Broken Past, Good Path

My Power's Turned On

    Bradley Thomas ignored the echoing voice as he took a seat at the table. He tried his best to not let his emotions slip through the mask he was holding up. Yet, he still felt like a screen, projecting every detail of his feelings on his face, when Morgan was around. The cute way she expressed herself had him very close to smiling when he needed to express seriousness. The way her cool, blue eyes betrayed her made his knees feel weak. He sighed, glad that he no longer had to be wary of his feelings or his expression now that he wasn’t facing her. He stiffened slightly as he heard loud voices in the hallway. Bradley could distinguish the voices as Ryland and Jax. It had been a while since he had joined anyone for a meal and now, he was going to be dining with everyone.

                “Hey, Morgan!” Ryland shouted in a rather cheerful mood.

                “Oh look! Bradley is here too!” Jax added. Bradley captured his forehead in the palm of his hand, already annoyed at their presence.

                “Ooh, they were alone,” Jax and Ryland said at the same time, their voice meeting the same pitch which was higher than their usual deep tone.

                “What’s wrong with them being alone?” Olivia’s voice cut through and her long blond hair blurred his vision for a short while. Bradley turned to her, noticing a flash of teasing in her eyes. However, he was unable to do or say anything with Morgan coming to sit across from him. Her own eyes read of annoyance at the tease from the trio but Bradley also read a bit of playfulness radiating from her.

                “To be honest, I’m more surprised they aren’t ripping each other's heads off,” Jax added as he sat at the table. Bradley stood abruptly, looking over his peers.

                “Look, everyone.” Bradley cut through the conversation, not liking the direction it was going. “I know over the years I haven’t made the best decisions. You foolishly followed me when I had biased views. I would just like to apologize.” Bradley paused and scanned his eyes across the table towards Morgan. “To all of those that I have hurt or caused harm to. The recent events have been an eye-opener and I am sorry that it took all of that for me to realize my mistakes,” Bradley nodded his head to Morgan, his heart leaping at seeing a smile spread across her face. “Now that I have told you what has been on my mind, it is also my duty to tell you that Morgan will be joining us on our mission,” Bradley stated simply, tenting his fingers in front of him on the table. A shot of applause shot around the table.

                “That’s awesome!” Olivia directed her good spirits to Morgan.

                “I will give you some pointers on fighting!” Ryland rang out happily.

                “Shouldn’t Bradley do that?” Morgan asked, deadening the table immediately. Bradley held his tongue and his breath.

                “You don’t believe in my abilities?” Ryland leaned across the table with a hurt expression on his face. Morgan shook her head.

                “That isn’t what I meant! I just meant Bradley had said that he was the best fighter and leader…something…” Morgan began to stumble over her words, a hint of pink on her cheeks showed her embarrassment.

                “I’m joking buttercup,” Ryland straightened, a full grin spreading on his face.

                “You are absolutely right! You should learn from the best!” Olivia chimed in.

                “If you don’t stop encouraging her…” Bradley said through gritted teeth.

                “I would like that tremendously,” Morgan stated, leaving Bradley feeling dumbfounded. She cleared her throat before adding, “Just as much as I plan to stay true to my previous promises. I would like to learn how to play video games and hold conversations about books. Without Noah, I know I will get lonely. You are the closest things I’ve had to a group of friends, besides Noah.”

                “You should consider all of us your friends!” Ryland nodded with enthusiasm.

                “I am ready whenever you want to have a discussion!” Jax added.

                “You are making me jealous that I will be leaving soon! Feel free to write to me at any time, especially if it involves girl talk!” Olivia inputted. The group, as one, all turned to Bradley as though expecting he had something to say. He looked around at all of them wondering what they would possibly want to hear. He wasn’t even sure himself if it was ok to train the boss’s daughter. On the other hand, he would be able to have one on one time with Morgan. He inwardly shook his head, dispelling the pleasing thoughts running through his mind. A chime sounded in the kitchen, breaking up the easy-going atmosphere. Bradley’s eyes widened slightly as he looked at Morgan. Her demeanor had changed, telling Bradley that she also knew what that chime meant.

                “Seems I arrived at the right time,” A voice announced from the doorway. Everyone, except Morgan, stood to greet their boss. Bradley turned to the commander; his eyebrows raised in curiosity at the sudden appearance. Mr. Dylan stepped forward towards the table. “I heard of Noah’s awakening and wanted to come celebrate with you.” Bradley noticed the commander’s attention was only on his daughter. He unentangled himself from the bench and table and approached his boss.

                “Sir,” Bradley inclined his head respectfully. “I apologize if I am being rude but I don’t think this is the best time,” Bradley murmured while glancing back to Morgan. Her eyes were a crystal blue iceberg that was noticeable even from a distance.

                “That may be so but I am not getting any younger. I want to actually know my daughter. I no longer care of the cost,” Mr. Dylan replied, brushing Bradley to the side.

                “Even if it means your daughter’s life?” Bradley hissed, stopping Mr. Dylan in his tracks.

