Significance - Chapter Twenty Eight

At first I thought I'd left my tank top upstairs, but with a quick look I saw that I was dressed.

Their thoughts all hit me at once. Peter had seen the ascension changes before on others but none as drastic as this. He smiled, knowing why I looked different and looked proudly on me.

Caleb was in awe. In his mind I saw that he always thought I was gorgeous, but now I just seemed confident and a finished masterpiece. He hadn't been able to really see the extent of the changes because I'd been disheveled when he rescued me and the dream was rushed and crazy. I looked at him, too, and saw his differences as well, though his were more subtle. He had never been more handsome. He'd showered and changed clothes and I could see his tan arms flex as he shoved his hands into his jean pockets. I bit my lip at how good he looked.

Then he looked me over, head to toe, and started thinking about my legs and arms and plenty else. I blushed from my neck to my cheeks at the things he wanted to do and turned from him before it was obvious what Caleb was thinking to everyone else.

My dad was devastated and I'd been so wrapped up in the other thoughts to see it. To him, my life had been sped forward, years taken from, and he was looking at someone who was no longer a teenage girl, unsure and fragile and needy. I was someone who was grown up and called home to Dad on holidays and birthdays. Someone who didn't ask permission because she didn't need to anymore. She was sure of her future and taking the reins away from him completely, someone who didn't need nor want a father anymore.

I stepped to stand in front of him

"Dad, never. That'll never be me." I looked down at myself and shrugged. "This is just the ascension, just my looks. I'm still me, I haven't changed."

"But you have," he said softly and cupped my face with his hard callused hands. "You grew up while I was being an idiot." He smiled. "You're beautiful, inside and out. I'm so sorry if I ever made you doubt that."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. I was about to ruin the mascara I'd just put on if he didn't quit it. He released me and put an arm around my shoulder. He kissed my temple and started to explain what was in store for me.

They told me about the beach house and the flight. I didn't bother to tell them I knew all about it because I could read their thoughts. Caleb smirked at me from over the counter, reading me. He knew I was just letting our fathers seem like they were controlling and handling everything for us. They needed it so I didn't stop them.

"Now, I'll get you another cell phone this afternoon and you better keep it on you at all times," Dad explained again and I nodded. He looked at Peter. "Now, who did you get to go and watch out for them?"

"I have a few to ask at lunch today."

"We don't need a chaperone, Dad," I insisted.

"I'll be the judge of that."

My comeback was interrupted by the doorbell. Everyone looked around. We weren't expecting anyone but I heard thoughts of an anxious person who was worried. Then the door opened and I heard shouting.

"Dad! Dad, are you home?"

"Bish!" I yelled and took off toward the voice.

I turned the corner and my brother looked exactly as I remembered; big, beefy, tan, dark haired and smiling in confusion. "Bish! Oh, my goodness!"

"Maggie? I thought-" He grabbed me as I jumped to him and held me off the floor against him. "Dad called and said you'd been kidnapped." He put me down but didn't release his bear grip on me. "Was this some sick joke just to get me to come home?"

"I wish," Dad said from behind me and grabbed Bish in a hug. "It's good to see you, son. Wow. I didn't think you could get any bigger," he mused and Bish smiled bashfully.

"Well, you know." Bish rubbed his upper arm. He was always naïve about how nice looking he was. He was a very muscley guy, always had been. "I do a lot of lifting at work, boxes of supplies and stuff." Then he remembered why he was here. "What the hell, Dad? I thought you said-"

"She was kidnapped." Dad pulled me to him. "We just got her back last night. Haven't even had time to tell the police yet."

"What happened?" Bish asked and looked at me. He turned his head and squinted. He pulled me from Dad and looked closely at me with his hand on my shoulders. "Have I been gone that long? You're so..."

He was thinking how stunning I looked. How grown up and different I was.

Holy crap, what happened? How could I have missed so much? She looks more like mom than ever. Man, she was always pretty but she's just so... beautiful.

He had also noticed the two men standing behind us but hadn't acknowledged them yet, on purpose. He suspected they had something to do with all this and he'd have to hurt someone. He suddenly felt very extra protective of me and wondered if I had run away with that boy and was discovered or something and that's why Dad thought I'd been kidnapped. He mentally took a deep breath to calm himself for what I was about to tell him.

Then, since his thoughts seemed to be streaming to me, everything else did, too. All his errant thoughts, his loaded memories, his past thoughts came flooding to me like a landslide. His mind was clean and sincere with a barrier of guarded reluctance, but his memories were anything but.

I saw a flash of him as a kid, hiding in a blackened closet, a yellow light peeking under the doorway while yelling and banging on the door was all around him as he held the knob tightly pulled to with all his ten year old might.

Another glimpse of a man who seemed to tower over him, literally. He looked like a giant with shadows across his face and his eyes seemed to almost glow red as the man drew his hand back swiftly to slap him.

