In the Name of Chaos

Chapter 19: Us

Mathea fell asleep a while ago during our drive back. I, despite tiredness creeping in, refuse to sleep, catching hateful glares from Shae. I can't trust what she will try to do if I fall asleep, and I cannot trust that my teammates will come to my aid. Well, this excludes Saint. I believe he may be the only person to help me, but I'm not sure he can do much on his own.

The drive back, although a little bumpy, is not troublesome. We also, at least to my knowledge, are not being followed. This is most likely due to those left behind who are in charge of protecting our escape routes in case any Purus member attempts to locate us.

We haven't received any reports from that group, making the car ride even more tense as people think about their various problems; me worrying about Mathea, Shae wanting to hurt Mathea and grieving over the loss of Maka, and Saint fearing about the safety of all those who have not send word back to us.

I'm sure everyone else here is also worried about that; how many casualties this operation resulted in. Well, as Aris said, everyone taking part in Project G has something they're fighting for which depends on the success of the mission. Every person in this operation knew the risk and decided to go along with the plan.

Aris said, once they knew there was a chance to procure Gifted people to sell, he barely had to convince anyone to join. He said cooperation was not forced.

We drive into the parking lot, Mathea shifts as if she knows we have arrived at our destination.

"Hey," I say, watching my sister yawn.

She can't go upstairs. I was told that she must see nothing except the parking lot and the small and empty orange room built in this parking lot.

When the cars comes to a stop, most people rush to climb out as if the ride was suffocating or they're desperate to get as far away from Mathea and me as possible. The driver takes his time before leaving, leaving Mathea, Saint and me in the car. Saint is the first amongst the three of us to climb out, and I lift Mathea off of me before following his lead.

"I have to stay with you when you talk to Mathea. Well, it doesn't have to be me, but someone has to."

"You can stay."

I guide Mathea out of the car and hold her hand, pulling her behind me as the three of us walk to that orange room. I've already been told not to mention any names or describe any faces to Mathea, but I suppose Aris has every right to be careful.

However, with Saint around, I'm not sure how I will be able to explain to Mathea that she is not the cause of Maka's death. Perhaps I can tell them I saw someone else. It doesn't matter now that he got away safely. Well, I hope he did.

Saint opens the door and stands to the side of it as Mathea and I enter. He walks in after us before closing the door.

We all squint as our eyes take in the bright lights of this room.

After some time, Mathea begins to look around the room, confusion depicted on her face as she sees all that is in it; nothing. Well, nothing besides the three of us. I once asked Aris what this room was built for, but he brushed me off so I never bothered asking him again.

Saint is the first to sit, closing his eyes as he rests his back against the corner of the room and stretches his legs across the floor. Mathea and I do the same, except we sit in the centre of the room rather than at a corner. Mathea's back remains straight, but I, feeling uncomfortable without any support, hunch my back.

Thea looks to me then Saint and back to me once again, lifting her eyebrows as her eyes settle on mine. I'll have to discuss this here. I'm sure the very thought of Maka is just eating Mathea up.