Animal

In Love

Agnes's marriage party is in full swing when I get to the square. The old white paper lanterns that are always brought out during a party are hanging between the building and music is blaring from someone's ancient speakers. My ears ache because of it, but its all good.

In the center of it all is Agnes. She's dressed in a pale pink dress and is dancing with a heavy-set man wearing glasses. I linger back, in the darkness between the church and post-office, not wanting anyone to see me yet. I watch the town celebrate, laughing and dancing. I feel myself smiling, everyone had come together for this. I realize had had taken it for granted, the love and care between the people in this town. As I watch them, smile and laugh with one another ten different clans together and getting along, I decide its a rare, precious jewel worth protecting.

My smile fades. I also realize I don't belong here anymore.

The people here are good and pure, they've never hurt anyone.

Okay... I force a smile onto my face and wait until another song starts to play before I step out of the shadows.

"Hey Scrappy!" Someone yells drawing attention to me. I keep my smile in place and nod at everyone throwing greetings at me. I approach Agnes, who has her arms crossed but she's grinning at me.

"I heard you were back." She greets. "Ran off and locked yourself in a room with Leaf before coming to see your oldest and bestest friend, huh? Its all good, girl, I understand. But I also see you're empty handed, which I simply cannot comprehend." Her smile widens.

My smile turns a little more genuine. I pluck the 'sun' glasses which were still clinging to Oliver's shirt off and hand them too her. "Its not robin's egg shell blue, but their probably expensive and... they're sort of important too me. Congratulations, Agnes." I glance at her... I guess husband and smile. "I wish you both happy lives and strong children." I say.

She pulls me into a brief hug, surprising me. She pulls away and yanks the 'sun' glasses. I snort in amusement. She places them over her eyes. "How do I look?" She asks loudly. Everyone claps and yell out compliments, with a few teases mixed in. Her husband kisses her before she can say anything else.

Another song begins to play, one which gets the town shouting and dancing. I start to back away, Agnes turns to me one more time, "don't disappear on us now, Scrappy, my brother has a tournament next week and he's been begging for advice, you're the best one to give it to him." She calls out, arms wrapped around her husband's neck. I nod numbly, force a smile, and turn on my heels, exchanging words with anyone who speaks to me as I make my get away. I make a move to leave and almost bump into momma.

"Amelia..."

I smile. "Hey, momma," I look her up and down, taking note of the fact that she's wearing a new yellow dress, it goes beautifully with her skin tone. "You look really pretty in that dress. I wear a whole bunch of pretty dresses, you would love them." I say quickly, avoiding her eyes, "maybe I can get a couple sent to you?"

"Amelia-"

"Car!"

Like de ja vu a lone car speeds down the lonely road leading into town, headlights on bright. It pulls around Oliver's car and curves around the fountain. Like more de ja vu the crowd parts and the music cuts off.

I swallow hard.

Mr. Anderson himself steps out of the car. In the dim lantern light, his white suit seems yellow. He stares at me from across the distance between us, his face blank. "Miss Armstrong," his voice carries, but isn't at all loud. He steps aside and motions towards the car.

I turn and quickly hug momma. "I'm so sorry," I whisper before I pull away and move towards the car, siding stepping her hand reaching for me.

Mr. Anderson watches me like a hawk as I move towards him. When I get to the car he grabs me by my shirt and slams me against the side of it. I allow it, though I had seen it coming. The town erupts behind us but he pulls his gun, without taking his pitch black eyes off me, and points it at the closest person. They all freeze.

He leans close to me, lips beside my ear. "What's stopping me from killing every single little speck in this shitty place?" he whispers into my ear.

A manic laugh spreads through my chest and climbs out of my mouth. I'm not even sure why I'm laughing, but I am. "Absolutely nothing," I say, "nothing at all, sir." I giggle feeling completely mad.

He snarls at me and pulls away. "Get into the car."

I do as told and duck into the car once I'm let go. He ducks in after me, slamming the door shut. He dusts imaginary dust off his suit.

"What did you tell your lovely little town, Scrappy?" He asks as the car pulls forward. I scoot to the other side of the car and press myself into the door, not wanting to be anywhere near the man.

"Nothing, sir." I say honestly. "If you're worried about them not wanting to send any more Fighters over... I hate to say you're little show back there might be the reason they don't."

He snorts. "You better hope not... because then, they lose their use to us."

I grit my jaw.