Disclaimer: I don't own the Gallagher Girl Series. All rights reserved, inc. copyright, goes to Ally Carter and Disney Hyperion, I also don't own any pictures I may/may not use (I get them off of Google Images). No copyright infringement intended, all rights reserved to said creators. No money is being made.
Warnings: language, violence, mentions of character death, AU
Notes: Thanks so much for the feedback, the favorites, and the follows! I appreciate it! Thank you miaadventure, GallagherGirls13BYE, Alexa, Sunniva Steiner, Books Books Books 1812, mhernandez5, I am Hylla daughter of Bellona, and Alysia for your review, you'll find your response at the end of the chapter. Wow, I never expected to get so much feedback, I'm so happy! Hope you enjoy this chapter! Please review, favorite, and follow. Oh, I'm so happy right now! I bought seven new books (and still have $30 left over!), and I also had coffee from my favorite coffee shop, Joe's Coffee Shop (it's always in Books A Million), so that lifted my semi-depression somewhat. I'm not as moody and broody as before. Thank you for all of the support, though, you have no idea how much it means to me.
* please read the Notes 2 at the end of Reviews, thank you! (though reading it is optional, I'd just like to hear your opinions on it)
—dreams
Chapter Eight
First Words
Cammie
I hate the feeling of nervousness. It makes me uneasy, it makes my palms sweat with anticipation of an unknown outcome. I remember feeling that particular emotion whenever an impending punishment from Catherine was about to come forth. She liked to pull at my strings, pull me in all directions, make sure I was a sobbing, shuddering mess before she even touched me.
They stood before me, legends. Nervousness were etched across their faces as they look at the only daughter they had, the only daughter they've ever known, ever loved, ever made.
I manage to crack something similar to a smile and sign, "Hey Mom, Dad."
Rachel Morgan had tears in her eyes, Mathew did as well. My Dad says softly, "Hello, baby doll."
Mom hesitates, looks as if she wants to tackle me into a hug, and even though my heart was heavily guarded by dragons and steel walls, they allow me a courtesy, a small gesture of the love I would always hold for my mother and father. I open my arms and her faces crumbles as she lunges. I tense instinctively, bracing myself for the hurt that would surely follow but the only thing that came was an enveloping warmth vibrating love and joy.
"Oh, Cammie…Cammie…Cammie…my little girl," my mother cries into my hair as she hugs me tightly. My father soon participates in the hug.
Something wet is dripping down my cheeks and I assume it's my parents' tears but it isn't. It's mine.
My heart, my mind, my entire soul cries for the childhood that was cruelly ripped away from me, the innocence that I would never get back, the love and chances I would never get again…everything I could've had were now gone, and I had the Circle to thank for that. I sobbed with my parents, in that life-gripping hug, and the world had paused. Nothing mattered in that moment except for my family and my feelings.
Everything I had bottled in poured out with my heart-wrenching cries.
"I love you Cammie-Wammie," My father murmurs against my hair, whispering my old nickname I was christened with when I was three, and couldn't pronounce my own name properly.
"And I love you, my little Chameleon," My mother adds without a second thought. "You are our everything, our life, our existence, our will to live..."
I knew it was true. I knew how to detect even the best of liars, and my parents would never lie to me at a time as detrimental as this.
I open my mouth.
For the first time in seven years, I speak.
"I love you too…"
My parents start to cry once more.
"I see someone's been a social butterfly," Grant says as he enters the private quarters I was given prior to the events spun by Catherine days before. He winks at me. I roll my eyes.
"Shut up, you idiot." I say. My voice was croaky and weak since I haven't used it in years. It wasn't that far above from a whisper but at least I tried to speak louder. The doctor told me not to force myself, in case I damage my vocal cords.
Grant beams at me. He was jumping with joy when it was known that I had spoken my first words in seven years.
"I feel so proud," he'd said. "Like I actually managed to teach you something,"
I had thrown a pillow in his direction. "You didn't do anything, you narcissist twat."
