The Time of the Hidden

Just One Kiss

I lay staring at the ceiling of my new room. Yesterday was exhausting dealing with Theo and Skyler, but even given how tired I was last night, not much sleep was acquired. This new bed was one more comfortable than I had slept on in years, so foreign to the point it almost felt uncomfortable. Every time my body seemed to give in and relax, I tensed up again. It was dangerous to be too comfortable, especially in an unfamiliar place. The best thing I could do was become familiar.

Sitting up I looked at the window, it was nearly sunrise. I was tired and sore, but I needed to move. Getting up for the day, I reassessed my situation. Judging from my dealings with Theo and Sky, I thought that I could trust them. But Mariah, I still needed to examine.

The conversation I had with her yesterday came into mind, what she said about my father... This triggered memories that I wanted out of my head. I splashed water in my face at the wash stand. When I looked up into the mirror, I could spot his face in mine. It had been a while since I looked in a mirror, the refection took me by surprise. It stung to see his face in mine of all places. I turned away, and walked out of the room.

I closed the door and looked down the hall towards Skyler's room. She seemed cool. The idea of taking a morning run came into mind, something to get my adrenaline pumping. When I turned to go, a noise caught my attention. I looked back over to see something unexpected, yet completely expected.

Theo quietly closed Skyler's door, boots in one hand, shirt untucked, hair in disarray, and a smile still lingering on his lips.

"Well, well, well," Theo's head jerked at the sound of my voice. "This is a surprise." Theo replied to my grin with narrowed eyes, and I continued speaking. "Theo, you look tired. Didn't get much sleep last night, did ya?"

"Shut up, Flynn. It's not what you think."

"Not what I think? What, did you two do something last night that goes beyond my imagination?"

He raised an eyebrow, "Really?"

I shrugged, "Hey, the mind goes, where the mind goes."

Theo opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again when his eyes looked behind me. I turned around to see Mariah who seemed to be passing by. She stopped when she spotted us, and walked over.

"Theo," her eyebrows creased after she looked him head to toe.

"Umm... I was just training," he lied and put his hand on my shoulder, "And came up here to talk to Flynn."

I laughed, "What you been training for? A-" His thumb pressed down harshly on my shoulder, cutting off my words. Mariah gave us a questioning look, then turned her attention back on Theo. "You've been training? It's barley sun rise, I thought you were going to take it easy and rest today?"

"I thought you wanted us to train harder to prepare for the next mission?"

"After rest. You're no good at half strength. No training today till at least twelve."

"How about ten?"

"Eleven, now go rest. Oh, and while I have you here, tomorrow morning we'll discus the plan for the next mission." With that, Mariah left.

I shook my head, and clicked my tongue, "Don't you know lying's a sin?"

"And don't you know my hand's still on your shoulder?" He suddenly pressed down harder than before. With a smirk he walked off.

"Good luck on your 'training', by the way!" I called to his back.

"Will do." He laughed.

***