Death in Small Doses

10. New Hope

I stood up with shaking legs and walked out of the room with Marcy.

"Aw, come on honey, it's not that bad."

Speak for yourself.

We walked down the hallway and into what Jax had explained as the Common Room. There was a single bulb in the middle of the square room, but it was still pretty bright. It was a little on the small side with nothing but photos of everyone else covering the bare walls. Blankets and pillows were scattering the room along with six bean bags and a love seat turned to face a single camping chair.

The walls seemed to close in around me as I walked to the camping chair, alone.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on me as I sat down and cleared my throat.

Once I was seated, everyone began to get comfortable. Marcy and Luna were curled under a blanket on the love seat, arguing about how much blanket each person should get.

"We both should get half Marcy!"

Marcy rolled her eyes. "I should get more since you're crushing me."

This playful bickering made me smile. The boys meanwhile gathered most of the pillows and blankets and made a giant, mattress-like clump and all flopped on top of it.

Once everybody was completely settled down, I began my story.

I told them of the stories my parents used to tell about the tunnels that led everywhere under the city. I told them of my parent's death and of my escape. I did not tell them of the girl I kept seeing, or the laughs and invisible hands. I told them that when they found me I had hit my head and had been knocked out.

Luna looked bored like this was no big deal and she had already heard this before while Marcy gave me some understanding looks and Luna glares for stealing the blanket. Maven stared with raw sympathy the whole time. He is so sweet. Lyan would be staring at Luna most of the time and when Marcy and I would catch him he would would looked quickly at the ground and glare. Out of everyone, I was most interested in ?Jax's reaction to the whole story this time, but he only had a blank expression or avoided my gaze altogether.

Why is he doing this?

After I had finished everyone was silent. I was nervous again.

What will they even say?

"Well Elsie that-" Marcy began.

"Evelyn." Both Jax and Maven interrupted protectively. Jax glared Maven's way while Maven just shifted, uncomfortable.

"Evelyn?" Marcy looked at me, confused.

I looked down, sheepish. "Ya, that's my-"

"It's her real name. She wasn't sure she could trust us before because the Black Sien is on her trail." Jax grumbled, moving a little closer my direction.

I can talk too you know!

"Oh." Marcy finished lamely. She stared at me before seemingly recollecting her thoughts. "That seems to explain your position pretty well doesn't it?" She asked, looking around.

Everyone nodded.

"Good now let's get some food, ya?" Marcy grinned and stood up, pushing Luna off of her which resulted in a "Hey!" from Luna.

"Maven and I will get the grill ready while Luna and Lyan get the table ready. Jax and, um, Evelyn right? You guys get the plates from the cupboard." Marcy directed and ordered before heading off.

Just great. I have to spend more time with Jax.

Maven sighed before looking at me longingly and following Lyan, Luna, and Marcy out.

There was just silence. Jax looked towards the ground.

"So..." I started. "Where's the cupboard again?"

"This way." Jax stated before hurrying out of the room.

"Hey! Wait up!" I exclaimed.

What is his deal?

-----

I had to get out of that room with Evelyn. I was going to end up doing or saying something. The worst part of that would be that I wouldn't regret it.

"Hey! Wait up!" I hear her call behind me. I hear footsteps as she catches up.

Oh gosh.

"The plates are up here." I said fast. I sped up a little more.

"Slow down." I heard her grumble. I ignored her.

"Hey what is your deal?" She grabbed my arm and stopped me. When she pulled me back I crashed into her. She put her hands up and I reached to grab the wall but instead we went flying into my room.

Our room I guess.

I was on my back and she was on my chest.

"I-I" She started.

I looked into her eyes and found myself getting lost. She just looked at me blushing.

She's so pretty.

I couldn't help myself. I leaned in and kissed her. She kissed me back before pulling back and standing up quickly. I looked away embarrassed.

I thought I heard her mutter "Choose one emotion and stick to it."

I sighed and stood up.

"Come on, the cupboard is over here."

I walked out of the room and back the way were heading and opening the cupboard door.

Evelyn huffed and followed me out.

I grabbed the paper plates and handed some to Evelyn.

"Let's go give these to Marcy before she kills us." I joke.

I thought I saw Evelyn smile, but then she went back to being indifferent.

This is so awkward I thought as we walked to the dining room.

-----

When Jax and I reached the dining room the food was almost ready and we helped Luna and Lyan set the table before we all sat down to eat.

"We need to make another trip." Marcy muttered while eating.

"Seriously? We just went! Are you sure?" Lyan whined.

"What?" I asked.

Marcy looked at me.

"Every couple weeks or so we have to get supplies from the surface." Luna shrugged.

"How do you do that if you don't have money?" I contorted.

Luna rolled her eyes.

"We all have some late night jobs that pay decently. We use that to buy most of the supplies, the rest we, uh, we-"

"Steal. The rest we steal." Lyan finishes.

I sat there stunned by two things. I could leave. I could try to escape! I have to convince them to let me go to the surface for "supplies" and then I can make a break for it. Also I"m with a bunch of orphaned criminals under the city.

"Hey could I go?" I ask.

"I don't think-" Luna started but Marcy cut her off.

"Of coarse hun."

"Thanks Marcy." I smile.

I will be out of here soon.