Fractured Fates & Silent Vows
Rating: T/M for some themes
Summary:
In another timeline, Liam triumphantly returns to his hometown for a fresh start. His time at Hollywood Arts is a whirlwind of success and new friendships. Despite keeping a few secrets, he's on top of the world. But just when he thought everything was going smoothly, an old friend reemerges, hellbent on reigniting the past.
Author's Notes:
Chapter 5: What's Up Danger
"So, are you ready for your class performance?"
"I guess..." he rubbed his neck nervously. "I still can't believe Sikowitz said I could perform with you both! I don't know what you two did to make that happen, but I'm glad you're no longer fighting over this. It was a bit... overwhelming."
As Liam and Tori strolled down the school hallway, discussing their plans for the weekend, they noticed an unusually large gathering of students around the site of Liam's locker. Liam pushed through his peers to verify the cause of the commotion. Surrounded by the taunts and mocking laughter of their peers was Tori's older sister, Trina staring at some of the lockers. Though he couldn't see it, Liam could feel anguish pouring off of her like a waterfall.
Before he could inquire further, his eyes trailed upwards to see the words "slut" and "Whore" written along her locker. Alongside the heartbreaking remarks, Liam could see obscene photos of her in suggestive poses.
His blood was boiling as he watched her fall to her knees. His temper got the best of him when he heard his classmates laughing aloud and Trina crying. He tore the photos off like a crazy man, his blood boiling. The students shuffled back instinctively as he turned his gaze toward them. Before long, everyone was gone, leaving just Liam and Tori to console the older brother.
"Are you alright?" he placed a hand gently on her shoulders, his sudden calm tone countering his animalistic attitude earlier.
Rather than answer him, Trina pushed him away, leaving him and her sister to worry. While Tori stood frozen, Liam sped off to catch up with the girl before she could grasp all that had happened. She was too fascinated by the display of the boy when he erupted on her sister's peers.
Tori wasn't certain that what she witnessed wasn't a figment of her imagination, but something in her wanted to hold onto faith that it was real. A bloody ruby, encircled by inky darkness. It only appeared for a moment, faster than a second, but that was more than enough time for the Latina to catch its existence. Add to it the faint traces of an ominous shadow and Tori was enraptured by the thought.
Far from what Tori realized, there was another set of eyes that had observed the situation. Sapphires blinked multiple times before their owner looked aside, blending into the crowd as she took small breaths. Jade found it exhilarating to see Liam release that energy so easily, but it also brought the niggling worry that he was in danger if there were any spying eyes about.
"Maybe it was just my imagination..." she shrugged before finally gathering her mind to follow.
Unknown to her, Jade knew this look all too well. Even worse, she was all too familiar with what this could mean if things got out of hand.
Trina kept sprinting until she entered the Black Box. She disappeared from view and then moved stealthily into a nearby theater on the other side of the school intending to stay there for as long as possible. She was sorely crying in private while hiding behind the main curtain, her knees pulled tightly to her breast. It was fortunate that her free period was about to begin.
She wasn't upset about what the other kids did. No. She was so emotional because of what Liam did.
"Why did you have to stand up for me?" she whispered as her eyes were fixated on the hardwood base of the stage. "Why do you have to be like...?"
She couldn't fathom why anybody, let alone someone as sweet as him would risk establishing their status in the school for her. It was no surprise that after being labeled the school whore, Trina had developed severely low self-esteem.
Her mind went back to all the times she was called 'untalented', 'waste of space', and of course failing miserably with each attempt to prove everyone wrong only cemented their affirmations within her core. It didn't help when Tori arrived at Hollywood Arts by complete accident. She then became known as the 'untalented sister' who couldn't even pass as her shadow.
Soon she would feel the weight of everything pushing her further into her pit of despair as her inner demons began to haunt her.
Untalented slut
Those intrusive voices came flooding in. She tightened her grip on her legs as the despair surged in her throat.
No one likes you!
The voices started to sound so recognizable. Jade West's voice was heard in that final one. Her already damaged ego would be further insulted by that patronizing voice that would follow her everywhere. Being a people-pleaser was something she couldn't help. That was the "game of fame," right? Despite her best efforts, Trina was never able to achieve her desire to be adored and valued by the general public.
