Persona

by Amy Lunderman

  Facing his father, he tries to see the resemblance between them that everyone says is there. Personally he doesn’t see it, but apparently, the man’s grey eyes and sandy blonde hair almost matches his own. Liam does notice that his father’s features are a little darker than his, and thinks that maybe they look slightly similar; but then maybe

  Liam doesn’t want to look like his father. Liam makes a move for one of the chairs in the room, but Marshall stops him with a gentle hold on his forearm, causing Liam to freeze in place.

  “Try not to worry so much, son. We will get her back, we just have to be patient.”

  And here Liam thought he was being slick by backing away from the photo, apparently not. Marshall releases his barely there hold, and goes right to his large black leather desk chair and sits down in one swift movement. The man doesn’t slouch or look the tiniest bit of uncomfortable like Liam; he just leans back and gives his son a serious blank expression. Liam wonders how a serious expression could be blank, but his dad is the type of man to pull it off coolly.

  Not waiting to be asked, he marches over and sits in the chair facing the massive desk, but doesn’t do it as slickly as his father. He’s feeling rather impotent all of a sudden, and he remembers why he always chooses to work away from home. His dad is totally cramping his style, and the man hasn’t even done anything yet. Welcome home, he thinks to himself.

  “Why don’t you start from the beginning Li, and tell me again what happened back at Gordon’s.”

  One thing he thinks the two of them actually share is the unmistakable deep twang of their voices; and his father’s is much deeper with age, making him seem demanding. With a sigh, Liam straightens his posture, and tries to not flinch when retelling the tragic tale of boy kisses girl, girl runs after another boy, causing girl to get kidnapped, and then the other boy gets left behind in the attempt to rescue said girl.

  Liam makes it a point to leave out certain details, like his kissing of Moira and the awkward moment when Marty walked in on them. He doesn’t like to think of the look on the other boys face, or worse yet, the look on hers; like she was guilty. No, he doesn’t tell his father this; just the basics

  Just the stuff where they made it in one piece, to Marshall’s longtime friend Gordon’s house, and how they got attacked in the middle of the night. Liam tells him again, that they were betrayed by members of the pack and how they were working with a cult group called the Purists. He tells his father that the group, took Moira for one reason and one reason alone; the reward money.

  Chapter Twenty One

  He forces his voice to remain steady, when he gets to the part in the tale where they get to the warehouse for the rescue. Even more so, when he gets to the party where it’s just him, Marty and Gordon left inside with some of the cult members. They were doing alright in the fight, but there were police sirens getting closer by the second, and Liam knew if they didn’t get out of their fast they would all get caught. Gordon knew this too, and he told Liam to get out of there and get the others to safety. That is all well and good, if it weren’t for the fact that Marty was getting outnumbered fast, so Liam hesitated.

  He leaves out the hesitation part to his father though, and just tells him that Gordon made him leave them behind. This is true in a sense, but not completely enough to make him feel free of guilt. What really happened was that Gordon stayed behind to help Marty, while Liam was to get everyone else in the truck and ready to leave. Gordon and Marty were supposed to meet them, but they didn’t come and the police were almost upon them.

  So Liam made the hard call; he left the men behind and got the rest of them to safety. It sounds good in theory, and if only the others thought good of it, then everything would be alright right about now. But it’s not, and he knows it. Just one more thing to add to the already long list of things Moira despises him for. You’d think a girl would only kiss you if she liked you; not in Liam’s case.

  During the recap, his father remains silent, just like he was the night before when he told him. Liam has to wonder why Marshall even wants to know about these events and not the ones from the weeks before. Surly Moira’s escape from the facility where his father escaped from years ago, should take precedence? Liam doesn’t say this though; no he stays quiet and keeps his suspicious thoughts to himself.

  Unlike the night before, where his father simply nodded and sent him off to bed, this time the man actually ponders over what he was told. It feels like forever before his father even says anything, and it was almost to the point where Liam wanted to scream at the man.

  “I knew it was a matter of time before some of our kind worked with the enemy. People like us undergo the worst treatment, and it’s only natural to try to simulate.”

  Liam has no clue what his father is thinking about, or where he is even coming from. But he’s too angry now to not let his feelings known, especially when it comes to Moira; even if she hates him most of the time.

  “That might be true, but it’s no excuse at the harm it causes for turning over an innocent girl for money.”

  Marshall stays quiet and just stares down Liam, to the point that he wonders if he over stepped the bounds here by speaking up. But then his father blinks, and nods his head in agreement.

  “No it’s no excuse.” His father says oddly quietly, and then clears his throat like it was just an accident.

  “Li, I need you to keep the lines open between you and Charles. I want to know what’s going on with Gordon and the boy getting arrested.”

  Liam grunts in agreement, like he wasn’t already planning that anyway. Of course he’d keep in contact with Charles; he’s their closest ally and besides it’s not like they have a decent landline connection here. Before he even finishes making his non disgruntled sound, Marshall is already going through some files on his desk; clearly dismissing his son without actually doing so.

