Juliet
The week had gone on as usual; we had to wait for Sunday for Marcus to make his way to the bookstore again. Kubra would get out of the car eventually, and we would get in. The two men would go home, and while Marcus was in his room and Kubra dumped his files, we would get out of the car and wait inside one of the unused rooms. The next morning, we would get up early and wait in the car. Once they parked at the barracks, we would make a run for it… All we had to do was get to a phone, which I knew would be at the diner. We would leave the compounds as if nothing had happened. My parents didn't have watchers, and if I had to stay invisible for a while or come out only in a dark room for a month or so, it didn't matter. Michael was, unfortunately, on his own from my end. Between him and Samuel, I was sure they would think of something.
Kubra parked the car, ready for work; he and Marcus disappeared through the army base gates. I watched him go with a pang of regret. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to do Michael's and my life after Marcus… I never could place one above the other. Jealous of both. Like night and day? How did one choose between the two? It was impossible. Well, both were army brats… Both calculating and conscientious. The only difference was before Michael turned into an itoqure, he would have done anything for me… Marcus never had the luxury of indulging in a home life.
Nevertheless, for this lifetime, Michael would also have ten years... Unless… he didn't show, and our paths didn't cross. Or he got shot for manipulating my feed. I hoped he would be in Canada once we got there.
We waited a few more minutes in the parking lot before Liam started the car. Kubra didn't even take the keys; if it had a problem, we would've had to get Nevin involved. My mom and I were in the back seat, still invisible. She was nervously clutching my hand, looking out the window as we drove off. I chuckled, "If they have cameras here. They should see only a man stealing a car… It will be okay."
Ten minutes later, we stopped at the diner. My dad opened the back door so we could reappear in the bathroom. He would call Sam, and that would be it. We were out. Sam might have someone waiting already. I glanced around—only a few locals so early for breakfast. What plan did he and Michael come up with?
My mom and I refreshed ourselves after a night, couped up in a room, washed our faces, and fixed our hair. As we stepped out of the restroom, I started—my hands came up in a weird surrender, "Damnit!" My mom did not know who Michael was, but seeing him so suddenly waiting outside for us was still a surprise. He smiled and held out his hand to my mom, "Hi, I'm Michael, your ride."
Yeah, how was I going to stay celibate till I was eighteen? I didn't think Michael would have me at sixteen, and that was two years away. What was I thinking? I still had to do this three more times. I didn't know if I had it in me. It was literally years I lived and kinda wasted if none of this panned out. Michael and I stared at each other; I did the polite thing and reached out my hand, "Juliet. But I guess you know who I am."
Michael laughed nervously, "I do… I want to say it's nice to meet you, but… it doesn't—cut it—in a weird way." He let go of my hand.
"Thank you for your service."
Michael laughed, "You had me s—ing myself this week. Didn't consider what your uncle would have to go through—" My dad came out of the men's room, cutting him off. "Hi, Liam... I'm Michael." The two shook hands. "Sam sent me… We need to get into another car," Michael said, turning around, "I wanna get outa here asap." I was also a little edgy, although not from nerves—I needed blood, and eating was the only thing I could think of. Maybe my body on the outside had something to do with it.
The first few hours were Michael unloading about the watchers and En-gannim to my parents, answering a million questions they had. Also, what he and Sam thoughts about Qadir's plans in a few years. Every now and again, I could feel Michael's eyes on me in the rearview mirror. Oh, this was going to be torture. I deliberately stared out the window, avoiding him… Was this what Louis and Marcus felt like being so old. Every year became just another year, and everybody else's zest for life was more an irritation than motivation… Over and over…
After another hour, I was car-tired, "I… Uhm… can't keep my eyes open."
Michael pulled over, and my parents were confused for a minute. Michael didn't comment on my knowledge about how our relationship worked or how I knew who he was. The two men exchanged places—I made myself comfortable on my mom's lap. "How can you sleep at a time like this?" she commented.