You're so annoying! Why don't you just do what you're good at? Leave this to the ones with actual talent.
How could she be related to Tori?
That last part pierced her heart like a freshly sharpened knife. Tears began to well up as her breath hitched in her throat. If things weren't bad enough, Trina's life took a massive turn for the worse once it was discovered that Tori not only had talent, but she also possessed a personality that drew people to her like a magnet.
Even the new boy, Liam, seemed to be caught in her gravitational pull.
That's when her memory flashed back to Trina, the instant he ran to delete the evidence that was prominently displayed on her locker. He acted without hesitation. His actions had no bearing on the consequences or how this would damage his reputation. She felt terrible energy as he neared her, yet as he talked, she couldn't deny the warmth she felt.
"Why was I so mean to you?"
"I could ask you the same question..."
Trina looked up to see dark rose eyes staring back at her. Before she understood the situation, she was met with two further sets of those menacing eyes, accompanied by deranged grins that caused her to hesitate. She would regrettably not have to worry for long, though, as the three of them looked at her and soon her mind drifted off into silence.
"You have some explaining to do, don't you?"
"What are you talking about?! Who the hell are you?"
A single digit reached out, lifting her chin with elegant force. It was then that her gaze noticed the subtle grin, such malicious intent intertwined with a gentle, hypnotic stare. Trina felt her autonomy slipping away the longer she stared into the person's eyes, yet she couldn't bring herself to look away. Soon, her mind was nothing more than a lustful fog.
"Now, how about we put your reputation to the test?"
"I... Yes?" she groaned softly as the force of passion coursed through every fiber of his being. Some part of her realized this was a demon. Sadly, her realization came far too late as the last remnant of consciousness gave way to the stronghold. "Ugh..."
"Don't think... Thinking isn't your strong suit anyway; obey. Okay?"
"Yes..."
"Good girl."
[Afternoon]
Sitting in Sikowitz's class, Liam and Tori ignored the older man's explanation of method acting since they were preoccupied with other thoughts. Given that neither had seen Trina since that morning, it was concerning. They had briefly questioned whether she had abandoned school, but one trip to the parking lot proved them wrong.
"Imagine this! What if we took your beloved Disney stories and rewrote them?" Sikowitz threw in some jazz hands to drive the point home.
"Didn't ABC do this with that Once Upon a Time show?"
"Yes, well... My idea is a little darker," The man frowned at Jade, earning a perplexed shrug for his efforts. "For example, What if Hercules never went to rescue Megara? Or if Tiana made a deal with the fabled Shadow-Man? What if Mulan joined the Huns?"
As the coconut-loving educator shared his intriguing idea, the other students in the room couldn't help but engage in lively conversations about it. Even normally reserved Jade was captivated by the unique perspective presented. However, Liam remained aloof, not entirely convinced. While acknowledging the merit of the idea, his mind was preoccupied with something more ominous, a sinister presence that he believed lurked within the very walls of the building.
He couldn't shake off the lingering concern for Trina, which extended beyond just the typical sibling love he felt for Tori. The memory of Trina's vulnerable state and the aura of distress that surrounded her stayed with him. He was deeply aware that someone else had a powerful grip on her spirit, tainting her composure in a way that left a lasting impression on him.
First, she follows me into an ambush, and now this weird feeling of demons? What are you getting into, Trina?
"Mr. Marshall?!" He nearly fell back in his seat upon noticing his teacher staring at him, his face mere inches from his. Thankfully, Sikowitz caught the back of the chair, preventing an embarrassing fall. How long was he spaced out? "Is my lesson so boring that you'd rather daydream?"
"I... um... No sir! I was just lost in thought..."
"Mhmm," the man hummed, taking a sip of the fuzzy fruit. "Then would you be so kind as to draw from the hat? Inside, you'll find a character that you'll have to twist into a darker version of. Seeing as this is your first performance for the class, I'll allow you the opportunity to portray them now or after school; just a simple monologue will do..."
