Page 71 of Tethered

“Well, if you ask me, he kept his cool, especially since Porter and Derek push his buttons every time they mess with me.”

“That’s what they do. They twist and shape the narrative so that it’s impossible to distinguish between the victims and the monsters.”

“And as the monsters know how to act innocent and the victims often have claws, people are easily swayed by what they hear, blinding themselves willfully to what they see. Trust me, Iknow. I’ve starred in this shitshow long before the reboot. The thing is, I’m not alone in this anymore. If they want to come at me swinging, they’d better prepare for me to swing back.”

“I’m sorry about all this. I know he’ll use Hannah and me against you, but whatever he says is a lie. I will never willingly go back to him. So if I ever say I am, something is very fucking wrong.”

“I won’t forget,” I agree as Hannah plows into my legs and nearly knocks me flying.

“Calliope! Where have you been? Everyone was pretending not to be worried.”

I dip down with a grin on my face. “Nobody can get anything past you, can they, Cookie?”

She wraps her arms around me, and I breathe in her sweet little girl scent as I hold her tight.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you too. You want to do some more gardening with me later?”

“Yes, please!”

I grin as she looks up at her mom just to make sure.

“It’s fine by me as long as you finish your spellings first.”

“Oh, man!” She whirls around and stomps inside. I glance up at Dawn and see her grinning from ear to ear.

“What?”

“I love it when she gets grumpy or sassy. I really, really like it when she throws a tantrum.”

“You’re a strange creature, Dawn,” Jen comments, leaning against her car.

“I know. But when her dad was around, she had to make herself small in hopes he wouldn’t notice her. She was always quiet and meek. She never felt safe enough to react or overreact, until now.”

Jen walks over and surprises us both by wrapping Dawn in a hug. Dawn awkwardly hugs her back before Jen pulls away. “I’m heading out. I have papers to write and skulls to crush. I’m glad you found your way to Corvis Wing, Dawn.”

“Me too.”

Jen smiles, and we watch, somewhat amused, as she gets back in her car and beckons Riggs with a curl of her finger.

“How can someone be both sweet and terrifying at the same time?”

“I think it’s a skill she was born with.” I laugh as Riggs nods at Jen and walks back to me. “What was that all about?”

“She told me you had sex with Shepard in the interview room.”

I choke on my tongue as Dawn cracks up laughing beside me. “Why would she tell you that?”

“I think it was Jen’s way of telling me you aren’t pretending, that you really are okay.”

“Ah, that makes sense in the only way it can when Jen’s involved.”

“Sweet and terrifying,” Dawn repeats, making Riggs grin.

I look around and frown. “Where’s Austin?” The smile slips from his face. “What is it?”

“Nothing.”