Beta's Lover

Chapter - Ten

MACKENZIE

"This is our farm, where all the cattle are taken care off," Jazmine spoke, gesturing towards the farm house in front of us.

After we were done with introductions, Arthur announced he had some town things to look after along with Alistair and Cylon. Before leaving, Alistair took a glance at me and shot me a smile. It was that kind of smile where you could sense their warmth and sincerity. And here I was left confused.

Why was he like this with me?

Like what?

Like- flirting? No. More like making me feel comfortable. Yes this.

But why?

I was at battle with my own self when Jazmine told us that she will show us around the town and have a fun relaxing time here.

So here we are now. It sure was a nice farmhouse, located on the other side of the town, fully surrounded by greeny, fresh air and a small lake. Did i mention that a part of this town was located near mountain? Well yes, particularly the farm house was located here near the mountains. Usually the mountain's have visible steep and sloppy edges but here the mountains are fully covered with greenery to have the sloppy edges be invisible to naked eye. Adding more beauty to the place.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, feeling the cool air hitting my inside. It felt nice, making me bathe in it's coolness.

"You seem to like this place,"

I opened my eyes upon hearing Jamzine's comment. I turned around to find her looking at me, looking pleased.

"I like quiet places," I answered in a relaxed tone.

Nodding her head, she turned towards where Quinn was petting a goat. I also went towards them and found a baby goat in the ring where they were kept. The baby was so cute and had shiny brown fur. As if it could read my mind, the baby came running towards where i stood, it's long ears flapped around her face. I crouched to its level, stretching my hand and gently caressed her.

Annndd, yes before you question how did i knew if the baby goat was a male or female. I looked at its jewels. There... you have it.

So it was a her.

I might come as bipolar to you but trust me i am not. I am just an ambivert- a little more on introvert side- that has anger issues. Just like anyother introvert, my thoughts are way more interesting and funny than the words that escape my mouth. And i like it that way.

"Let's go. I have so much to show you," Jazmine exclaimed excitedly and looped her arms around Quinn and me.

The townspeople didn't stop and stare as they did before. This time they glance at us and talked in hushed tone. But one look from Jazmine and they would scurry away. We visited a small market where you could find clothes to food and household items. We ate a few things that Jazmine practically gave in our hands to taste their town's snack.

"They are not bad," Quinn commented, as she snapped her fingers- to get rid of the crisp- onto the now empty plate that she was holding.

"Hmm," I rather took a aggressive bite from the snack that i was eating which Jazmine bought for us. I felt my extrovert side leaving me alone with my introvert one. If you an ambivert you would understand.

We both now stood shoulder to shoulder and silently watched Jazmine who had big smile on her face and was ordering more snack for us.

I was now running out of my social battery. I had way too much of interaction for one day and now i needed my bed and my room. I could feel my bones jump in glee at the thought but the bubble burst as Jamzine shoved a plate full of another delicacy to my hands.

"It's too much food," Quinn responded, but her hand was already on the food. Making me roll my eyes at her.

"Thank you for all the food. But I rather go and rest a little," I informed them of my thoughts and hoped they would follow or else i would ditch them here and go back myself.

"Oh. But there is a small tea party arranged by the women of the town especially for you. You are guests here and we all treat our guests courteously and respectfully," Jazmine clarified, titling her head a little and her hands held out towards us.

"Tea party. Hmm. We should definitely go and thank them for their warm gesture! " Quinn said, slightly nudged my arm with hers.

I only turned my head towards her and looked into her eyes with a raised eyebrow.

I won't go.

You have to! I can't go alone.

Yes you can and you will. Cause i can't handle talking for a whole day.

"Well?" Jazmine questioned as she saw us glaring at eachother.

Quinn shoulders drop and turned around to look at her.

"I will go. Let her rest, she is a boring person anyway," My head jerked at her direction in surprise. Quinn only stuck her tongue at me, making me roll my eyes at her childish act.

"Oh haha. It would have been nice to have you there as well, but if you insist," She spoke gesturing towards the pathway in front of us.

"Take this path and you will reach the end of this market. Then from there you can ask anyone to show you the way! " And with that Jazmine linked her arms with Quinn and both were gone in a second in the crowd, like a gust of wind.

I stood there blinking my eyes, awkward. Shoving my hands in my pocket, I started walking down the path while keeping the distance from the people. As soon as I was out of the market, i took a deep breath and blew it off from my mouth.

Peace. No more noises.

