everything." She sighed. "But what am I supposed to do? Take the chance that it is someone trying to convince me I'm crazy? Or try to keep them at bay?"
Warren finally spoke up. "And are you keeping them at bay? Are they gone?"
Verity looked at him. "Sometimes. And then, when I think about going back to you, they come back."
"You say they keep going until a while before bed. What are you doing until then?" Layla stepped forward and placed a hand on Will's shoulder.
Verity glanced up at her. "The last few times Speed has been at my house, helping with some homework I'm behind on. He'll stay for dinner and we'll work until almost nine. By the time he leaves, I'm exhausted and I head to bed. I'm out by nine-thirty."
Warren felt his jealous temper flare. He was almost surprised when his arms didn't light up. "Speed?"
Verity sighed and rolled her eyes. "I've been trying to avoid you, Warren. I can't exactly invite you over to study if I'm trying to avoid you." Her face was void of emotion as she continued. "So, yeah. He doesn't come over all that often. Maybe once or twice a week."
Warren, trying to sound nonchalant, asked, "Are you two making any plans to, you know, become closer?"
Verity's eyes snapped to him. They narrowed slightly. "I never noticed how truly possessive and jealous you were until right now, Peace." Her voice was icy and made Layla and Will feel very uncomfortable. They took a step back from her and Warren as she continued. "I must say, it's not entirely attractive. But, to answer your question, he's asked and I said no. I just don't like him that way. He's pretty persistent, and a day doesn't go by that he doesn't hint at it. It's putting a strain on our friendship and I'm getting to the point where I may just zap him to get away." She smiled heartily.
"If he's annoying you so badly, why not come back to me?" Warren whispered and got closer to her, placing his hand on her cheek softly. "I want to help. Let me."
Verity melted from his touch. She looked up at him from under heavy eyelids. "We can't. You'll get hurt. I can't risk it."
Warren moved closer, his lips zeroing in on hers. "Let me worry about it. I'll be strong for you." He lowered his head for a kiss and he felt her moan against his lips. He wrapped his arms around her and felt her struggling against the restraints; he felt a little drain from his body as the restraints caught fire and fell from her ankles and wrists. He instantly regained full power and felt her arms wrap around his neck.
When Verity finally pulled away, she smiled up at him happily. "No voices," she mumbled, her nose nuzzling against his ear, into his long hair. She almost looked like her old self again. "No voices whatsoever."
