Whispers

Chapter twelve

I am sitting at the table with Jason, Angel and Bane when, I think, Dom comes up to me. His face is contorted in concern with a hint of dismay. I watch as he gets closer, feeling my heart beat harder and harder with every step. I swallow and do my best to conceal my emotions from the known empath at the table. 

It didn't work, but Angel didn't have a chance to say anything before Dom started talking. 

Outside of the infirmary, it is easier to see how much Dom towers over everything. He reaches the table and I feel myself physically shrink in submission. I never thought I would encounter someone who is more intimidating than my dad. 

"Gill, how are you feeling?" He asks with a smile, doing his best to break the tension. I nod, the lump in my throat preventing me from saying anything in response, "I need to speak with you, alone," he looks at Jason, as if he could tell that Jason was going to get up and accompany me to the meeting. 

I get up, quicker than intended, and wince slightly. I'm still not used to sudden movement, and the harsh backward motion of the chair I was in made a screeching sound across the floor. I flinch at the noise, hoping no one was paying attention, and go to follow Dom it his office. 

The feeling of panic multiplies with every step we take. After a short walk to the office, Dom motions me inside to take a seat. 

The office, itself, is a mess. The floor is covered with forgotten documents all falling from different stacks. The large oak desk is overrun with more documents and folders, and the filing cabinet drawers are open and full to the brim with even more. I take a seat in an empty chair across from the desk where Dom would sit and hear the door click softly shut behind me. 

If the office were cleaner, it would be beautiful. The floor is made of a dark color wood, and the walls are lined with wall to ceiling bookshelves behind the desk. To the side, a fire place is set, not burning because of the still present warmth of the season. 

"Alright," Dom settles behind the desk with a sigh, "Can I get you anything before we get started?" I shake my head as I watch him lean back into his chair, "Alright. I just wanted to pull you aside to tell you a few things, as well as talk to you about our expectations." Dom leans forward in the chair and rests himself on the desk with a smile. 

"Okay," I croak, "What do you want to know?" 

"I know you said you reported your father for abuse, you told me as much when I asked you about the situation with Jason. However, I need more information about it. The Council, when told that information in the meeting I had with them about the investigation, said that they hadn't heard about any abuse coming from your pack," I sigh, unsurprised. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, maybe they didn't have enough time to report the abuse to the Council. 

But then I remember that I have been gone for a long enough now, giving them plenty of time to report the abuse and start an investigation. They had plenty of time, and chances are they were never going to report to begin with. 

"What about the abuse do you need to know?"

"Everything," Dom sighs, "The Council wants to do a formal investigation since it was brought up." I nod, and swallow the growing panic that has formed at the base of my throat. 

"The abuse started when we left my biological mother. I would go days where I was barely fed, and if I did the slightest thing wrong in his eyes he would beat me. Before I left, like I told you, I reported him for abuse. He tried to break into my room at the pack house, but I got out through the window and ran into the woods. At some point my ability took over and I beat him to a pulp before the Alpha and his son showed up," Dom nods as I speak, and waits for me to continue when I stop. When I don't continue speaking, he speaks up.

"How long would you go without or with little food at a time?" He asks. 

"I think the longest I went with little to no food was a little more than a week. Maybe a week and a half?" I rub my face, doing my best to think. My memory got fuzzier and fuzzier by the second as my panic started to slowly seep into my bones. I feel my body shake as I turn to look at the door. 

"Gill?" I swallow and look back at Dom. There is nothing to escape here--Dom is not going to hurt me. I repeat this to myself but the panic doesn't fade. Instead, my body becomes more shaky, as if I am in my own personal earthquake. "We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. I'm not going to force you," Dom says, his voice soft and comforting. 

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, "But you need this information for the investigation--," 

"But I can get it later," He says, "I don't want to cause you discomfort or make you have a panic attack by talking about it," I open my eyes and stare at the ground. 

"I need to do this now or I will never talk about it," I say quietly, looking back up at Dom. His eyes are soft, determining whether or not he wants to risk continuing with the meeting. 

"Alright," He sighs, "Tell me about the physical abuse," 

Another deep breath, "He was always careful about the physical abuse. He knew if he left evidence of abuse, like bruises or any other marks, he would be found out. If he ever did beat me hard enough to leave marks, he would make me stay home until they were gone. That didn't stop him from beating me more, it just meant more time I was locked in my room, waiting for the bruises to heal," Another deep breath. 

Dom nods, waits a second, and then asks, "If you don't mind me asking, why did you wait so long to report?" I laugh slightly. 

