Borderlines

Chapter Twenty-One

Fawn sat quietly in the plane as it touched down in the Indianapolis airport. Garrett's funeral was going to be public, for all of Section 2 to see. Fawn could feel her nerves creeping on end, knowing after the funeral she would have to give a public speech to Section 2. As the plane passengers began deboarding, Fawn looked at everyone that had come with her. Willow was there, she had stayed curled up in a seat by herself most of the flight. Fawn's chest tightened. She feared Willow was going to have a breakdown soon and it wasn't going to be pretty. Sean was also there. Fawn didn't know whether he and Garrett were close or whether he was just making an appearance for the camera crew. A warm hand squeezed Fawn's, Garth of course, was there. His shoulder had been her pillow for most of the flight to Indianapolis, which neither of them seemed to mind. Guards swarmed them as they went into the airport terminal. Clay had demanded guards be around them at all times. He couldn't have Overseers dropping like flies. Of course, Fawn still didn't trust anything about him, not since she knew the truth. Hurrying to a small room, Fawn carried her bag with her. She didn't know she would be wearing black again so soon, but the fabric swished around her ankles as she pulled it on. Her hair was in a simple braid, since Violet hadn't traveled with Fawn. When she had finished changing, Fawn joined the group again. Garth wrapped her hand in his warm one, leaning close to her ear.
"Black is not a good color for you," He whispered. Fawn sighed.
"So I've been told." She responded. All of the overseers piled into a black limo. Fawn sat in-between Willow and Garth. She used her free hand to grab Willow's. Willow didn't say anything, but squeezed Fawn's fingers in response. It wasn't a long ride out to the graveyard, it had been set aside for all the Section 2 Overseers when they died. Seven male and female overseers had ruled before Fawn and Garrett, but most of them were still alive, living contently with their families. Once your job as an overseer was done, you went back to normal life. Almost like you were erased from history. They pulled into the graveyard, it's pathway paved instead of gravel, only the best for overseers. Fawn felt her stomach turn as she saw the camera crews scattered around the area. She had known they would be here, but the sight of them made everything seem so real. The engine's humming was cut short when the car was turned off. Fawn's breath quivered as she looked out the limo windows. She felt Garth squeeze her fingers, she looked at his dark eyes. He gave her a small smile.
"You can do this."

