The Ruins Of Tomorrow

17. Complications

The floorboards of his cabin creaked with our footsteps. Neither of us spoke a single word as the sound of our unsteady breathing made it seem like we were sneaking in. Ashley wouldn't stop fidgeting with her fingers and rubbing her arm. Her face was pale, as if she were sick.

She is scared or nervous about something.

We reached the end of the hallway as we stood outside of the door to Dean's office. Noah opened it as we entered the room. The reek of alcohol made it evident that Dean had been drinking. He sat behind his desk, holding a glass cup in his hand while he stared off the window.

I tried covering my nose, almost coughing at the stench lingering in the room. Not only did it smell like bitter alcohol, but the air was musty. Lacking sunlight and fresh air from outside. It had only been roughly half an hour since Dean left the dinner table and compared to how he looked before; he was completely drained, with dark eye bags now.

Dean chugged another shut before standing up to walk around his desk. He stood in the middle and looked at the three of us, just when he finally set his eyes on me.

"We have to discuss some things," he said.

I swallowed and nodded my head until I took a step forward. "I heard," I answered back. "I'll answer whatever it is you need me to answer."

His eyes studied mine for a whole minute until he stood closer and I could smell more of the alcohol in his breath. My nose wrinkled, and I was already having trouble focusing. It was suddenly silent, and I felt my heart beating fast through my chest.

"I need all of you to sit," Dean ordered.

Ashley was the first to move, then Noah, then it was me. I was granted the chair in the middle of the others as I sat down, instantly feeling my hands sweat. My breathing was feeling unsteady and I couldn't shake off the anxiety crawling up my back.

"There are a few complications I need to discuss with you guys," Dean said, stroking the stubble on his chin.

I lifted my eyes, and he was already staring. But before I could speak what was on my mind, Ashley stood from her chair. "I want to address the issue here, Dean," she commented.

"I can't keep ignoring what happened, especially since Noah had it worse," she admitted. "We barely got out alive from that place!"

Noah lifted his palm, hoping to shut Ashley up. "You should let him talk first, Ash. He's the one who called us in."

Ashley inhaled a breath and sat back down. I felt anxious to move an inch and I couldn't shake off this weird feeling I was getting in my gut. Seeing Dean drink reminded me of how dad was back home. Some days were worse than others, but at least Dean was still himself for the most part.

"I want to hear everything from Scarlet," Dean stated. "And only her, until I say it's okay for you two to speak. Y'all got that?"

Ashley nodded, and Noah just glared back.

Dean's intimidating pierced through mine as he crossed his arms. "If there's something important you need to share with us, now is the time kid."

My lips parted, and I stood up quickly. "I don't want you guys to think I'm some sort of spy for Hunter or any of them," I said, clenching my fists.

He ran a hand through his dark hair and took a sip out of the glass cup. He stayed silent as I continued. "I know Hunter and the Nova's. The only thing they want is more power and folks on their side, so they can grow an army that people like us can fear."

I gulped hard. "Thomas and I were being used at his camp. It happened to a lot of innocent lives and for a while, there was nothing that could be done until..."