With his heart pounding in his chest, Liam reluctantly got up and walked over to the top hat filled with folded index cards. Giving the teacher a hesitant look, he reached in with his wrapped hand, shuffled around for a few seconds, and pulled one out. After taking a deep breath, he unfolded it.
"Read it aloud, please!"
Damn his excitement... he groaned inwardly. "Kovu from Lion King 2?"
His ears twitched with the chorus of Oohs before sighing to himself. Of course, only one person didn't join in the pitying symphony.
"Would you like some time to research the character or...?"
"I'll do it now," Liam bit his lip lightly. "Should I get down on all fours and growl too?"
"Unnecessary. We'll be playing by Broadway rules. All I need is a convincing display, Liam. Remember, you're playing a version that shifts away from the original incarnation. Whatever your idea is, we can polish it later. Begin!"
Liam bowed his head, pivoting on his feet before crouching down. Deep breaths were exhibited as his back rose and fell. He spared a cold look, channeling his inner darkness, a notion that Sikowitz and others were eager to see. Jade, while still close to her significant other, raised her head in intrigue at what he would cook up.
So, they want evil? I'll give them evil... he flexed his left hand as a small surge of energy coursed from the limb to his soul.
Anticipation enveloped Tori as she watched her friend and neighbor's head shoot up. A stone-faced Liam was almost unrecognizable to her, yet that chaotic energy was unmistakable.
"Simba..." He growled in a voice so low that he doubted many could hear. It didn't matter; all he cared about was conveying the emotional gravity of his character. "How long have you ruled? How long has it been since you exiled my family, coward? Was eliminating the ones who put you on the very pedestal you look down at us from worth it?! You promised us a new era, one of prosperity and peace, but once you were put on the throne, you banished us!" he rose to his feet, wicked eyes pointed at an imaginary foe. He removed his hair tie, allowing his locs to fall, matching the mood he aimed to portray. "You were a hero for killing Scar, my father... But, I know the truth! You are nothing more than a jealous opportunist continuing the cycle of violence and hatred, only to rid yourself of any who might oppose you!"
The air turned cold as Liam flashed a maniacal smile that unnerved some of his classmates. This was exactly what they had been waiting for. He held their gaze for just a second, taking in every expression, drawing energy from their varied reactions before settling into a maniacal calm.
"You took my family from me, Simba. My mother, Zira... You cut her down for speaking against your tyranny. Vitani and Nuka... My siblings, you had them executed by association. They were just cubs... CUBS!" he suddenly roared with an intensity that made even Jade jump.
Even Cat hid behind a trembling Robbie. Tori and Andre flinched a bit, but they couldn't tear their eyes away from the display. Liam would switch gears, casually stepping toward his peers at random as if they were Simba himself.
"How could you possibly justify the murder of innocents?! You had your revenge, but clearly, that wasn't enough, was it? You had to send a message to the Pride Lands that the almighty Simba should NEVER be questioned! You are NOT a king! You are a fraud, a frightened cub seeking validation through the very violence and fear that was inflicted upon him! HYPOCRITE! MONSTER!" he laughed sadistically, before walking away, keeping his back to the audience. "Be prepared, and enjoy your false reign, Simba. Enjoy the rotten fruits of your labor because I'm coming to take everything from you! Your kingdom will burn! Your blood will stain the savanna! Your lioness' mournful cries, beneath a bloody sky, that will be my lullaby..."
Liam captivated the room with a powerful silence, pausing to take a deep breath before breaking into a lopsided smile. As he met the inscrutable gazes of his peers, his determination grew stronger as the room exploded with applause led by Sikowitz and the others.
"Bravo!" he elated, his smile growing by the second. "A little raw, but otherwise, it was a splendid performance! A little more work and you'll have your scene ready before you know it."
Liam couldn't help but sheepishly rub his neck at the praise before taking his seat. Tori and Andre wasted little time congratulating him on a job well done while Sikowitz called for the next student to get their pick of characters. Being heralded like this was a shock to him, but one that he relished as the class continued. He was beginning to find his place at Hollywood Arts.
Meanwhile, seeing this form of her friend warranted more concern in the goth. Whether anyone could tell or not, Jade was no fool. While she attributed the majority of Liam's skit to his raw skill, there was no denying that whatever had come out was more than just natural acting ability.
