I'll Protect You (Re-Edit #2, 2016)

I pledge allegiance to Captain Park Sparrow

Dedicated to alidiaz7 ~ Happy birthday, love!

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"Throughout the state of Montana, a series of robberies have been committed in several cities over the course of the past few weeks. Reports have been filed and the cases are currently undergoing investigation as the state police are attempting to identify the felons responsible. Police are warning store owners to take extra security precautions and ask citizens who have any information to come forward and—"

"Mark, we get it. There's no need to read another article," Josh groaned loudly, overriding Mark's monotone reading. 

"It's current events!" Mark protested. "This is important news that we need to be aware about as citizens of Montana. It could be Paradise next!"

"We know. It doesn't take thirty-six articles for someone to understand the 'imminent danger,'" James sighed. In the rearview mirror of Logan's car, I caught a glimpse of Mark's frustrated face. He pushed his black glasses up his thin nose before continuing on reading. However, he only managed to get half a sentence out before Josh clamped a hand around Mark's mouth and James plucked the phone out of Mark's hands.  

A loud argument ensued over the possession of Mark's phone. I slumped in the passenger seat, letting out an exasperated sigh. Logan gave a quick glance in my direction and an amused smile flickered across his face before he turned his gaze back onto the swerving highway road. 

"This is torture," I grumbled. 

"Oh, come on," Logan said. "Just admit it--this is fun."

"When did fun include the feeling of wanting to stab myself in the eye?"

"What are you talking about, that's the definition of fun right there."

Suddenly, a sharp voice cut into our discussion. "It's not our fault that you're coming on this trip. No one's forcing you to be here, so stop complaining," James snapped. 

I turned in my seat, sending James a disbelieving look while Logan gave a strangled cough. "You really think I'm here because I want to be?" I asked James. "I'm being held against my free will. This is a direct violation of my freedom."

Early this morning, I had been shaken awake by Logan Cross, who wouldn't leave despite my desperate attempts to bury myself in my covers. Apparently, the celebration for the last week of the year was being thrown today and Logan wanted me to come.

Naturally, I refused. My definition of a party was an excellent couple hours of extra sleep before Elijah hauled me out into the middle of the woods to train. However, it turned out that my old, ancient cousin was experiencing "back pains" and thought it would be a brilliant idea to have me mingle with my brown-nosing peers  so he wouldn't have to exercise. The next thing I knew, I was sitting in Logan's car with the Unholy) Trinity all staring at me (or glaring-with-the-intent-to-brutally-murder on James' behalf) while Logan drove us up to a resort by Flathead Lake. 

"Guys, can't we all just get along?" Josh piped up. 

"I just don't understand why she's coming along," said James in a bristly undertone.

"Welcome to the club," I nodded, shooting Logan a dark look. 

"She's here because she's a sixth year, just like the rest of us," Logan chided, glaring at James via his rearview mirror. 

"Oh, so it's Alex now?" sneered James. Logan opened his mouth, most likely to launch into another one of his "Alex Finch is Actually Pretty Great and I Need You All to Treat Her Like Family" speeches, Josh interrupted with a cheerful suggestion of walking down memory lane.