"First time in a car for this length of time… Who knew? You and Dad will have a lot to talk about." How did my mom learn how to drive? I couldn't wait to be alone in a room with the man and hear what was running through his mind. It wasn't five minutes, or I was asleep, listening to Michael explain to Liam why he would sleep while I slept, where to go and to wake us up when the GPS reached its destination.
***
Michael
Liam was talking in the background, rousing me from a well-deserved nap after a trying week. "Juliet, wake up. We need Michael." Liam was having a hard time waking Juliet; I could feel she was not ready to leave dreamland… We both woke up slowly at the same time.
"What, why? What did he do now?" Juliet answered groggily. I laughed. She didn't even know me. What was she thinking about?
"Juliet, you're talking nonsense. Wake up!"
"I'm not! He and Chris are in charge… Leave me alone… I want to sleep… You take Naji."
Who was Chris? Who was Naji?
Finally, I could sit up and look back over my shoulder at the strangers who were now very real. Juliet's eyes drifted over her dad's shoulder to meet mine. Liam had lifted her off Cindy's lap into a seated position, clutching her shoulders. She giggled and seemed so innocent. Liam realized I was awake, "We need you. Seems we are close."
I reached for the handle, "Bathroom break… I need to stretch my legs." Outside, I lifted my arms and yawned. Juliet and her mom walked arm in arm towards the shop. I could not take my eyes off her. My job was to watch her… Now, she was her own person. "Do we even have money for a snack? I'm hungry." A smile played on my lips; she would have to wait till we reached the farm. Juliet needed blood. It had been a week since she manifested. Didn't understand how she held out so well.
I made my way to the restroom, checking my phone. Samuel had left me a string of texts. Before I read any of it, I placed my phone on the back of the toilet reading while I unloaded.
Samuel { Kubra has been calling. There is an uproar at the compound }
We knew this would happen. Liam was one of the men who couldn't get out or simply disappear. If Samuel ever helped him, there would be trouble. So we were scrambling to figure out what to do. I was sent to get my equipment fixed and was supposed to be heading for France. But after Liam and his wife disappeared, my sudden disappearance would be suspicious. No one on the compound knew about Juliet, but as soon as Qadir met with Bertram, I would be summoned. I could stall for a few days… At that point, I was helping the Furrows escape—more out of loyalty to Samuel—and still deciding if Juliet was worth getting shot over.
Samuel { Qadir has called. Seems a car was stolen from the barracks }
F— this wasn't good. They were moving a little faster than anticipated. How did Kubra realize the car was gone?
Samuel { Qadir is meeting with Bertram }
I zipped up my fly. We had to move. The farm was the first place they would check up on Samuel. Who would they send?
"Uncle Sam!" I heard Juliet's voice. A heavy sigh escaped me. We weren't alone. He came to help. Liam was filling the car with gas and looked up. I followed his gaze. Samuel was standing with two girls in his arms. After he had kissed both of Cindy's cheeks, he turned to Liam, who was already on his way. It was a sad story—two hundred years was a f—ing long time. No family. No friends. Vampire's lives were in some ways worse than ours. The two men looked almost identical if it wasn't for the enormous difference in height and the age difference. Liam stood head-to-head with me. Samuel stood head-to-head with Juliet. She would be a tall girl in a few years.
The five of us huddled after Samuel stretched out his hand to greet me. "We have to get you out of here. Michael, you fried your tech?" I nodded. "So, change of plans. We have to hide you, and unfortunately, the only person I know who can help us lives in France."
"What?" Juliet said, "No! Absolutely not…" We all stared at her. "I… I'm sorry… Didn't think things would turn out like this."
"I know you wanted to go to school here and blend, but—"
"No, I understand. We can always come back when the dust settles."
Samuel handed me envelopes with all their documentation. "You fly in an hour and then connect from JFK… Straight to the airport."
