(TATB) Ch 19: Accepting The Job, Eyes Of Danger!

(Skylar)

Walking down the street with Tessa, my best friend since freshman year, was usually one of the few times I could unwind during the day. But today? My mind was somewhere else entirely. Tessa, of course, was in full panic mode about Friday's test.

"I'm doomed, Sky," she groaned, throwing her hands into the air dramatically. "There's no way I'm going to pass. Dr. Fenwick hates me. I just know she's going to put all the impossible questions on there."

"She doesn't hate you," I replied automatically, though my tone was distant even to my own ears.

"Yes, she does," Tessa insisted. "She gave me the look last class when I asked about the essay section. You know, the look that says, 'You're too dumb to be in my class, why are you even here?'"

I shook my head, trying to focus on her rant. Normally, I'd be all in, making jokes to cheer her up or exaggerating just to rile her up more. But today, I could barely keep up with the conversation.

My thoughts kept drifting back to yesterday—back to the Lilliputians in my closet. It still didn't feel real. Actually talking to them? It was more than I'd ever dreamed. Sure, calling it a "civilization" was probably a stretch at this point. Twelve people didn't exactly scream "thriving metropolis," but it was a start.

Still, I couldn't help but feel a little... off. Three of them hadn't wanted to talk to me, which I got, but it stung a little. And then there was Victor. Everyone seemed so excited for me to meet him, hyping him up like he was some kind of big deal. But when it finally came time? He was nowhere to be found.

"Skylar!"

Tessa's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I realized she was glaring at me, hands on her hips. "Huh? What?"

"You're not listening to a word I'm saying, are you?"

"I am!" I said quickly, though I had no idea what she'd been talking about. Something about Dr. Fenwick, probably.

Tessa narrowed her eyes, her skepticism practically radiating off her. "Yeah, right. You've been zoning out this entire time. What's going on with you?"

"Nothing," I said a little too quickly, looking straight ahead as we kept walking.

"Don't 'nothing' me," she said, bumping her shoulder against mine. "You're distracted. Spill it."

I hesitated. I wanted to tell her. I really wanted to tell her. But keeping Lilliputians was technically illegal. Even if my heart was in the right place, I had no idea how she'd react. Tessa was my best friend, but... this was different.

"It's just school," I lied. "You know, trying to keep up with everything. Same as you."

She squinted at me like she didn't quite believe me but eventually shrugged. "Fine, keep your secrets. But don't think I won't get it out of you eventually."

I smiled weakly, grateful she was letting it go for now. "Sure, Tessa. One day, maybe."

"Uh-huh," she said, giving me a pointed look before launching back into her rant about the test.

As we walked, I tried to focus on her words, but my mind wandered again. Maybe today would be the day I'd finally meet Victor. From what the others had said, he seemed like someone I'd want to know. And I couldn't shake the feeling that he was important—not just to the others, but to the future of our little city.

Tessa waved a hand in front of my face again, dragging me back to reality. "Seriously, Skylar, what's with you today? You're acting weird."

"I'm fine," I said with a laugh, though it sounded more nervous than I intended. "Just thinking about... uh, study strategies."

She gave me a look like she knew I was full of it but didn't press further. "Well, if you're thinking about studying, you're already doing better than me," she muttered.

We walked in silence for a moment, the sounds of the bustling street filling the space between us. I glanced at Tessa out of the corner of my eye, guilt bubbling up again. She deserved to know, didn't she? But then again, what if telling her put her in a bad spot? What if she thought I was crazy—or worse, what if she told someone?

No, I'd keep it to myself for now. For the Lilliputians' sake. For Victor's sake. For our sake.

"Skylar, you're zoning out again!" Tessa groaned, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Sorry, sorry," I said, finally trying to give her my full attention. "Let's talk test strategy. First step: stop panicking."

"Easier said than done," she muttered.

"Yeah, but it's a start," I said with a grin, shoving the thoughts of my secret city to the back of my mind—at least for now.