"Because he had me convinced I deserved it. I was a bad kid, I got into fights and in general trouble at school, I talked back and didn't listen. I think the only reason I said anything was because the pack leader's son, my mate, said that he could help me if I told him what was going on. So I did," Dom nods again. 

"Okay," He leans back, "I think I've heard enough. I have to ask though, would you be willing to stand in front of the Council and tell them what you told me? If you don't feel comfortable doing that, it is completely fine, I will do it for you," 

I sat there thinking--would they believe Dom if he told them of my abuse? 

"Would they even believe you?" I ask sitting back in my chair. The tension in my body had finally let me go as the wave of exhaustion washes over me. 

"I think so, given they believed me in the last investigation. However, if we bring this to the Council, it would not just be us present. The offending party and their pack leader would also be there. They could easily come back and say that their investigation showed no signs of abuse," He sighs, leans back in his chair and crosses his arm. 

"But they could do that if I come and speak up too," I say with a slight laugh, "I don't even see the point in the report or the investigation any more. Who's going to believe me over my last pack leader and my dad?" I stare down at the paper scattered across the floor in front of me. 

"I believe you," I look up at Dom, who's face is set in determination, "I am not sure what they would do to your dad if they found him guilty, but they could easily replace your pack leader with someone more capable of monitoring a large pack. In fact," Dom gets up and goes to one of his filing cabinets, "I've done some looking into your last pack, and it seems that this isn't the first report of abuse." He pulls up a file and comes back to the desk, opening the file, "In the last five years there have been, at least, 6 reports of abuse that were not investigated by the Council because Alpha Collins could not find any form of abuse happening." 

I felt my heart drop--I wasn't the only one going through abuse, and the Alpha didn't do anything to help those people either. 

"Is that something we could use against him if I were to go in front of the Council?"

"Even if you don't go in front of the Council, it will be brought up," Dom closes the folder, and looks at me, "Whether you decide to go in front of the Council to testify is completely up to you. I will not try to sway you either way. Just know that if you do decide to testify, Kitty and I will be there to make sure that you are safe and protected." 

I smile and sigh with relief through my exhaustion. My dad wasn't going to get to me, and there is no denying there was abuse happening in the pack--even if they couldn't prove that any abuse was happening to me. 

"Now," Dom claps his hands, sending a shock wave down my spine, "I want to talk to you about some other things. For starters, I don't know if you have been filled in on who we are. We are a pack dedicated to helping mutants discover and control their abilities, and we work for the Council when it comes to special circumstances. From what we gathered from the Council, it does appear that you have some kind of ability, and we want to investigate that further. Of course, we are going to wait a couple more days for your benefit--to make sure that you are adjusted and settled before throwing you into the thick of things," I nod. 

"High school aged children do still attend school--specifically online school. It makes it easier with our training schedule, and there is also not a typical high school around us to send anyone too. After graduation, everyone is given the choice to stay with the pack and work for the Council, or to leave and go back to their old pack. However, the second option is not a common one, as many come to us as runaways," I chuckle. It's nice to know that the other's are like me in a way. 

"We expect you to take part in school and training. Getting a GED is an option, depending on how behind you are. Training takes place everyday except for Sunday. Saturdays are more intense and longer because we don't have to work around students doing school work. During the week, training lasts around two to three hours, after school. Sundays, depending on what we are doing, it could last up to four. We do not go over four hours of training as a group, but no one is stopping you from training on your own if that is what you want. Other than that, we treat everyone as a family here. Families fight, but we try to solve problems quickly, so if you have a problem with someone and cannot sort it out for yourself, then come to me, Kitty or Jason." 

I nod at the load of information that was dumped on me, "Any questions, Gill?" I shake my head. 

"No, I don't think so," I say, trying to figure out how I was going to remember all of this. 

"Oh, before I forget, tonight we are having a welcoming party for you. It is something we do for everyone who is new," Dom says with a smile. 

I feel a jolt of adrenaline kick in. "Oh okay," I say, my voice shaking slightly. Dom didn't seem to notice as he looked around before picking up a blank folder, "Out of curiosity, how many people are going to be there?"

Dom doesn't look up from the folder, "About 30 people. We are a relatively small pack," I nod, and get up from the chair, "It'll take place around 6 tonight, out in the back yard. Bane can help you find where you need to go. Bane is your roommate, right," Dom gets up and escorts me to the door as I nod at his question. 