Was there more to the boy than just the blight?
After classes had concluded, Liam shuffled through his locker for the books he needed. Gathering his things, he spared a moment to stare at the still-blank door only to stop when he felt a presence breeze by him.
Liam shifted his sight to a small group of boys giggling. On the surface, this was nothing unusual—just a group of conceited trust fund babies bragging about their family's fortune. Yet something was off, as evidenced by the dark trail they left behind. He was about to give Darius a call, but something about their exchange made his ear twitch.
"Hope that Trina girl is ready for another round!" one of the boys sneered while high-fiving his buddies.
Despite not fully understanding things, he trailed the trio, making sure to stay unnoticed in case things turned sour. As he rounded a few corners, Liam suddenly found himself in a deserted part of the school, inside an ancient theater. Sneaking in, he spotted the three figures huddled over a shadowy figure that seemed to be kneeling. Liam quickly hid behind a broken cabinet, keeping himself out of sight.
That sinister energy began to pulse all around him, making his stomach crawl and his left arm tingle.
"Man, you're as good as they say." One of the boys gloated as he adjusted his pants. "Getting some good brain from a slut without one, not that you need it, right bitch?"
Peering from his hiding place, Liam crept closer as a fourth figure became fully visible. The fuck did you just walk in on?! his brain screamed.
As Liam snuck onto the old stage, he was hit by a sensation unlike anything he had felt before. It was a ravenous hunger, a vulnerability that made him feel almost helpless, like a newborn fighting for survival. His eyes locked onto Trina Vega, who was on her knees, her desperate gaze pleading for mercy. Instead, she received a physical warning in the form of a slap.
"Still fighting it, huh?" the blond boy snarled, snatching a fistful of her hair. She let out a shriek, clutching at his hand. "We talked about you thinking, didn't we?"
"Y-yes...!" she whimpered, fighting to push back the tears.
"...And what did I tell you?"
"That... That thinking was painful..." her voice trailed while she averted her gaze downward.
Liam noticed how her eyes weren't normal now, glazed over with a pink hue. Trina was under some spell... No, this wasn't just some mere magical hex. This was a supernatural force that his curse craved to devour.
"Subjugation...?"
The repulsive scene made his stomach churn, but he composed himself. He was eager to assist, but he had to be strategic to protect Trina. It was all about being cautious and picking the right moment. Little did he realize, a new challenger was about to appear...
...and she hadn't read the rules...
As the doors smashed open, all eyes turned to a certain goth, her annoyance morphing into disgust.
"What the fuck is going on here?!"
Jade?! Liam glimpsed on in fear and distress as the trio shifted their awareness to her.
"What are you doing here?" the blond growled, tossing the near-catatonic Trina. "Oh, who cares?! Get her!"
It was at that moment that Liam felt it; that evil presence beginning to worm its way out of him. A high-pitched ringing in his ears pushed him to forget his original plan. While two of the boys jumped off the stage to get a hold of Jade, Liam moved in, rushing into the leader and tackling him to the ground. This act caught the eyes of the duo as well as dumbfounded Jade.
"What are you doing here?!"
"Nevermind that!" he roared in between punches only to be thrown off by the boy. "Just get out of here and get help!"
"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what's happening!"
Liam wouldn't get a chance to debate her further as the dimly lit room suddenly became shrouded in a violet tint that filled the entire room. Thanks to Jade's uncertainty, she had backed away just far enough to avoid being trapped inside.
A barrier?! she pondered, feeling her fingers burn at the slightest touch of it. With her out of the picture, the other two returned to the recovering Liam, his eyes narrowing like that of a wolf willing to devour its prey.
In that moment, the unsuspecting victims would transform into a lifeless heap on the grimy ground, while powerful, imposing figures emerged in their place. Jade, struck by a mix of awe and revulsion, couldn't decide whether to let out a gasp or choke back a retch as she witnessed the eerie, shadowy entities taking shape.
"Servants of Asmodeus..."
