Dark Secrets

Chapter 2

After the strange day Lily had experienced she really didn't know what to think. For her to not be in control of her emotions and the situation was very rare. It left her restless and unable to sleep. And truth be told sleeping against a hard bus bench wasn't exactly the most comfortable either. Instead of idling around and letting these thoughts continue to cloud her mind, Lily decided to walk around town and entertain herself. It also would give her a chance to find somewhere hidden and more comfortable to sleep. As Lily walked up to a crosswalk, she noticed it was the "no walking" signal, but without hesitation she looked up at the lights, and it instantly changed to green, and she continued on without missing a beat. Lily had always tried to be careful when using her powers, she never knew who might be watching. Sometimes people walking by  caught a glance of of her using some power, and she would have to go to great lengths to convince them that they had just been imagining it, or it had just been a trick of the light. But in a busy city like Los Angeles, she had noticed that people were much too obsessed with themselves and their phones to care much about the environment around them. Walking down the sidewalk, Lily happened to notice, or rather hear, a mother and her young daughter in a heated argument. "But mom! Please! Just this one teddy bear?" The little girl pleaded. "NO, Jessica. For the last time, you already have a bear at home." The mother sighed in exasperation. "Yeah but Greg's scary dog chewed it all up." Jessica look at the ground sadly. " "GREG" is your father and you will call him as such. Do you understand me young lady?" Jessica's mother looked ready to slap the poor girl. "Excuse me Ma'm. Why don't you just get your daughter a new toy?" Lily interrupted, extremely disturbed by the unjust treatment of the little girl. "Excuse ME! How dare you think you can stick your nose in other people's business! Who the hell do you think you are?" The woman looked at Lily with a shocked and disgusted face. "Listen lady. You know damn well that your daughter does not have suitable toy at home." Lily glared angrily at the lady, eyes unblinking. "Why you little..." The woman started to say, then suddenly trailed off. Lily continued to stare, still not blinking. "You know, I think you are absolutely correct." The woman said, her voice much calmer and her facial expression soft. "Jessica I will get you the little teddy bear." The girl's mother said. Jessica, who had taken to pouting, a little bit away, grew joyous and excited at this sudden news. Lily looked at the girl and just smiled, and then without another word she continued on her own way. If there was one thing she absolutely despised it was adults treating their children, or any child in general, unfairly. Partly because it was wrong, and also because she knew that one day they may not have each other, just as she did not have her parents with her anymore. And she wanted them to not take life for granted. Maybe it was just something stupid of her that she held on to, or maybe it was something that she could help others subconsciously understand. As Lily continued on in her little expedition around the city, she happened to pass by a church. Passing by a building such of this should have been normal, but for Lily, it sent a shiver down her spine. She was always in danger from Alpha, but a few years ago she had been very close to getting caught, and had tried to seek shelter inside a church. Somehow when Lily had fallen asleep that night her powers had gotten out of control, either from the nightmares she'd had, or from the emotional turmoil, and when she awoke, she was in the middle of an inferno. Trying to harness that big of a fire had taken a massive toll on her since she had barely had any experience,  and on top of tat, the pastor had not taken kindly to her after his church burning down. He had been very suspicious and cold towards Lily, even going so far as to proposing an exorcism be preformed on her. From then on, Lily had stayed far far away from any religious people and buildings. Lily shook her head in attempts to rid herself of that bad memory, and the weird feeling that was developing in her chest. Something about this church seemed... different, it was almost as if the building was inviting her in. Taking a deep breath, Lily decided to adventure inside and take a look around. As she walked inside she noticed how quiet it was, her footsteps seemed to echo all around her. ''Why hello there young miss.'' A deep voice echoed from across the building. Lily whipped around, startled by the sudden appearance. A man stood a ways off from her, he appeared to be dressed very nicely, and he had a kind aura about him. "Oh I'm sorry, didn't mean to startle you." He dipped his head in apology. "It's alright." Lily said, slightly wary. "We don't really get a lot of newcomers here unless it's the Lord's Day. Is everything alright?" He asked. "Or are you here to make a confession?" He added jokingly, trying to make Lily smile. Lily didn't know if she had the guts to ask to stay here overnight or if she should just swallow her pride and try. "Oh I  just.. came to pray." She said, quickly making up an excuse. Lily cursed at herself inside her head for making up such a dumb reason, why couldn't she have just swallowed her pride for once? "Very well, don't let me be the one to  stop you from talking with The Lord.'' The man said, then walked away towards his office. Lily sat down on one of the pews and looked around slowly. This church was beautiful, almost breathtaking. The pews were a dark rich brown, she was guessing they were made of mahogany. And there was tall windows on one side that let light in, but they weren't just any old windows, they were beautiful stained glass windows. This place was quite nice, but not exactly the most comfortable, or the safest either since there was too much open space. With a small sigh Lily got of from the pew and left as quietly as she had come. Finding a place to stay was proving harder than Lily had anticipated. Most people would just give up and resort to staying at a homeless shelter or something similar. But Lily was not most people, and she was most certainly not like most people either given that she had powers and was being hunted down by a corparation more evil than the normal American government. Thus she had to find other ways to find shelter. Lily stood outside, unsure of what to do. Sometimes the burden of the cards that life had dealt her weighed heavy on her chest, and left her at a loss of ideas. Right now Lily was utterly confused, and lost. Tears welled up in her eyes and she sat down, silently beginning to cry. She was so alone in this world, and having to live like that day to day and pretend like she had not a care in the world tore her to pieces. It hurt to go on every single day. "Lily? is that you?" A familiar voice spoke. Lily looked up to see Dylan. "Why are you crying Beautiful Flower?" He asked, his voice soft with concern. "I don't have anywhere to go and I just want my mom but she's dead!" Lily said, trying not to sob. Dylan pulled her into a warm embrace, and Lily let him comfort her. She had missed being close with anyone. "Lily my poor Flower, Don't be sad. I know a safe place where you can stay. And I will be there to take care of you. You are not alone." Dylan softly whispered in her ear. Lily just squeezed her eyes shut and held fast to Dylan. "I'm sorry Dylan, I know you barely know me and here I am, a big mess, crying and hugging you." Lily sniffed and wiped away her tears. "I don't mind, I am not a cruel person and would never turn my back on someone in need." Dylan said, gazing into her eyes. Lily looked at the ground, not sure what to say next. "If you need somewhere to stay just say the word and I will take you there." Dylan repeated his offer. "I do. But I don't know if I should go." Lily said quietly, still looking at the ground. She did want to go with Dylan, but she didn't know if she should fully trust him or not. "You can trust me. I promise." Dylan said, almost as if he had ready Lily's mind. Shaking off the feeling her gut, Lily looked at him and nodded. "Yeah. You're right. Show me where this place is." She said with a small smile. Dylan held out his hand, and Lily put her hand in his, and together they walked away from the church.