"Jess let's sit down for a bit." I waited for her response, she nodded in agreement and we found a nice bench to sit in. 'Time to get to work.' with that I reached into the veil and expanded my reach. New data flowed into my mind, ignoring the unnecessary I pushed even harder, I reached my limit, the promise of a migraine didn't deter me. So I pushed even harder, when I mind screamed of possible collapse I finally stopped.
Siphoning through people I took note of everyone I knew, Jess was right beside me staring at me. Tobias and Rebecca were on the carousel feeding each other cotten candy. Miss Adelaide and some of the children, moving through the street from one stand to another. Jess' friends all gathered around each other spying on us from a distance, they had been sneaking glances at us throughout the day, I'd say they were following us. Jess noticed them as well but she didn't say anything. And finally Jonathan stood a bit away from the group indulging in some corn dogs.
"Let's get going Jess." I rose from the bench, Jess trailing behind me. I led her to her group of friends. Jess stiffened when she realized my intended target. She hastened her steps to walk in front of me, almost like she was shielding me. We stood in front of the group in silence, no one bothered to engage first. They all gave me looks of apprehension or distaste, the tall muscular one in particular was giving the most heated gaze. "Go ahead Jess, it's already late, it's about time we parted." She turned to me with scrutiny and dejection. I turned away taking time to stretch the veil making sure I bent it around Jonathan. Steering clear of him provided me extra clarity and comfort.
My brief reprieve didn't last long though, the annoying snake was taunting me again, his gaze felt like cold needles pricking my veil. I turned my neck to get a good look at him, he was looking right at me, while still munching on his corn dogs. I tipped my head at, indicating I wanted to meet him later. He nodded his head in confirmation, his eyes left mine and he stared at the distant parking lot. The location of our meeting had been decided, my business here was done. Jess was looking at me when I glanced back at her. Her gaze was accusatory, it seems she had more she wanted to do. Unfortunately I had to cut today's outing short, there were pressing matters I had to deal with this evening.
With a sigh and one final nod of my head I turned to leave. My plans were interrupted once again though, a firm hand on my shoulder prevented my leave. "Just a moment, I want to have a word with you." I reigned in the sigh building in my throat and tipped my head back, meeting eyes with the tall, musculy teenager. "Go ahead." I prompted him to start the conversation, the sooner he finished the better. He expression shifted multiple times in the span of seconds, from conflicted, to resolute, and finally determination and anger.
"I want you to stay away from Jonathan and Jess." I raised a brow, I understood him being protective of Jonathan but why also Jess. "I don't want you associating with them. You're strange and a bad influence." I couldn't respond, honestly I didn't care enough to form one. "What on earth are you doing, let go of him." She was angry, very angry, she tried to come over and reach for me but was immediately stopped by her friends. They kept a firm grip on her, it did nothing to improve her mood though. I watched as she clenched her first in irritation, veins bulging from her hand. "Calm down Jess, we're doing this for you." The other girl said, an attempt to calm her angry friend down, make her see reason in their actions. It didn't work, Jess' pulse quickened, her muscles tightened further. I expected an outburst with how wound up she was, instead she bent her head trying to avoid eye contact with me, using the time to take deep breaths.
The tall ones hand was still on my shoulder, the firm grip was starting to irk me now. "I want to take my leave." I reminded him. "Not until you promise to stay away from us." I gave him a placid stare, I was a clear sign that I wouldn't, at least not away from Jonathan. "Why are you guys doing this?" Jess' voice sounded out, placing the attention on her once more. "We're doing this for you Jess and Jonathan. That boy isn't normal. He's weird, the constant staring, the absent mindedness. Even now, even though he's looking right at us, it feels wrong, hollow. There's no benefit to associating with him." The girl beside Jess finally snapped, to be honest she gave valid points, a sound argument in my opinion.
'*Sigh* This is so bothersome. I should get going.' I had things to do, a meeting I had to attend. I shrugged his hand off my shoulder, giving a minute shove on his arm through the veil to loosen his grip. "You know Jess your friends give very reasonable points, you should probably listen to them." With that I turned on my heels and walked away. I still had time until the anticipated meeting with Jonathan, it didn't seem like he and his entourage would be leaving any time soon. 'I'll assist Miss Adelaide with the kids while I wait.' Locating them through the crowd was easy. They were outside the bouncy castle, the little ones catching their breaths after an intense round of bouncing around. "Good evening ma'am. Hello little ones." She turned to me and smiled, the children regained there excitement and gathered around.
"I'm here to help out." I turned to the children, Ella was already climbing her way to my back. With me here Miss Adelaide and I could split up and visit more rides and stands than were possible if she were alone. I would be impossible to cover much ground if she alone was guiding them, usually someone else would accompany her but it seemed they were preoccupied. "Thank you Lukehiem, I'm grateful." Her smile became warmer. She took half of them with her, while I took the other with me for a bit of exploration.
We hopped from ride to ride, giggles and laughter filled the air. Ella had migrated from my back to my shoulders enjoying the view from above. This would give them memories, happy memories. I still remembered the times Miss Adelaide and the other caretakers took us out for festivities. They always made it their priority to give us happy childhoods. One of the ways they did that was spoiling us rotten during the fair. Now it was my turn to do the same for the younger ones.
Tobias and Rebecca spotted us and fell into step besides us. Ted used the opportunity to ride Tobias' shoulders like Ella did on mine. The others hounded Rebecca with questions, some silly, some harder to answer and others too embarrassing to answer. I think Ella asked something related to marriage, Tobias flared a bright red at that.
As much as I wanted to focus, the cold stare I felt wouldn't let me settle comfortably. Jonathan's awful gaze flashed through the veil but that wasn't what unsettled me, after all I'd gotten a bit used to it during our staring contests. No the blood boiling chill came from the fact that his gaze was directed at the children not at me. I would the veil tighter around their forms, I felt my entire being becoming defensive. 'I'd pluck his eyes out of I had the chance.' he was crossing a line, one that I'd made painfully clear. I felt that weird ominous wave strike the veil, directed where Willis was standing. I pushed against it, reinforcing it around their forms. Rebecca paused for a bit turning, "Did you feel that." She asked Tobias, I applied a bit to much force on their bobies. "Yeah, I did feel my body get heavy for a second. Must be the fatigue." Tobias answered after contemplating for a bit.
After that there were no more incidents, whatever message he was trying to send he made it clear and I'd do the same a bit later.
Eventually the children got thoroughly tried out. We rejoined Miss Adelaide and the other group so they could go home. Ella was sleeping soundly on my back, her box braids swept over her eyes to keep the street lights out. I saw Miss Adelaide and the children off to the bus stop. Tobias and Rebecca left shortly after, they weren't done with their outing apparently. I stood under the street light sorting through my thoughts. I had so many questions that need to be answered, threats to make.
I turned and walked to the distant parking lot. Looking around I saw no one, 'He should be here by now.'. Confirming my belief, I saw movement in the dark alleyway in front of me. Taking one final breath I stepped in.