Siobháin
Saturday, November 2nd
As he stepped away, pale and bowed, he suddenly looked up, sweeping his gaze over the congregation. In the sea of appalled faces he saw me. Our eyes locked and his blazed with sudden recognition. I cursed silently and ducked down, praying he'd dismiss it as his imagination. I risked a quick glance at the altar. Liam took a step back, his face panicked. He scanned the crowd again and I ducked down once more.
The priest grabbed his arm. His lips moved, but to my frustration, I couldn't hear what he was saying. I decided to make a run for it. I quickly made my way to the entrance door, my footsteps echoing loudly.
'Young lady, where are you going in such a hurry? We're mourning someone's death. Have you no respect?'
I turned around slowly to the sound of the raspy voice.
An elderly man was standing there, a frown upon his face.
'I-' I searched for words, but couldn't find any. Think of an excuse. 'My cousin's getting married.' was what came out. 'Um..I'm going to her wedding now.' I explained.
'On a Tuesday?' his hand on my arm tightened. 'Coming from a funeral? In that outfit?'
My face flushed. I was wearing a sober-looking black blouse and my black work skirt. Probably should've thought my lie through better. Who was this nosy parker anyway?
'I'm changing on the way.' I said, with as much dignity as I could muster.
There was something about the way he was looking at me. I felt a twinge of recognition. I'd seen him before...I just couldn't quite place his face...
'He's getting away!' someone shrieked.
I yanked my arm from the man's grip as I whipped around to the altar.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Liam bolt from the side of the altar and down the steps.
'Grab him!' someone roared.
There was a mad scrabble and heave as the crowd surged toward Liam. He ducked and dodged. I knew exactly what he was doing, so I made for the door before he could.
'Hang now, miss where are you going?' said the man, grabbing my arm once again.
Let go of me! I wanted to scream. Instead, I gave a polite smile. 'Let go of me now, or I swear to God I'll tear your f*cking arm off.' I said, my smile still carefully in place.
The man laughed softly and leaned in closer. 'I'd like to see you try.'
'Siobhán, watch out!' somebody cried.
At the mention of my name, I turned around just in time to see Liam, a look of determination on his face, crash into me.
I was knocked to the ground, my head banging against the floor. It hurt, but I leapt up. But I was too slow, and Liam swept my legs from under me and slammed me down again. I tried to get up but his knee was on my chest. I got a sudden flash of deja vu and suddenly instead of Liam, there was a Gard, gazing down at me. His face. I knew that face. It was-
Liam grabbed my head and I was jerked back to reality. I grasped his arms and pulled them away, twisted them behind his back. I flipped over his head, and suddenly he was the one on the ground and I had the upper hand. I lifted him up by the scruff of his neck. He had gone limp. I stopped, breathing heavily. He was unconscious. I propped him up against the wall. His legs flew out and hooked themselves under my ribs cage and lifted me off the ground. I flew through the air and slammed into the wall. My head throbbed from the impact and my spine felt broken.
