Fifteen minutes later of speechlessly walking and mostly blending into the shadows we arrived at our destination, to be honest, I was still trying to grasp what Isaiah told me, yes I mean it's his mission to protect me but I never actually thought he really cared. Maybe I really should put my trust in him.
But then how many people have screwed me over, the people I thought I trusted the most. I shouldn't be so naive to fall for his tricks. You're better than this, sternly I had to remind myself.
You get nothing from putting your faith in others.
The vast change of environment slightly stunned me, coming out from the vast busy, crazy streets into the somewhat quiet green area, the complex more like a skyscraper which merged to appear as a single mansion without a doubt looked out of place with the rest of the greenery. But this couldn't possibly be our destination.
"We're here."
I did a double-take on his face trying to suss out any hints of humor in his statement but no, he was actually being honest.
He watched me for a minute as I was trying to comprehend how this could be a safe house, "What?" One side of his lips pulled into a smirk.
"You're joking right, this cannot be it. I thought you said a couple of people were here, not hundreds. Are you sure we won't be found here?"
He was standing so close that when his laugh erupted, the vibration emitted over to me, giving me such warmth. Maybe it was Isaiah himself, he just seemed to radiate heat.
"I'm sure and I'm not lying. I guess they like us to live comfortably, we can die in any one of our missions and they know that. Might as well enjoy ourselves."
It was utterly confusing why his last comment left an empty pit in my stomach. How incredibly sad. Your whole life handed to people that just wanted to use you for their personal gain.
Scratching his head, he smiled., "Maybe that's why it's forbidden to fall in love, it complicates things."
"You're not allowed to fall in love at all. So, you have no one to share your life with. That sounds extremely-"
"Lonely." Asserting himself finishing my sentence for me, he didn't think that I captured that flash of sadness, I did, before it disappeared behind a grin, "I know. It could be worst. I mean most of us were orphanages, we'd be living on scraps on the street. They adopted us and made us one of their own."
Ever since everything happened, the whole economy worldwide turned upside down one of the many consequences was that money wasn't going into orphanages they were starving, orphans, unfortunately, started dropping like flies, murders of innocent children just to get more food around, worldwide governments shut all of them down, some were lucky getting taking in by families that were willing to help but most were scrubbing on the streets. It was worst in India, they had to be herded into government facilities completely against their own will. No one has seen them since.
" And turned you into their own personal servants, risking your lives. Strange thing for family to do, don't you think? What happens if they even find out? Do you get punished?"
I didn't expect him to look so shocked, surprised even. "They do what they need to and so do we, Alexis. It's the way the world works. My guess is that we're stripped of our titles or rankings but if it's seen as an extreme case it's left in the hands of the director."
"So, they haven't found out about you yet and your extracurricular activities?"
He knew what I was hinting at and just laughed. "Sleeping with people is vastly different from falling in love, Alexis. Anyway, I didn't peg you as a caring one."
Intentionally he searched my eyes trying to bring me to lock eyes with him, eventually, I gave in, "There's a lot you don't know about me, Isaiah."
"Isaiah!" A blob of blonde followed with the voice of a woman running from the entrance of the complex and practically tackled him. Tightening her embrace around him, he returned it back with almost the same ferocity. Almost. But the fact she was so openly free with him was slightly upsetting. With the way she was with him, they had to be something between them.
Nevertheless, any creeping feelings for him left. Back to square one.
"Veronica."
She pulled away examining his face before frowning, gazing back into his eyes, "I was so worried. Your intercom went offline. My gosh, I thought you were dead Isaiah." Wrapping him back in an even tighter hug, she whispered what she'd like to think was just to him but, it was loud enough for me to hear every word. "Don't ever do that again to me, okay?"
She pulled away, smiling and he returned the favor, silently nodding, " I'm sorry."
"I'm just glad you're okay." Cupping his cheek in her hand, tenderly stroking his cheek.
Someone broke the lingering silence, but this voice didn't come from either of them or me, it sounded stern, calculating even, "Veronica, enough. We have surveillance everywhere, you don't want people getting the wrong ideas... " I'm guessing it's the fact that they couldn't fall in love. But where was this surveillance? Scanning the area, a couple of trees and short shrubs came into view, no camera, nothing.
Tracing back to the voice to see two tall boys and one girl, one standing up his brown mousy hair and bright eyes, human eyes, cupping his hands over his mouth in an attempt to possibly give Veronica a hard warning, but the other was leaning on the metal door entrance looking somewhat amused with this situation but then his eyes fell onto me and his piercing green eyes didn't leave mine. Lockdown. I couldn't tell what he was thinking and I couldn't read him, I don't know what made me more terrified. One thing I knew was he wasn't coming from hateful intentions but that was about it. Even after breaking contact I still felt him burning daggers into the side of my cheek.
