The Black Envelope

Chapter 26: Deceit

Chapter 26: Deceit

Gage awoke in the morning to find Fay blowing on his face. He groaned and peeled open his eyes to see her smiling at him.

“Good morning.” She sang softly, poking him on the nose with her finger.

He grumbled again and peered at her from under his bangs. “What’s got you in such a great mood this morning?”

“I don’t know. I guess I just slept well or something.” Fay rolled out of his reach and stared at him from the opposite side of the bed.

Gage cocked an eyebrow at her and lunged, grabbing her around the waist. She gasped and dissolved into a fit of giggles. She jumped up and fell off the bed and onto the ground. Standing quickly she put her hands on her hips and gave him a mock-pout.

“You knocked me off the bed.”

He smiled. “Sorry.”

She rolled her eyes and sat back down, curling up next to him, fingers tracing down his stomach. He closed his eyes and leaned into her. Fay placed one of her hands on his back and the other in his hair, running her fingers through it. Gage sighed, content to sit there forever, not worrying about anything. But he knew the Unnoticed would eventually track him here. He couldn't let that happen. He would die before any harm came to his parents or Fay.

They were laying like that when Gage's mother walked into the room. Gage looked up as the door opened, sitting up quickly. His mother had been smiling, but now she was not. She huffed and scowled. “Breakfast.” She said shortly, before closing the door.

Fay sighed. “I don’t think she likes me very much.”

“No, she loves you, really.” Gage assured her. “She just needs to get used to it.”

“I take it you’ve never had a girlfriend before?”

Gage snorted. “If you had known me before I was a Messenger then you wouldn’t have asked that.”

“Why? Not the type to have a girlfriend?” Fay smiled and nudged him playfully.

“Nope. I was a total nerd.”

“Really?” Fay leaned back and looked at him. “I don’t see it.”

“Well that’s a relief.” He smiled and kissed her on the nose, standing. “I’m going to get dressed and then head down to breakfast. Care to join me?”

Fay nodded. “I’ll go change.” She left the room with a smile and a small wave.

Gage grinned to himself, marveling at how lucky he was. He quickly changed into a grey t-shirt and a pair of dark wash jeans. Slipping on his shoes he walked out into the hallway and into the bathroom where he brushed his teeth for the first time in a while. Afterwards he ran his tongue over his teeth, marveling at how much better they felt. He met Fay in the hall where they grabbed their bags and headed downstairs.

Both his parents were sitting in the kitchen when they arrived. His father didn’t look surprised when he saw their bags and Gage assumed his mother had told him they would be leaving. He grabbed a muffin from the counter and sat down at the table. Fay followed his lead and sat next to him.

At one point Gage thought he saw something in the backyard and immediately tensed, scanning the tree line. There was nothing there, however, and he sat back in his chair, relieved.

“You’re leaving today?” His father asked, breaking the silence.

Gage nodded. “I have to, I’m sorry. I can’t lead them here. Putting you in danger would kill me. I… I don’t know if I can ever come back.”