In The After Life

Chapter 11

I trudge next to Draven who woke me up early this morning. Something about his father returning soon so we left in a hurry. I saw the same people enter my fathers tent all bar Pope.

I pause at the entrance and Draven looks back to see what's keeping me. "I thought you didn't hesitate?" I scold him for the lack of empathy as I know my father is gonna be using his charm on the others whilst I see through him.

"Not hesitating, just recalculating"  he nods as he doesn't give me a chance before shoving me forward into the tent. If it weren't for the the chairs laid out in lines I would've stayed at the back near the closest exit.

My fathers eyes are on me and I dared to meet them. I could see the warning for me to say anything out of line. I dropped his gaze as Draven shortly follows not making it obvious that we came over here together to stop any speculation of his helping hand last night.

My father is a magician. Not the kind of man that can tell what was your card, or make appear roses from his sleeves. No, his magic was truly special, and so mastered I can't think about it without drowning in memories that try to suffocate me.

His power wasn't unique, but a really good one to have: he could bend and sculpture with his words until I was almost believing that I was breathing just because he allowed me to do it although that is what it's like for almost everyone here.

"Why is she here?" Scar nods towards me, a drug dealer who uses his size to intimidate people but he's yet to understand I couldn't care less. I know he's close with Pope from the bitter tone he directs at me.

"Do we have an issue Scar?." My father responds sharply. Every muscle on Scars face tightens, eyes narrowed, chin jutted outward. He reaches up to adjust his hat, placing it at a jaunty angle on the back of his head but says nothing more.

My father clears his throat irritated by the rival drawn by Scar. As my father begins his long winded talk about how today was going to unfold. I found myself thinking of Evelyn.

I'm struggling to decide whether I should mention now that I'm starting to plan how we're getting out this place. Or leave it until it's less of a choice. I can't risk her mentioning us leaving to our father.

"We're down a person do we have a replacement?" Clara speaks with a lot of confidence more than I probably have. I realise I missed out a lot of crucial details but her question immediately has my attention.

"Clara who says you need a replacement?" The footsteps walk painfully slow until they stop next to me. I look up and give a sweet smile to a battered Pope who doesn't look like he can even walk. There's no way he's going.

"Pope says he's fit enough to proceed with this run. I take a man for his word. So there's no need for any concern for the performance from your group" my leg bounces up and down as I feel not only Popes eyes on me but Scars as well. Last thing I need to be doing is adding enemies.

My father continues to talk but by now I'm slowly tuning out. When I'm triggered it is so very hard to have self control. My face won't lift past a bored expression but my mind is a whole different story.

It's all fight or flight and it's so disappointingly primitive but I can't override it unless I cut off how I'm feeling completely. An action that burns a deep dark hole through me.

I think Draven sensed my uneasiness as he nudged my foot. I look at him to see him wink at me. I return my attention to the conversation which has seemed to have ended as everyone is standing and leaving.

I try to get lost in the crowd to escape a one to one with my father. "Vera take a seat" I mentally roll my eyes as I see Draven stop as he obviously didn't hear him.