Then, a kid being pulled away from a raggedy house while a woman covered her face and cried. The kid, a teenager, was dirty and his lip was bloody. When he looked back, there was a man beside the lady, if you could call him a man. He was broader than any normal man with arms like a cartoon wrestler and he looked strangely satisfied, his grin too wide like a clown, as the officers placed the kid, Bish, none too gently into the back of the squad car with lights blaring for all to see the criminal. Bish's thoughts were only for the woman with the monster's arms around her and how he hadn't gotten there fast enough to stop the last beating. And now, his foster mom didn't have him there to save her anymore.

I realized then that this was Bish's perception. His memories were distorted but as real as anything I'd ever felt. This is what his child mind was filled with; pictures and flashes of monsters of every kind and variety, human monsters. This was what his childhood was like.

I pulled desperately out of his mind and threw my focus to Caleb instead to block Bish altogether, with my hand covering my mouth to hold in the scream. Caleb was fighting to hold himself in check as well, so as not to run to me.

"Oh, Bish," I sighed as goose bumps ran down my arms.

"What's the matter?" Bish asked and bent to see my face as I held tight to his arms for support. "You look a little green, Mags."

What is going on with you?

I heard Bish in my mind but forced it shut. Caleb was watching me with wary eyes, seeing what I had seen through me and his legs twitched, seconds from making their way across the room to rescue me with his calming touch.

I'm ok. It just surprised me, that's all. I'm all right.

He didn't look convinced but nodded slightly where only I could see.

"I'm fine. And I grew up is all." I punched Bish playfully in the stomach and tried to keep my own self in check with a plastered on little smiled. "If you hadn't run off to New York, you'd have noticed how different I look isn't so drastic."

He ignored my dig and pressed on. "What happened, Mags?" His glance flickered to Caleb and Peter. He did not look happy. "Someone better tell me what's going on."

"Oh, sorry, Bish," Dad said and stepped forward, "I forgot. This is Peter and Caleb Jacobson. This is my son, Bish. He's been interning in New York."

"Nice to meet you, Bish," Peter said and shook his hand.

"Likewise," Bish muttered snidely.

"Bish," I protested.

"They apparently have something to do with this. That's why you're just now introducing them when they've been standing back there the whole time." He went to stand ominously in front of Caleb. "So what is it? What do you have to do with Maggie disappearing?"

Caleb was tall but Bish still had about two inches on him and though Caleb was plenty big in the chest and arms, bigger than most guys I knew, Bish was the biggest guy I personally knew. And he was pissed.

I'm gonna have to kill this guy. I can see that right now.

"Bish, no," I protested again and went to stand in front of Caleb. "What are you doing?"

Caleb wasn't scared of Bish, he just didn't want there to be a problem with him and upset me. I felt him grab my arm from behind and squeeze affectionately. I turned to look at him and he smiled, pulling me to his side

"It's ok." He held his hand out to Bish. "I'm Caleb. I'm dating Maggie." Bish still didn't take his hand so Caleb lowered it.

"Bish," Dad said and put a hand on his shoulder. "Caleb found Maggie. She was kidnapped by some...men. She escaped from them. Caleb and Peter found her in the woods yesterday and brought her home."

"What? Why didn't you just say that?" Bish asked me.

"Well, you were all...on offense," I answered.

Bish chuckled and looked back to Caleb.

"Sorry. She's my baby sister," he explained and extended his hand out to Caleb, "you know."

"I get it," Caleb laughed and shook his hand, "I have a sister, too."

"So...you said you're dating? Did you know each other before yesterday?"

"Yeah. We were already dating before that, I was out looking for her."

Bish looked back at me and all humor went away. His mind was confused as to how he should react to this. He didn't know whether to just be happy I was safe or go berserk and ask who needed to die.

"I'm fine," I told him and grabbed his hand, "really."

"Stop, Mags. It's not like you had a bad experience at the dentist, ok, you were kidnapped."

"But I'm fine now. I just want to forget it."

He pulled me to him roughly, my head under his chin. I squeezed him, still feeling the slime of his memories of the men and women who had abused him all around me. My chest was tight and I fought to keep tears in check.

"I missed you, kid." He sighed. "I shoulda been here. After mom left... I should have come home to make sure you both were ok." He pulled back. "Has she called you?"

"No."

"Yes, actually," Dad answered. "She's called everyday since you were gone."

"You shouldn't have called and told her, Dad."

"She's your mother, Maggie."

I leaned my head back and looked at the ceiling.

"Well. I don't want to talk to her. I'm not being disrespectful but she has a lot of things to make up for, with you," I pointed to Dad, "before she does with me. She may have abandoned me but she left you, Dad."

"Maggie, she's your mother," he repeated with more inflection.

"She's your wife! It's not the same thing."

