Chapter 6

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 scrunched together like he wasn't sure why he said what he said. Nevertheless, he nodded, muttering a quick, "Yeah." With that he walked away to what I'm presuming was his room.

And just like that, I was alone, some of them were in their rooms or still training. But I found myself here, isolated in the living room. I couldn't bring myself to even move, all the energy was draining right from my bones. How could they do that, be brought up in this lifestyle; missions, deaths everything negative surrounded them but not once did I see them falter or have a mental breakdown or anything. They really were well-oiled machines.

Footsteps, heavy and sure footsteps rang through the room. Isaiah. His presence, his aura everything just assured me it was him. I was right; his glistening white-blonde hair caught the sunlight seeping through the windows, his blue eyes piercing, his shirt was off his rigid abs slick with sweat, his arms bulged veins peeking through. He started making his way towards me, closer and closer. I couldn't help it, I felt like I was drawn in like he was a magnet, my magnet, slowly but surely I could feel myself inching off the stone grey couch.

Then much to my dismay, at the last minute, he gave me a small smile then turned to the right making his way up the glass stairs.

He couldn't have possibly done that on purpose, could he? Then what? Did he not like me?

Hurt, embarrassment, anger were all the loud and raucous emotions swirling inside me. Unfortunately, I wasn't all too sure which one to pick.

***

Seven days. Seven days had passed. Two trying to figure out what to do with me, what would be the best options. One all settling on requesting for an escort team deciding that would be the safest way. And one day trying to at least piece together how those marks came to be, I could suss out Veronica thought it was self-inflicted and the way she would look at me at times like I was an absolute nut job, but they all accepted that it was outside of their understanding that Nations would have to solve the problem when I'd arrive, mean-while I had to keep replacing and redressing my wound to prevent infection, they also took it upon themselves to demand a new location to reside in since their unit wouldn't be safe here. I couldn't argue with that. The remaining days, just filled with training, Zee's incredible dinners, and sleeping. In all of these life-altering decisions, I wasn't included in at least one. It was like I was there; listening, seeing their different array of facial expressions, sometimes tensed and sometimes relaxed, I was there I knew I was but everything felt just so out of focus. Did I even have a say in my own life anymore was all that was circling in my head at that time.

But now, now I had to wait for the escort team to arrive, I would subsequently leave with Isaiah and travel all the way up South of France. That was where one of the major HQ was situated in, the closest one in London I was told mysteriously burned to the ground. Thankfully, no casualties. It was strange however considering how a fire of that magnitude wouldn't be broadcasted on the news. I guess that's how these stations worked, they always seem to glaze over the important information. Like they pick and choose what we watch, listen to, what we know. In more ways than one, we are all being controlled.

Waiting. The waiting was excruciating. It gave my mind too much time to think and that's one thing I despised more than anything, was having time to think. All these different scenarios of what I would be told to do when I got there, in order to save the world, none absolutely none of them turned out good. They all had the same destination. Me dying.

Right now all of us sat around the leather black lounge table, Zee practically forced all of us to play a game of cards. Jordon was playing for Zee as she was currently cooking, every one of us repeatedly offered to help her, but Zee being Zee refused saying that we'd all ruin her work ethic and eventually her food. We finally dropped it.

But Jordon was clearly exceptionally good at cards, the array of them halved as quickly as he got them.

Holding the smooth, clean cards I looked down assessing what I had; three of club, two of hearts, queen of diamonds. I may not clearly know how to play this game, but I knew I wasn't going to even come close to winning.

But honestly, it genuinely didn't matter, this here was perfect. Just perfect. Everyone smiling, looking the most relaxed I've ever seen them in days.

In spite of everything, I was happy I guess, this feeling, this exact feeling I never wanted to let go of. I haven't had it in a long time, a very long time.

"Hey!" Veronica exclaimed scowling at Elijah, "You cheated! You know you can't put that down St. Claire." Grabbing his card that was on the top of the pile she threw it back at him, he feigned hurt. It must have made her laugh because I could make out an outline of a faint smile tugging at her lips, " You miss a go, Elijah. " I guess they were all hardwired to be this competitive.

Isaiah's eyes locked with mine, he smirked, like he knew my cards were all a total sham. How could he have possibly known? Holding my gaze he tapped to a small stack of cards that were still untouched that you could pick from. Was he suggesting that I pick another card, which could evidently risk putting me even further from winning?

Looking back up at him, I furrowed my eyebrows but subsequently found my hand reaching for the stack of cards and pulling one out, in selecting the card much to my surprise it was the Queen of Hearts, which meant I might not lose miserably at all now. Meeting his eyes once again, I mouthed a small thank you which he returned with a grin.

Before I could even react. Jordon's slick, calm voice spoke, "There, that's how it's done." He placed down a king and won the game without looking not even slightly bothered. "Good game." He continued and audible sounds of protests and groans came from Elijah and Veronica.

"Every time." She huffed.

Rubbing his hands against his black cargo pants, abruptly he got up making his way to the kitchen which I knew was where he wanted to be. If Zee was there so was he.