Inhabited

Chapter 12

"What did you say your name was?" The boy asks as I rip open the granola bar.

It looks as generic as the wrapper shows. But I shove it into my mouth, anyway. I don't want to give them any chance at changing their mind at giving me any food to eat. Especially if in the next five or so minutes this group somehow finds out I did not sit in the economy section at them. I hold back a shiver at the thought of sitting in such a crammed area.

"I didn't." I tell him flatly.

I say nothing. Because I honestly have no idea where these people are from and if they know who I am. God, I hope they don't know who I am. To ensure that, though, I won't tell them my name. Not unless it's called out from someone who does know me, looking for me, or something like that. The way it happens in movies when people are trying to be sneaky and keep their identities a secret but some unknowing person pops up claiming to be in search of them. With the forbidden name on their lips.

My ears prick, listening for that exact thing to happen. But this isn't a movie or a tv show or even a book. Neither of my siblings or Sully runs up behind me to pull me away. They're all too busy, thankfully.

"Well, thanks." I finally say when one of them say another word. "I should – I should go see if I can find my brother."

"Your brother?" The girl pipes up. "You weren't alone then?"

I shake my head. "My brother – was on the plane with me. He could be anywhere, I guess. I haven't seen him."

Their faces twist in sympathy and my stomach curls in anxiety as the lie thickens. Because why not keep twisting this web? Whatever gets them to not know the truth, I guess.

I know well that eventually it will be found out. Then I'll be in trouble. For now, though, survival for the smartest? Or at least, the ones who can lie enough to survive.

"Do you want us to help look?" One of the others ask.

I blink. "Huh? Oh, no. No." I shake my head. "It's okay, I will find him. He's my brother. We always find each other." I smile sloppily and glance around. "You guys stay safe, thanks for the granola."

"Hey – wait, what's your name?" The guy asks again.

I stop before I can turn around, hesitating. "Dawn." I say, unable to think of anything else. Plus, it rhymes with Fawn. It'll be easy to remember that way.

"Well, okay Dawn. Just come back here later, alright? You can hang out with us."

I nod and glance around again, finally spotting two people. Headed my way to, their eyes on me. "I gotta go." I say quickly and slip away, scurrying through the trees before Nate and Maisie can catch up to me.

I just hope they saw which way I went and not stop at the ground to ask questions about my whereabouts. That'll be cover blown right away and I have no desire to explain why I even lied about who I am. Because honestly, I don't even know why I lied to begin with. My therapist is going to have a field day with this one.

"Fawn." Nate's voice behind me turns me to my right and I dip behind a tree. "Fawn, come out."

I shove my pants and underwear down, flinching as my head sears in pain from the movement. I squat. Though, I don't feel the need to use the restroom, I need an excuse to use to why I ran away.

"Fawn." Nate calls out again.

"I'm going to the bathroom." I call out. "Can you leave me alone for five more minutes?"

"Fawn, come on. We need to check your head."

"Bath. Room." I say slowly, biting the words to enunciate them to him. "Go away."

A few twigs snap before Maisie steps around my the tree trunk. I look up at her, cocking an eyebrow, pursing my lips. "See? I'm going to the bathroom."

"Who were those people you were talking to?" She asks.

I shrug. "Beats me. Can you go away? I'm going to the bathroom."

"Pull your pants up." Maisie demands. "You're done."

I huff but stand and yanks my britches up, zipping and buttoning. "Fine."

Maisie reaches out and grips my chin. I yank back and let out a hiss between clenched teeth as the pain flares down my head. Grabbing at it, I stumble back, but hands grip me before I can trip and fall. Red dots flash in front of my eyes and dizziness sprinkles over me and i can feel my body sway a little, but just slightly with the grip that holds me up.

"I'm okay." I breathe, squeezing my eyes shut until I no longer feel so dizzy anymore. "I'm fine."

"You need to be resting." Nate says from behind me. "I'll take her back, Maisie. Go find Sully, he's going to sit with her—"

"I don't need a babysitter." I snap, heat flaring in my cheeks at my sudden anger.

"Not a – dammit, Fawn. He's your boyfriend. He's supposed to be taking care of you. You're hurt, so he needs to take care of you." Nate snaps, his frustration curling in his words.

I cringe at his tone, but let him lead me back to the clearing where everyone is. I feel like a kid being guided back inside from having snuck out. I swear I feel like I'm tucking my tail between my legs at this point. As we reach the entrance of trees, I brace myself for the group to hound me with questions. When we step out, however, they're nowhere to be seen and relief swarms through me. I don't care where they are and don't even try looking for them. I'm just glad to not have to explain myself right now.

Maisie appears again, this time dragging Sully behind her. He stumbles from the tug and pull and how fast my sister is going.

"Here you are." Maisie announces, pushing Sully at me. "Now watch her."

"He isn't my babysitter—"

"Don't start right now, Fawn. I can't keep leaving people to search for you because you can't sit still." Nate points in my face. "You never think before you act. You're going to be watched and that's that. We will get together at dinner, but for now I have to check on these people and I need Maisie to help me. There are a lot of injuries to take into account and I can't be worried you're about to have a damn asthma attack or something else. I need to know that you're safe. Do you understand me?"

Reaching up, I push Nate's finger away from me. "Loud and clear."

Nate turns and Sully's eyes widen as he takes a step back. "Don't make me regret leaving her with you." He warns.

Sully nods vigorously and steps aside when Nate brushes past, Maisie following suit, but not before I catch a glance of an apology thrown in Sully's direction.

I watch until the two get up to a couple and get to work. I doubt Maisie knows what she's doing, but Nate is good at instructing and with as much stress he's currently under that's oozing from him, she's not going to have a choice but to listen and do what he says. Me too. I cross my arms, glowering in my brother's direction.

Now I can't even go pick my camera back up to start snapping some pictures. That's just great.