"You're right, it's not the same thing." Dad came up to me. "You can't hold what your mother did to me against her. She and I will work out our problems or we won't, but that doesn't have anything to do with you and her."

I did not want to talk to her or be talking about her anymore. You just don't do that to people. They were married for a long time, they promised to love each other forever and she just left. How can you do that to someone who had devoted their life to you? What kind of chance did people who loved each other have if they had to worry about the other person flipping out and leaving you one day for no apparent reason. I didn't think that Caleb would ever do that to me but it was only because of the imprint. He couldn't leave me. His body wouldn't let him.

"Don't," Caleb said across the room and looked at me sternly. "Don't you do that."

I looked at him and bit my lip, suddenly wanting to cry. One minute everything seemed so sure and certain and the next I was in limbo. The truth was...that I missed my mom. I missed her the way she used to be and yet I was so angry at her for the way she was now. She did leave me and as much as I wanted to never see her again, if she walked through that door, I had no idea what I'd do.

I'm sorry, baby.

Caleb walked over and pulled me to him. I breathed him in and put my arms around his middle, letting him calm me.

I'm sorry I'm such a girl.

He laughed and pulled back to look at me.

"That's the way I like you."

"What am I missing?" Bish muttered under his breath.

"Nothing," I said and scolded myself for forgetting that he didn't understand everything. "Um, we better get going if we're going to make lunch at the Jacobson's." Crap, Bish. "Oh, uh, Bish is here."

"It's fine," Peter assured, "we made plenty I'm sure. Bish you're welcome to join us."

"Ok, great," he said and looked at me with a raised brow. "Maggie, why don't you ride with me?"

I halted my steps, my body protesting, but it was only a ride down the street, right? I'd see Caleb in like five minutes. Normally, it wouldn't matter so much but I didn't want to be away from him at all for a while. I sighed and got a grip on myself. I'd have to learn to function like a normal person.

"Yeah," I agreed, my fingers scratching at the side of my thigh and glanced at Caleb. He smiled.

I know it's hard. It's just really bad right now because of everything that happened the past few days. Go with him and I'll see you at Kyle's.

I smiled and nodded, then told Bish I had to go grab my shoes. Caleb, Peter and Dad went on and were gone by the time I came back down.

"Ok, before we leave," Bish said and cornered me on the stairs, "what the heck is going on with you and this kid?"

"Everything," I answered softly and truthfully. "Everything is going on with us."

"What do you mean everything?" he boomed.

"Not that. Everything as in...I'm in love with him."

"Crap." He sat down roughly on the bottom stair. "What happened to Chad?"

"What do you mean what happened?" I sat down beside him. "You know exactly what happened. He dumped me."

"Yeah, but I thought you...I don't know."

"And what's up with you? Why were you being such a jerk to Caleb?"

"Why haven't you told me about him?" he countered.

"I don't know." I put my head on his shoulder. "It's different with him."

"Chad was a tool."

I laughed.

"Yeah, but I thought you liked Chad."

"I did, but that's only because I knew he was a tool and nothing bad would come out of you two dating."

"Why does everyone say that?" I muttered.

"And I'm protective with you and all your boyfriends. Chad got his fair share, it's Caleb's turn."

"He's nice, Bish. He's really good to me. He loves me."

"How long have you known him?"

"It doesn't matter. Just be nice to him, he's gonna be around for a while."

"All right. He did save your life. I can be nice I guess."

He pulled me from the step and opened the door for me.

"How long are you here for?" I asked and as much as I missed him, I hoped he'd be leaving soon.

I was supposed to be leaving with Caleb tonight and Bish knows Dad wouldn't let me go on a vaca with a guy. He'd think something was off if I made up something about staying at a friends the night after I was kidnapped.

"No idea." He opened my car door and then quickly went to his before slumping roughly into the drivers' seat of his rented Ford Taurus from the airport. This was so not a Bish car. He leaned his head back on the seat. "I hadn't thought about it. I just couldn't sit up there and wait for news from Dad anymore. So I spent my savings on a plane ticket."

"Ah, Bish. I wish you hadn't. I miss you and I love you but I hate that you have to struggle so much. Your boss is such a jerk."

"It's ok. It was worth it. I just don't know what I'm gonna do now. New York is like a different universe, Mags. Everything is so expensive I barely have any money left over after my bills. I've been working for this guy for almost three years thinking he'd promote me but I'm still his intern."

He looked over at me. I was trying to keep my face neutral so he wouldn't know but his thoughts were desperate.

He hadn't been telling Dad and I what a hard time he was having. Apparently, it was really bad. His apartment was crap and he was behind on rent. His job was tedious and his boss always had him doing extra errands and things for no extra pay and on his time, threatening to fire him if he didn't do them without complaint. He had to do odd jobs, give blood and walk dogs on weekends just to have money for food. He was thinking about quitting but there was nothing else to do. He'd looked. He wanted to come home but didn't want to ask. He felt like a failure.