  Liam is the one to clear his throat now; and it’s only to get his father’s attention. He really hates this’ feeling like a child around this scary man, who isn’t really all that scary in the first place.

  “We are going to get them back right?” He says softly; indicating Gordon and Marty.

  His father looks up from his papers, and has the dignity to not look bothered by the question.

  “Honestly, it’s too soon to tell right now. I would like to get to know Moira while we have to wait though. I’d like to see what all this fuss about her is; your mother had nothing but good things to say about her.”

  Liam’s persona pulses beneath his skin, out of his control as he feels himself blush over his father’s comment. This of course makes the man smirk at him, causing Liam’s persona to push against his skin in an attempt to break free.

  But he’s no pup, and can control it; at least he can when he’s not around Moira. His father’s familiar cinnamon scent laced with herbs fills the room, but he doesn’t let his persona push forward either; Liam uses this to control his own.

  “Now I have to meet the girl that can cause my stotic son, to act like a blushing boy.” His father says with a real genuine smile.

  If it was under different circumstances, Liam might actually be impressed that his father is acting all human. But, as it is, he’s not going to be the one to help his father get to know the girl that not only hates him; but has every right to in the first place. With a grim expression, Liam gets to his feet and doesn’t even bother to look back to his father as he makes his way to the door.

  “You’re on your own with that; I doubt she’ll ever talk to me again.”

  As he opens the door and quickly makes his embarrassing exit; he hears his father sigh. Almost like the man understands where Liam is coming from, but he really doubts that he does. How could he; when Liam doesn’t even know.

  ***

  Wandering the first floor of Marshall’s house with Raven, Moira would be a lot more impressed, if her stomach wasn’t currently growling like a grumpy bear. Because as it turned out, no one beside Raven was waiting for h
er to come out of her room; and breakfast? That just turned out to be a store bought apple danish, which she managed to scarf down in less time it took to find it.

  Not that it really matters, she supposes; her stomach is a rolling mass of nervousness. So it would probably be for her benefit to keep any eating light for now; that will save the embarrassing throw up, she thinks might come up. She hasn’t been this nervous since she first started school earlier this year, and she remembers how that turned out. Moira makes a mental note to herself; keep away from blonde cheerleader types who like to cut lines.

  She and Raven had just left the kitchen, which is at the back of the house to the left, and looks more restaurant style than homey. It does however, have an adjoining dinning room, which compliments the extravagance of the rest of the house. And extravagant it is; she almost feels out of place just walking around in it. Like it’s a museum or something, and she is trespassing. She mentioned this to Raven when the two of them left her room for the kitchen, but the other girl assured her that it was fine. She had been up since the sun came out that morning, and had spied on all the people that came and went.

  Even now, as the two of them pass by the dining room, the entire place has people coming and going. Some look like they could be housekeepers and such, but most seem like the farmer types. Moira wonders what type of place this ranch is. What she got just from arriving the night before, is that it’s a very small farming community within and outside a small town. This makes sense, given all the people everywhere.

  She can still feel the overwhelming feeling she had the night before when she got out of the truck and was confronted by them all. It was almost too much and she had the thought that she needed to flee; she didn’t of course. She has enough problems without running away like a moron from the people that are trying to help her. Then again, it’s not all about her, and she knows it’s pretty messed up that she has to remind herself of that.

  They are passing through the dining room, and Moira can’t help but to think that this place really is a main house. The table in this room is large enough to seat a small community; which apparently is very helpful. She has to force her legs to carry herself right behind Raven as the other girl skips to the exit, leading to a narrow hallway. Just stepping into the small space, she has a memory of the hallway back at Gordon’s, the one where her persona took control. Hesitating just inside it she holds her breath, and can feel the familiar hum of her persona coursing just beneath her skin.

  It doesn’t rush through her or anything thankfully, it’s more teasing, like it’s reminding her that it is still there; as if she could even forget. Sensing her hesitation, Raven turns around and gives her a glum expression; almost like she knows why Moira is hesitant. Maybe she does though.

  Moira wasn’t the only one traumatized back at Gordon’s house, nor was she the only one that was she the only one shot with an arrow. While Moira was shot in the thigh, Raven was shot in the left upper shoulder; saving her no less. The two of them were taken by the cult group, and she figured, even though they didn’t say it; that they planned to use Raven to force her to do what they say before the reward was collected. It had all happened so quickly though, and before she could even hear the full master plan; the cavalry had arrived.

  And like herself, Raven can also heal herself pretty quickly; though not at the same break neck speed as her own. With the light t-shirt the other girl is wearing, Moira can clearly see a pinkish scar brazing her shoulder. She would never ask, but wonders what it’s like to heal something like that so fast and then have it slow down. She had only been hurt bad enough lately and it’s only been after her persona went all super on herself.

  Raven, like Moira, is clearly holding herself together, and not letting her troubles get to her. That is something Moira can not only relate to, but also appreciate. The other girl pulls off calm and collected in a clean shirt and tight borrowed jeans. Her long jade hair is pulled back in a clip, for the first time Moira has ever seen, and her dark eyes stand out more prominently on her light cream colored skin.

