The Wallflower Effect

Chapter 17: The Usual Suspects.

After yet more episodes of Arrow and snuggling with Eathan, he eventually went home after a lot of coaxing assurances that I would be okay. He only left when I pointed out Gage was next door, and if anything happened I could just scream. This seem to placate him, and I went into a fitful sleep full of nightmares of bloody cheer leading uniforms and shadowy demons. Hence upon waking up, I drove to the cafe, drowsily ordered a caramel macchiato, and met up with the team. Since school was still out, I called Eathan, Gage, Jessica and Derek Coleman to meet me at St. Lawrence's Basilica, a old church that for some reason was important, and brought a lot of tourism for some reason. I didn't get it personally, but then again, I wasn't religious. 

I picked the Basilica because everyone in town knew where it was. Also, it was relatively quiet, so the headache I'd woken up with wouldn't get overly irritated. And, if I was being honest with myself, I felt like this was a war, and I felt like rallying the troops. All the troops. Precisely why I'd asked Detective Coleman to bring Morgan Steel along. I'm sure she wasn't too happy about being used in a pawn in a game I felt responsible for being played. I didn't have to wait too long before everyone came.

It was about eleven thirty, so everyone was probably up and at em' much earlier than I was, not being plagued by gruesome images of mutilated bodies and all. The possible exception being Derek, who was probably accustomed to it.Jessica was the first to arrive. She sported cross-trainers, shorts, and a glossy chocolate colored ponytail. She looked every inch the perky cheerleader she masqueraded as. She sat next to me on the Basilica's steps, flopping her flawless bangs out of her blue eyes.

I knew I was hot, but I still felt inferior to her in my AC/DC shirt, red jeans and converse.

"So, general Shang, we're finally getting down to business?" She ribbed playfully, but I didn't miss the tightness of anxiety on her face despite her passably enthusiastic smile. If I wasn't mistaken, I saw goose flesh on her shaking legs. She was as shaken as me.

"The only thing going down in this empire is Shan Yu, Mulan." I returned, attempting to lighten the mood. By the genuine twitch of her pouty lips, it worked.

We sat in comfortable silence, and aside from the occasional tourist, we were both alone with our thoughts. I couldn't speak for Jessica, but mine were mostly filled with determination. I wanted- no, needed this to end. Watching over my shoulder for an invisible menace who could harm people I cared for at any time was no way to live. This had to stop. No more blood would be shed- especially not Morgan's, no matter how much I disliked her.

My mental resolutions to end this tonight were interrupted by the arrival of the rest of the chinese army. By chinese army I meant Derek, Eathan, Gage, and two officers escorting a frightened looking Morgan. She was make up-less for the first time I'd ever seen, and it didn't look like she'd gotten much sleep either. Death threats would do that to a person I guess. 

"Hi, Morgan." I greeted upon her arrival at the steps. The rest of our party looked quizzically between the two of us, their eyes sizing up the two of us.

"Let's not pretend either of us want to talk, Castro." Morgan bit out, but I sensed more exhaustion than venom in her tone.

"I'm assuming you know why we brought you here, Miss Steel." Derek said in a brusque voice, rolling up the sleeves of his blue dress shirt, drawing attention to his sinewy arms and APD issued badge and glock. 

"Someone wants me dead. Because of her." Morgan stated, and this time I felt some bite from her words. I didn't try and deny it. Even if it wasn't true, I felt responsible for all of this.

"Morgan, that's not fai-" Eathan interrupted in my defense, but I stopped him. I pushed my shoulders back into a more confident posture, looking into Morgan's eyes.