I smiled internally and was about to stride down my way when a figure stepped into my line my vision. With narrowed eyes i looked up and made contact with the hazel eyes. My eyes subconsciously followed the movement of his lips morphing into a small smile. Blinking, i looked back up to him- Alistair.

"Where are you going?" He asked, shoving his hands in the jeans pocket. The muscles in his arms protude with the movement and daring me to touch them.

"Guest room," With that, I side stepped him and started walking straight, not knowing where to turn. I just knew i need to get away from him, my mind seemed to have an error and was not working properly.

"That's not the way, dear. You need to follow that road to reach to your direction," His tone had a teasing glint to it.

"Don't call me that," I spoke, my tone stern but not rough. Turning around to find him, smiling down at me. Eyes were gleaming with mischievous and that darn dimple tempting me to touch it.

"Call you what?" He questioned, knowing well enough what i meant. Making me look into his eyes.

I won't fall for your tricks.

I thought to myself and without answering him, I walked passed him to take the right turn on the path.

"You misunderstood, dear. I called you deer as in aminal just because you resemble them. Don't overthink, " Alistair spoke, maintaining his teasing look. But i didnt question him, beacuse he might be right.

Dear and Deer pronunciation is the same.

But if he did say dear, who cares? I have enough drama going on in my life to add another thing in it.

So I didn't question him and silently walked behind him. He happened to look back at me, making me jerk my head to the right.

I bet he must be smiling.

"How was your day? Did you have fun with Jazmine?" He decided to break the ice with a simple open question. But it made me take a deep breath.

"It was fine," I answered, nonchalantly.

My bangs were going crazy on my forehead and some of them even hit me in the eye cause of the wind. The weather suddenly became windy. Looking up, i found clump of clouds riding the air hiding the sun away, the fallen leaves seems to soar high in the sky.

"It will rain today," Alistair muttered, glancing at me and then back at the sky which was becoming dusty with time. The wind stroking his brown hair making them look messy which suited him more.

"Seems like it," I whispered, pushing the bangs behind my ears, irritated with them now.

"Finally, you agreed with me on something, dear." He chuckled at my annoyed expression.

"Will you lead the way? It's going to rain," I said, a bit annoyed with his contant flirting.

"Okay okay. You have such little patience," He says, tapping my shoulder lighlty as he passed me.

Pushing my bangs away with one hand, i marched forward.

My patience? I just spend fortune of my patience with you!

I was rebutting with him in my mind as i only glared at him. He chuckled again, making me blink in surpise, focusing back at him and finding he didn't look back at me while laughing.

Rolling my eyes, i chose to ignore this nutcase of a handsome man.

"Here you go, dear. Rest well. See you soon," Alistair spoke, this time his voice held a gentle soothing tone towards me almost made me tug at my heart.

You are just tired.

And he was gone with a smile on his face, leaving me outside the building where we were currently residing. Shaking my head to get rid of unnecessary thoughts and climbed up the stairs to the direction of the guest room.

So much in one day.

I never had this much interaction with people in my job as I did here- today.

But deep down, I want to have a carefree chat with people and listen to their stories.

However, remembering my past, the pain, the countless sleepless nights and losing the trust in people had me open my eyes- once again.

Don't be vulnerable to their kindness or facade. Whatever intentions they have.

After showering, i felt much better. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, my bangs slightly longer than before, covering the upper half of my eyes. My eyes rolled towards my nose pin, holding it with my fingertips, i rotate it around making me feel calm. I don't know why but this action always bring calmness to my mind. It's weird right?

Brushing my wet hair with hair brush, i tread towards the window. Pushing the curtains away, I opened the lock of the window and gave a little push forward and it swung open. The windowsill was high upto my waist, so leaning against it, I corssed my arms over my chest and looked at nothing in particular. My view consisted of the forest and few buildings in line with this one. The tall tree branches sway under the pressure of strong wind. The sky was not dusty as before may be cause there was no plain ground here. This town was mostly covered in green. It was slowly turning dark as grey black clouds were coming into view from a distance. Sighing, i zoned out in the scenery in front of me.

The door opened roughly and slammed against the wall making me startle and quickly using my brush as a weapon to defend myself against the intruder. But instead my eyes found a fearful and worried Quinn, her hands shoke as she walked inside the door.

"Quinn! Oh god, what happened?" Throwing the brush away, i ran towards her and grabbed her by her shoulders to support her.

