Why Should I Tell You Anything? COMPLETED

A New Perspective

Adrien turned to me with a hardened look before tossing a thick black cloak at me. I catch it messily struggling to keep a neutral expression. Adrien yanks on his own cloak before flipping the hood on, shooting me a warning look. "Go on, put it on. We're going outside."

I force my lips to tighten knowing I'm already walking on thin ice. Ever since our previous conversation, Adrien has been rude and short with me. I'm not immune to insults and I'm not exactly afraid of him, at least as much as I was before, though I am trying to remain on their good side. It's polite. Unlike what Adrien is doing.

"Okay," I answer quietly as I slip it on. I wrap it around my shoulders before studying the strange fastening button. I finger at the metal pin for a moment trying to figure it out when Adrien's hand suddenly appear in my face. I nearly jump back but Adrien holds the cloak firmly.

I look up at him nervously, as he is standing a few inches from me, and say nothing for a moment. I hold my breath knowing he would get mad if I started breathing in his face. I remain perfectly still as I watch his nimble fingers fasten the complicated pin. Adrien continues to scowl before meeting my eyes with a condescending look. "It's a simple hook pin, Eve. Even you should be able to understand that."

I simply look away and shrug, saying nothing in return.

He gives me an agitated look before scoffing. He brushes past me before storming out of the bedroom leaving me alone.

The moment he leaves, I take a deep breath of relief. My heart settles at a normal pace allowing me to calm down and remain in the silence for a few minutes. I wrap my arms around myself before glancing nervously back at the door half-expecting him to come storming in here and yell at me to get moving.

Shiloh and Gideon are in the weapons room gathering supplies for their outing. They promised it isn't going to be like last time but I am beginning to have doubts. How could I trust them when the entire time they have been playing me, toying with me, pushing my limits to see just how far I would go. When I would break. On top of that, now I am beginning to suspect Gideon having other emotions than playing with my emotions. Earlier... he sounded almost... jealous.

I shake my head fervently, distracting myself from such shallow thoughts. This is no time to be worrying about romance. I have to stay focused for as long as possible. Though at this point, it feels impossible to continue on without feeling something other than...

Is it wrong to feel like this? What ever this emotion is: fear, distrust, sympathy, or perhaps something more complex? Why do I want to trust Shiloh so badly even after all he has done? Am I just ignoring it? Am I trying to maintain the image I have of him? Is it my fear of losing everything normal that I continue to hold him to this view? As the true victim of this mess? Why is it that I'm more curious about his backstory and feel horrible for him when I don't know what happened in the first place? Why don't I feel like this with Gideon and Adrien?

Is Shiloh the true mastermind behind this? Did he tell Gideon and Adrien to test me the most so he could stand back and watch? Is Shiloh all who I thought him to be? Is he manipulating me as well?

I groan softly, rubbing hard against my eyes as a headache begins to form. Great, now I'm paranoid again. I walk toward the door, bracing myself for whatever lies behind it. I just have to take one step at a time. That's all. Just one more step closer to home. Closer to Mom. Soon I'll return. I hope.

〰✷〰

Gideon's arm is tightly locked around mine as we step out the large oaken door. I breathe in the fresh warm air feeling a sudden relief wash over me. Though the rays of sunlight are pale, the swirling air warms my skin giving me comfort the world outside still exists. My eyes are caught by the tangle of trees and bushes scattered around the large tree which hides their home. I want to call it a treehouse but the image isn't right.