Hidden and Silent (SpyxFamily)

Chapter Fourteen

        Anya fled class as fast as her legs could take her. Damian was determined to have it out and Anya wasn't ready. She didn't know how. Having her family know her secret felt natural, her overwhelming relief that they loved her was like the top layer of cake hiding the one of discomfort beneath. Doused in thick, creamy icing and chock full of sugar to hide the bitter taste. But this . . .this wasn't natural at all.

How did she face him? What did she say to him? Whenever she looked at him all she could think about was that he knew! It was all he could think about! He was constantly wondering if she was reading his mind and he didn't like it. Did Anya have to stop reading his mind? Would Damian rat her out if he found out she didn't? Could she stop reading his mind? It was as natural as breathing to her. She could usually slip out of someone's thoughts if she wanted, but sometimes Damian thought so loud, she couldn't help but hear him.

Anya didn't think he'd sell her out. She was pretty sure. She could never be one hundred percent certain and she had a feeling that this nettle of worry was here to stay.

Anya didn't not trust him. He was handling this way better than she thought possible.

And yet. . .

Anya took a breath in some hallway that wasn't on the way to the next class. Damian shouldn't be coming this way.

What did she do? She couldn't avoid him forever. A proper conversation about this was inevitable, but—

Anya clamped her shaky hands together.

She didn't want to have it. She wished the topic would stay deep underground like it was supposed to and never see the light of day. But of course, Damian had a shovel and he was very persistent.

What did she do about him? On one hand, the sight of him put her on edge. He held her secret and no one outside her family or anyone involved with the lab had before. It was downright terrifying. On the other, he had hugged her and said everything was fine. There wasn't a hint of repulsion, fear, or hate in his words anywhere. He felt sincere and. . .oddly reliable.

Damian was like a canon. It was harmless when empty and became a dangerous weapon when a ball was loaded. It may not be pointed at Anya, but just the fact that it held a deathly projectile made her uneasy. She wanted to stay out of range of that canon.

"Forger!"

Anya jolted, her head shooting up from the floor she'd been staring at, and her baby hairs stood on end. Her head whipped behind her to see Damian approaching from the end of the corridor and her palms grew sweaty. She took an involuntary step back.

Noooo, nonononono. Not yet, not yet not yet! Anya panicked and frantically searched for anything to hide her. She spotted the washroom down the hall. She sprinted for it.

"Wh—Forger!" Damian complained. He sounded annoyed. Anya didn't care.

The corridor was sparse enough to weave easily through the students and packed enough to make it hard for Damian to clearly spot her. "Wh—hey!" Anya ignored the boy she brushed passed a little too closely.

Her heart was fast. Her skin was jumpy. Her feet pounded the floor and the similar, haunting pattern of Damian's speeding after her echoed through the hall. She couldn't deal with him, she couldn't, she couldn't, she couldn't and when she reached the bathroom, she slammed it closed behind her.

Demetrius received her most murderous glare when she saw him after school.

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Author's Note: I apologize for the shortness of this update. The next one will be longer.