Decisions

"Ted, Tom, you're certain she didn't set off any of your motion traps around the perimeter?" Zen asked confusion evident on his face.

"She did not, she appeared into the air and fell directly into the river." Tom started,

"I was under the impression your abilities prevented space warping?" Alex quipped.

"They do," Tom replied annoyance evident in his voice. "Are you suggesting we made a mistake?"

Ted now angry voiced "We would never risk his life like this... Alex! You're the one who..."

"She is not here for me, there was no recognition in her eyes, she is fleeing.... she was running." The four voices stopped immediately and their gazes turned to Kieren who was watching them from a chair." Zen nodded, "I also felt no aggression towards us, she harbors only mistrust, perhaps it's warranted. We do not know what happened" The rest of the team fell into silence, after a long moment Ted voiced the question clearly bothering the four, confusion marring his features "Kil, you helped her?"

Kieren looked up at them, something unrecognizable flashed in his eyes only to be covered within seconds by his usual stillness. "There is more to her..." he replied more to himself than to them. The four flashed glances at each other before turning back to their leader. "We will help her home?" Zen asked.

"Yes"

Violet was met with a surreal sight as she descended the stairs, the five of them were seated around the dinning table waiting for her. Her mind wandered, two years, that's how long it had been... an unpleasant wave of thoughts filtered through her mind, blood, screams, death, torture. She shoved them away and took a seat next to Alex.

"All better?" Alex questioned happily,

Violet smiled, a smile the rest of them noticed didn't quite meet her eyes. She seemed haunted.

"So how old are you?" The question was directed from Ted, who upon closer inspection seemed quite enthralled with the beautiful girl they had found by the rivers edge. "...23, I suppose more appropriate introductions are in order. I'm Violet Zaraa, I like dogs, moved to Colorado from California about 5 year ago, and I enjoy the woods."

Alex was thrilled, it suddenly became a rant, three voices chimed in all expressing their names, likes, dislikes, ages, and what they were doing with their lives. Only Zen and Kieren refrained from speaking and from the general chatter what Violet perceived was that the 5 of them were indeed close. Alex, Ted, and Tom were 23 as well, they'd grown up as neighbors in a very affluent neighborhood in Colorado.

Zen and Kieren were 24, the two were closer than the rest and likewise richer than the other three. The five of them had come together in middle school encircling Kieren and they had only grown closer as they aged. They all had abilities. Upon closer inspection it wasn't just Kieren who was good looking, the other four were attractive as well. Alex was a blonde with brown eyes and soft features.

The twins had black hair and eyes to match; they were tall, well built, with mischief and cunning etched into their sharp eyes. Zen was of average heigh, yet the hazel eyes he carried gleamed of intelligence and cunning. Toss in Kieren who looked like a deadly god and you had one hell of a squad, it was obvious who the leader was.

Violet gleamed more information as the twins continued their tirade. They were all rich, well rich was an understatement, they were on vacation, this particular house was one of Kieren favorites to visit during the winter, far away from everyone else. As Violet listened slightly immersed in the words the hesitation in her eyes was noticeable and unknown to her Kieren had not removed his eyes from her for a single moment.

"Well, what would you like for us to do?" Zen's question pulled Violet out of her musing, she turned, grey eyes clouding over.

"Where am.... the closes bus stop, I can navigate the rest." Her request was met with surprise, "We are 3 hours from the closes town and we are high in the Rockies." Ted whispered "are you sure you wouldn't..."

"That's perfectly fine, you've all done more than enough"

Protests appeared from Alex, Ted and Tom, they were convinced that she should stay or at least let them drive her directly to her parents house. Only Zen and Kieren seemed to comprehend, she had no desire to let them in. She wanted out and quickly.

"Enough, Zen you will drive her to the bus stop, the rest of you stop pestering. She does not want your sympathy." It was the first time Kieren has spoke in front of Violet, she could not hide her surprise. Grey met blue eyes and she felt a shiver run down her spine. This was someone you did not want to cross, his posture alone dictated total control and his voice carried over the tone of someone who was not often told no. "We will leave after we eat." Zen replied. It was a mark of his command that Alex, Tom, and Ted complied without another word.

Dinner was loud and festive, the three previously disgruntled by their leaders orders quickly shook the mood and continued very throughly to pester each other and Violet in tow. "Nobody likes your ugly mug anyway"Ted grunted at Tom, "I'm clearly much better looking, Violet said so herself."

Before Violet could even craft a response the two had been clobbered by Alex who continued with the statement, "Violet isn't interested in either of you doppelgängers, she's going to have nightmares if you don't shut up."

"Eat more!" Alex ordered, attempting to shove a piece of chicken down Violet's throat.

A firm hand pushed it away, "no thank you," Violet turned to look at Zen and said, "I am ready."

"Very well, Ted, Tom, Alex, say your goodbyes and go do a sweep."

Violet had a backpack pushed into her arms by Alex who whispered, "Just for in case." Ted and Tom who had a complete disregard for privacy sandwiched her in between them while fighting over who would miss her more. Violet had a headache coming on but she let herself be rattled by the dark haired twins.

The three of them walked out the door, out of sight, and as Violet turned around she realized it was only her and Kieren who remained. He made her nervous, in a this- guy-can-look- into- my-soul kinda way, clearing her throat she looked up and said "I heard you stitched me up, thank you." His gaze shifted and for a mere moment he seemed pleased. Violet continued, "Your hospitality has been grand, I wish you the best of luck in your..."

"We will meet again." Kieren interrupted her, she gaped at him, " I don't.." Kieren took a step forward a hand came up- Violet's eyes flashed with worry- took a lock of her hair and said "I do believe I am tied to you, this is but a mere until later." He turned on his heel and disappeared up the stairs without a backwards glance.

"Are you ready?"....

"Violet?" Zen stepped in front of Violet, "Are you ready?" Violet snapped out of her trance, hoisted the backpack onto her shoulder turned to Zen, smiled and said "Yes."

Three hours later Zen dropped her off in front of the bus stop in the quaintest of towns. His expression bordered deep concern as he drove away. She had been adamant that she would be fine, he had explained that Alex had left some money, food, and a spare change of clothes in the backpack to which he had received an appalled expression. He sighed, that had been a very constricting experience. He took one last look in the rear view mirror, she was watching as the car receded and as he made the final curve that would remove her from his sight, she took her first step.

Violet walked away from the bus stop, crossed 3 blocks to the train tracks, bought a ticket in near silence and without a backward glance disappeared into the depth of the tiny station.