CHAPTER 17

Ren walked behind Corvin, feeling out of place even though he realised he was wearing the same thing as everyone.

He wondered how he managed not to trip, his balance thrown off by the weight of their stares.

They watched him like some alien. If he summoned courage and looked squarely into someone's eyes, he was sure he'd hear their thoughts. That was how obvious their look was.

Everyone there knew he was unaffected; the entire Faction knew about him. That must be the reason why they were staring at him like he was a different species of human.

"Sit here, Renault," Corvin halted by the side of a table with just four people sitting on it, and asked Ren to sit with them.

Ren wanted to ask Corvin if they could find an empty table, but Corvin had already walked away toward the food counter.

He had to sit. It would make him less visible in the room. Being the only one standing was pitying himself up for grabs.

Slowly, he walked over to the long metal bench and lowered himself on the edge, his face lowered to avoid looking or speaking to anyone.

At least, he was glad that all four men were sitting on the other side of the table; his bench was free. He would have felt so awkward sitting beside a stranger that he knew hated him.

"You shouldn't be here," a voice spoke from the other side of the table.

Slowly, Ren lifted his face and saw a pair of displeased brown eyes fixed on him. The person was looking at Ren condescendingly, his body language showing indeed, that he didn't want Ren here.

"I agree. This silver building is meant for the captain and a few of his high-ranking men and soldiers. Not some unaffected, useless human," the person beside the first person speaker said regarding Ren with disdain.

Ren sighed, and before he could say a word, his stomach replied instead, roaring like an angry storm.

He clutched it immediately, cursing it silently and for choosing to disgrace him at such a moment.

"Excuse me," Ren said, shifting uncomfortably.

"You're excused, human. You should leave the Faction, " the first man spoke.

Someone scoffed, "You should leave... escape before the captain kills you. That's my advice -"

"I bet the captain will be delighted by your words, Stanley," Someone walked up behind Ren, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Ren froze, lifting his face to see who it was.

"Hi, Ren," Kael winked at him.

Ren suddenly felt relief wash over him. At last, a familiar face.

"Kael..." Stanley cleared his throat, straightening up, "Kael, you wouldn't, right? You wouldn't slight me over this... unranked human." He chuckled, spinning his fork around his fingers.

Kael lowered himself beside Ren, placing his elbows on the table.

"I'd leave that for the captain to decide," Kael placed a small recorder unit on the table, smirking at the guys on the other side.

Ren watched as the men's faces turned into pure fear. The mention of the Captain's name surely did the trick.

He secretly breathed in relief, shifting closer to Kael, "Thank you." He whispered.

"You don't have to send it to the captain. We'll keep off from your human if that's what you want," The first guy spoke, narrowing his eyes at Ren.

"That would be splendid, Dorian. Or, you'd have to take it up with the captain," Kael said.

"Don't worry, Kael. Your human is safe with us," Dorian said and stood from the table as their table suddenly started to make a beeping sound inside it.

"Let's go, guys," Dorian said and stood from the bench.

Ren raised his face, surprised to find Dorian's brown eyes on him as he led the guys away from the table.

"Are you okay?" Kael asked, staring at Ren's face.

Ren sighed, "I am." He replied.

Kael nodded, "You know, you have to stand for yourself. There are only three men in this faction who deserve your respect," he said, drumming his fingers on the beeping table

Ren stared at Kael's drumming fingers, the rhythm and beeping making a distinct sound in the cafeteria.

"I know of the captain," Ren murmured.

Kael smirked, "Yeah, we all do. He's the real devil around here. But, he does have sidekicks." He said, looking around the room to make sure he was safe for his next words.

He leaned closer to Ren and whispered, "The Lieutenant and the doctor are just as evil as the captain. I hate them... but I respect them." He said in a hushed tone.

Ren frowned, "You hate the doctor?" He questioned.

He didn't think anyone would hate the doctor. Corvin didn't seem like a bad person; he was only interested in finding the cure for the virus. Even though his methods of approach weren't entirely human-friendly, still, he was just a normal person at the end of the day.

Kael scoffed, "Yeah. Both of them are way into their heads with pride. They both think they can act however they want because of their ranks

So, yeah, I hate them, but I respect them." He explained.

Ren didn't have much to say; he had just gotten here, and he knew nothing about the Faction, what happened daily, or how everyone acted.

He was new... vulnerable.

He knew nothing.

"Um, how about the captain? Don't you have him?" He asked, careful so he doesn't let his hatred slip through his lips.

He didn't trust Kael.

After being turned on by his best friend, Zarek; he no longer took anyone in. Kael was even more dangerous, he might be trying to get close to him just to discover something that would put him in danger.

Kael chuckled, "I don't hate the captain. He's done nothing wrong. If he acted any kinder than he was, he'd be taken for granted, his aways are justified-ouch!" He grunted and pulled his hand away from the table.

"Are you okay?" Ren asked, a little confused and worried.