Past Curfew

4. Reavealing The Secret

I walk down the street alone. I fell no traces of fear or unease, but can tell someone was watching me. Whoever it was I know won't be a problem.

I can handle myself.

I pass an alleyway and hear someone call out to me from the darkness. "Hey! You!" I stop and look into the black, unable to see anything.

I reach one hand and around and put it on the blade of my sword, ready to use it if I need to.

"Who's there?"

A young boy emerges from the shadows. He looks homeless, dirty skin, torn clothing, unhealthily thin and a long scared face. I see two small fresh scars on his neck, he was recently turned.

"Miss, you are in trouble." he says quietly, his eyes darting around nervously. I scrunch my brow in confusion.

"Why? Whats going on?" I look around quickly, my eyes scanning the area in case of an ambush.

"I heard someone say something about a gang fight."

"Who?" I snap, it coming out as more of a demand than a question.

"Some men from The Fangs." I pause for a moment, trying to suss the boy out. He seems to be telling the truth, but you can never really know someone.

"Why are you telling me this, kid?" He looks at the ground nervously before looking up at me again.

"I just would hope someone would do the same for me."

For a moment I consider taking this kid back with me. Just like Phoenix did for me. I shrug the thought off and nod at him once.

"Thanks." I turn and run back to the others.

•••••••

I knock on the door twice, fidgeting outside of his room. The door clicks open after a long pause, Ryder standing there with his hair and clothing messy. I don't comment on it.

"Ryder. I have news." Without hesitation he responds

"Come in." I step into the room and sit down on the seat. "What is it?" he asks intently.

"I heard a whisper of a fight between us and The Fangs. Did you know about this?" he sighs sits down on the sofa across from me. He leans back, rubbing his brow tiredly.

"Yes. I have for a while now." For a moment I am unsure how to respond.

"Who else knows about this?"

"Phoenix. Only Phoenix." A sudden burst of anger ripples through my core.

"Why didn't you tell me about this? you told him but not me!"

"I trust him."

"So you don't trust me?" I press, leaning forward in my seat.

"You are unpredictable, Octavia." I slam my fist down onto the coffee table between us.

"Goddammit Ryder! Don't you think everyone should know about this? You are organising a fight for fucks sake!" He shakes his head slowly.

"This has been planned for a long time. I am going to tell everyone as soon as they get back from curfew." I shake my head at him and stand up.

"I can't believe you kept this from us."

"You are overreacting." He says calmly.

Why must he be so calm?

Yell at me damn it

I storm out of his room without another word.

•••••••••

As soon as Phoenix steps into the building I approach him.

"I need to speak to you. Now." His face shows confusion but he follows me anyway. We walk in silence until we reach my bedroom, he follows me in shutting the door behind him.

"What's wrong?"

"Why didn't you tell me?" I demand.

"Tell you about what?"

"About the fight, Phoenix." looking deep into his eyes I see realisation for five seconds, he quickly masks it up.

"I don't know what your talking about."

"I talked to Ryder. I know now. I just want to know why you didn't tell me."

"Octavia it's not a big deal." He says calmly. "Ryder just wanted to keep it quiet. Felix did the same."

"Then why were members of The Fangs talking about it on the street?"

"Because they agreed to tell their people today."

"Why are we even fighting? I don't understand."

"Ryder and Felix agreed to it. Believe it or not, they just want what's best for their people. They think this is it." I shake my head slowly.

"No. This is stupid. People are going to die. How is that better for anyone?" He shrugs indifferently.

"It's not up to us, Octavia. They made the choice."

"Don't you see there is a missing part of the puzzle?"

He steps closer to me, holding me comfortingly.

"Look, it'll be okay. Everything will be okay." I wrap my arms around him, holding him close. His touch steadies me.

"I don't want you to get hurt." I mumble into his chest. I care about him more than anything. More than anyone.

"I won't. Don't worry about me." I nod silently, still not convinced.

Deep deep down, I know something's not right.