Deception

“I’m healing pretty well. Still feeling a significant amount of pain and tightness if I move to fast but much better than I was, thanks for asking.” He gave her a smile but wanted to just walk away. “I’m happy to hear your healing and I just wanted to say thanks but if you need anything at all just ask for me. You wouldn’t want to take a walk sometime would you? If you feel up to that, that is.” She blushed more than ever. “I might once I’ve healed up a bit more.” He hedged hoping she wouldn’t realize he wasn’t being entirely sincere. “I’ll look forward to that then. Since you saved me I’ve really wanted to get to know you.” She giggled softly and he had to admit to himself she had an attractive laugh. “Right well, I should let you get back to what you were doing. Have a good afternoon!” she smiled as she turned and walked away. He watched her walk away for a moment before continuing on into the woods. He made it back to the stump he’d used before to find the girl Liza crying softly. He sighed thinking he just wouldn’t be able to get away from them all.

“Are you alright?” he wished he hadn’t agreed to the whole thing but thought he should make the effort since he had. “What’s it matter to you? No one seems to care so why bother.” She sobbed softly as she glanced up at him. “To be honest it doesn’t and if you’d rather I leave I will. You just sat there crying and I thought it might help to have someone to talk too.” He shrugged his shoulders and turned to go. “I’m sorry, it’s just none of the guys seem to want anything to do with me and I’ve been going out of my way to be nice. Like the other day when I first met you, I didn’t mean to scare you but even when you wouldn’t talk to me I tried being nice. Is there something wrong with me? Am I not pretty enough?” she sobbed harder before burying her face in her hands. “Look, I’m sorry if I came across as being rude the other day. I’ve been going through a lot and I was wrong for taking it out on you. As far as I can tell there’s nothing wrong with you and you’re very pretty. It might be that the guys realize they can’t just get into your pants so they stay away from you to be with girls they think they can get some from. It’s how most guys think anyway.” He sighed wishing he didn’t have to play up to these people.

“But even you would rather be nice to my sister than even talk to me.” She sobbed louder. “Liza, I’m not even sure who your sister is! I haven’t met very many people here yet. I mean, I’ve spent the last week or so in bed recovering from that bear and I’ve only met you, Dawn and the doctor that I remember.” He sighed wondering how to get out of this. He knew they expected him to show interest in the girls but didn’t know where to begin acting that part. “Dawn is my little sister. You risked your life for her but couldn’t spare a word for me!” she sobbed softly hoping he would do more than just stand there. “First, I’ve already explained I was going through a lot with my family. I’d just gotten into an argument with them and I was in a bad mood. I apologized already for taking that out on you by ignoring you. Second, I didn’t know who the girl was only that she was in serious danger. I would have done it for anyone in that situation.” he sighed wondering why it even mattered.

Steve felt really nervous when he was told one of the elders was on his way over to see him. He paced nervously wondering why an elder would be coming to see them. He heard a knock on the door and quickly opened it to find the older man waiting. “I’m elder Gavin, may we speak inside?” Gavin spoke softly enough he almost didn’t hear him. “Of course sir, come in and have a seat if you’d like elder.” Steve was more nervous than he’d ever been. “No need for formalities. Please just call me Gavin. I’m here to talk with you about your son.” Gavin smiled reassuringly as he stepped in and sat down. “What did he do now?” Steve instinctively had to ask. “Nothing that we’re aware of. Actually I’m here to discuss how we get your son to do what he should have been willing to do.” Gavin smiled again hoping Steve would relax. “I’m sorry sir. We’ve tried everything to get him to cooperate. We just don’t have any idea how to get through to him.” Steve felt like he was about to throw up.