He'd stuck his tongue out at me before engaging in a wrestling match. He didn't bother being gentle as we rolled on the floor as brother and sister would do during a quarrel. It wasn't the first time a bullet had been imbued in my body. My body learnt to heal itself fast and efficiently, for fear of more consequences.
"How are you?" Grant asks me, pulling me out of my reverie. "I noticed that you were pretty lethargic during breakfast."
I blink. "Stop being so…so…" my voice cracks, fades a little, and I finish by signing, "overprotective…it's annoying…"
"I'm your big brother," a wide grin, "it's my job to be annoying."
I give him a chilling death glare and he roars with boisterous laughter. After a few moments, he wipes his eyes of any evidence of tears but his cheeks are still flushed red and his eyes twinkle with amusement.
"Like I've said before, you don't scare me, cupcake." He smirks.
I shake my fist at him in a threatening gesture and he snickers. He grows somber, then, and questions, "what are we going to do about Catherine?"
I shrug. "She wanted something from me…I need…to find out…what it…is."
The doctor said I'd have trouble speaking at some points, would struggle and slur a few words. My vocal cords would get exhausted after being, in a way, "asleep" for so many years and then, suddenly, having to get used to being used and the onslaught of energy it took would make my voice fade to the point where it would be softer than the wind.
That memory kept playing.
I watch the circus people on their haywire, at their tricks and dances. I laugh with the crowd, I yell in joy, and squeal at the fascinating animals. Daddy watches with a smile on his face, arms kept protectively around my shoulders.
I am perceptive and see that he always keeps an eye out for immediate danger, for possible threats, and available exists. A woman passes…drops her napkin…daddy picks it up…stuffs it in his pocket…
My eyes widen.
"Get me paper…" I demand.
Grant does it without question except an inquiring glance. He hands me a pencil and my hands fly across, scribbling words and names that flashes in my mind.
Grant curses in Latin. "This changes everything," he breathes.
"You know the beginning…the names of the Circle…you have The List…"
Grant was right.
No wonder Catherine tortured me for seven years.
No wonder she took me away from everything I've ever known.
She wanted what every Circle member yearned for.
The beginning of the beginning.
The List.
The founders of the Circle of Cavan.
I was the only one with the information…information she would kill for…
Information she would kill me for…
"Fuck," I swear.
Grant nods. "Fuck is right. I completely agree."
"I can't stay here," I whisper. "She'd kill everyone."
He stares at me. "Well, where are we even going to start?"
I blink before I grin. "Fancy a trip to Switzerland?"
Reviews
To mhernandez5
Thank you! I love their relationship too
To Sunniva Steiner
Aw, thanks so much! I actually do want to pursue a writing career. I have finished a novel of mine and am in the process of editing and copywriting (I just need to money), and will soon be writing my query letters. I'm very happy for the support you're giving me! Don't worry, I'll make sure to give you a heads up when I'm on the market!
To Books Books Books 1812
Aw, thanks! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
To Alexa
Thank you! no, their relationship is strictly brother-sister love (no incest). I'd love to talk but it has been getting slightly better, you know? But, I'm getting a lot more things done without the distractions of friends in class, though I do get very lonely and homesick. Thanks! Hope you liked this chapter! I tried to make it longer.
To Alysia
Thank you!
To miaadventure
Thank you! hope you enjoyed this one!
To I am Hylla daughter of Bellona
One, I love your username! Two, THANKS FOR THE REVIEW!
Notes 2: Okay, so, I'm going to be working on another story once this one is finished (haven't decided on the sequel yet), and for now the title is "Home". Here's the summary I constructed, but I might edit and change it a bit. It's non-spies, AU, noncanon, and elemental abilities. Yes, it is in the Gallagher Series. It think it'll be set in Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover but I'm not sure.
Summary: With tensions and emotions running rampant at Gallagher, Cammie holds the key to end the terrorism the Circle of Cavan inflicts on both the elemental and normal world. However, Cammie sets a different game in motion when she creates a Guild of her own and rewrites destiny.
Tell me what you think of it, and if it'd be a good enough read. I honestly think I'll have much more fun with Home than I'm having with Out of Mind…we'll see.
Thanks for the feedback!