When The Puppet Falls For The Puppeteer

Strings You Don't See

Myra

I was cooking lasagna for dinner and Lillie was chatting up about her day, swinging her legs on the kitchen counter like a carefree child. She'd dumped her bag beside the sink, and her elbows were propped up like she practically lived there. Maybe she did now.

"I went to meet Mom too today," she said, between bites of raw bell pepper she'd swiped from the chopping board.

"Why didn't you come?" she asked, tilting her head.

My hand faltered over the grated cheese. "I-I'll go in a few days," I said, barely holding the stutter. I turned away before she could press.
Because I can't tell her Marcus has forbade me to step out for the week.

God knows what must be going on in school now. Is he still showing up there? Hanging out with Jess?
The thought made my stomach clench tighter than it already was from the cheese-heavy meal. I could picture her already-glossed lips, that smug smirk, the way her voice would carry just loud enough taunts when I walk past her.

"Where are you lost?" Lillie nudged me with her foot, snapping me back to the kitchen.
I blinked. The oven timer was beeping. Had I set that already?

"Yeah, I'm here. Listening. Tell me more," I said, putting on a smile as I pulled the tray out. The scent of baked pasta and oregano filled the space, warm and inviting-completely opposite of what I felt inside.

Lillie kept talking, something about a new girl at school and how terrible she was at debating. I nodded along, trying to focus, sprinkling some extra cheese on top before serving.

She took the first bite and moaned dramatically. "Ugh, marry me. This is so good."

I laughed softly, the sound foreign even to my own ears.

"Go wash up and come for dinner and call Marcus and Dan also" I said and she jumped

The dining table was already set when Marcus and Dan walked in along with Lillie

I'd just placed the lasagna on the table the smell of baked cheese and garlic filling the room. Dan was the first to speak. "That smells amazing. Did you make this from scratch?"

"Yeah," I said, placing the tray in the middle of the table. "Except the pasta sheets. I didn't have the patience for that."

Lillie grinned, sliding into her seat. "She wouldn't let me help. Said I'd ruin the layering."

"You would've," I said dryly, and she kicked me lightly under the table.

Dan chuckled. "You two are dangerous together. One of you with sarcasm, the other with flying limbs."

Marcus pulled out his chair slowly, quietly, and sat. "Are we going to eat, or keep talking about how the lasagna was made?"

His tone sliced right through the warmth in the room.

I sat down, stiffening slightly, and handed him the serving spoon. He didn't take it. Just waited.

I served his plate first.

Dan caught the pause, the tension, and broke it. "So, Lillie," he said, loading his plate, "how's school?"

"Boring. Except we've got a new debate topic next week - something about freedom of speech. I'm going to tear Lexi apart."

"Poor Lexi," Dan said with mock sympathy. "She never stood a chance."

"I told her to switch topics. She didn't listen."

"You never listen either," Marcus said flatly, eyes still on his food, not looking at her. "Maybe it runs in the family."

Lillie rolled her eyes but didn't answer.

Dan changed the subject again, easy and calm. "Did you hear they're reviving that old cinema hall in Riverbridge? Might be nice to go sometime - if we're still allowed to do normal things."

He glanced toward Marcus, just briefly. It passed like a flicker.

"Offcourse I heard, I passed the reopening, remember I am the Mayor" he said flatly.

"I heard," I said. "They're screening old Hitchcock films the first weekend."

"Let's go," Lillie said. "It'll be fun. Dan, you're coming."

Dan raised a hand in mock surrender. "Wouldn't dare say no."

Marcus finally spoke again. "Depends on your schedule, Myra."

My fork paused halfway to my mouth. "Um-yeah I-I can't go this week, maybe next weekend" I said to Lillie and I can feel the satisfaction in Marcus' eyes

Dan gave Marcus a look - subtle, unreadable - and went back to eating.

We finished the rest of the meal with only the sound of forks scraping against ceramic, and Lillie humming occasionally under her breath. She was trying, in her own way, to keep things light.

I glanced at Dan once - he gave me a small, quiet nod. A gesture that said I see it. I'm here.

And that helped me breathe through the rest of the silence.

"Myra-bear, why is your phone switched off?"

I jumped, the sound of Ash's voice startling me as I stood folding laundry on the bed. My heart dropped.

"A-As-Ash? Wh-when did you come?" I asked, panic creeping into my voice.

My punishment this week wasn't just suspension from school - Marcus had forbidden me from talk to Ash. And this was his house. Of course he'd find out. He always does.

"Around an hour ago," she said, stepping into my room without waiting. "I came to meet Dan. We're just heading out for a movie."

I dropped the skirt I was folding and rushed to block the doorway, palms out like I could physically stop her presence from being discovered.

"Ash, you can't be here right now-please," I whispered, glancing over my shoulder.

She froze. "Myra, I haven't heard from you in three days. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I said, too quickly. "I'll catch up with you in school."

"That's four more days away," she said, frowning. "You're suspended for a week, remember? Why are you acting all weird? And where's your phone?"

My eyes darted toward the nightstand instinctively - empty. My chest squeezed. "It's with Marcus."

Her face twisted. "What? Why would he-"

"Nothing, Ash." I cut her off. "Why don't you just enjoy your movie? I'll-I'll catch up with you in school, okay?"

I was trying to smile, to make it light, but my voice was trembling. And every second she lingered, I felt it - the risk building like pressure in the walls.

"Myra..." she reached out, her brows furrowed. "You're acting strange. You look-terrified."

"I'm fine," I said again, quieter this time. "Really. Just a bad headache. If you don't mind, I... I'd like to sleep."

The hurt in her eyes twisted something in my gut. I had never shut her out like this before. But she nodded, slowly.

"Alright. But you'd tell me, right? If something was wrong?"

I didn't answer. I couldn't.

When the door finally closed behind her, I let out the breath I didn't even know I was holding.

And then I turned around-and gasped.

Marcus was standing in the doorway that connected our rooms, arms crossed, leaning casually against the frame.

No footsteps. No warning.

He had been there.

Watching.

How long had he been listening?