A gentle breeze sent a shower of brightly colored leaves across the park. The soft murmur of a busy farmer's market filled as Morgan examined the stalls. Gourds and root vegetables littered the tables alongside fresh honey and local crafts. The teen loved it all so much. They were on a mission today, needing to get some ingredients to make their sister a special birthday meal, and they knew just the place to start.
With every step, a ring bumped their chest from where it hung on a chain around their neck. The feeling brough a smile to Morgan's face as they thought about that night a few weeks ago. Everything was almost ready. Very soon, they would be out of their family home, and living with the love of their life.
As they rounded the corner, the sight that met them made them stop dead in their tracks. It was the Stewart farm stall, but where they expected to see plentiful fall offerings, there were only meager baskets of vegetables with a few small gourds strewn about. Behind the table sat a ragged and tired looking man that Morgan knew well.
Slowly, they approached, worry on their face. "Hey, Pops..." Morgan said, looking up at their soon-to-be father in law. "Is everything ok?
Mr. Stewart looked up with exhausted eyes, but he still managed a smile. "Hey there, Kiddo." He said, giving a little wave to try and dismiss the teen's worry. "Everythin's fine."
Morgan wasn't buying it. "Ok..." They said, moving to pick up a pumpkin. It was heavy for its size. A good baking gourd to be sure, though it would only make a very small pie. They looked around, gesturing to the mostly empty stall. "But it's the height of harvest season."
A resigned sigh came from the man as he slowly nodded. "Yeah..." He said, looking rather defeated. "We lost a lot of crops."
The words made Morgan's head pop up in surprise. "What?" They asked, setting the pumpkin down gently. They couldn't believe it. They had just been there for a little engagement party. "But I was just out there a few weeks ago. The crops were thriving."
"Well, they were." Mr. Stewart said, shaking his head. "But some folks from the state showed up and said they had evidence that a body was hidden on the property. They turnt half the fields over, trampled even more. They left gates open, so we lost a dozen heifers and our bull... and the whole damn flock is missin'..." It was clear that the man was frustrated as he turned a helpless look to the other. "I just don't understand what's goin' on."
Morgan stared at the man, listening carefully. "Oh my god..." they said, trying to make sense of the situation. There was no reason for any of that. Cadaver dogs would have been able to minimize the damage to the property if they were searching for a body.
"And we've been gettin' all kinda tickets and citations..." Mr. Stewart continued, crossing his arms over his chest. "Did you know you can get a ticket if yer address ain't visible enough from the street?"
The words only concerned Morgan more and their protective instincts took hold. This was starting to sound like someone was exploiting the system to harass this family. But why would anyone do that? "I'll look into this, ok Pops?" they assured, determination filling them. "Something fishy is going on here, and I'm going to find out what."
Mr. Stewart looked down at the other and he gave a kind smile. "Thank you, Kiddo." He said, already feeling a bit of relief.
Morgan returned the smile, giving a nod. "Sure thing. Now," They pulled out their wallet. "I'm going to need everything you've got." They said, wanting the man to be able to go home and rest.
The old farmer chuckled. He knew what the other was doing, and he appreciated it. "You got it." He said, starting to bag everything up.
Loading up their little wagon, Morgan made sure to slip some extra money to the other without him noticing. They started off at a brisk clip, going to drop the produce off at a local food pantry before heading home. They had to get to the bottom of this.
* * * * *
One would think with the amount of security used to try and keep Morgan contained in their room, the Sterling family would have better locks around the rest of the house. And yet, it took only a minute to pick the simple lock and throw open the door to a lavish office. They stormed in, furious green eyes locked on the man who sat behind an ornate desk, talking on the phone.
Morgan's hands slammed down on the wood as they leveled a deadly glare at their father. "Why the fuck are you targeting them?" They demanded.
The older man didn't even flinch, only giving his son an annoyed look. "I'm on the phone, Morgan." He said, before returning to his conversation. The call went dead, and he looked back at Morgan to see them holding the phone cord.
"Answer me." The younger Sterling demanded, struggling to control their rage. "They are an innocent family just trying to live their lives, why the fuck are you doing this?"
Mr. Sterling glared at the other and let out an irritated sigh. He leaned over, opening a drawer. "I warned you to stay away from them." He said calmly, pulling out a manilla envelope and spreading its contents out on the desk.
Morgan could only stare for a moment, mouth open, as they looked it over. It was dozens of pictures of them and Alex at the fair; at the games, sharing cotton candy, riding the Farris wheel... Green eyes locked on one image that showed the rings plain as day. For a moment, Morgan felt like they might throw up.
"Clearly locking you in your room isn't enough to teach you a lesson." Mr. Sterling said, standing and slowly coming around the desk. "So I had to go after the things you care about more than your duty to this family."
"My duty to this family!?" Morgan repeated, turning to glare at their father with a newfound rage burning in their eyes. "You're ruining their lives because I won't be Chad's fucking sidekick!?" They were slowly getting louder as the anger started to boil over.
Mr. Sterling squared his shoulders, matching his son's energy. "I'm investigating a woman who I have reason to believe is one of the most nefarious supervillains in history!" He asserted.
Morgan shook their head, fists tight as they yelled at their father. "Because I care about them!"
"Because it is my duty!" The older man corrected. Green eyes locked together in an intense stare down. Neither was willing to give an inch to the other, but Morgan knew they were at a severe disadvantage. They still had one card to play though.
The teen took a deep breath, glare never wavering as they straightened to face their father head on. When they finally spoke up, their voice was eerily calm. "You're going to call your fucking dogs off of that family, right now."
Mr. Sterling rolled his eyes at the demand, finding it ridiculous. "And why would I do that, Morgan?" He asked, crossing his arms.
"Because as much as you and I wish it was different, I am a Sterling." Morgan explained, deadly serious. "And I will go down in a blaze of glory and take this whole fucking house down with me."
The threat made their father tense, and Morgan braced themselves for potential violence. The hero managed to control himself, though, as he tried to call his son's bluff. "You wouldn't dare."
"Fuck around and find out." Morgan snapped, fully intent on making good on this promise. "You hurt him, and I won't rest until I see everything you and mom worked so hard for crash and burn around me." The younger Sterling knew it wouldn't be enough, though, and they took a deep breath to steel themselves. "...but, you leave him and his family the hell alone... and you win..." They said, getting a look of surprise from their father. "I'll play the part. I'll be Chad's little side kick. I'll pose for the fucking cameras and pretend to be a good son to you..."
Mr. Sterling turned his head a bit, giving the other a skeptical look, though this deal was very tempting. "And you'll stay away from that boy?"
Morgan felt their throat tighten at the question, but they didn't let an ounce of pain show on their face. "...yes..." They said, the word feeling like an ice cold knife in their heart. "Let them live their lives in peace... and I'll never see him again..."
There was a pause as the older man considered the offer. "... fine..." He said, moving back to his seat. "I'll let the Fairness Association know –"
"Ah, ah, ah." Morgan shook their head, not trusting their father for a second. "Call off the witch hunt first." They ordered, moving to plug the phone back in. "I want to see you do it. Call the state. Call the mayor. Call the chief of police. Call everyone and tell them it was a false lead and to leave that family alone."
Mr. Sterling was clearly unhappy, but he knew Morgan could be far more trouble than they were worth if they wanted to be. "Then you'll call Alex?" He asked.
Morgan slowly nodded, maintaining their glare. On the inside, though, they were dying. They knew they were betraying Alex, but they could see no other choice. If this was the only way to protect that family, Morgan would pay the price.
There was a small huff, before Mr. Sterling picked up the phone and started dialing, making the calls under his son's watchful eyes.