Perceive

The Unveiling

About 20 minutes had passed since Tia had told the both of us that I had a gift. We were all just staring at each other like that was going to make a difference.
Suddenly Tia Carla said, " I know you science types. You find it difficult to believe anything unless we put it in your face. 'Tis okay, I get it, it's a matter of raising your children to be aware. This one was too busy surviving everyday, and you were probably immersed in your books. There are things bigger than you. There's a higher purpose to life. Especially the two of you. I know you see yourself as completely ordinary. But be honest, when you were put through your extremes, did you not once wonder as to why or how you were still breathing and alive?"
By the time Tia Carla gave us food for thought, we'd reached the safe house. I didn't have a key to the locks ever. Either me or Gia would pick it. Only we could. We designed the locks just for that purpose. No keys, meant no duplication of anything. And everytime the locks would give in we'd change it. The safe house was always made to look like no one's home. We had taken the most crippled building and turned the inside, into a beautiful living area. But only the inside. The outside looked like falling decrepit. It was the perfect disguise.
This is why when I saw a flashing white light I was not only suspicious, but slightly elated. It could mean that, worse case, someone figured out my code with my best friend, or Gia was home.
I picked all the locks, got everyone in, and slowly crept towards the flashing lights.
Gia was dead to the world asleep on the couch. So she did get inspired by my amazing couch, and bought another couple of them extendable ones.
I love this girl.
"Hey, Gigi, look who I got with me.."
On opening her eyes, Gia took in all the new people. Her eyes zeroed in on Adrian, and then on Tia Carla.
"Tia, erès tu?..."
And she enveloped Tia Carla in her arms. It was  big moment for everyone. Me and Gia because that old lady, was everything to us. And Adrian, because he just found out that his life might have a higher purpose.
The funny thing about Tia Carla, was that she would always gaze never look. She would gaze at me as if she knew something I didn't. And now she gave that same look to Adrian. I'd known the boy for years. I knew very well, that nothing was out of the ordinary with him. Then why was it that every time Tia so much as glanced at him, I'd get a feeling that she knew something about him too.
Tia came out of the kitchen after an hour with Gigi in tow. Me and Adri on the other hand were sitting at the dinner table going through all the footage we had collected.
I noticed how Gia and Adrian both spoke only to me. Never each other. I wanted my two favorite people to try to be civil at least if not get along. But Gia seemed to be high strung. Like something had pulled her back here.
" Gigi, last I checked you were going to India permanently. What happened?"
" Cass...there's something I have to tell you. Don't be mad okay? I spoke to Alex, week ago. He said he knew I was alive and where I was. He told me to come back. Something about being close to I don't remember what exactly. But I thought he'll make you pay for my running away, so I came back ASAP and was about to get in touch. But you were already showing signs of being here. Which brings me to my next questions,
Why do you have Tia Carla with you?
How could you bring an outsider in here?
Do you think my brother's okay? I have a feeling and I know I'm supposed to hate him but the very fact that he didn't kill me on realising I was alive, I think it means he wasn't a complete bastard....
Please don't be mad at me.."
Oh poor Gia...
" Hey,..it's okay...I have to tell you something too, before I answer your questions,and don't be mad at me too.."
I looked at Adrian, and gathered my strength. He nodded at me and I said," Gia, Alex is no more. He killed himself, in front of me. He pleaded with me, to hypnotise him. I think he knew I could control his mind. I'm so sorry. I never meant to kill him".
Gia looked at me for a full 15 minutes, before she burst into tears. Since Gia knew exactly what I could do, she asked," Cass, tell me, what else did you see. I'm pretty sure that he didn't want to die without a reason".
"Gigi, you don't want to hear it, it'll hurt too much. I don't think you can handle-"
"Cass!!! Damnit, woman, talk to me!!"
From the other side of the room, there was almost an animalistic growl, that came out of Adrian, before he said," Enough, can't you see, she's more than exhausted dealing with that psychopath family of yours. You should be grateful, she cared about you so much, she risked everything including herself and her family to keep you safe. She could've gone home blabbed, moved away, hell not save you on the very first day she met you. You ungrateful twat!!!!"
Me and Gia turned to Adrian to let him have it, when tia suddenly stood up and said,"Ustedes dos, cocina ahora!!!"(both of you, kitchen now!!)
We took that to be our cue to take away the dishes, and saw Adrian following us in, when tia turned to him and said," You boy, sit down, and take a deep breath. This is no one's fault. Except that bastard who is Gia's padre. Don't yell till you don't know".
Adrian huffed, but quietly sat down. I walked into the kitchen without so much as glancing at him. He was really pushing me. I know it was out of concern, but throwing it in Gia's face was no way of going about things.
Once we were in the kitchen I decided to do the dishes, and made Gia wipe them down and keep them away. It would keep us both occupied as well as rational.
Tia, saw right through it, and took away the dishes and the soap. She said," Sit at the breakfast bar and talk. No lying."
I turned towards Gia and said," I'm sorry about Alex, really am, but the inside of his head is not something you'd like if I told you. You'll have to live with a certain amount of guilt for the rest of your life. I feel horrid, and he isn't even related to me. You won't survive it Gigi".
"Please, let me have something to remember him by. I didn't have the best relationship with him. But I want to know this. It's mine as much as it's yours".
" Alright then, here it is. He was way more tortured that we thought initially. Not only did he keep his mouth shut about you being alive and on the run, he had those assholes who raped you, killed, and brutally. Even on that day, the hair pulling was only for effect he was wanting to warn me about you, and I put him in a coma, Gia. Your dad wanted me. Never him, or you. It was all me. I don't even know why. Tia keeps reffering to me as a child of magic. I don't know what that is. But there's a vague story I remember in those brainwashing classes that we had....."
" Oh, Alex...lo siento mucho, desearía que me huberias dicho algo. Podríamos huir juntos.( Oh Alex, I'm so sorry, wish you'd have told me something. Could've run away together.)
I got up and hugged Gia. I let her cry on me for a long time. I don't know how much time had passed since we entered the kitchen.
Adrian walked in, and said," I know how to get the asshole. We have to tie him to the murder in your clinic. It'll be tough, but we're going to have to do this. We solve the case, we book him for murder, drug trafficking as well as slave trade. He'll be looking death penalty if I have my way!!!!"