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 scared, but unsure. They insisted that I shouldn't stay alone and instead should share with Isaiah as he readily volunteered, I made no quick protest. Trying to distribute my weight evenly, I remember attempting to take two steps only to find myself crumble to the ground, Isaiah was there almost in an instant but Elijah beat him to it, picking me easily off my feet as my robe hung loosely around my bare body.
His hold felt so alien but he was so sure of himself that even I felt like I was meant to belong there. He kicked the already slightly ajar door belonging to Isaiah's room, meticulously placing me onto his king-sized bed, the satin duvet cloaked around me, and warmth shot through my entire body, that sweet smell of Isaiah clung to my nostrils. I guess I've encompassed that smell with safety. I was safe. At least for now.
Isaiah had attentively followed, cleaned up my wound, I quickly thanked Elijah and everyone for helping, I know this would be completely rather than what they'd be rather doing. Knowing that I'd be safe with Isaiah they left.
Right now, he was fishing out extra blankets and pillows from his closet, the bed had enough. Why was he getting more? "Why do you need that?" I could feel my eyebrows scrunch together as I pointed to the array of bed supplies he was currently holding. Trying to relax my face so my features wouldn't be so tense.
He gave me a bewildered look like it was an outrageous question to ask, "Alexis, I'm sleeping on the floor," His eyes flashed down to the blankets, "Unless you want this? Are you warm enough?"
Was he actually being serious? I had the thickest duvet possible and comforter and I was in fact too hot which in fact was a major surprise compared to the terrible English weather. His appeal for my wellbeing was welcomed. He really cared. "You'd sleep on the floor without anything just for me and my wellbeing?" It wasn't supposed to come out as a question and I could see his immediate reaction, hurt.
"Why would you think anything less?" He paused forcing me to look into his now blue orbs, "Look, Alexis, I know you have a hard time letting people in. I could sense that when we first met, but if it takes a week, a month, hell if it takes years. I will help you open up-"
"How can you be like, like that," Struggling to find the words to form a coherent sentence I took a deep breath, "What I'm trying to say, I've known you what, a couple of days and you're ready to lay down your life for me, you're ready to do all these things for me, I'm no one special Isaiah, and that's even regarding if I make it the next couple of months-"
"What do you mean?" A dangerous edge held his voice like he didn't want to hear what I was going to tell him next.
"I'm going to die, aren't I? That's why you had to protect me, deliver me to the Nations, so I could 'save' the world. That usually means a sacrifice and that sacrifice is going to be me." I guess it's always been in the back of my mind, I had always known, I've read enough novels to confirm this. If I at least save Evan I was happy. And I guess him too.
He tried to close the distance but the look I gave him stopped him in his tracks, frowning he continued, "Look I know I said I didn't know what they wanted to do with you and I still really don't, but yes I was assigned on this mission to recover you and deliver you safely to Nations' HQ they believe that you hold the key for saving the world, they never told me how. We're restricted to the level of information we receive. But Alexis if I even had a hint of what they planned to you was bad, I'd never accepted in fact, I would still rescue you but never put you in their hands, Alexis I-" He paused trying to use his hand to express his out bursting emotions, "And it hasn't been a couple of days at least for me. I was always infatuated by you since I first was assigned your case a few years back, it just surprised me how someone going through what you've gone through still manages to hold onto sanity. I mean I never saw you physically in person, but I could visualize everything about you. You are special, especially to me. Believe it or not, you were perfect for me - are- and I just knew I had to volunteer to be assigned to this case despite the dangers-"
Clouds of feelings were swirling inside me, should I feel angry for my privacy or lack thereof? Or for Isaiah practically professing his love to me. Was he actually saying that? Usually, I'm good at reading people but he completely out of focus for me right now. "You - you volunteered?"
"Who else am I going to trust with your life, Alexis?" His hand fell down to his sides and crept into his pockets, his head dwindled and he whispered it, to the point I could barely make out what he was saying. Almost.
