Turn Against

Returning

     He had changed.

    When I stepped out of the terminal onto the familiar ground of the state I'd grown up in I knew I had missed a lot.

     His hair he'd grown out till it grazed his eyelashes, his shoulders broad but lean.He stood at least 6'2. His grey eyes and chocolatey brown hair was all that was left of the 16 year old boy I had trusted so long ago.
   
    His mouth stood wide and dropped. Oh, yeah I had changed too...

    His eyes were drinking me in and lingering over every curve they stumbled upon.

     I coughed trying to call his attention to the staring. It worked. His eyes snapped to my face and he stepped forward. I stood at attention, ready for action if the problem presented itself. Habit I guess. He pulled me in for an embrace but I panicked. My knee landed in his groin and his eyes flipped back in pain. A hug can be frightening if you haven't had one for 5 years. When I see his pain I immediately realize my mistake and kneel over to help. A crowd had started to form to gaze upon the handsome giant writhing in pain.
 
    "Gl-glad to see you" he whimpered.
   
     It was weird to know I was stronger, more dominant. I pulled him up and sat him into a nearby chair.

     His weight was medium so it didn't present a challenge to my muscles but he seemed to find this an incredible feat.

     Yeah, 16 year old me was a weakling, a teen force fed yoga and swimming classes. Just enough to keep me thin but not enough to make me strong. I possessed a weak mind back then.

    "I'm sorry, it's been a while since someone tried to hug me.." I murmured trying to appear as remorseful as possible. This is how a normal person would act.

     "No worries, I'm used to girl's negative reactions to me" he smiled and winked, both of us aware of how untrue this was.
     He was attractive. The kind of guy 16 year old me craved attention from.

    "Anyway, is there somewhere we could talk. Somewhere private."

     I tried to appear normal. Like a young woman come home to her young lover. Gaining as little attention as possible was key here.

    "Yeah we can go back to my place. But on the way you have to explain where you've been these last few years. Everybody's been so worried. I didn't mention anything to anyone but still aren't you gonna tell anyone you're alive?" his voice was so fast.

    It made my head swim with thoughts.

    "No we need to leave now" I took his arm leading him to the parking lot.

    I had no idea where his truck would be but that didn't matter. It was narrowed to a limited area. My eyes scoped the scene and immediately found his faded yellow Ford. He'd kept the same fixer upper for 5 years.

    How nice.

    We climbed in the rickety machine and I realized just how much I did miss human contact as his arm brushed mine.
     The ride to his apartment was filled with sneaking glances to take in every angle of his face. Every flaw and weakness that possessed his humanly weak body.

     Yes he was strong but not as strong as I am. I could take his life in less than 3 movements. Thoughts like this did not cross 16 year old me 's mind.

      We stopped in front of a decrepit 4 story building which I assumed was where he called home. His apartment number was 87 which also used to be his baseball number.
    I have no clue how I remember such a trivial thing. Maybe because his number used to cover my cheek, written in eyeliner, the rest of me in team colors and a baseball hat. Everything perfectly typical for a game. Boys on the team used to ask me to wear their numbers but I was reserved for my best friend only. If only I'd have known none of my naive habits would make a difference in the real world I could have saved myself time.

    "Sorry for the mess" he apologized as we opened the door and stray pizza boxes covered the pathway inside.

     He never was organized. Even in his personality he was spuratic and messy.

     My eyes scanned the new environment sizing all exits and timing how long it would take to escape if the need presented itself.

      His apartment was cozy and warm. Everything The Center was designed to not be. He hurried about trying to make a dent in the piles of take out boxes and cartons. "

"Just make yourself at home. You can ummm.... just take my room I can sleep on the sofa." his voice carried through the kitchen into the dining room

     "I don't want to put you out in your own house. I can take the sofa."
I was not fond of the idea of sleeping in his bed.

     "No don't even think about. No worries." he put on his winning smile and set back to work.

      I picked up the one bag I had which contained only essentials, 4 pairs of underwear, 3 shirts, 2 pairs of jeans and a handful of socks. My life now stripped of everything but a bag of clothes seemed raw. Very simple considering all of my clothes were black and did not vary much.

      His queen bed was strewn with blankets and a few old shirts. I set about tidying his many messes.

    "Hey, Mer Mer I'm gonna go pick up some stuff. My cabinets are a little umm bare of you know, actual food. Be back soon" and with that he left me.

     I warmed at the old familiar nickname.

     Get control of yourself my mind harshly warned. I was not here for a vacation. I was here to gather myself and plan. They wouldn't expect me to do something so obvious and I had taken precautions to guard against there following my trail.

     They taught me their weaknesses so I would protect what they stood for. I became an essential part of their defense.

      Now that I was gone they would have to gather themselves in haste meaning they were going to be sloppy.
      Now was the time for me to strike and I do believe I have an idea that will accomplish just what they designed me to do except I would be using it against them..