The Fray

Chapter 7

The heat burned through the glass of my bedroom window; the sun embracing me in its scorching rays. Yet, I remained in a pair of dark jeans and a blue flannel shirt. It was a school day. My phone had twenty-two missed calls and twice as much unopened texts.

I rubbed furiously at my temples. There's just so much- too much- to think about; it's unhealthy and even bordering on detrimental to dismiss such bizarre events. But then again, it feels like I've already been successfully consumed by the whole ordeal so why encourage it any further?

According to Caleb, some people I apparently know are after me. But after last night, is he really a reliable source for such vital information? They're a load of eavesdroppers with an amazing sense of humour and a liking for games...so, yeah Caleb, thanks for narrowing it down for me.

"Okay, listen up. Your mom's favourite vase is smashed." Hon drew in a ragged breath, in full performance mode. "I just walked in, whistling innocently and minding my own business when I saw it. Someone must have tripped and accidentally knocked it down (not me)- someone. But they didn't mean it...so, we'll forgive them." The statement came out more as a question.

I rolled my eyes at his lame attempt at escaping trouble but nodded anyway.

Hon slouched in relief and then dramatically dumped himself into the chair at my desk. He supported his stubbly chin on his fist as to be comfortable while making me extremely un so.

I was fixed in his hawk-like gaze.

"Let's play a game," he suggested, an unexplainable glint in his eyes.

"Yes, because those always end so good for us," I replied dryly.

"I think this one just might," his tone took on a hard edge.

What's he getting at? Even the fact we haven't had a major argument in a while was suspicious. To think I was just starting to tolerate the guy as well.

"Fine."

His silver orbs twinkled at my submission and I found myself strangely transfixed. "It's a game of truth."

That was enough to slap me awake.

I swallowed nervously while he proudly drank in my distress. No way was this an innocent attempt at fun, Hon was after something. Could it be about last night? He'll kill me when he finds out, furiously claim that I'm purposely making his job all the more difficult. I'm a teenage girl, not a freaking lion tamer- the guy got it easy!

"Boring," I tried to dismiss the idea.

"Really? I think it'll be quite-" Hon glowered fiercely, "enlightening." His jaw was clenched tightly, showing his restrained anger.

I struggled to wrap my head around his sudden change of emotion. Being constructed by the gods, it's said that they were given some of their...um, heightened feelings. During one of our numerous fights, he tore my door free from its hinges and said I'd suffer a long, agonising death by splinters if I didn't shut my mouth.

That wasn't even the worst of them!

Noticing my inability to respond, he eased back into his chair; pleased with the effect of his words.

"I ask you a question and you must give me a truthful answer," he paused, almost forgetting, "then vice versa."

I cleared my throat and shifted uncomfortably. "How about scrabble? Monopoly? A good ole game of hide and seek?"

He sent me an impish grin that reeked of malicious intent. "If this game turns out as I expect it to, trust me, you'll get to hide."

Silence rained heavily upon us, the air thick with tension. Warily, my eyes swept the room for possible weapons and exit strategies. A few back flips, karate chops and slow motion defence tactics and I'll be out of here.