"You know of us, cutie?" the blond demon simpered, wiping away the trace of blood from the corner of his lips. His face gave off the appearance that he was impressed with the boy's deduction while his glowing pink eyes reminded Liam of the danger he was in. "Too bad you won't live to tell the... OW!"
As the feminine demon held his now swollen nose, Jade witnessed Liam's monstrous left hook knocking him to the ground. The other two rushed in, hoping to catch him off guard. She tried to shout his name, but he couldn't hear her, and he found himself struggling under a mini dogpile while the leader reeled.
"You're a feisty one! Too bad someone as good-looking as you must die!"
"Ugh... What are you gonna do? Slap me to death?" he flashed a rebellious smile. "Gonna strangle me with one of the fuzzy snakes?"
"Interesting idea, but no."
The flamboyant devil opened his mouth, releasing a pink mist over Liam. The stench of the cloud made him gag. It choked him as it filled his lungs, something about it being sweet and rotten at the same time. With a desperate grasp at his throat, the two minions withdrew and watched. His adversaries found his gasps for air humorous before returning their attention to the unconscious Trina.
With only seconds to spare, Liam peered into the room's entryway, only to discover that Jade was not there. Maybe she listened after all. That meant that the cops would eventually track them down. At any rate, it was his hope.
"Now that he's taken care of, we'd best get back to..."
"Back to what?" another voice broke through the dimly lit theater.
The devilish trio didn't have time to react as when they spun around, two dark tendrils shot through them, ripping them in half. Their shrieks of agony would remain stuck in their throats, soon vanishing along with their forms. The blond leader gaped in horror at what he'd just witnessed, his toned form quivering at the brutal execution. He refused to turn around, stressing about that unavoidable moment. The terror behind him loomed closer, filling his black heart with its destructive influence.
"What's the matter?" the boy, thought to be defeated, laughed with a sing-song tone. "Weren't you just laughing?"
"You... You were...! How did you survive, ACK!"
Unlike his minions, the blond was silenced by a blazing black arm that drew him in and forced him to look into his opponent's deranged eyes. Through those portals, he saw the flames of hell blazing before him. Strangely, this was as soothing as it was tragic. His life would be as abrupt as a snap, echoing through the room, but the irony of this moment remained. Dull eyes went lifeless. Before the body ever touched the ground, it started to wither and eventually turned into black ash.
Liam paid no attention to them. After taking a few deep breaths, he recounted the Faustian burn, which hissed as the entity withdrew into the mark on his neck. With the demons gone, the barrier would soon disappear, leaving only the unconscious boys and a stirring Trina. He cradled the girl and checked her vitals gently. Her pulse was weak, but it was there. His relief surged as she began to shift in his arms, her eyes fluttering steadily.
"Hmmm..."
"Trina?" his voice was gentle, reminiscent of their previous meeting. "Are you okay?"
Why is he here? Why did he come to save me?
She barely knew his name. She took her anguish out on him earlier that morning. Tori had mentioned it on occasion, but, she didn't care enough to remember it. Despite this, Liam had come to her rescue when nobody else would have bothered.
Before, he was nothing more than her neighbor who caught the eye of her younger sister. After today, Liam was nothing less than a knight in shining armor.
I see why she likes you...
Trina's heart swelled with joy as she opened her eyes, still a bit blurry. She found solace in the reassuring look in Liam's eyes as her head lay in his lap. A calm smile played on her lips as she exhaled, letting go of her worries. At that moment, she knew she was safe. As the fog lifted, she snuggled closer to Liam, who was dumbstruck as he carefully examined her face.
While there were some obvious differences, she certainly was Tori's sister.
While her makeup was a wreck and her clothes were ripped in various places, the resemblance was uncanny. A part of him wondered if he should leave, but he wrestled away those thoughts when she instinctively clutched at his hoodie. His protective nature welled up once more. Having to witness someone like this, especially when this was the second time this had happened to her in such a short period.
This can't be a coincidence... could it?
"Daddy..." his heart broke when she mewled, her voice hoarse and scratchy. He watched as her face wrenched and stray tears began to leak out. She was like a child, abandoned and lonely. "Please... Please don't...!"