I nodded and headed for the car. Juliet followed in a skip run behind me to catch up. I glanced back over my shoulder. "Can I see mine, please?"
"What are you talking about?"
"My new name…"
I glanced down at the envelopes and doubted if I should. Juliet held out a hand and moved it up and down, giving me no choice. I laughed while she opened it, pulled out the passport, and bit her bottom lip between her teeth, also laughing. "Sheila? Oh, man!" Juliet headed for the front seat while I took out the nozzle and closed the fuel cap Liam had left like that.
"What are you doing, Sheila?"
She laughed and closed the door, "I can drive for a while if you're tired." I chuckled and sat down next to her. How surreal. "So what am I getting for my birthday this year?" My head turned slowly toward her. "It had to be you… Every year…"
My lips twitched. It was me. Juliet was so clever I didn't think she would connect the dots so quickly. "I…" didn't know what to say. Her gift was in my bag. It was stupid and only DVDs… What else did you give a fourteen-year-old who was couped up indoors all day? The fact that she had a way to watch anything had made her life a little better. "Should I guess?"
Liam and Cindy got in, and Juliet wound down her window for her uncle, "You won't get into too much trouble, will you? Michael?"
"No… Don't you worry your pretty little head about that… I always have an exit strategy." She pouted her lips but smiled. "If all else fails, you make us all disappear, and we—"
"No, don't tell me… let it be a surprise."
"Very well. You like surprises?"
Juliet hated surprises. "Of course I do. An adventure." Samuel leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Thank you."
"I'll see you soon." Sam looked at me, warning me and imploring me to look after them. I gave him the reassurance he needed, and we headed to the airport.
Before our main flight to France, the girls bought a ton of stuff and disappeared into the bathrooms. Liam had also chosen to take a shower and get more comfortable. Wherever we were going was probably one of Samuel's rich contacts. Private Jet. Lounges and amenities out the wazoo.
We boarded, and Juliet ran to the back and took a seat at one of the booths. I thought she would take one of the loungers, start watching movies, enjoying the trip. How did Samuel get the plane there so quickly? Organized every little detail… He probably planned it the moment we got off the phone a week ago. I was so happy getting out of the desert—it didn't really matter... Anything was better than being stuck in a cubicle. I wanted to sit down and breathe for the first time since Juliet rocked our worlds. I placed my bag in the overhead. Juliet cleared her throat. My eyes traveled down over my shoulder; she gestured for me to sit. I closed the little door and clicked it into place. What was she doing? I hesitated, "Come on… what else are you going to do. It's a long flight."
She was right, so I slid into the chair. It was all very comfortable, even at the booth. Juliet stared out the window; I followed her gaze; the plane was already moving. It was as if she had flown a million times and had been traveling all her life. I looked back at her. She had a silly smile on her face. She sat back, and we took off.
We were hardly in the air, or we were being bombarded with drinks and food. The hostess put a beer down in front of me and a juice box in front of the child. Juliet's shoulders shook; her eyes wrinkled together. I did laugh with her. I couldn't remember when juice boxes were still a thing. The hostess came back, "Anything wrong?"
"Yes, can I at least get a can and a glass with ice... I am fourteen."
"Fourteen? Oh dear, I'm so sorry. You seemed much younger. The owner told us there would be a child on the plane, and we had to make sure of everything."
The smile fell, and she took the box and opened it, popping the straw in her mouth. "Never mind. I'll have this for now."
"Quite alright. Tell me when you need anything else."
Juliet had never been so changeable in her moods. Had to be the manifestation and the lack of blood. Hoped Samuel's contact had a meal ready. Her eyes came back to me from staring out the window; they ended up eyeing the beer. "Oh no! Not a chance!"
She smiled so brightly; the joy on her face was infectious. Another thing out of place. Juliet was always serious, and no BS allowed. Her eyes narrowed mischievously. Before I knew what was going on, she reached for the beer and disappeared. I was too slow, "How!" Vampire faces I was used to. Supernatural abilities would take a minute to take into consideration.