Swaying her way over, the second girl, her skin resembled that of an eclipsed sun, close to mine but not quite, but still exceedingly beautiful, everything drew me to her, her glistening skin, her broad nose perfect for her face, her warm eyes and bouncy hair. The black boots contrasting with her white skin-tight top and ripped jeans. She was a beauty.
Tugging me into a strong hug, pulling back she looked over to Isaiah, "So this is the savior of the world then? Well, they've made a good choice." But what did she mean, savior of the world? Was it the Nations code for something?
Isaiah grinned, "Nice to see you again Zee. I hope you're putting Jordon in check." Nodding over to where one of the boys were, following her gaze landing on the boy closer to us the look on her eyes was blooming. So much love. It was clear. I wonder if Nations discovered about them yet.
Another set of daggers pierced into the side of my face it was as if this was the first time 'Veronica' actually noticed my existence, our gazes locked her hazel eyes clashing with mine. She beamed at me what seemed like a smile twisted into a slight grimace. "Why didn't you introduce me?" She threw the question to Isaiah but her focus never left mine. If she thought she was intimidating me, she was deeply mistaken. Returning back the harsh stare Isaiah intuitive eyes scanned the current situation, he could visibly see and feel the tension, rotating his stare between the both of us he frowned.
"Yeah, I was planning too. You didn't really give me a chance."
Her next move more or less startled me, she draped her arm through my arm urging me forward, she flicked a gesture to Zee, like they were connected through a hive mind she instantly trapped my other free arm leading me closer and closer towards the entrance, passing the other boys, making their way to formally greet Isaiah, the staring boy pushed himself off the door in a swift motion his green orbs still penetrating mine, all their moves quick, precise, calculated.
That would explain why I hadn't had the time to edge in a quick disappointed response, on their part at least.
"We're going to make you up so well. We never get visitors, I'm so excited." Veronica piped, far too happy for her own good. I wasn't comfortable having people I've only met for the first time, tell you all of that.
Protesting, I tried to stop in my tracks but the strength of them combined was too much, "I don't need a makeover."
A makeover? At this time seemed a little inappropriate, considering this world was practically starving, but their biggest concern was makeup?
"It's not a makeover, you're already stunning, more like a clean-up." Zee attempted to reassure me like that would ease my nerves.
Being here in unknown territory wasn't exactly satisfactory never mind the incessant grabbing.
Straining my head back, seeing the boys standing in unison.
Isaiah. I could clearly read behind his message. For some reason, it seemed he knew a lot more about me than he was letting on. Everything in his blue orbs screamed at me to go with them, enjoy myself and possibly make the friends I never could.
Reassuringly he smiled, which reduced my nerves, ironically now I was terrified of why I felt his smile, his presence, him, so calming.
Chapter four It was weird really, I mean I saw myself, I saw a reflection of me. Tell me why did it feel so unusual, it didn't seem like me, I swear. Having had a long-needed shower I was gifted the tight attire I was currently wearing, the figure-hugging dress, black as night with even darker boots paired with a leather jacket. Everything pronounced my curves, but I was covered. I knew I was but I couldn't help but feel so naked. I guess I was too oblivious to notice that almost all of them wore black and dark colors. Was that a requirement or just a choice? Presentable. I looked presentable. Zee helped me pack my hair into a tight bun, it was a two-person job. They weren't allowed makeup, I knew that itself was a must, but it didn't even occur to me why they would, they were agents wouldn't it just be a huge waste of time? Nevertheless, they were both naturally beautiful, I would be lying if it didn't make me a l
"Alexis?" I recognized that voice. This was a dream. "Alexis!" The voice strained, unsure what to do. Another series of footsteps charged through, followed by another and then another until I lost count. Wet. I was wet. My cheeks felt unbearably damp. The paralysis slowly drained from my systems. A dream. It was a dream. Forcefully I snapped my eyes open the smell of sulfur disintegrated and sweet chocolate filled my senses instead. Instantly I locked my eyes onto Zee, her expression screamed everything, fear. Absolute fear possibly the overwhelming thought that I was the key to fixing the world, I could remember what she said about me being the 'savior' and Isaiah agreed with her, my mind flowed back to him saying he didn't know why they wanted me and he seemed surprisingly honest. Did he lie to me? If he did, how, why would he choose to slip up like that, right in front of me? Could I trust him?
