« Deception » Book 1: City of Secrets

Lilly smirked, and followed the boy. She was gret with self defense, if need be, her teeth like little razors...

Mark breezed through his backyard and started down a trail leading into the forest.

Lilly looked around in wonder. She was enjoying herself, she had to admit.

Mark wasn't sure how he felt about Lilly yet, but he was determined to break through her protective shell and get to know the real person inside. He continued into the dense forest, eventually straying off trail. He glanced behind him to ensure that Lilly was still following.

Lilly was still following Mark, thinking of how different this was. She liked Mark, he wasn't like other people who stared at her, and her dirty looks. He was mysterios.... Just like her.

Mark stopped at a massive oak with a hole in the trunk large enough to fit inside. He squeezed into it, and beckoned Lilly to follow. Then he clambered down the ladder he had installed into his earthy underground hideout.

Lilly was mesmorized, as she followed Mark into the tree. "This is amazing," she murmered.

The walls were earthy; roots and rocks stuck out in places. The cozy space was occupied by a couch, a wooden cabinet, and a locked trunk. "Have a seat," said Mark, guesturing ((Okay, I know I'm spelling that wrong, but how is it really spelled? *sigh* )) to the couch.

((I have that problem a lot. How is it spelled? ))

Lilly looked around. "Wow, it's so cozy! I love it already," she said this as she sat down on the couch.

(( No idea, I'm too lazy to look it up. ))

Mark sat down beside her with a smile. "I did this myself," he said. "When I was fifteen, and I lived here with my father. He was always out on crime sprees, and would often come home drunk, so I needed a place to call my own. In the end he died of alcohol poisoning, but not until he led me to follow in his footsteps... but I stopped drinking a year ago. I don't want to die like he did."

((Haha, me as well! ))

"That's horrible!" Lilly gasped. "At least you stopped, which is great. Many people don't. My parents both died when I was twelve. Car accident. I guess it drove me mad, and, well, here I am." she looked away. "You, uh, did a great job with this place. It's really cozy. I like it."

Mark nodded, seeing that she didn't want to press the subject. "I'm really sorry about your parents," he murmured quickly, giving her a quick hug. "Er, thanks."

"It's all right," she said, returning the quick hug.
She sat on her hands, and looked around the 'house' awkwardly. "So, do you live here? Or, do you have another home?"

"Nah, that was my house back there, that I was sitting outside of. This is my thinking spot, my place to escape." He pulled at a frayed strand of demin from the ripped knees of his jeans, suddenly unable to meet her eye.

"Oh. I see..." she looked around in wonder. "So, er, does anyone else know about this?"

"No, actually," he replied. He suddenly realized how huge it was for him to bring someone down here, much less a girl, a girl he had just met.

Lilly nodded. "Do you come here often?"

"Pretty much every day. Sometimes I stay in here for a day or two, when I need to think something through without distraction..."

"Ah. I need a place like this. You know, to think things through..." Lilly said, understanding.

Mark nodded. "It's great. My secret place..."

"Yeah, I don't see anyone ever finding it..." Lilly was now determined to change the subject. "So, uh, do you live alone? Or, do you have a girlfriend, or a roommate or something?"

"No, just me. I don't really have friends anymore, after my depression stage. A lot of girls like me now, but I haven't found the one yet."

"Oh, I see. Well, I'm sure you will one day," Lilly said, with a bit of a smile. "Yeah, I guess some guys like me. Everytime I go out, they usually drool," she said, rolling her eyes.

I can see why... "A lot of guys are disgusting like that. They're probably all perverts, who don't care about personality."

I can see why girls like you....
"Yes, exactly!" Lilly said. That was exactly it. "They always make disgusting comments as well! Part of the reason I always stay inside, and keep to myself."