  She wishes she could appear that way, calm on the outside and able to hide her inner turmoil. She just knows her jeans and hoody don’t pull it off; not to mention her hair. That is one war she will never be able to concur. It’s only oddly manageable under her persona, and otherwise limp and bland on its own. Not to mention her hazel eyes, that are probably still red rimmed and puffy from all the crying that she couldn’t stop from the time she woke up this morning.

  As if her friend can almost hear what’s going on in her head, she gives Moira a small smile; one that is more timid than the one she got when she first met her earlier that year. The two of them have come such a long way in a short time, and it feels like maybe they are bound together by it all now. That is something at least, even though she wouldn’t wish any of this on her worst enemy; well that’s not entirely true she knows, there are a few she’d pick.

  Then Raven’s grin turns into a full out smile, and she steps right beside her confidently enough, that Moira is wary of her apparent idea. She does let the other girl grab for her arm, and is proud of herself when she doesn’t flinch.

  She gets pulled down the hallway by her friend, and they make it through the haunting path full of things neither of them want to think about. And when they make it to the other side and come across an open veranda type porch that is enclosed from the outside. This side is all floor to ceiling windows with a clear view of the outside that leaves her breathless.

  “It’s amazing isn’t it? Everyone out there has their own specific job; even the kids.” Raven tells her excitedly.

  She is too busy eyeing it all to respond; and just grunts out an agreement. Amazing, doesn’t do this place justice, off of the veranda, is an open yard covered in out of season apple trees. But then this is Montana, and harvesting season could be opposite than back home in New York. She wouldn’t know though, she doesn’t exactly have a green thumb. Behind them is a storage house type garage, which is obviously used for farming tools and vehicles; since a few are currently stationed just outside.

  Beside that is another barn style house, and this one doesn’t have any clues to what it is for, and she wonders what’s inside for a moment before she moves on the next thing. Behind them just past the enclosing fence, that circles the entire property, are widespread woods that go on for miles away from here. It’s a tempting place, and she would just love to break into a run into those woods, and keep going until she couldn’t run anymore. Maybe someday, when all is said and done, she can come back for a run; she has the feeling it’ll never happen though.

  “Moira, I know you don’t really hate him you know.” Raven says, cutting her out of her thoughts. “And I know why.”

  Moira snorts out a laugh and faces the other girl. She can’t stop how her smile shifts into something haunted, and it takes some control to keep her persona from rising. Thinking about ‘him’ is almost as bad as thinking about Marty. As if brought on by the mere mention of ‘him’ she can feel it wanting to rise up though, and it causes her skin to break out in goosebumps.

  “I really do; and you know that. And I have no clue what you mean that you ‘know’ why I wouldn’t.”

  ***

  Raven literally rolls her eyes and turns to face the open back yard. Moira has the uncontrollable urge to grab her friend and shake the lie right out of her. She doesn’t of course, because that would be rude and it would really make her denial case all that believable. Plus, there is the fact that her friend is watching her almost teasingly through a curtain of her long dark hair.

  “The two of you are starker’s for each other; that’s why.”

  Choosing to ignore where this new conversation is going, Moira focuses on what is outside. There are two barns to the right and the left of the wide open yard and behind them are enclosed fields for the animals to be outside.

  On the left is the horse and pig barn, which she can tell just by seeing said animals. It almost reminds
her of New York, all the animals everywhere. The barns on the left are one for the sheep and goats, with another for the cows. Behind those on the left is a vegetable garden, which is very clearly plentiful; she has the thought that the people here might not have to take frequent grocery stops.

  On the right is a large corn field, that is also very plentiful and she has a creped out feeling about ‘He who walks beneath the rows’. She totally blames her half-brother Damon for the Stephen King fetish, the boy would always get a kick out of reading her the scariest stories to get a rise out of her.

  How she wouldn’t give to have him here with her now; but she can’t think about him right now or the rest will come. Instead, she faces Raven and beats the girl before she can continue to badger her about the Liam thing.

  “Yeah, I don’t think so Rave. Clearly you’re the one that is starker’s”

  Raven full out laughs now turning to face her with bright eyes. This makes Moira cross her arms tightly over her chest, if only to keep from strangling her smiling friend, who is shaking her head.

  “Fine, keep lying to yourself. I notice things about people when they think no one is looking, and the two of you shared some heated moments, so don’t pretend you didn’t.”

  Moira has to take moment to glance away and back to the yard, mostly because her instinct is to let her persona rush forward so she can claw Raven’s lying eyes out of her head. There are a series of open pastures and outhouses, as well as the other four houses on either side of the main one. They aren’t as big and don’t take as much space; but are clearly the homes for everyone that lives here.

  On both sides of this house are herb gardens, with vines covering the sides of the house. Those are the ones that are right below her bedroom window, or at least one of them is anyway. There is also a chicken, turkey, and rooster coop just off of the house before the barns.

  It is all so much to take in, that she was in ‘the zone’ and completely missed what Raven was just saying to her. As it is, the other girl practically had to step in front of her and give her a ridiculously mocking glare.