Secret Meadow ((Open))

Quickly scanning the edge of the meadow, Cleo found the source of the sound. Cleo eyed the face in the bushes and ignored the small nose prodding her hand. The boy gave her an small wave and smile as Cleo analyzed whether he was a threat to her or not. After a beat or two, Cleo slowly started to relax her tensed form. She was so used to tensing when she heard a sound, it seemed perfectly natural. He would have already screamed or hit me or something if he was a threat, right? she asked herself, but a small part of her was still on high alert.

Finally, Cleo gave a timid smile in response and opened her palm for the little hamster to scurry onto. I probably look like some sort of crazy person, laying in a secluded field and laughing with a hamster, Cleo thought to herself as she quickly glanced away from the boy. Of course he probably shouldn't be out here either.. Cleo began to herself, but quickly shook that away. If he didn't ask any questions of her, she wouldn't ask any of him.

"I, uh, didn't think anyone else was out here.." Cleo began slowly, still unsure if she should be sitting there or running. Giving the boy another once over, Cleo noticed something in his hands. A branch? No, it was a bat. Unconsciously, Cleo raised an eyebrow and cocked her head to the side. Why would someone need a bat? she asked herself before the worrying side of her kicked up again and she prepared herself. What if he was going to attack me and accidentally made noise? What if he is still going to attack me? I should be screaming. Why aren't I screaming?! All these chaotic thoughts swirled through Cleo's mind and all she could do was stay carefully still in her place, waiting the boy's answer.

Cleo felt her chin rise slightly at being talked down to and a voice similar to her own say boldly, "I'm not that little," before she realized it was her own voice. Oh jeez, what if that makes him mad? Cleo panicked and quickly tried to start again. Eying the bat again, Cleo wasn't sure if she believed the boy or not. She had never heard of such a game before and no small children had gone past. By how nervous the boy seemed, Cleo felt sure something was up, but she tried not to let on that she knew. If he thinks I suspect, he might try to keep me quiet, Cleo worried before clearing her throat and blushing red.

"I was just laughing at...uh, nothing," Cleo quickly rushed. The less she said, the better. What can I say? That I was just laughing that I escaped? Yeah that totally wouldn't make him ask questions, Cleo thought sarcastically before turning her attention back to the boy. Glancing down, Cleo remembered that she had the small creature nestled in the safety of her scarred palm. Looking down at those small black eyes, Cleo couldn't help a small smile tugging at her lips.

"Yeah, this is my hamster, Star," Cleo murmured before looking back up. "I, uh, we just sort of hang out here occasionally," she continued before quickly going quiet. Why would I say that? Now he might tell a Peacekeeper. Or worse: my father, the realization hit Cleo and she quickly tried to change the subject.

"Do you want to hold her?" she asked, holding out her hand with the small fur ball.

Cleo couldn't help but let a small snicker escape her. Quickly scooping the fur back up before placing it in the jungle of grass, Cleo tried to compose herself. Well at least he didn't throw her when she did that, Cleo mused to herself as the last hints of her smile faded back to her usual, guarded self.

"Sorry about that," she began, looking back up at the boy who looked almost green at the sight of his hands. "Here," Cleo offered, handing him a bottle of water she had managed to grab while escaping her house. "You can rinse it off with this."

Cleo felt her mind wander back to the question nagging at her mind. Why is he here? Has he been here before and I just haven't noticed? Is he dangerous? Cleo shook her head slightly as if the movement would push back the confusing and disorienting thoughts. Of course, Cleo knew she couldn't out right ask him. What would I say? Oh yeah I was wondering are you going to kill me or not and should I be running and screaming from you? Yeahh no, Cleo thought, suppressing the urge to roll her eyes at her own stupid thoughts.

"Star is usually pretty good, when people are open and all. Animals can sense things," Cleo hedged, attempting to subtly figure this boy out. Of course, once she had said it, she realized that it could set him off and this whole nice act he had may dissolve.

"I'm Cleo," she blurted out, unsure if it was stupid or smart. Possibly stupid because he may or may not be a murderer, but also possibly smart because it may keep him from taking offense or worse from her previous words.I'm such an idiot today.

Taking one last look at the boy, Rumiel, Cleo nodded before carefully taking her water back without touching his semi clean hands.I still can't believe Star did that, Cleo snickered to herself. He had reacted like she thought he would to her comment about animals sensing things. This only confirmed Cleo's suspicions that he was up to something. I'm not sure what he's up to but I guess the less I know the best, Cleo finally decided as thoughts of her own situation flitted through her mind. Less knowledge is better sometimes.

"I understand," Cleo finally said, giving Rumiel a small reassuring smile that she wasn't going to go spilling everything to anyone she came across. Quickly scooping up Star, Cleo gathered her things and took one last look around the meadow. Are there more like him? Hiding in strange places, watching? a shiver ran down Cleo's spine but she quickly composed herself and turned once more to Rumiel.