Liam raised his hand to her back, pulling her close into the tightest embrace he could muster without causing any further damage to her. He no longer cared about how things would look to others, all that mattered right now was that, whether he intended to be or not, Liam was a hero.
He was her hero...
[Hope Memorial Hospital]
After receiving a call from the school, Darius' worst suspicions arose. He was shocked when he was instructed to go to the hospital instead of the police station. Now he was rushing through the halls of the trauma floor hoping that his brother wasn't in trouble. Of course, it didn't when he saw several officers standing outside of one of the rooms.
His heart dropped.
"Liam..."
"Excuse me, sir, unless you're family, you can't be here!"
Darius was about to unleash his fury on the poor officer when a familiar face exited the room.
"I know this guy, Carter. Keep an eye on the kids, will you?" David Vega placed a hand on the man's shoulder and sent him off to handle his new assignment. Once he was gone, all the pleasantries would fade. It was only him and Darius now. "You here to collect the boy?"
"Why else would I be here? Tell me what happened so we can get this over with."
"It's not that simple, Darius," David glared at the younger male. "Your ward was found at the scene of a serious crime and it would be foolhardy to just release him into society without getting the full story. My... daughter, Trina was assaulted."
"...And you think my brother had something to do with it?!"
"That's what we're trying to find out. Honestly, I wouldn't be shocked if he did."
"That's bullshit and we both know it!"
"Watch your mouth!" David barked, jabbing his finger into the boy's chest.
"Or what?" Darius' eyes glowed with defiance, his smile slowly stretching wider. "We both know that you won't do anything to me, David. Or would you like your superiors to know that you violated the pact? Go ahead, officer..."
"Whether you like it or not, I'm the one in authority here! You will address me with the proper respect or..."
David was prepared to read the younger braggart to rights when another pair of footsteps broke through the tense air surrounding them. Quickly they fixed themselves as a woman in a white lab coat approached them, her eyes flicking between them and her clipboard.
"Officer Vega, and..." she eyed the 18-year-old young man questionably. "...I'm sorry but this is sensitive information. You are?"
"Detective Darius Marshall and Liam's guardian. I was informed of the case by the P.D."
David shot the boy a glare but said nothing when he brandished his identification. The doctor spared a moment to inspect it before accepting Darius' claim.
"Well, I have good news and bad news," she flipped through some papers and then returned her gaze to the two. "First, Trina is going to be okay. Her vitals and check-ups show no signs of internal complications."
"What about the assailants?" David questioned impatiently, disturbing the medic.
"If I'm not mistaken, the traces of DNA prove that the alleged suspects committed the act. However, the young man's results came back negative."
"What?!" David nearly erupted but forced himself to choke back his anger while Darius side-eyed him with a grin. "That can't be right! The evidence should be indisputable! Are you certain?!"
"Officer Vega, you are correct in believing that the evidence would answer all of your questions, but whatever your presentiments are, they can be put to rest. Here are the results." she handed him the paperwork, watching his eyes frantically scan over the contents.
Again and again, he couldn't ignore the evidence in front of him. The first three names all showed a "positive" result, just as the doctor had said, but Liam's name stood out with a "negative" result. As his world darkened, he failed to notice her sharing details with Darius, although he knew there was nothing he could do about it now. All David could do was rub the bridge of his nose, hoping to keep his rising anger in check.
"Are you alright?" he heard the woman ask, her voice dripping with uneasiness.
"You'll have to excuse my colleague. He's also her father, so it's understandable for him to be exhausted by things," Darius replied with a sympathetic smile and a hand placed on the cop's shoulder. "A little of the old relaxation juice and he'll be right as rain!"
While she wasn't convinced, the doctor had a lot to do.
"Well, I informed the other officers of the results and they should be releasing him from custody as we speak. He's inside with the patient. I'll have those copies for you when I return to conduct a follow-up test. I hope you thank that boy for coming to her aid."
After barely acknowledging David's thanks, she went back to explaining the medical documents. He couldn't quite grasp the truth, even though it was right in front of him. He had completely forgotten about the young man staring at him, but he could feel the hostility in the man's glare. Darius, on the other hand, had no intention of sticking around to deal with the aftermath of a delusional man's preoccupations. He headed to the room, flashing his ID.
