Fates Fickle Ways

Chapter Fifteen

        I was the last one to show up. Walking in the door I couldn't help but stop and look at them. They were taking up one of the larger tables in the bar. Jessy looked like she was trying her hardest to be lighthearted, but I could tell that Richy was still heavy on her mind. They were all laughing, but there was still an air of sadness. I took a deep breath and walked up to the only empty spot at the table, between Dan and Cleo. We all said our hellos while I took my seat. We'd joked plenty of times about me coming to Duskwood and being with them, but it was so much different sitting down with them in the bar.

At first the conversation was very normal, they picked on eachother, mostly Dan. Everyone was having a good time, but I could tell that something was bothering Lilly. When she finally spoke up the whole group fell silent and all eyes were on me. "Have you heard from Jake?" Concern and worry were etched across her face. It was the first time I'd noticed how tired she looked. "Yes Lilly. He's safe." I could only do so much to calm her mind, but if I knew Lilly it would be hard to hide what was going on from her for too long. She nodded and looked around at her friends, everyone nodding back to her. "We've been talking. We want to help Jake, but we need you." "Lilly..." She started shaking her head. "Don't you dare tell me you're not going to help him Ella." I sighed and looked at my friends, searching for any strength I could pull from them. "I'm not saying I won't. You guys just can't be involved."

"What?! This is ridiculous!" Lilly slapped the table as her chair screeched in protest to her sudden standing. "I've helped him before and now you plan on what? Just keeping us all in the dark?" Her eyes could've drilled holes into mine. "Lilly, sit down." Hannah stepped in trying to calm her sister. "Hannah, this is our brother!" I couldn't take this anymore. I didn't want to be the cause of this fight. "Stop. Lilly, I'm doing everything I can. You trusted me once before and I need you to do it again. Helping Jake has its dangers. You guys can't get involved unless I absolutely need you to." She slowly took her chair again, anger still dancing in her eyes. "Look, everything I do I have to stay on the sidelines. Jake can't know what I'm doing either or he will stop me. Too many people digging in the places I will be, it sends too many red flags. You have to understand, I can't put any of you in danger." I had no intention of letting any of them know what I was doing in Duskwood, I knew this wouldn't be the end of this conversation. It wasn't one to have here at the Aurora though, too many ears.

Once I noticed that emotions have gone from upset to obvious concern for me I decided it was time to end the conversation. "Don't worry about me. I've got this handled, but this isn't the place for this conversation to happen." I looked around the table, seeing nodding heads. This still didn't seem like this would be the last I'd hear about it, but thankfully it was over for now. "I have to get back to the hotel soon, but we should stay in touch." I slowly got up from the seat, noticing Jessy getting up from hers at the same time. She walked over to me and pulled me into a tight hug. "Please be careful, Ella. I can't lose you too." Her voice was shaky as she was on the verge of tears. "Promise. We will talk soon"