Subject 305-b

Chapter 15

Reyna had made a fire and was tightening the strings on her bow. Nic sighed, they where getting no where with Albero. The only good thing was the fool had stopped flirting with Athena. She had apparently taken a break, because she was propped up on a tree with a hand on her head. Athena noticed Nic walking up to her and turned around.

"Damned fool won't listen will he?" Nic asked.

"He's tough to crack but he'll come around." Athena replied, "perhaps you should talk to him Nic."

"I...uh, sure." Nic sighed.

"Thanks." Athena smiled and patted Nic on the back.

This was going to be interesting. Albero was still tied up and his face was still bloodied. The one thing Nic hadn't noticed before was that Albero looked more human, his camouflage had worn off and his skin was skin was tan. Albero was the only tree spirit with hair, which had a play boy style to it. Nic sat down in front of Albero and pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket. He took a water bottle and poured it over the handkerchief. Albero flinched when Nic began to clean off the blood.

"Thanks..." Albero mumbled. "You are a kind hearted person Nic, I'm sorry about what Jake did to you, and what I did to you."

"You don't have to apologize for what Jake did." Nic sighed "I forgive you but you have to help us."

"I know, I know. But if I help you Nic, Jake will kill me." Albero replied.

Athena looked over at Nic and Albero. She saw that Nic was leaned over wiping the blood off Albero's face. Nic had such kindness in him that only showed once in a while.

"That looks... Interesting." Reyna commented.

"Reyna!" Athena scolded. "Some people do have hearts you know!"

"Well it's not every day you see a guy cleaning another guys face and acting like they care." Reyna said defending herself.

Athena sighed and shook her head at Reyna. It was true though, Nic looked like he truly cared about Albero, but his heart was big and he would probably do it for anyone.

Nic untied Albero from the tree but kept his hands tied in front of him. His face looked better but his eye was still bruised and swollen. He pulled out a shirt and a pair of pants out of his bag and handed them to Albero. Thankfully Albero had a tank top and shorts on underneath his clothes. Nic had to help him take his shirt off, which was extremely difficult due to his hands being tied. Nic wasn't helping this fool take his pants off. He was extremely glad that he was able to do it himself.

"That was awkward, but thanks for the clothes." Albero commented.

"Trust me that is not the most awkward thing I've had to do for someone." Nic replied.

"I'll take your word." Albero laughed.

Athena walked over to the boys and offered them food.

"He eat up." She said simply and walked away.

Nic handed Albero a plate, he sat it down in front of himself and began to eat like he was used to eating with his hands tied.

"Did Jake force you to do it?" Nic asked.

Albero stopped eating and lowered his head. "I was the only one who knew how to work the George. Jake kept me locked up for weeks until I decided to turn it on."

"I'm sorry man, but why did you work with him?" Nic asked again.

"I have brothers and sisters, he threatened to kill them so I had no choice." He looked up at Nic and sighed. "They were killed in a fire, all of them, Jake told me that it was an accident but I see now."

"So will you help us? Avenge your family." Nic stated.

"Nic's going to kill Albero with all this niceness." Athena laughed.

"Truly Athena he has to be-"

"Shut up Reyna, good gods." Athena shouted which made both of the boys look over at her. She just smiled and waved.

"Reyna I swear I'm going to kill you." Athena warned in a whisper.

"Hey!" Reyna defended.

"What was that about?"Albero asked.

"I have no idea." Nic said, "Anyways."

Albero hadn't answered him yet and it was making Nic worried that he was going to say no. Nic had hope that Albero would say yes, they both had lost someone to Jake and had their reasons. Albero sighed and held his hands out to Nic.

"I'll help you." Albero answered clearing his throat.

"You're making a good choice man." Nic replied cutting the ties off with a knife.

Albero stood up and walked over to Athena, they shared some words and shook hands. Athena smiled at Nic, but it felt hollow as if it was forced. She jogged over to Nic and hugged him.

"How did you do that?! Athena asked.

"Killed em' with kindness." Nic gave a smile at Athena that read 'I heard you.'

"Wait how did you- oh yeah." Athena asked answering her own question.

"He said the others will help as well." Athena mentioned.

Nic nodded his head and walked over to Albero and Reyna. Reyna looked up at him and have a devilish smile. He had no idea what that was about. Athena laid her hand on Nic's shoulder, he glanced up and smiled at her. Then a tree spirit came out of nowhere and ran strait into Nic and tripping. Albero jumped up and fixed his hair which was odd.

"Ow Jaysus mate." Nic complained.

"What, are you a pirate now Nic?" Reyna asked laughing and holding her sides.

"No I'm Italian!" Nic replied angrily.

"You're Italian?" Athena asked.

"Enough!" Albero ordered. "Raphael what's wrong."

"Sir" Raphael responded in a shaky voice, "Jakes attacked the hideout!"

Albero's face turned pale and he looked really desperate. He turned to Nic and gave him a pleading look. Nic nodded his head and they all followed Albero.

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