Page 96 of The Order

“I've been trying to say something for hours-”Fallan’s voice starts.

“They’re coming your way, Fallan. Whatever you do, keep yourself safe,”I yell, not giving him the chance to continue.

My want to be near Xavier dies when I hear his voice. My rational thinking returns, resulting in my need to be near the raven-haired man.

“Do not come here. Whatever you do, Forest, you have to stay there,”Fallan says. Silence fills my mind shortly after.

Like a mask being lifted, I suddenly feel more aware, forcing up the defensive line in my mind as the haze of hormones passes. I look at Xavier, watching him glance at his phone screen. His eyes dart to me. His cheeks are still flush from our interaction.

“We could find a way away from all of this,” I start, feeling my words spill out of me, my voice not sounding like mine. I glance in the mirror, feeling my stomach drop at the sight of her silver hair as she speaks for me. “But I need you to do one thing,” I say, feeling my hand rise as I hold up a finger.

“I’ll do what I can,” he says, grabbing my hand and letting his lips land on its surface.

“Whatever you do,” I whisper. “Keep Fallan and Hunter safe, no matter what it takes.”

Maybe she and I can agree on something.

I now see how many people have decided to crowd the small area of my living room, leaving little to no space for Xavier and me once we finally decide to leave my room. I had let him guide me down the hallway, taking his hand within my own, only letting my grasp fall once eyes began shifting in our direction. Max sits on our couch, speaking to Kai in whispers. My mother sits perched on the ledge of our window, watching the world outside, looking paler than usual. I avoid her gaze once she takes notice of our presence, unsure how to look at her after what I had seen in my stolen memories. My father and Adam are gone, and the pit in my stomach grows.

“Where is Dad?” I question Kai, looking away from my mother completely.

“He had some work in the Unfortunate sector,” my mother answers for him. “Work I think you are supposed to tend to,” she pushes, looking over Xavier sternly.

He gives her a nod, hesitantly moving away from me. Unlike his usual light-hearted demeanor, he has a cold expression, barely acknowledging my brother or Max as he progresses toward the front door. No words are exchanged between my mother and him as he passes, leaving us in complete silence once he closes the door behind him. Max tries to break the tension, pulling himself over the side of the couch to stand in front of me.

“Adam offered me a position under him after this school year,” Max says, smiling ear to ear.

My eyes snap to my mom, watching the despair wash over her face. She knows what they will turn him into. The boy she has watched grow for years. “It's why I was over here in the first place.”

"What a waste of time,” I snap, reaching into my mind. Repeatedly, I call out to Fallan.

“Forest, that's not-”

“I don't want to hear it from you,” I snarl, watching my mother’s mouth close. I take a step back, feeling the disgust swirl inside my chest. It isn't me speaking now, it's that thing.

The other side of me.

“It's an honor to be offered a role like this so young,” Max begins, doing his best to follow along with me as I turn away. He grabs my shirt, stopping me from taking another step. “Just because you've decided to be cold to everyone recently doesn't mean you get to stand here and ridicule me and your mother.” His body moves in front of me, acting as a barricade for me and refusing to let me avoid this conversation.

I grasp his wrist, feeling his blood pulsing beneath my palm. He closes his mouth, wincing as I squeeze as tight as I can.

“Get the fuck out of my way, Max, before I make you,” I say, hearing its tone linger in my own.

He shakes his head in confusion, glancing at my mother. She watches the spectacle with a hand covering her mouth, unable to understand what’s happening to the daughter in front of her. Kai is on his feet, looking more upset with Max than he does me.

“Let her go, Max,” my mother whispers. “I think she is better off spending some alone time with herself today to reflect on her actions,” my mom finishes, glancing at her watch, discovering it’s well past her allotted lunch hour.

I let go of his wrist, watching him step aside.

“There's a certain irony in you thinking I’m the only one in this house who needs reflection,” I mutter, brushing another thin strand of gray hair behind my ear.

“What is that supposed to mean?” my mother questions.

“There isn't a mirror big enough for the reflection this family needs,” I let out, leaving her to consider my meaning.

Kaiden

It wasn’t hard to get Max to leave after my sister's outburst in the living room. These days, speaking to her is like walking on eggshells. My mother did her best to hide the tears that slipped from her eyes after the interaction. She kept it together before returning to work. All I could do was let her lean on me, feeling her tears coat the front of my shirt in splotches. My father seemed off today too. He hesitated in a brief listlessness and his usual, purposeful movements seemed more aloof than anything else. I kiss my mother on the head, trying to wipe away the emotions painted on her face.

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