When he walked in, he felt a wave of relief at seeing Liam chatting with a smiling Trina. Despite Trina looking visibly tired from the ordeal, it was heartwarming to see her spirits lift during their conversation. She was in the standard hospital gown, while Liam was missing his favorite hoodie. It was endearing to see them both so carefree, but he couldn't ignore the strange feeling tugging at him.
"Hope I'm not interrupting anything..." his lazy tone caused the pair to jump. "...Liam?"
"D-Darius?!" Liam paled at the sight of his caretaker.
"Relax! You've been cleared of any wrongdoing but I need you to leave the room for a moment. I'm here on duty, and I'd like to get a formal statement from Miss Vega."
Liam acquiesced quietly and exchanged a glance with Darius. As they left, the brief exchange of smiles spoke volumes. Darius found himself alone with the girl in recovery. While others might have assumed he sought answers, the girl's deep frown told a different story. There was a profound sadness in his eyes, but he recognized it as guilt.
"Hey, Trina..."
"Hey..." she leaned deeper into the bed, casting her eyes on the blank screen of the television. "Is there something I can do for you, Detective Marshall? I'm sure you've noticed that I need my rest."
"Detective Marshall is..." Darius stared at an imaginary watch closely just as the time changed to 6:30 pm. "...officially off the clock. Would you mind speaking to an old friend instead?"
Slowly, Trina turned back to the young man, her eyes casting conflict. On one hand, there was hope but doubt also rested behind her stare. Darius knew why and he wouldn't fight her on this. Ever since he left school, Trina's stock had fallen, leading her to adopt her persona. She understood why he disappeared from her life, yet it didn't change the fact that he left.
"Well, maybe you can stay..." she rolled her eyes with a ghost of a smirk. "...at least until my family shows up."
The dark joke was not lost on Darius, but he wouldn't mar this point by pointing it out. Instead, they shared a laugh, allowing the awkwardness to lead them. An apology started the conversation, slowly breaking the tension between them.
Outside of the room, Liam waited anxiously for the return of his brother and guardian. Pointed glares from some of the officers didn't help things either, but he'd endure it as best he could. Multiple footsteps on the tiled floor provided the perfect distraction followed by the desperate pants of an older woman. Behind her was a familiar pair of brown eyes, also filled with concern.
"Tori?"
"Liam?" she sped over to him, much to her father's chagrin. "What happened?! Are you okay? Is Trina alright?"
"Your sister..." David Vega cut in. "...will live. The culprits have been identified and will be formally charged."
"Thank the heavens!" Mrs. Vega placed a hand over her heart in relief.
The image of the woman sighing dramatically raised some eyebrows from the young man though Tori's annoyed eyeroll gave him a bit more clarity. The couple shifted away once her mother noticed him, unwittingly affording them some privacy. Even then, the Latina's cold stare remained.
"Is something wrong?"
"Huh? Not at all!" her expression suddenly shifted to that of perplexity. "What would give you that idea?"
"Um... Maybe it's the look of death you just had?"
Tori leaned forward in her seat, showing her bewilderment. She wasn't known for showing her negative side, but for Liam to catch it was both humiliating and enlightening.
"Sorry. I... My family has an interesting dynamic, one I'm not proud of."
"Dysfunctional?"
"That's putting things mildly" she giggled softly. "Me and Trina are treated differently. While my parents adore and support me unconditionally, the same isn't true for her."
"Sounds like a black sheep to me."
Tori bowed her head in shame. Liam took the hint and opted to shift the subject from such a sour topic, but not without a reassuring hand on her back and an empathetic grin. Soon, she mirrored his expression, pulling him into a tight hug as thanks for being there for her sibling. Unseen by the pair was the dark stare of the Vega patriarch burrowing deep into the boy's soul.
Between this and Darius' time interviewing Trina, the man of law found his mind locked in a frenzy. His eldest daughter's condition was no longer a priority upon seeing the prospect of his little angel getting involved with this delinquent made his blood boil. Many would chalk this up as an overprotective father wanting his child to be safe.
Only those who knew him knew the deeper truth.