Hidden and Silent (SpyxFamily)

Ch. 7: Part Two

Demetrius found a seat along with her mama and Damian, and he was like a streak of reality. An abnormal sight of a resident from her world, being locked into his spot with safety gear by the operator.

How did he do that? How did he operate? How did he so easily do and go where he wanted to go? It felt as if someone she knew had suddenly appeared on television, so effortlessly acting like they were meant to be there.

She might have lingered on it longer if her attention wasn't pulled elsewhere, and as the man moved away from fastening Damian in place, the boy's sights swept up.

His eyes immediately locked onto her, and Anya stilled. They were unflinching and direct as if he saw into her world, as if it was easy. As if he saw her so easily and it was unnerving how his eyes could bore into her despite the perceived distance of magnitudinous proportions.

They stared at each other, and though Anya could've read his mind, she didn't want to. Seeing his gaze unsettled her enough, she had no intention of knowing what was behind it. But she didn't break it, neither did he, and she knew it anyway. He held it strong and she couldn't bring herself to look away. As if she should be careful of his intensity. As if it was a promise that he was going to break into her world. Or drag her into his.

And then she twitched and he smiled.

The machine was flicked on. The ride slowly turned as it gradually rose, picking up speed, and tilted this way and that. The passenger's chatter dissipated to laughter and thrilled screams as it went faster and faster. The whole of it spun one way and the arms holding the seats encapsulating the riders spun the other. It was dizzying just watching.

It went on for several minutes and a couple of people who ate beforehand vomited when they disembarked.

Damian jumped off looking invigorated. It appeared to be a relaxing ride for her mama, and Demetrius didn't appear to feel one way or the other about it. Anya and her papa joined them as they exited the ride and Damian was already looking for the next. "What about that?" Damian pointed to an array of circular booths a ways down. They were connected to a sectioned, moving floor that slanted up and down. It circled the centre as the booths spun and twisted. The group started walking in that direction and Demetrius planted a hand on Damian's head just as was about to bolt.

"If you run off without me and get kidnapped, that's on you." Demetrius said and Damian immediately paused, hesitating, before pulling the hand off.

"I'm not gonna get kidnapped." Damian said, not entirely convinced of that statement, but he wanted to believe it was true.

"You might. Or maybe you'll get lost and we'll never find you again."

"The ride's right there." Damian gestured with a palm. "I'm not going to get lost."

"Maybe not, but do you really want to be on your own if something bad happens?"

Damian gulped nervously and scoffed to cover it up. "You're being ridiculous." He said and sweat-dropped.

"Who knows. Maybe someone will steal you away and sell you off to Westalis."

"Yeah, ri—"

"Or maybe they'll use you for ransom. You are a Desmond."

"That's—"

"Or maybe they'll straight out kill you."

"Cu—

"Maybe someone's getting ready to snipe at you right now."

"Okay! I get it already! Geez!" Damian exclaimed and took hold of his brother's pant leg, peeking up and searching for them.