"Juliet!" Liam's voice was rather formidable in that tone. She wasn't reappearing. The laugh bubbled up. Liam had to put down the tablet the plane provided and stepped over. She came back and slammed the empty glass bottle on the table. I had taken two sips. Liam grabbed it and glared at her. Her hand jumped up to cover her ear, "Vampires… So serious… It will help me keep—until I can actually be fed. When do you think that will happen, father?"
Liam relaxed and reached out to stroke her hair, "Soon… Calling my bluff so quickly… You're all grown up, dear."
"I had an excellent teacher."
"Oh, that mouth of yours." Liam turned and went back to join Cindy, who seemed to be a different person. How could the walls of one place make people change so drastically? This Juliet was a different person.
Juliet's arm went up, and she pushed a button. The flight attendant came over, and she gestured to my empty. "Oh, I'll get you another."
"Sorry," Juliet said.
"I don't believe you." She laughed again, dropping her head. Why did everything I said bring a smile to her lips?
After the flight attendant left again she asked, "You seeing anyone?" I had taken a sip of my drink but choked. Juliet handed me a napkin; her smiles were gone. "You don't have to say. It's a long flight… Just making conversation."
"I am…"
Her eyes shot up at me, "Who? How?"
I laughed nervously. How did you tell a harem-based culture—teenager—we were allowed out—once in a while. "How would you know even if I tell you her name."
"No, you're right. None of my business."
I finished my second beer and drifted out of the seat. We were done eating, and I would relax for a while. A few hours went by. I was so used to watching Juliet on a screen that my gaze drifted over a few times. I had chosen a seat where I had a clear view of my ward. She had been looking out the window since I left. It was getting late, and even if we slept in the car, it had been a long day. It was dark outside, and if only I could read her mind. What I said had upset her. But why?
Juliet checked the watch on her wrist. She was done spacing out and thinking but didn't look at me or interact. After a bathroom break, she walked over, scooted past my legs, and sat down on the chair next to me. "I'm going to sleep. You have about fifteen minutes." Her tone was a lot like Liam's—commanding rather than a friendly reminder. I wanted to thank her but felt it would be weird. We were all a little in the deep end. I jumped up to relieve myself before we hunkered down for a few hours. Back at our cubicles, hers were dark, and the divider pulled up. It wasn't long before we drifted off.
It took us two days to get where we were going, and as the house came into view, Cindy was ecstatic—she had been very talkative since we got off the plane in France. I had to take a moment and stop the car, admiring the scene. Idyllic and secluded. It was perfect. What would Juliet have to say? Juliet was not saying anything. She had not spoken to me in two days. Neither had she looked at me. I glanced in the rearview mirror. Juliet swiped a tear off her cheek. Juliet needed to eat, or it would become a real problem.
***
Juliet
Yes, I was crying. Urgh, this was not going to work. How did one year make all the difference? It would take Michael forever to see me as a person, and if he was not in front of a screen to see me grow up, how would he ever look at me differently. Marcus was also not there to speed things along. Another guy interested in me, courting and moving in, had made Michael see me as... potential? I was not going to fight for him or go running after him like an idiot. Did I have the time to wait and see how and when or even if we would end up together if it all happened naturally… It was much easier when they were already in love with you before you even met… My time was too precious, and if I had to cut this short because there is no other way Michael would consider me… I would. Maybe I could use Louis—dump it all on him and use him. Too cruel… How would that go anyway? I dreaded going into the house and Louis would be waiting for us. Even if he was there, what would happen? This time around, I couldn't ask for tech to keep my thoughts at bay, and he would know I was keeping him out.
Louis was not there, and Michael left the very next day (after making sure we all killed someone) without a single word of when we would see him again... Drove away and didn't use the teleporter. I sat in the dining room chair, watching him leave. How long would I give him to come around? Would he meet Jack? Would we stay there for years, and I would not see any of them?