"We need to go."
Relief flooded through her as Julian echoed her own need to escape from the place. Shakily she got to her feet before Mila suddenly crushed the tiny golden lizard in a sudden moment of passion. Lorena let out a gasp, her eyes quickly going to the women. She heard Billy carefully keep the situation in control, again promising that the contraption could be fixed and starting to coax the group away. She started to follow.
"Lorena?"
Her blood ran cold as she heard a familiar voice. All she wanted to do was turn away and disappear but instead a strong hand griped her shoulder and spun her around. Terrified she met the cold green eyes of her brother.
"What are you doing here?" His voice was filled with curiosity and worry before his expression immediately darkened and anger flooded into his features. He turned to Julian and the rest of the group. "What the hell are you doing with my sister?"
Panic flooded through her at the fury in his voice. His eyes were shooting daggers particularly at Julian, accusations obviously poised. Knowing her brother he wouldn't think twice about starting a brawl.
"Jon wait." She cut in front of him, speaking hurriedly. "It's ok, I promise I can explain-"
His gaze suddenly landed on Billy before it locked onto one of the marks on the young man's skin. Jonathon recoiled as though he'd been hit. He stared for a moment longer before moving onto Mila. His expression changed to disgust and revulsion.
"How could you be with the likes of them!" He spat the last words out, glaring at the group with pure hatred. Lorena paled as his hands gathered into fists. Suddenly he turned on her, causing her to stumble back a few paces."You know what they are."
His voice was dangerously low and her hands began to shake as she watched his mind working it out. She saw the question forming in his eyes before he began to ask.
"You aren't…."
"Jonathon it's not my fault." Panicking Lorena responded instantaneously to his accusation. Immediately shock replaced her brothers anger. For a moment there was silence. Jonathon just stared at her in dismay.
"Loren, surely not." She didn't say a word, instead watching him frightened of his response. Finally his features hardened in resolve; a sudden determination that he would make everything work out.
"We can get you fixed. I'm sure we can do something."
"I don't need to be fixed." She replied curtly.
"And if father finds out?" Lorena went white. "Come on Loren. You know what happened to our neighbour-"
"Jon stop!" she cried out, but he continued despite her protests.
"Don't you remember how he hung himself from the ceiling after a week in the mental asylum? You'll end up there too if he ever finds out."
"He won't." Her voice was shrill, pleading.
"He most certainly will if you keep sneaking out here. How could you be stupid enough to trust people like them? They'll do anything they please with you if they feel it will allow themselves to claw their way up the hierarchy."