~

Fawn did it. Keeping her head high and her shoulders tight she had made it through the funeral without error. Cameras trained on her more then normal and she knew she couldn't show any weakness. Now she had to make a speech to the public, to assure them everything was okay. That was a lie of course. Anyone in the crowd today could have played a hand in Garrett's death. Fawn glanced at her guards, hoping they wouldn't unsettle the crowd. Fawn was escorted to a platform that rose above the ground. As she walked, she counted.
One...you can do this...Two...breath...Three...lie to them. Fawn swallowed as the microphone loomed in front of her eyes, beyond it, a crowd of staring people. Her people. Closing her eyes briefly, Fawn let out a breath. Her eyes flashed open.
"My people," She started, "Garrett's death has been a shock to all of us. No words can express the pain I feel at his loss. He was a great overseer and an even greater friend. I cannot imagine what it will be like to serve the country without him by me side. Even in this pain, we will be persevere. Whoever did this to our dear friend, will never have the satisfaction of it destroying us. We have been through worse and this will be no different!" Fawn's voice rose as it gained strength.
"We are Section 2 and we will prevail!" She smiled while everyone around her burst into applause and cheers. Hope fluttered in her chest. Maybe all of this was possible, maybe it could work. Out of the corner of her eye, Fawn saw Garth nodding with a smile. Fawn flashed one more smile to her people and waved, walking off the stage. Guards greeted her and led her back to her vehicle. Garth slid in beside her while their driver started the car. It was the same car that her Reginald had been shot in. It had been thoroughly scoured so that no trace of blood had been left behind. The car still smelled faintly of bleach. Willow had left after the funeral and so had Sean, Fawn and Garth were the only two left. They were going to spend the night in 2 and head to Section 5 tomorrow. Fawn let out a long breath, putting her head against the back of her seat and closing her eyes. A warm hand enclosed hers. She gave a small smile to Garth, looking over at him. He had barely left her side at all today. Scooting over to him, she laid her head on his shoulder and he rubbed his thumb across her shoulder. It didn't take long for them to reach the house for the overseers of Section 2. It was only a little ways outside of Indianapolis. The house was two stories, but not huge. The second story had three bedrooms. One for each overseer and a guest room. Downstairs was kitchen, dining room, and social room. Fawn relaxed a little at the sight of her home, not realizing how much she had missed it. The driver stopped and Garth got out, quickly rushing to Fawn's side of the car to help her out. Thanking her driver, Fawn walked toward the house, Garth behind her. There was never an inch of space between where their palms touched. A servant opened the door, just as Fawn's foot touched the porch.
"Good to have you home miss." The kind manservant bowed. Fawn smiled at him.
"Good to be home." She said, stepping through the doorway. A few servants mingled here and there, but other then that the house was mostly empty. She watched as Garth took everything in, an admiring sparkle in his eye. The house was simple, but beautiful in its own way.
"I like it." Garth said, with a smile. Fawn was glad he did, even though this was not her permanent home.
"Food's ready, if you're both hungry!" A servant shouted from the dining room. Fawn glanced at Garth.
"You hungry?"
"Starving." Garth answered. Fawn laughed and pulled him into the dining room. Two bowls of soup and some garlic bread sat on the table. It wasn't just any soup though, it was homemade chicken noodle soup, Fawn's favorite. Fawn's heart warmed, at her servants nice gesture. She lowered herself into the brown wooden chair, Garth sitting beside her. No one said much during the meal and Fawn was feeling weary as time rolled on. She glanced out the giant window in the dining room and was hit with a thought.
"The sunsets are beautiful here, we could watch it if you want." She suggested, feeling a little childish. Garth put down his spoon with a nod.
"That would be nice." He answered. Fawn looked at her clothes. She was still in the black dress from the funeral.
"I'm going to change into something more comfortable first. If you don't mind of course." Garth laughed.
"Of course I don't mind, Fawn." Fawn quickly left the kitchen and walked up the stairs carefully. She looked down at her feet and let out a small giggle. Wood looked much different than marble. Once upstairs, she went down the small hall and opened her door. Everything was as she last left it. There was a small bed, dresser, and bathroom occupying her room. Closing her door quickly, she pawed through her dresser, looking for something comfortable yet decent. A grey pair of sweatpants and an oversized long sleeve shirt where eventually her choices. Fawn looked in the mirror, suddenly conscious of how she looked. She hastily took the pins out of her hair, letting it flow in dark wavy locks over her shoulders. Happily, she kicked off the dreary black shoes she wore and walked back downstairs barefoot. She could see Garth standing outside on the porch. He had changed his clothes too, wearing sweatpants and an old white shirt. Fawn stepped out onto the deck. The orange glow of the setting sun bathing her face in warmth. She heard Garth laugh. Turning her head, she found him staring at her.
"What?" She asked quietly, ducking her head in embarrassment. He walked over to her, his hands touched the sides of her waist as he looked at her.
"How did ever get so lucky?" He asked. Fawn cheeks flushed a deep red. He kissed her forehead tenderly.
"You are so beautiful." He leaned back.
"You rarely wear your hair down. I like it." Fawn felt like she was going to burst from embarrassment.
"Really?" She asked. Garth leaned forward, his lips brushing the side of Fawn's jaw. Fawn's blood rushed through her veins at the touch.
"Mmm hmm." He said faintly. Fawn smiled and kissed him, wrapping an arm around his neck. She felt his grip tighten around her, his thumb running over the skin hidden under her shirt. His touch felt like it warmed her body all the way down to her bones. Fawn broke away from his kiss.
"What about the sunset?" She smirked.
"Screw sunsets." Garth whispered, kissing her jawline. Fawn's pulse raced, but she refused to give in right now, not when her servants were watching just inside the house. Garth stopped, not pushing her. Fawn grabbed his hand and led him over to a small porch swing that could hold two people. She sat down, pulling Garth down with her. Once he sat down, Fawn curled her feet up beneath her and leaned against his chest. Garth put his head against hers. They sat in silence for awhile before Garth sat up.
"Can I ask you something?" Fawn sat up and looked at him, wondering what he wanted to know.
"Yes, of course." Garth swallowed.
"You never mentioned your parents...I was just wondering what your relationship is with them." Fawn exhaled slowly. She knew that question was bound to come up sometime. Her words came slowly, but they were strong.
"My parents never wanted me to go into politics. They despised it with a hate I had never seen before. No matter what I said they were firmly set against anything in politics, even if it was what I wanted. When I became overseer...they...they disowned me. They told me never to come home again. I haven't seen them since." Fawn didn't shed a tear as she spoke. Maybe the first few times she had, but now it was routine and she knew she had made the right choice. Garth shifted.
"Wow Fawn, that's horrible." He said, his voice laced with sympathy and something else. Anger. Fawn shrugged, feeling indifferent.
"What about your parents?" She asked. Garth smiled and Fawn could see the happiness dance through his eyes.
"You will meet them tomorrow." He said eagerly. Fawn shifted her weight.
"Do you think they will like me?" She asked nervously. Garth rubbed her shoulder.
"Oh Fawn, they will love you!" He smiled, which helped settle Fawn's nerves.
"My parents were always on me to find someone else after...Eva left." Fawn heard the tightness in his voice. She looked at him.
"Did they like her too?" Garth nodded his head slowly.
"Yes, they liked her a lot." Fawn put her head back on his shoulder.
"She really messed things up, didn't she?" Garth chuckled sadly.
"You have no idea..." He kissed the top of her hair.
"But I didn't come here to talk about Eva. I came here for you." He whispered softly. Fawn smiled, a warm feeling spreading through her bones as the night air began to chill. She snuggled closer to Garth's body, molding herself into his form. Garth held her closely, pulling her to his body. The last of the sun began to disappear and Fawn wanted nothing more than to sit with Garth like this forever.