"Good," He looks down at his wrist watch, "If you need anything, please don't be shy about letting someone know." Dom smiles at me as he opens the office door. I walk out of the office, and watch Dom close the door with a soft click. 

I sigh. A welcome party? Why would they welcome me? I'm nobody special. 

"Well, you're still alive, so that's a good sign," I jump and turn to the side to see Jason, leaned up against the wall. My heart pounds at the sight of him, but I can't tell if it was because of him or because of the party that I was going to attend later. 

"Yeah, I'm alive," I whisper, still unsure of how I should feel. Should I be excited for this party? I've never been to a party before or had a party thrown for me. 

"You okay?" Jason lifts himself off the wall and shoves his hands in his pockets. I blink, willing myself to stop staring at him, and look away. 

"Yeah, just tired I guess," I rub my face and do my best to sort out my thoughts. 

"Well, I can show you where your room is if you want. Unless you know how to get there?" I look at Jason, who I am sure was just trying to be nice, and shake my head. 

The dream I had, although short and probably meaning nothing, pops into my head--Jason was there, standing behind me at the river when I was trying to communicate with Luke. No one should be able to do that except for Luke. I am shocked when the thought of Luke didn't send a pang of sadness thought me--he is my mate, shouldn't I be upset that we aren't together?

"I can find it," I say, backing up from Jason. He looks at me, like he is going to question my knowledge of the layout of the house, and shrugs, "Alright. Oh, I'm sure you already know, but there's a--,"

"Welcome party tonight, at 6. Dom told me," I smile slightly and look at the ground. Why was my face getting hot? I look back up at Jason, who nods at me before saying good bye and walking back down the hall. 

I took a deep breath, slightly relieved to be alone. I turn in the other direction of the hallway and start down it, only to find myself lost within the first couple of minutes. 

Of course I am lost, I don't know where I am going. I try to retrace my steps back to Dom's office--maybe he is still there and can help me. I turn around and get myself even more lost. How big could this place possibly be. After about 30 minutes of just wondering down random halls, I remember something Jason told me--the hallways are numbered. My hallway is number 6, room C. I look to the top of the hall that I was on--Right now, I am on hall 26, all of which look unoccupied. 

I walk another hall down and see that the numbers are increasing, so I turn back around and follow the decreasing numbers until I find number 6, then follow that down to room C. I sigh heavily when I get into the room, which was empty, and fall down gratefully on top of the bed. 

I found my room successfully, which is a relief, because I thought I was going to stay lost. I look over at the alarm clock on Bane's side of the room and see that it is 3 PM--I have 3 hours to mentally psych myself up for this party. 

I sit up, exhaustion washing over me as I do. I don't think I have the social battery to go to this party, but it would be rude of me not to show--they are having this party for me, after all. I fall back onto the bed and shimmy my head up to the pillow, kicking off my shoes in the process. I just need a slight nap, then I could make it through the party. I close my eyes, allowing my body and mind to fall into a dreamless sleep. 

Next thing I know, someone is shaking me away, sending slight shocks through my body. I jolt awake to see Jason standing above me. I feel my face go hot, and rub my face to fight off the rest of the sleep still stuck in my eyes. 

"Gill, you have like 20 minutes to get ready," He whispered. I groan, and throw my legs over the side of the bed with a yawn. Did I really just sleep for 3 hours without realizing it?

I stand and go to the closet, looking for something, as Bane comes out of the bathroom, "Ah, I see you got her awake," I turn and look at Bane, who turns on the bedroom light, "She was sleeping like the dead. Maybe I should have turned on the light when I got in," 

I sigh, "What am I supposed to wear to this thing?" I said, frustrated. There were different kinds of clothes in the closet, and no one gave me a dress code. 

"Something nice--Like a dress or a skirt. Kitty likes for everyone to dress nice when we get new people," I clench my jaw, my anxiety increasing. I pull out a black knee length dress and go into the bathroom. I pull the clothes I was wearing off and slip the dress on before looking at myself in the mirror. 

I never liked how I looked in dresses. I am too skinny--my ribs poked out underneath the top, and my legs look small and pale. I grab some lotion from the bathroom closet and put some on my legs and arms before running a brush through my slightly knotted hair. I swallow as I place them back into the closet, and get back into the bedroom. 

Jason and Bane are talking about something when I enter, but stop when they see me. 

"Wow, you look really nice," I look at Bane with a sigh. 

"Don't lie to me, I look awful," I rub my face to stop myself from panic crying, and go back to my open closet. At the bottom, near where I found my other pair of shoes, I found a pair of ballet flats and slip them on. 

