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.
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
**** Springing straight up from my dream state, my heart rate pounding in my chest. My breathing irregular. But I didn't scream. It wasn't real, it was a dream. Only a dream. I closed my eyes trying to grip onto my version of reality. The version that right now I'd do anything to escape from. Forcing myself to keep my breathing steady, I reopened my eyes adjusting to the new scenery. Bed. I was on a bed. Throwing the duvet wrapped around me, I hung my legs over, the tips of my toes making light contact with the carpeted floor. Where am I? Trying to absorb my surroundings I looked around. Gold encrusted spiral walls, flat-screen television secured to the far end of the wall. A table and a single chair situated towards the corner of the room and a slightly ajar door. I was curious, to say the least. Where exactly was I? I couldn't be back at their c
Suddenly Zee walked into the room, I could see in her eyes evident shock of the close position that me and Isaiah were currently in, I pulled back abruptly but he made no just movement in fact he looked slightly irritated that there was an interruption, he turned his eyes falling on Zee, his face instantly stomped out any previous annoyance. Despite her visible injuries, she was still looking a lot better than I did. Her hair flowed freely around her shoulders, she was wearing similar attire to mine. Her beauty still present. But everything else clearly not, a permanent frown etched onto her face which was completely different from normal, happy smiling Zee and I despised seeing her like that. Her voice came out hard, blunt but not an octave higher or lower from how she usually sounded, "Isaiah, are you ready to go?" His eyes burned into mine, asking if he should go or if he should stay, all I could give him was a
Chapter eight His lips met mine, pressing roughly against it, his tongue trying to pry my mouth opened, the action made me gasp and I could feel a smirk on his face before he deepened the kiss. He worked meticulously, cupping my cheek and stirring things up inside me. This was my first kiss, I had no one to compare him to. All I felt was a mild twirling feeling in my gut, something was there but not completely. Not how I thought it would feel, those books always described sparks and an overwhelming amount of butterflies. Wasn't I supposed to be feeling that? Someone cleared their throat. But it didn't come from Elijah, instantly I pulled back breaking the kiss, his eyes flashed hurt before he slowly bit his lip looking downwards. The only thing right then that I could think about was Isaiah, how I betrayed him and how I hoped that wasn't him behind me. Closing my eyes I prepared for the impact, my back stil
Currently, Adrian was ordering food service, going into the corridor for optimal service holding the menu loosely in his hand. I don't think I could even eat anything if I tried, I'd have to force some food down regardless, I needed as much energy as I could possibly get. Elijah sat on the leather chairs facing me, his expression was more so unsure than angry and I could tell he was contemplating why I wanted to cut my time with him so short, his eyes widened as if thinking that he didn't kiss me with consent but it was quickly diminished like he was assuring himself that he did and knowing he didn't kiss me without my permission his face fell back to its previously confused state. This wasn't my biggest concern and I found myself looking past him towards the big bay windows outside the landscape was one to truly admire, rising up from my seat I made my way towards the glass, stopping when I could visibly see my reflection; everything lo