The Risen | ✅

Chapter Seven

I cracked my neck and propped my legs up on Alex's (much to his dismay) as Skye continued to tell the story of our mission to a few interested kids.

"Honestly, I thought we were going to die a couple of times." Skye continued. "Like the time that woman was trapped under some debris in the middle of the stairs!"

The children gasped and I could see the corners of Skye's lips turn upwards. "She couldn't move and we weren't supposed to be seen. But of course, Circe came up with a plan and we got out alright." The kids glanced at me happily and I gave them a close lipped smile.

I wasn't really paying attention to them, anyway. I had thoughts racing through my mind.

And Alex could tell.

He leaned close to me ear and whispered, "Hey, are you alright?"

I looked up at him and raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"You just look...troubled. Is something up?"

Alex was becoming more observant. He noticed the smaller things as well as the larger things. And I was honestly still a bit shocked about it.

Perhaps it was all that time on the run that had made him overly paranoid. Or maybe it was just his protective instincts helping him develop a new skill.

Either way, I was fine with this newer, more perceptive version of him.

I shook my head. "It's nothing. I'm just sleepy." I lied.

He nodded and turned away from me. It was quiet between us for a few moments before Alex spoke up again. "Did you know that woman from the lab, Mira?"

I stiffened up a bit and Alex looked at me with a furrowed brow. "You do, don't you?"

"No," I began, trying to play it off."I don't. She was just as much of a new face to me as she was to you."

"Then how'd she know your name?"

I shrugged. "I don't know, Alex. I can't explain everything."

"The way she looked at you, Circe, shows that you weren't a "new face" to her. She knew you. You knew her. And I can tell."

I remained silent and frowned. I really didn't want anyone to know about my parents. Or my family life before being on the run. Its not that I was embarrassed. In fact, it was the exact opposite. I believe that if I was to open up about my family, that I would never stop and I would envelop myself in an endless loop of sadness and grief until I eventually folded in on myself.

And now that we were in the heat of our mission, I could not let that happen.

I stood up abruptly, stretching for dramatic effect. "I don't want to talk about this, right now Alex." I said, turning around to leave.

Alex stood up as well, following behind me and grabbing my forearms, keeping me from going any further. "Circe, come on! Don't shut me out! I'm here for you, okay? You don't have to hide anything from me!" He was practically pleading now. I could see it in his eyes. "It doesn't have to be like this between us."

"Yes it does, Alex! My secrets are for ME. I do NOT have to spill all of my problems onto you! It's unfair!" I snatched my arm out of his grip. "Just let me be."

Alex's eyes widened a bit and the hurt that shone inside of them was too much for me to bear. I took a few cautious steps away from him before I quickly turned around and briskly walked out of the room, making sure to avoid looking at all of the curious gazes that were upon me.

I closed the door behind me and stood there for a few seconds. Suddenly my lip trembled and I doubled over as tears wracked my body. I was hurting. I was in pain. I couldn't be the strong leader everyone expected me to be. Lately all I'd been doing was hurting those around me. I thought I was fighting a villain by standing up to Dorian, but, if anything, I was becoming my own villain in the process.

I had to apologize, I thought, turning towards the door and reaching out for the knob. I stopped last minute. Not now. I could show my face right now. Later.

I took a deep breath and wiped away my tears as I stalked off to my room. Rest wouldn't magically cure my problems, but it sure would help.

_ _ _ _

'It didn't help', I realized as I tossed and turned in my bed. I'd been awake ever since I'd arrived, and that was hours ago. I sighed and crossed my arms over my chest as I stared up at the bland white ceiling.

This was honestly torture. I tossed my covers off of my body and crept out of bed. Tossing a hoodie over my tee-shirt I slowly and quietly opened the door to my room. After making sure the halls were clear, I slowly made my way down the hall.

It was past curfew, meaning that the halls were barren. I stuffed my hands in my pocket and found myself slowly stopping at Alex's door.

'Should I knock?' I thought.

My fingers twitched and I blinked. 'No, He's probably asleep.'

I sighed and brushed my hair behind my ear before turning and continuing to walk down the halls. Besides, he's probably pissed at me, anyway.

Finally, I made it to the door I was looking for: Evanora's. I gently knocked on the door, making sure that it was loud enough for her to hear, but not loud enough to wake up the entire hall.

I heard stirring inside and before I knew it, the door opened to reveal a tired Evanora. Her golden eyes widened once they saw me however. "Circe," She began.

I held up a finger to shush her and she stepped aside to let me in.

"What's wrong?" She asked as she quietly shut the door. "Is it the thing that went down with Alex in the commons room? Because I saw that. I'm really sorry by the way. Alex can just be really, really protective, sometimes. He thinks that he has to help everyone out, you know? Like he owes them. You just can't take things like that personally."

"I know, Evie. It's not about that though. I mean, it kind of is, but that's not the main reason I came over." I sat down on her bed and she sat down beside me. I looked over to where Grace was sleeping soundly on her bed. I smiled softly.

'If only' I thought.

"Okay, then what's up?"

Evanora snapped me out ofmy thoughts and I turned to her. "I want to sneak out and go to my old house."I blurted out.