“Steven please relax. You’ve done all we could expect you to do. I’m not here to punish anyone but so we can get on the same page on how best to help your son come into the fold.” Gavin sighed hoping Steve would just relax already. “What more can we do?” Steve continued to fret. “We elders have already put a different plan in play. We have a certain young lady who is a very talented actress. As we speak she is seducing him with the hope he will fall for her. We have big plans for both of your children but we need both and not just one.” Gavin wondered if they knew how important their children really were. “My son is determined he’s leaving. I don’t understand why he’s acting the way he is but he’s gotten this idea into his head that there’s some sort of evil plan against him. He believes we’ve all betrayed him and are out to get him.” Steve shook his head but feared what the news would mean for them all. “Some of the elders believe he’s the best example of our most recent successes so of course we’re going to do anything we can to make certain he’s doing his duty to the family. If it helps I’ll speak to him myself. Now for another matter of great importance, it’s time to begin the testing. We’ve instituted testing for this generation such as physical strength, endurance, agility, mental acumen, as well as the eye and hearing tests which you’ll remember. We’ve also added genetic testing as well fertility and potency tests. Both kids need to be tested but I think James will prove difficult on the last two.” Gavin grimaced wondering how the doctor planned to get those samples.

“Didn’t the doctor take blood samples when James was there for medical attention? We already know he’s really strong, I mean he lifted a 557 pound brown bear. We also know he’s got the endurance to be able to walk the distance he did after losing so much blood. That tells me he’s also got an extremely strong will which only makes me more worried since he’s determined to fight against us.” Steve trembled slightly not sure he should mention James’ temper. “He needed several pints of blood. He’d lost too much to think we could safely get samples from him. We know he’s strong but just how strong is he? We can’t be sure his endurance was what helped him walk all the way back here because he does have a very strong will. It’s because of his actions we need to know more now than ever. Bears are known for having very strong jaw and neck muscle. The fact he was able to break its neck with seeming ease is indicative of greater strength he’s keeping hidden. I’d also venture a guess that his intelligence quotient is very high and I’m guessing its part of why he’s so suspicious of what’s happening here. He’s put a lot of things together and discovered other information very quickly.” Gavin wondered how much James already had pieced together.

“I still don’t know how but he tricked me into revealing that they’ll be married when they leave here. Someone will need to speak to him about that quickly before he gets it into his head that it’s a bad thing.” Steve almost cringed at the admission. “It’s alright Steve; I’ll speak to him myself. I’ve become increasingly interested in meeting this young man of yours. Rest assured if he indeed proves to be our greatest success the family won’t allow him to just walk away. It could take some time but he won’t be very far from a family member his entire life.” Gavin knew he needed those results very quickly now that he’d pieced a better profile of James together. “What will we do if he doesn’t fall for the young lady he’s meeting?” Steve sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “There are a lot of beautiful young ladies here. Surely one of them can capture his heart and convince him to cooperate.” Gavin chuckled knowing James would do their wishes. “Gavin I don’t think you realize how stubborn he is. When James decides something there is nothing anyone can do to make him change his mind. He has to willingly change it himself. That’s why my daughter is so distraught he feels we betrayed him. It’s affected their relationship so much it’s hurting her. They used to be together constantly, doing everything together, confide in each other. Now he won’t talk to her at all, they haven’t spent any time at all together, she’s crying herself to sleep every night and sleeping on the couch because she can’t be near him and they’ve always shared a room because they simply wouldn’t stay in their own.” Steve wasn’t certain he was explaining properly.

Liza stared up at James as she let the tears fall freely. She knew the elders wanted her to convince him to fall in love with her and she was playing her part to perfection but he seemed unsure of her still. “Just go away. No one cares about me.” She let her false sobs ring out louder hoping he’d take the bait and try to physically comfort her. James gave her a curious look as his mind went to work on everything that had taken place since he’d gotten there. “Ok, bye then.” He turned quickly and strode away through the forest. Liza stared after him incredulously wondering how to fix this now. She was becoming more determined to snare him since she’d never been refused before. “What the hell just happened here? How could he resist a woman in distress like that?” she sighed knowing she needed to return to her cabin to think it through. James smiled a little as he replayed the act he’d seen. When he’d first come across her crying he’d been concerned but the longer they’d talked the more certain he’d become that it had been an act. He somehow knew she wasn’t feeling sad but wasn’t sure how. He’d never experienced anything like that before, at least not so strongly. He’d always been able to figure out what people and animals were feeling but never before with such certainty. He soon found himself down near the river as he continued to analyze the situation.