Scarlet Rogue (Book One)

Chapter Fifty-One: It all Crumbles Down

Kaelynn

Helmet on. Check. Blade Tucked in. Check. Deep breath. Check. Sanity? I'm sure I lost that a long time ago but Baden, he's sane and still going through with this or maybe he too has lost his sanity. What other explanation is there for our potential suicide mission? Three clicks and the gate opens, cobwebs barely cleared, just enough to turn the lock. Russell untangles the key from his chain and places it in Baden's hand signalling our time to leave. I walk past the gate into the landing of the tunnel and Baden follows, locking the gate in the process. A final look behind the gates has goosebumps travelling along my skin when I see a pair of wide eyes looking back.

"Come on," Baden says, handing me a flashlight identical to the one he holds.

The flashlight buzzes slightly as I turn it on, the full beam lightening our dank surroundings entirely. Stairs in front of us and beyond that the unpromising brittle roof, broken segments scattered along the floor, creepers crawling along the walls, it all sends a shiver up my spine.

"At least the floor is concrete," Baden whispers, his voice shaky.

The dust covering the floor makes it impossible to see but the clanks of our shoes confirm his words. I face Baden to respond but his shivering form catches me off guard. Dressed in a coat with gloves and UGG boots and he is still cold. His genetic disposition comes to mind and suddenly guilt consumes me. I could have bought a spare coat or insisted Caleb comes along with me instead.

"Baden, are you okay?"

"A little chilly," He says truthfully. "I'm sure the walk will warm me up soon."

An hour later, according to Baden anyway, the conversation picks up. Baden confidently strides through the dinky tunnels, not a shake in sight. The tunnels get no different as we move along bar a few twists and turns. With our route memorised, Baden and I agree on every direction we change. Other than a few large spiders that occasionally scurry across the ground, the walk becomes mundane. I almost forget the purpose of our trip but every little while, the niggling feeling of our impending doom or Ayden's mind link checking I'm still alive brings reality centre stage.

"We only have two hours to go," Baden says, positively.

Two hours through the tunnel and then how many hours of battle? In an attempt to distract myself, I take control of the conversation.

"Why did you volunteer for the tunnels?"

With Baden's genetics and his years of training, he would be suited to the battlefield much more than the cold, gloomy tunnels. It almost feels like a waste of an opportunity.

"Let's not sugar-coat it, we all know I am the weakest Alpha this side of the world."

I didn't know, nor do I think it's fair to say he is the weakest because of his condition.

"Your genetics-"

He sighs. "It's not just that, it's everything."

Baden's usually conversational nature takes a downturn and I vow that is the last time I strike up a conversation. With close to two hours left on our journey, creating a more uncomfortable atmosphere was not on my to-do-list. Between Ayden's scarce checks and Baden's newfound silence, I'm left to my own thoughts. Visions of a post-war kingdom, blooming flowers across the land people, lots of them, all in high spirits, not a fear in the world. A fairy-tale setting some might say but is there anything wrong with that?

Not long passes by, ten minutes at most judging by the black leather-bound watch on his wrist, before Baden begins conversing again. I guess he doesn't like the silence. Some don't, we all know Avery doesn't but it's not a terrible thing especially not in this situation. This time, I make no efforts to steer the conversation.