"M-mac-k. I- you were right. They are lying to us! I-i-"

"Quinn. Relax. Take a deep breath and tell me exactly what happened," making her sit on the bed, i quickly went out of the door to see if anyone was eavesdropping on us. After making sure everything was clear, closing the door behind me, i walked towards Quinn who had gone silent and stared blankly outisde the window.

"After the tea party, as I was on my way back here, i happened to come across a few people. One of them was talking into a phone, so i stopped him and asked if the signal tower was working fine now as there was an issue a few days back. He said there was never an issue in the tower to begin with and the phones are working perfectly fine, even yesterday," Quinn spoke in one go and left me speechless.

So my suspicions were not wrong!

Why were they holding us hostages? For what exact reason?

"Quinn. We need to get answers and if that gets us nowhere. We have to run away no matter what," I demanded as i held her hands in mine, making her look at me.

She mustered up the courage and nodded at me.

"Grab anything you see as a weapon. Just in case, if we have to defend ourselves we should be prepared beforehand," i informed her as i stood up and looked around for anything that could play a role as a weapon.

I grabbed my mini perfume, it could sting if sprayed into the eyes. Quinn grabbed a fork from yesterday's plate which was left unattended in our room. Hiding our weapons inside our hoddies we left the room. As we stepped out, i came face to face with Alistair who climbed up the stairs, and his eyes switched between me and Quinn who stood still looking at him.

"Where is the leader? We have something to discuss with him," I asked him, grabbing the chance.

"Leader? You mean Arthur. He is his study," He spoke with a smirk. He caught my slip on tongue and now won't shut up about it, i can tell his intentions.

"Lead us there," i demanded not so politely.

He raised one of his bushy eyebrow, "That's now how you request, dear. You need to be polite," he spoke with a relax pose and his eyes held a challange.

Challenge to provoke me for sure.

"Please. It's important," Quinn came forward and spoke up.

He didn't let the eye contact break as he only nodded his head. He turned around and started walking with us following behind him. Arthur's office was on the upper floor from ours. Alistair lightly tapped his knuckles on the door twice and led the door open for us. He stood beside the open door and signalled to enter with a raise of his eyebrow. I walked inside and was met with an unexpected guest. Cylon and Jazmine wore same questioning looks as they looked at us and then at the back probably at Alistair.

"They came here to talk with the leader," i could sense the teasing tone in his voice as he spoke from behind.

I rolled my eyes and didn't react to his comment.

Well, you just did Mackenzie.

"Please sit," Arthur spoke, gesturing towards the sofas on his left.

We took a seat and Alistair also joined the club and stayed to watch.

Shit, if anything goes down. We are doomed for sure. They are more in number than us.

I sneaked a glance at Quinn, who was looking a bit anxious. So i straightened up and made an eye contact with Arthur.

"We have to leave, so i am here to collect my car keys. I hope the car is ready to go?" I questioned him,

"Uh well Miss Mackenzie, the car is quite not yet ready, i am afraid you might have to stay a few more days,"

"Why do you keep mentioning to us about staying here? What's the exact reason?" I exclaimed, my voice controlled. I clenched my jaw in tension.

"There is no particular reason. The accident happened on my area of authority and i have to bear the responsibility to look after you. We are trying our best to repair you car as soon as possible," Arthur spoke, in a calm and composed manner but this time i noticed how Jazmine stood tensed beside him.

I looked at Cylon who had no facial expressions but now i have my senses back, i noticed how rigid he stood and had his hands fisted together.

They were hiding something from us. I was sure of it now. My gut feeling is never wrong.

"You know very well if you hold us against our wishes, we can have you arrested? Or are you all gangsters? That explains taking in of us as your hostages!" I know i made no sense. But all this situation had no base at all.

"That's enough. You don't have to disrespect us now. We are telling you the truth. We never lied or had any ill intentions towards-"

"Bullshit!" I shouted this time unable to hold. Standing up, i glared at him. I felt Quinn grabbing my hand and shaking it lightly indicating me to calm down.

Taking a deep breath, i looked back at them.

"I don't know what game you all are playing. But i know for sure that you are lying to us. We found the truth from your town people that there was never an issue with the signal tower or whatsoever," I laid it out to them.

Arthur slightly nodded his head and glanced back towards my right, making me look as well in confusion. Only to make eye contact with Alistair who stood leaning agaisnt the door with arms crossed over his chest and held a serious expression for once.

Rubbing his stuble, he looked back Arthur and nodded his head.

"Please take a seat. We will tell you the truth," Arthur spoke, gesturing towards the sofa behind us.

..........