"Well I guess in that case I better be leaving soon too," she murmured, internally wincing at her words. Great, I can't stay here because I feel watched, school's over for the day, and I don't have work today, Cleo groaned to herself as she realized there was only one place to go: Home. Cold dread seeped into Cleo's veins and she bit her lip to keep from letting her emotions through her guarded mask. Joy, she huffed before pulling herself up from the soft meadow grass. "It was nice meeting you," Cleo began as her eyes fell back on the strange boy, "and I might have to hold you to that whole water thing." A small smirk lit up Cleo's face and she unconsciously rubbed the top of Star's head with her thumb.

"I might be closer than you think," Rumiel said with a laugh and Cleo gave him an uncertain smile. Well that certainly doesn't help my new paranoia that someone may be watching me, Cleo thought. The realization that people like him could be lurking anywhere with weapons much more dangerous than a bat frightened Cleo. Cleo watched as the boy picked up his bat and disappeared from view. Well that was odd, she mused to herself as the afternoons events finally sank in. I went from escaping my house, to laying in the meadow, to having some strange boy scare me half to death, and finally actually talking to the boy and somewhat enjoying it, Cleo remembered and felt a short laugh pass through her lips before she gave Star a gentle squeeze.

"Looks like we have to go home now," she murmured sadly. Although Cleo doubted the animal could understand her, much less think about anything other than eating and sleeping, she could have sworn the hamster's eyes reflected the sadness in her own. No point wallowing and acting like a baby. It's my own house, I shouldn't be avoiding it, Cleo told herself before easily finding her worn path out of the thicket of trees.

Slowly trudging down the now dark street, Cleo took her time getting home. Finally, the familiar house loomed before her and Cleo felt her heart clench. Please be asleep, please be asleep, she began to plead, knowing that if he wasn't passed out, he was likely to remember even though his drunken haze that she had disobeyed him. Taking one last deep breath, Cleo pulled her door open slowly. Glancing around, she found the hallway empty, but the stench of alcohol even worse than before she left. He must be asleep, or at least passed out, Cleo thought, sighing with relief as she slunk towards the stairs, carefully leaving the water bottle on the kitchen counter.

Just as she stepped on the stairs, a low creek echoed and the hall light flashed on. Blinking, Cleo took in the figure before her. "Where were you?" came her father's gruff voice. Unfortunately, he seemed more stable than before and Cleo hoped he wasn't in a violent mood.

"I was just getting some fresh air," Cleo whispered. Suddenly, a small squeak sounded from her hand and she realized that she had been clenching her fists a little too hard. Glancing down at the little creature in her hand, Cleo realized her mistake.

"I thought I told you to get rid of that rat?" he muttered before grabbing her wrists and tearing Star away. Cleo let out a sound of protest, but one look from her father's blood shot eyes shut her up.

"Get up stairs," he said lowly, slowly closing his fist around the little mass of fur. "But-" Cleo began, but her father cut her off once more. "Now!"

Scampering up the stairs, Cleo refused to look back or concentrate on anything other than the sound of her pounding heart. She knew if she listened to anything else she may hear the poor creatures squeals. Shutting her bedroom door, Cleo bit her lip hard and curled up in her window seal. I should have stayed in the meadow, Cleo mournfully thought.

Cleo wrapped her arms around her knees as the sound of small squeaks suddenly cut off. I hate him she declared with a sob. Burying her head inside of her folded arms, Cleo ignored the sound of someone jogging past her house. Suddenly, the footfalls stopped and Cleo heard a voice.

"Hey, uh, are you okay?" came a gruff voice and Cleo looked over the edge to see a boy standing in the street. Taking a closer look, Cleo could clearly tell he was a career. His height and size were enough of a giveaway. Also, who else would be out at this hour taking a run? Great, I don't need a Career taunting me right now, she thought with a shuddering breath.

"I'm fine," she softly called back. A loud thump caused Cleo to stiffen in fear that her father had heard her, but after a moment she realized he was just passed out somewhere. Glancing back down, Cleo saw the boy still hadn't moved and his face held uncertainty. What else am I supposed to say to get him to leave me alone? I can't very well tell him that my drunk dad just crushed the only creature I can truly talk to, she thought as another tear prickled at her eyes.

"I said I'm fine," she repeated a little louder, assuming he hadn't heard. All Career boys were the same to her. They were loud, self absorbed, and cruel, just like her father. Eyeing the boy standing there, Cleo could tell he was maybe a year older than her. His strong build was an obvious giveaway that he was a Career and worked hard to be lethal. This District is filled with killers, she thought darkly with a frown. The immediate image in her mind was her father, hulking form with bloodshot eyes and almost always reeking of alcohol. Cleo bit back more tears at the thought of her father laying passed out somewhere with the crushed hamster in his fists.