He was now looking down at me, expecting a response, racking my head throughout I couldn't find anything to say the room was getting smaller and smaller, despite it being us two I felt immensely pressured, "What about that demon that keeps following us?" I blurted out, seeing his face in an instant made my heart clenched. How would you feel if you poured your heart to someone and they just turned around and slapped it in your face?
It looked like he was just slapped in the face, quickly collecting himself he gave a tight reply, " I don't know, it must be one of the Unknown. The Unknown usually hunt deep in the nighttime. And we don't know what they actually look like. I've logged it into HQ they'll send backup before we leave." It must have left my mind when he apparently logged it in, but I trusted it nevertheless. "Don't worry, you'll be safe. That I can promise."
Silence. I simply nodded and he accepted that.
"If there's anything else," He glanced up towards me, laying out his bed on the floor for the night, the floor as polished and gleaming as it appeared must not be all that too comfortable, I shook my head, "Okay then, goodnight Alexis." He proceeded to turn the lights off, stopped in his tracks to look back at me, "Do you want them on?"
I nodded.
"Right good-"
"Stay up here." I said, completely astonished by my own words, "Please." Again completely unlike me.
He looked weary, like if I would back out any second, "Are you sure?" His thick eyebrows furrowed.
My throat closed up, my mouth dry, all I could manage was a nod. Slowly but surely, he climbed into the bed, his weight shifted it down as I had my back turned to him. His breath trickled down my back fully bringing me awake again in more ways than one, "Goodnight-"
"Can you hold me? I just want to feel the warmth of someone." It was the only reassurance I had that someone was actually there.
He didn't hesitate, he wrapped his arms around me, also wrapping his heat around me. Any regret dissolved. This felt right.
Again he whispered a quick, "Goodnight." Before another set of darkness entrapped me. I needed to know how these marks and that strange dream came to be. But I guess things had to be taken one at a time.
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
"Veronica that's enough!" Zee's voice boomed through the room silencing even Veronica. Her chocolate eyes turned a shade darker. I've never seen her like this, I've never seen her so, well so angry. I instantly hated myself for turning her this way, this was my fault, all my fault. I should never have ran away, I should never have gone into the woods, that way me and Isaiah would never have met and our destiny could be rewritten. "You know better than to attack someone when they clearly aren't in the right space to defend themselves. Don't lose the morals that were instilled in us." This time her voice held all the authority, I could tell no one expected this from her, not even Jordon. "Veronica. Sit. Down. Or. Leave." Each word, each pause emphasized, neither girls were backing down, Zee held her ground equally as Veronica did, "Okay. Then leave. Now." It was clear by the tone of her voice her command held no room for argument. Her eyes flickered onto each in
Two bodies dropped. Isaiah. No. Steadily getting up from my knees, my eyes connected with Zee's, she finally looked up. So many emotions in one pair of eyes, it was scary to look at. Forcing my head around. I didn't want to come to terms with it. I didn't want to come to terms that he was dead. Isaiah was dead. One body laid in front of me, cramped at my feet, blood freely flowing, Isaiah stood opposite me, still recovering from his initial shock, his gun facing down. He didn't take the shot, it wouldn't have been possible. Two shots. There were two shots. So I would have been dead. Then my eyes followed his. Veronica mounted, slumped onto the wall, head hung low, the gun falling out of her hand clattering loudly against the polished floor, a layer of blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, her eyelids shut closed, a hole in her heart. Dead.
He was injured, badly too. Without losing a second, me and Zee went to either side of him draping each arm over our shoulders, his eyes rolled to the back of his head before his head fell back. This wasn't good. Shouting in the distance, still firing, "Keep going! Training Room!" Isaiah yelled. Managing his body weight the best way we could and as fast as we possibly could, we made our way towards the flaming crimson door. Closer. Closer. Zee kicked it open, the abnormal amount of force tearing it off its hinges. Just then, loud, numerous thundering footsteps came into the half exploded complex. They were here. Isaiah arrived in front of us, hastily leading us towards the far side of the room, just away from their view. It bought us time. Just how long though? Elijah was becoming increasingly heavy to