The Truth

Chapter 21

-Jack-

We reached Baltimore around six the next afternoon. By the end of the day, I've listed every other possible way we could have reached our destination besides walking.

"...or hitchicked, or stolen a car, or a taxi, or.."

"Shut up!" Blake turns around and slaps me across the face. I bite back a smile, pleased that I got under his skin.

"Blake!" Cindy yells and grabs his arm, yanking him back. He scowls and reaches up as though to strike her. She gasps and I get in between them.

"I'll stop, I'll stop, okay? We got here, that's all that matters." I say hastily. He takes a deep breath.

"I'm sorry Cindy. I was never going to hit you." he looks around me and I move out of the way. To my surprise and disgust, she hugs him.

"Do you know how you could make it up to me?" she asks with an innocent smile. He laughs and kisses her forehead.

"What is that, my dear?"

"I want to shop." She points to a small outlet mall a few yards away. He laughs.

"I think that sounds like fun." he says and she almost jumps with joy.

"Um, I thought we barely had enough money to eat." I point out. He turns on me and to my embarrasement, I flinch. "Nevermind, let's go shopping."

Blake made me stand outside, but I don't mind. I watch the sunset and kids running around, chasing each other to their cars. Most of the stores are still open, but families are beginning to head home. Before I know it, I find myself playing my old childhood game, WTS.

I find a young man, probably in his mid-twenties, walking briskly down the sidewalk. He holds a briefcase and checks his watch repeatedly.

"He's a spy on the run. He just got a call from his boss five minutes ago telling him to high-tail it out of this place. He's on his way to catch the last flight out of Baltimore to Los Angeles, where he's going to create a whole new identity and live a whole new life." I say out loud. I hear a soft laugh behind me. I whirl around, embarrassed that I was heard.

"That's much more interesting then my story." Cindy says. I bite my lip to hide my shame.

"And what was your story?" I ask, leaning against the wall with my arms crossed. She looks at the man as he gets into a black sports car and speeds off.

"I think it's his wife's birthday, and he just realized he forgot to buy her something. He's probably headed to the store so that he can pick something up on time." she smiles and shrugs, but I nod thoughtfully.

"That's much more reasonable then my idea." I point out and she laughs again. My heart speeds up and my mind goes blank for a second.

"I bought you something." she says, and takes out a very expensive-looking black leather jacket. "I figured you've never had anything nice before, and I thought you could use it on colder days." she hands it to me and I take it.

"Thank you so much." I say, and her eyes widen as I put it on.

"What? Is it too big?" I ask, feeling self-conscious.

"No! You look...amazing." she breathes and I blush.

"Oh um, thank you?" It comes out as a question and we stand there in awkward silence.

"Jack, listen..." Whatever she starts to say is interrupted by Blake walking up to us, at least a dozen shopping bags in his hand.

"Take them." he shoves them at me, and then he takes Cindy's bags too and shoves those at me.

"We'd better get going. I called the nearest hotel and they said they have an opening. We need to be well rested for tomorrow." We stand in silence, letting that sink in. For the first time since the diner, I think about the letter from the Seer and what she had said about my time with my parents not being over yet. I feel a shiver of fear run through me as I think about what lies ahead tomorrow.

"Let me take some of those bags, Jack." Cindy offers.

"He can handle it." Blake protests.

"That isn't for you to decide." I snap. They both look at me in surprise but I'm finally fed up with Blake. "You might be in charge, but you don't own me. I do what I want, when I want. That's the way it's always been and that's the way it will always be. I'm not going to let some stupid, stuck-up, bitchy wizard come and order me around. Take your f***ing bags yourself, you worthless piece of shit." I shove them at him and he throws them on the ground.

"Guys, stop, please." Cindy steps in between us but Blake shoves her back against the wall.

"Don't touch her!" I yell.

"She's my girlfriend, I can do whatever I want to her." he growls. Cindy gasps.

"Excuse me? No you can't!" she says, and grabs his arm so that he's forced to look at her. He slaps her hard across the face. That's when I completely lose it.