The Book of Gemma -Apocalyptic Fantasy Romance-

CHAPTER 13: FAKE SHOW

The people flooded in screaming with joy.

Deecon sprints out to me but only looks at Albi "Okay everything is locked down, I turned the music up louder in the backyard to filter more people out. I'm going to stand watch at the top of the stairs to make sure no one tries to snoop."
As he speaks I find myself in awe as he describes the way he will protect my secrets.
My home.
My knowledge.
My safety.
I know he won't look down at me but I thank him anyways. He nods to Albi and rushes up to the front door. I feel Albi's hands touch the tops of my shoulders. "I know this is going to be tough but I need you to go in there, smile, laugh, converse, anything you can to make sure people see no crack in your mental state. People need to see a leader with no signs of weakness."
I push his hands off me and gulp down more of the bottle, my pendant growing cold again.

"I will never be weak compared to these snakes."

I push Albi aside with a grin on my face.
I will drink and smoke and show these people I am just like them. I am not a shell of a person. I am not this shriveled prude who lets the rumors speak for me. I am a fucking God who helped them with their first steps on this planet.

As I enter the house I have all eyes on me again as they whisper to each other.
'Does Deecon allow her to have parties?'
'Does she even know how to talk to people after her breakdown?'
'Is this a desperate attempt to sway us into liking her again?'

I turn my head in all directions as their whispers shove their way into my ears.

"What are you all standing around for? .. Drink up you essential bastards!" I shout as I tip the bottle to the ceiling, letting the liquid flow down my throat.
They raise their glasses and begin to mimic me.

A woman steps towards me and raises her hand to put on my shoulder. The second her fingers touch my sleeve the room is silent. Everyone holds their breath waiting for my reaction.
No stranger dares to touch the leader of the planet.
She realized her mistake as the room gasped.

I look down at her touch, wanting to rip her hand from my clean body. How dare she touch my royalty. My pendant chills my neck. I look up to Deecon from the banister and he finally looks at me.
He's actually looking at me. My pendant starts to warm under the graces of his stare. I don't even care that his stare is a glare to tell me not to rip her arm off.
I look back down at her hand and grace her with a smile.

"You owe me a shot for your impulse." I giggle.

I can feel the air being exhaled throughout the room in relief. Deecon begins to clap to keep the momentum flowing. "Cheers to our Leader Ms. Gemma Knox!" He shouts. He said my name. I know he shouted it in a fake coo to the humans but.. I havent heard him say my name in months. I missed the sound of my name coming from his lips. I wanted to rid the world of his existence but I find myself more and more wishing he wouldn't rid my existence of himself. He wants to forget my very being lately and I can't understand why.

I try to shake it off making conversation with the people now swarming me instead of keeping their distance.

'Ms. Knox, what have you been working on recently?'
'Ms. Knox, what have you been doing with your time in this house?'
Ms. Knox, have you heard any word of the missing Patrol?'

Their questions drowned me as I tried to make my way out of the kitchen. I smile and nod to them trying my best to not break in their eyes. I can't share any valuable information that could be used against me. Someone was playing a game with me and I didn't even know where to begin on the game board.

It started to get too hot in my house from all the bodies so I grabbed my pack of smokes from my pocket and stumbled outside to an even more crowded porch. I knock into someone's back and they turn to me with a smile.
Edna.
"Why didn't you tell me you were planning this party?" She asks.
Oh god Edna, I have missed your presence. I don't even reply, I wrap my arms around her. Being isolated in my house all these months has left me with just the information you pass along from the lab. Replying to your messages on my well being was something I couldn't bear to do. You saw me as strong and I didn't want to let you down too. She hugs me back and tries to pull me down the stairs of the porch to a quieter spot.
"How have you been doing?" She treads lightly.
No, don't look at me as if I'm empty.
"I've just been very busy with a project... I will return to the lab soon... I promise." I don't believe the false promise I say.
She looks back to the front door.
"Deecon is watching us... are you safe?" She says in a low volume trying to not make him stir.
I fake it. "I'm fine, Edna. He is just protecting me."
She shakes her head. "No. Something doesn't feel right about this. You can tell me, you know that right?"
She's making it harder to breathe.
"I-I'm fine... I just need to-... I need to find Albi.. I'll see you." I begin walking fast away from her.