Guardians

Penelope-20

There were already tons of people there by the time Joseph and I pulled up.

"You look gorgeous Nel," Joseph complimented me when I got out.

"Thanks!" we walked inside and I felt my jaw drop at how many people were inside.

It was a huge place, but even this place was crowded. The music was pulsing through my veins as I found my way to Cory.

"Hey! Wow P you look sexy. Want a drink?" Cory asked kissing me gently.

I blushed out of embarrassment and just nodded so I could get my bearings together.

Someone brushed up against my back and I stiffened immediately. Turning, I saw it was only a guy who had bumped into me while trying to make his way through the crowd.

"Here you go beautiful," Cory returned and handed me a root beer.

"Thanks, do you know all these people?"

"Most of them. A good amount of them came with friends."

"That's okay to do?"

"The more, the merrier."

"Speaking of merrier.. Here comes Marisol." Joseph motioned and I fumed when I saw Brady step in with her.

"You invited her," I said bitterly.

"She invited herself," Cory said ignoring Marisol completely and putting his hand on my shoulder. "Want a tour?"

Joseph gave me a sympathetic look and went to go change the music selection.

"Sure," I took Cory's hand as he led me up his winding staircase, dodging people who were either making out or telling jokes with beer bottles.

"Nice view."

"Thanks."

Cory had led me onto his balcony that overlooked the skyline of L.A.

He put his had on mine and squeezed it. "Penelope, I know it's none of my business to ask what you and Brady are considered. I was wondering if you would consider maybe going out with me though?"

I just looked at him, not sure how to reply. We wouldn't be here much longer... and Jeremiah had said...

"Yes," I kissed him urgently and felt him smiling against my lips.

"I'll be right back, just wait here." He kissed me again and went inside to retrieve whatever it was.

Wow, I was dating Cory! I didn't even know what Brady and I were but he was clinging to Marisol like Velcro.

The door opened and I turned to see someone cover my mouth so I couldn't scream. Whoever it was, was tall and covered in a body suit.

I tried struggling but he pressed a cloth over my nose and I inhaled. That's when the world went black.

The bedroom I was in, was still in Cory's house. Duct tape was on my mouth and I was restrained against a chair. The guy had taken off his mask but I couldn't figure out whether I knew him or not.

"You're really pretty Penelope," he began and started to unbutton my shirt slowly.

I started screaming but it was muffled against the tape.

"No one is going to hear you scream. You see I knew you were different, there was no way you were normal. Marisol is the prettiest human girl, but you are a..."

I struggled and tried to throw my wings out as he screamed, "Guardian!"

He flung himself against the chair and I fell hard against the floor with the chair breaking.

I punched him hard as I pulled the tape off and started screaming, "Cory!"

The guy sat on me as I struggled to breathe.

Someone came rushing in as I tried to kick him and ended up landing on my arm.

"Get out," Joseph growled as Cory rushed over to me.

The guy sneered, "do you know what she is Houser?"

Cory gave me his shirt to cover up with and examined my arm which was bruising quickly. "I don't care what she is, get out of here Malcolm."

"She's one of the Guardians!" he screamed as Joseph led him out of the room.

Cory looked at me and I slid his shirt off.

"Are you?"

"Yea... I didn't want to tell anyone because of that."

"It's fine, I understand. Can... I see your wings?"

I stood up shaken and slide the remains of my purple shirt off as my wings unfolded.

He touched them gently and smiled as if he were seeing me in a new light. Which in a way he was.

"You're stunning," he kissed me again and held me close.

"You don't care?" I asked relaxing my white wings.

"I knew you were different from the other girls and now I see why. Is Brady..?"

I nodded, "Yes and so are my siblings. You can't tell anyone okay? if anyone knew, we would have to leave."

"But don't people know about you?"

"Yea but we're still training... it's complicated."

I didn't have the heart to tell him yet that I was risking it by dating him... but I didn't want to overwhelm him.

"Oh, we need to get your arm checked out. It looks pretty bad."

"It'll heal."

"Nel do you see it? It looks bad."

"Okay, let's just head back down for now."

"You need this," he handed me his shirt to wear as I wrapped my arm in my torn shirt and was helped downstairs.

"Penelope?"

I kept walking as Brady ran to catch up.

"What happened?" he asked eyeing Cory.

"I was attacked and Cory saved me."

"Who?'

"Malcolm, Marisol's brother," Cory said and I hid my surprise as Brady stood his ground.

"You better get back to your girlfriend," I muttered as she sauntered over here.

"Hey Cory," she winked, ignoring me completely.

"Tell your brother to not touch my girlfriend ever again," Cory spat out bitterly.

"Girlfriend?" Brady shot out.

"Why would Malcolm want her?" she replied in a devilish tone.

"Hey," Brady shot out defensively.

"Takes one to know one," I said to her as she glared back.

Cory put his hand on my back and led me away from the two.

"Sorry about that,"

"No it's fine. Marisol needs to be put in her place."

Brady stalked after me and yelled, "Penelope! if you walk away,"

Cory turned around, "really dude? She needs to see a doctor right now. Just back off. It's not my fault you weren't there to protect her."

He pushed Cory and I unfurled my wings out in anger.

Everyone gasped as I stood tall and Brady gaped.

"Penelope..."

"Stop Brady, I don't care right now. Just drop it."

"Nel do you know what you're doing!" he grabbed my bad arm as I cried out in pain.

"Stop!"

Brady dropped my arm and stood back when he saw how beat up I truly was.

"Go find Marisol, we're through." I gave Cory an I'm sorry look and shot up into the sky.