                “Bradley…”

                “You know there’s a spy on the inside!”

                “I do.”

                “It’s dangerous! For everyone!”

                “Perhaps you are right.” Mr. Dylan lowered his head in anguish.

                “I will think of another way,” Bradley reassured him.

                “I trust you to that. I’m getting older. I don’t have much time left and in the past twenty-some years, I was not able to get to know my daughter. I’m running out of patience and a stable mind. Thank you, Bradley,” Mr. Dylan rested a hand on Bradley’s shoulder. Bradley pulled the commander further away from the crowd.

                “Also, sir,” Bradley’s eyes found the commander’s. His deep blue eyes gave him a visual of calm waves barely crashing onto a sandy beach. “Morgan has asked to learn how to fight. I just wanted to get your opinion, first.” Mr. Dylan smiled, squeezing his shoulder.

                “My opinion is this… as long as it is safe, let Morgan do what she would like to do. I may have been carried away in trying to protect her too much so she hasn’t had a lot of experience. It wouldn’t be bad for her to learn how to defend herself. You would be the one to teach her, I presume?” He broke out into a smile.

                “That is the general consensus, it seems.”

                “Very well. It is a good way to become closer. How have you two gotten along recently?” The commander questioned. Bradley did his best to not seem surprised by the question.

                “Sir… not so well…”

                “It will get better,” The commander patted him, a glimmer of reminiscence in his eyes.

                “Sir?” Bradley wondered what far-off memory the commander had sunk himself into. Mr. Dylan snapped his head up, his eyes taking in Bradley again.

                “I’ll tell you about it later. Take care,” Mr. Dylan waved his fingers in a gesture of goodbye and left immediately. Bradley returned to the table, gathering everyone’s attention. Only having eyes for Morgan, Bradley could see agitation written in her eyes. She was still uncomfortable with her father. For the first time, Bradley found himself curious about what happened to the Dylan family before the murder of Morgan’s mother.

                “Is tomorrow a good time to begin?” Bradley asked Morgan suddenly. He would have to do some investigating to figure out how their lives had spiraled down this twisted path and who was behind it all. However, since he would be able to spend time with Morgan, Bradley didn’t mind so much.

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                Olivia Hodgens couldn’t stop her foot and leg from bouncing anxiously under the table during dinner. She ate little and didn’t talk as much as she usually did before she excused herself from the table and kitchen all together. It hadn’t been long since Noah awoke from his coma. He was still weak and mostly slept, but it didn’t matter to her. She felt at ease being by his side and watching over him. Olivia rushed back to the medical cube, relaxing as the sleeping form of Noah came into view. She slipped through the glass door and took a seat on the doctor’s chair. She admired his sleeping form for a few minutes when his eyes fluttered open. Oliva leaned over the bed, looking down into the amber eyes. Noah’s lips spread into a content, weak smile.

                “Did you go somewhere?” Noah barely made any noise as he whispered out the questions.           “I went to dinner briefly. How are you feeling?” Olivia looked down the bed and back up to meet Noah’s eyes.

                “Thirsty,” Noah croaked. Olivia was quick to grab a water and a straw, doing her best to help Noah take the smallest of sips. “It’s so weird… to be strapped… to a bed… I used to be… so active…” Noah talked in quick, short bursts. It was the best his body would allow.

                “The more restraint you have now, the quicker your body will heal… or at least that is what my dad always says… Is there any way that I can help you feel more comfortable?” Olivia scooted onto the free area of the bed.

                “Just… talk,” Noah smiled. Olivia smiled back, tucked her hair behind her ears.

                “Should we discuss where we want to go when you are well enough to move?” Olivia asked.

                “Sure,” Noah smiled, trying his best to sit up. Olivia was immediately at his side, helping him, as painlessly as possible, to sit up. “Do you have anywhere… in mind?” Noah wheezed out after the ordeal was finished.

                “There is always the lake house. I trained there when I first started. I heard that it used to be Dylan’s vacation spot… a long time ago.” Olivia informed. Noah’s face changed several times, his opinion of the place already formed.

                “How about a place… not connected with the Dylan’s…” Noah suggested. Olivia tried not to let the surprise register on her face or in her voice, but she couldn’t stop her curiosity.

                “What is wrong with what is connected with the Dylan’s?”

                “…Nothing… Morgan is still… well, she is everything… to me… She is my family…” Noah paused to catch his breath. “…But… since the accident I have come to realize… we are not meant to be together…” Noah smiled, a sad gleam in his eyes. Olivia nodded, glancing away.

                “We will think of another place then,” Olivia responded, leaving the room open for suggestions.

                “How was dinner?” Noah changed the topic.

                “It was excellent! They really know how to cook! Morgan will be coming with the crew to send us safely to our destination. It seems like everyone will get along well together! Ryland plants to play video games with Morgan and Jax will discuss his books. Bradley is going to teach her to fight… actually I am sure is going to be more like self-defense!” Olivia tried to cover up her mistake but Noah’s face said it all.