With the boys already explaining to us that there was no one around for miles, I think it really dawned on everyone that this was deadly serious, eradicating the threat of an intruder instead was something we all could cling to, even hoped for, anything was better than the truth. But to our dismay, the boys extinguished our hope. My hope. Privately they chose to talk from earshot away from me, probably what they thought was for my own good. As if. They practically had to pry Isaiah away from me, he was so reluctant to go that when he left his fire and warmth died with him, at least I had Zee still by my side she thought it was best for me not to be left alone. I couldn't help but agree with her, silently of course. If they were nervous, how should I be feeling? Fearful? Scared? After their private get-together, all the boys stormed back into the room, Veronica still lingered in the hallway like she was anxious to come close to me, not sc
Chapter five My eyes felt heavy, my breath hitched, my body weak and despite it being morning since the sunlight ripped through the curtains I was still undoubtedly finished. Sleep didn't seem enough for me currently, maybe it was because I couldn't get enough of it or maybe because I didn't want to. Stress does extraordinary things to your body. I felt his presence before I heard his voice, "Good morning." My eyes flickered to him, Isaiah, standing towards the door fully clothed, holding a bottle of purple thick liquid, his eyes traveled down to the bottle too, "Oh I made a smoothie for you, you were fast asleep I thought you needed all the rest you could get, " Smiling he handed me the bottle, "Apples, grapes, and strawberries. I thought you'd prefer that over the protein-packed one we're required to drink, doesn't taste as good." Gratefully I accepted the bottle with my non-injured hand, his eyes glazed over to my bandaged one, "How's
It was hard getting ready with one damaged hand, but Zee being the type of person she is, helped me with everything. The pain was slowly subsiding and the pain killers seemed to be doing their job well enough. The soft fabric clung tightly to my skin, I guess they didn't wear anything loose-fitting. Tight black athletic wear pants and a sleeveless top. It looked relatively normal, nothing overly fancy like yesterday, for that I was grateful. Veronica insisted on wearing makeup and edged on forcing me to, when it was clear that at least for now nothing particle-filled will be even touching my face she dropped the subject. We were about to 'train', that meant physical activity, right? Wouldn't she just sweat the makeup off? Or was it so easy for her that she didn't even break a sweat? But weren't they forbidden to wear makeup or were those rules just a 'guideline' meant to be there but not meant to be fully followed?
Hastily I nodded, knowing that if I spent a moment of hesitation, I would just chicken out. And I needed this training, I had no idea how to protect myself. So I guess it's essential for survival. "Okay." Leading me to a training mat, he looked into my eyes, there were gentle, soft, somewhat understanding, "Don't worry. It's you're first time, I'm not going to go full out, Alexis. We'll build you up there, and one day you'll be as good as me, maybe even better." Despite him smiling up reassuringly, the only question that seemed to burn through my head was how long did I really have? Not even Isaiah could soften that worry. I tried to muster up what was my best attempt of a smile, it didn't seem to convince him, but he took what he could get. "Right. Position your body like this." His hands grabbed my waist, even though I was clothed I swear I still feel his bare skin, the burning and the tingling sensation I was feeling was so enticing a
Chapter six "Here. " Elijah said, handing me a pack of cold, frozen peas without hesitation I took it pressing in it quickly onto the nape of my neck, the pain sizzled out and I finally let out the breath I was involuntarily holding. "I'm guessing you need it." He chuckled the deep sound vibrating in the spacey room. Veronica was undoubtedly right, that was the three most gruesome hours of my being. But I learned a few things, how to hold the Blocking Position and how to execute a few oncoming attacks. Isaiah, though strict taught exceptionally well that I couldn't fault him on that. "Alexis," He spoke, I felt myself looking up at him, it must have been something in his voice that grabbed my attention but I couldn't figure out what, " You did good today." His green eyes concentrated on mine, suppressing down the lump in my throat, smiling, I answered back. "Thank you." His bold eyebrows scrun
Deciding that I was also too exhausted for another game I got up making my way towards the kitchen. This time I'd force Zee to accept my help and I'd leave no room for her to even utter the word no. Noticing Isaiah following behind me, I couldn't help but smile this past couple of days were trying to say the least but he's been there the best he could, the best that I'd let him anyway. Sweet, pleasurable aroma of food wafted as I got closer. With all the extra, excessive training I had to endure, I was constantly hungry and Zee's food was the only thing that made me feel like I had more than enough. The glass table held different varieties each and every night, this time I was graced with; big, shallow bowl filled to the brim of cooked plantain, pasta mixed with vegetables, a fat roast chicken situated in the middle, multiple salmon bombarded with different spices. No need to say, but it all looked undeniably delectable. It always baffle