Buzz

Who Are You Hiding From?

Will POV

The inside of the house was bland to say the least. The walls were a dirty beige colour and the wooden floors creaked with every step. There were paintings of the previous occupants still adorning the dusty walls.

The place smelt of sweat - which was no surprise. Walking through the hallway we came to a stop by a relatively open planned house.

What was once the living room became - what appeared to be - the command center. Maps pinned on the walls, soldiers scrutinizing the massive one covering the dining table. There were walkie-talkies everywhere and used candles placed on almost any surface. The men and woman looked tired but... extremely determined. I couldn't help the bubble of respect that grew in my chest.

"This way", that infuriating guard told me. I didn't pay him any attention as he showed me to a door on the right of the house. Instinctively I looked back and saw the stairs that led to the second story of the house.

Does she live here?

The guard knocked on the door and her firm voice answered, "Come in."

The guard opened the door for me and I scowled at him. He just gets on my nerves. I grabbed Logan - who was gawking slightly at the setup of the house - by the hand and we walked into the room. The guard tensed slightly - but his sunglasses, scarf and beanie made it impossible to read him. I just hope I upset him. I want to upset him.

Why would he hit Logan? That was irrational and irrationality irritated me. That's how I survived by myself, using my head and not my heart. Using your heart just got you hurt.

Maybe he hit Logan because the guard saw him as useless or as baggage. I couldn't keep the scowl that was sketched onto my face. I had to calm myself down. We are facing Valarie. I can't show any emotion. She'll use it to her advantage.

"How did you sleep", she asked disinterested. The question was aimed at me and I was getting very irritated that people were overlooking Logan.

"Fine", I said coldly, "What about you Logan, how did you sleep?"

"Oh I slept well, thank you", he gave my hand a firm squeeze. I had forgotten that I was still holding his hand. I didn't want to make him uncomfortable so I slid my smaller one out of his larger one.

Why are my cheeks feeling so warm? Am I sick?

I returned my attention back to Valarie who was staring at us with barely a hint of acknowledgement. Her eyes wandered to the strange guard, "Why are you wearing that?" She snapped at him.

"T-to show my shame, Sir", his voice faltered, making me think he was disguising it as well. But it could have just been muffled by his scarf.

"Just get out", she said harshly.

The guard didn't hesitate to leave. But I could have sworn he spared one glance at me before he left. However, I hadn't slept. So it's very likely that I was seeing things.

"I called you here-"

"Us", I cut her off, "you called us here."

Her lip curled in distaste - she was irritated. Good. So was I.

"Watch yourself Will", she spat my name, "I only tolerate your insolence because you could yet be useful. If your insolence quickly outweighs your usefulness, I will kill you."

The room was enveloped in an icy silence for sometime. Her staring me down and me staring her down. Our expressions must have been identical.

Logan cleared his throat and both pairs of eyes snapped to him, "You called us here because..." He left the sentence hanging.