"I'm sorry. Maybe you should just come home? Dad would let you move back for a while until you get settled into another job."

He brightened a little.

"I've actually been thinking about that. I even looked at the classifieds in the city so I could commute from Dad's. I don't know," he shook his head, "I'm not sure what I want."

I leaned over and kissed his cheek and he smiled in surprise at me.

"You should do what makes you happy," I chimed sweetly. "So, how about girls?" I said conspiratorially.

"Girls?" he scoffed. "I've got no time for girls," he laughed and cranked the car, "unless she worked at my boss' coffee shop, I'd never see her."

I laughed and he did, too. It was a sad truth and I didn't blame him but it still sucked. I wanted him to be happy. He wasn't. I hated it.

"I can't believe you're dating that guy. He's strange."

"What?" I asked, puzzled by why he was bringing it up again.

"I didn't say anything." Crap. I'd read his thoughts. I'd have to watch it around him more carefully. "Where are we headed?"

I spouted the directions and he pulled out.

"So, how's Beck?" he asked.

"Crap!" I yelled. "I completely forgot about Beck. Can I borrow your cell?"

"Sure."

He tossed it to me and I dialed her number. She picked up and I could hear her thoughts. Ralph was there and she was irritated about being interrupted.

"Beck?"

"Maggie! Maggie, where are you?"

"I'm fine. I was brought home last night."

"OMGosh. I can't believe this. You're like a celebrity around here!"

"I am?"

Oh, man I hoped not.

"Yes! Of course! Everyone knew about it. Are you ok? Where were you? What happened?"

"Beck, I'm sorry, I can't talk right now what with the police and family and all. I just wanted to call and tell you I was home safe."

"Ok," she said and I could tell she was perturbed but she let it go. "Call me later, Mags, I've been so worried about you."

"I know," I muttered. "I'm sorry. I'll call you, k?"

"K. Love you, Mags. I'm glad you're ok."

"Love you, too."

I hung up just as we pulled onto Kyle's street and...oh, boy. The street looked like a parking lot. There were cars everywhere.

"What's going on? Is the fair in town?" he grumbled as he pulled into a spot way away from Kyle's.

"It's kind of for me," I admitted softly.

"What? What do you mean? Oh, because you were rescued and all, but...this is his parent's right? They're making a big deal over you, huh? They must like you."

"You have no idea."

We made our way down the sidewalk and I was grabbed sideways and lifted as we passed the hedges on the edge of Kyle's yard.

"Holy crap, Mags! I've been worried sick about you."

"Kyle, hey."

He put me down and kissed my cheek, especially close to my lips and beamed at me. His hand still held mine and I glanced over to see a confused Bish.

Now who is this Joker?

I pulled away quickly and was hit with Kyle's thoughts and...wow. I had no idea before how he really felt about me. This was not some crush. He was in love with me, seriously in love with me. And I felt nauseous.

"Wow, Mags. You look awesome."

I wanted to take it all back. To block him from the start and not have listened to his thoughts about me, but it was too late.

He had been so worried he'd barely slept while I was away. He was angry at his family for not thinking it was important to keep him updated, because he was my friend. He hadn't even been told that I'd been found until this morning, by his mom. He was mad at me and Caleb for not telling him ourselves. He thought I looked hotter than I ever had and wanted nothing more right that second than to kiss me, like he's wanted to kiss me for two years straight.

I wanted to hurl.

I felt terrible and horrible inside. I hated hurting people and I was hurting Kyle, though I never meant to. "Bish, you remember Kyle?"

"Oh, yeah, man. How are you?"

"Good, man. How's New York treating you?"

"Awesome," Bish muttered sarcastically and was thinking about finding Dad and what the heck I was doing with this boy if I was with Caleb.

"All right, well everyone's waiting for you, may as well get it over with. Come on," Kyle said and tried to take my hand again.

"I need a second with Bish," I stalled.

"All right." He smiled. "I'm so glad you're all right, Maggie."

"Thanks, Kyle." He left and I turned to Bish to see his what-the face.

"I know, ok. I know. He's Caleb's cousin. I went to school with him. He was friends with Chad and me before all this. It's all very complex."

He grinned. "Look at my little sister. A player," he laughed.

"Shut up!" I smacked his arm and he laughed louder. "I can't help it if someone has a crush on me."

"Well, you are pretty great."

"Oh, please," I rolled my eyes. "Can we go in now?"

"I'm ready if you are."

It was my turn to grin. "You have no idea what you're getting into."

I pulled him through the yard to the porch and as the door opened it exploded with light and laughter, blaring thoughts, my name called on lips in minds. Add their concern and relief to that and I was overloaded.

I fainted, right there on the porch in front of everyone.