"Nah, if you looked bad I would have told you," Bane said, crossing his arms. 

"It's true. Dumbass had no filter," Jason scoffs at the floor. 

I look at him, causing him to look up at me, his eyes full of an emotion I can't read. I swallow hard and look away from him, a surge of something I can't identify going through me. I felt calmer knowing that Jason was going to be there. 

"Well, thanks I guess." I whisper, still not believing what Bane says. 

"I think you need something though," Bane pushes past me and opens up my closet. He pulls out a simple white cardigan, and hands it to me. I take it, gingerly, and put it on, feeling the warmth of the fabric against my skin, "There you go. I think that completes the look. What do you think, Jason?" Bane looks at Jason, who doesn't respond. 

"Jason? Earth to Jason," I look to Jason, who just then snapped back to reality. 

"Oh yeah, it looks good," He looks at the alarm clock, "We're late. Come on," He gets up from Bane's bed and ushers us out of the room, closing the door behind him. 

In a flash of movement, Bane is past Jason and me in the hallway and out of sight. Jason sighs, "He's always early for things, and hates being late. Don't mind him," We walk down the rest of the hallway in silence until we reach the back door. Jason puts his hand on the knob and looks at me, his face full of concern, "Are you going to be okay in the crowd? I mean, there's like 30 people outside, and there's space to get away to be by yourself if you need some air, but I don't want you to be--," 

"Jason!" He sighs, opens the door, and looks behind me. I step aside as someone talks to Jason before heading out the door without giving me a glance. 

Maybe I could go by this entire thing completely invisible? This party is for me, but no one knows what I look like, so what are the odds they are actually going to recognize me when I arrive? I take a deep breath, trying to calm down my nerves. talking to myself usually worked, but this was hopeless--there was no way I was going to get through this thing without wanting to die. 

"Gill?" I look to Jason, who closed the door, allowing the quiet of the house to envelop us. Outside was noisy--the sound of people mingling already in full swing. I swallow, trying to think of what I was even going to say to these people. I'm not a social person, and have never had friends before. How am I going to interact with these complete strangers? What would I talk about? 

"Gill?" I shake my head, realizing that I was staring at Jason, who was now looking at me weird. Great, now even the person who shot me thinks I'm weird. I swallow and run my fingers through my hair. I need to get a grip. 

"I'm fine, I promise," I whisper, trying my best to sound convincing. Jason c****d his head to the side, as if to say he didn't believe me--I don't even believe me--but didn't say anything as he opened the door. I go to step through the threshold when Jason grabs my arm. 

The hair on my arms raise underneath the cardigan and small shocks follow. I look at Jason, confused, "If you need something come find me, okay?" I nod my head and give him a slight smile, his cool blue-purple eyes sending a kind of comfort through me that I cannot describe--It feels weird having someone be concerned for my general well being. 

Jason lets me go and follows me out of the house, and onto the back porch. 

The back yard, much like the rest of the property, is open with no fencing or physical barrier in sight. I took in a deep breath, my first breath of fresh air since the day I left my old pack in a while, and instantly calmed. I look around with the sudden ability to see people without causing panic in myself, and see everyone dispersed about the yard in close clusters. Everyone bounced back and forth between groups, laughing and having a good time. 

Jason walks past me, motioning me to follow him. I nod and follow along, my heart starting to pound in my chest once again, and follow Jason towards Bane and Angel, who were both in a small group of their own. 

The recognition on Angels face calmed me greatly, and I was able to smile and wave at him when he waved me over. Jason was caught my another person, so I just walked over to Angel by myself, with a smile on my face. I ignore the feeling in my gut that refused to shut up as I get closer to Angel, but realize that I should have listened to it when it came up. I don't have time to think about how bad things are going to turn out, I just need to get through right now, and stick to people I know. 

When I get to Angel, who is still smiling next to Bane and some other people, I quickly realize that I should have stuck with Jason and his conversation with whoever grabbed him. 

"Guys, this is Gill, the girl I told you guys about," I smile and wave at everyone, and don't get anything in response, which spikes my anxiety further through the roof. Everyone is quiet for a second before some girl starts laughing. 

"Ray, what's funny?" Bane said, looking at the girl, eyes ablaze with anger. 

"You're telling me that this little," she points at me and gives me an up and down motion with her finger, "girl, is anything more than that? A useless little girl?" she laughs, and a couple of people chuckle along, as if in agreement. 

Well, this is off to a good start.