***

(Victor)

I liked the outskirts of town. It was quiet out here, a nice break from the buzz of everyone trying to turn a closet into a city. The sound of tools clanking, tents flapping in the wind, and people chattering—it all got overwhelming sometimes. Out here, though? Just me and my thoughts. Well, and the occasional cricket chirping somewhere in the distance.

I couldn't believe they all wanted me to lead this place. Me. Victor. Leader of a town. It sounded absurd every time I thought about it. Sydney had been relentless, pitching the idea like it was the most obvious choice in the world. "You've got what it takes," he'd said. "People trust you." I wasn't sure if that said more about me or how desperate everyone else must be.

Kicking a loose pebble down the dusty trail, I sighed. Could I even do it? Being a leader wasn't just about telling people what to do. It was about responsibility, making decisions that actually mattered. What if I screwed up? What if—

Shouting. My thoughts snapped like a twig underfoot. I could hear yelling—angry yelling—from somewhere back in the town. My chest tightened as I stopped in my tracks, listening.

"Great," I muttered under my breath, already turning back toward the noise. Whatever was going on, it wasn't good. Picking up my pace, I jogged toward the sound, the shouting growing louder with every step.

When I got there, it was exactly what I'd expected: trouble.

In the middle of the main stretch of town stood those three wannabe gangsters—the guys who'd been giving everyone grief since day one. They were facing off with Sydney, Gabriel, and even Meara, who looked like she was ready to knock someone out.

"I should be the leader of this town!" the head gangster shouted, puffing out his chest like he was some kind of big shot. The two guys behind him laughed, egging him on like a couple of schoolyard bullies.

Meara had her arms crossed, her glare sharp enough to cut through steel. "We don't need someone like you leading anything," she shot back.

That didn't sit well with the guy. He scowled and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small knife. His friends followed suit, their blades catching the light. "You don't get a say in this," he sneered.

"Seriously?" Sydney said, stepping in front of his father. "Is this all you've got? Fear and violence? You think that's what makes a leader? No, thanks. This town is going to be about hope and kindness, and there's no room for people like you here."

I'll admit it: the kid had guts. But guts didn't mean much when you were staring down three guys with knives.

The gangsters didn't seem interested in debating philosophy. They rushed forward, blades raised, ready to make their point the old-fashioned way.

"STOP!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the chaos like a whip.

Everything froze. The gangsters stopped mid-charge, turning to look at me. Sydney and Gabriel glanced over, relief washing over their faces. Meara just smirked, as if to say, "Took you long enough."

The leader of the gang tilted his head, squinting at me. "What do you want?" he sneered, his knife still in hand.

I stepped forward, my boots crunching against the dirt. "I'm the leader of this town," I said, my voice calm but firm. "And I'm not going to let anyone take that from me."

He laughed, a short, sharp bark that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Oh yeah? Says who?"

I didn't answer. I just kept walking, closing the distance between us. His laughter faltered, his grip on the knife tightening. When I was close enough, I stopped, locking eyes with him.

He froze.

I don't know what he saw in my face, but whatever it was, it made him hesitate. His bravado melted away, replaced by something that looked a lot like fear. He took a step back, then another, his knife dropping slightly.

I didn't break eye contact. "If you've got a problem, take it up with me," I said, my voice low and steady. "But don't think for a second that I'll let you tear this town apart before it's even had a chance to stand."

He didn't reply. Just stared at me, his lips pressed into a tight line.

Without waiting for a response, I turned my back on him—a calculated risk—and walked over to Sydney and the others. Meara raised an eyebrow at me, clearly impressed, while Sydney and Gabriel just looked relieved.

Turning back to the gangsters, I gave them a smirk. "Try not to cause too much trouble," I said casually, my tone light but laced with warning.

The leader didn't respond. His friends hovered around him, glancing between him and me like they were waiting for a cue that never came. Finally, they huddled together, muttering under their breaths as they slinked away.

As they disappeared around a corner, I caught a snippet of their conversation.

"Why'd you back off, boss?" one of them whispered.

The leader didn't answer right away. Then, in a low voice, he said, "That guy... he's dangerous. Very dangerous."

I couldn't help but smirk as I turned back to my friends. Dangerous, huh? Maybe being a leader wasn't so far-fetched after all.