The After Kingdom: UnOrdinary (Arlo x John)

Chapter 44

Arlo vanished from his department, and days have passed, with none of the authorities looking for them.

It's been a week since he was able to retrieve John, yet until now, John still hasn't opened his eyes.

Some bruises were slowly getting better, but his serious wounds are far from healing. He considered taking John in a hospital, but he was afraid of the hospital taking interest on John's situation.

At some point, he'll have to get him checked, but Arlo needed someone discreet, someone to be trusted.

And he believes that it would be the best to let John heal before doing anything else.

Elaine has a job as a nurse. Thankfully, she was considerate enough with helping after her shift has ended.

Arlo kept making her attempt to use her abilities on John, but her abilities had no effect at all. Elaine had no choice but to treat his wounds using normal medical methods.

Remi and Blyke were more than concerned about the authorities and their plans, and Seraphina also couldn't standby without doing anything.

The authorities are dangerous enemies, and Arlo couldn't sleep a wink in fear that they would come and attack John, that they would return and take him away.

As long as experiments were happening, as long as their plans continued to be executed... There wouldn't be a world that guarantees John's safety.

It was still too suspicious for them to just throw John away. Arlo suspected that they have already acquired a structure and a copy of his raw ability, or that they already have another "subject". Since the files mentioned that the drugs has been perfected, it's possible that they are likely to be opting now for someone who isn't as insane as John.

Arlo hated the fact that he's wishing that they are. He hated wishing that the authorities are set on someone else, making another person their victim.

But, John knows a lot about the authorities. If they really no longer have any need for him, they would dispose him. He wouldn't be kept alive because he knows too much.

The same could also be said for Arlo. But, he disappeared on the authorities after getting John, and Isen had no updates about them searching for the two of them.

Although at this point, he doesn't even know if he could trust Isen. Isen was sent to observe and report about their actions, and even if Isen may have been a big help on retrieving the files, it's still difficult for Arlo to fully trust him.

He felt cornered with nowhere to run. John was already considered as a failed experiment, but Arlo's mind just couldn't be at ease.

It lasted more than a month, with no authorities still looking for them. A month with John not waking-up.

Compared to when they were first able to retrieve him, his wounds were a lot better now. Seraphina managed to get Darren to help them, but John was suffering from a drug overdose, and everything about his channels are messed up.

It was a miracle that his body still isn't shutting down, when the drugs were reacting and repelling against each other.

Arlo hoped everyday that John would open his eyes. He hoped, and hoped. He just wanted atleast, a sign of movement from John, a sign of him of him waking-up. It reached to the point where almost all of John's wounds have healed. A month, and then another month, with John not waking-up.

Isen reported about a new experiment being conducted. Experiment No. 4315. They were able to have a back-up on John's original and stored abilities, one without any dampener mixed. This time, they wanted someone who can be more of a "puppet", someone who won't lose control and go insane like John did.

It was horrifying hearing that they had their new labrat lobotomized, and them having him completely locked-up. It was inhumane, and Arlo felt guilty for being glad at the thought that the authorities really are no longer after John. He doesn't understand why they were willing to let him go, but he badly wanted it to be true.

It took a total of 4 months before John woke-up.

Arlo was just holding his hand barely awake, when he felt John's hand slightly moving, gripping his hands with a weak strength.

Eventually, John opened his eyes, fixing his gaze gaze at the blond.

There wasn't a single shine left on his golden eyes, and he wasn't saying a single word. But for now, Arlo was glad that he's finally awake.

"John... I missed you."

There was no response, only John staring at him without any expression. Even as Arlo pulled him in a hug, he kept he looked lifeless.

He touched the dark haired man's cheeks, gently caressing it, yet John still showed no reaction.

"I'm sorry for injecting you that drug... I won't let anyone hurt you anymore. I'd do everything that I can to keep you safe."

Arlo doesn't know if John is even registering what he said, but the more John stared at him with a blank expression, the more the blond's tears threatened to fall.

"We'll leave this place and never look back. We'll go somewhere far away... somewhere they can't get to you." the blond kissed John's hair, his fingers then moving to touch its ends, "Your hair has gotten longer... do you want to cut it? I want to see your face better."

He didn't know what he was expecting, but there was no reply.

"You said before that you wanted to study again. You can do it now, John." Arlo smiled bitterly, "Please say something. Anything would do. You can get mad at me, or say that you hate me for what I did- John, please..."

The blond was getting more desperate. He just wanted to hear John's voice, but it felt like he wasn't there. All he have was just John's gaze on him, staring at him with no reaction.

-------------------------------

[Note]

I apologize if it hasn't been updated for 4-5 years.
I deleted and rewritten the draft for this multiple times, but I couldn't get satisfied. I want this to get a happy ending, but things are only taking a darker turn. I'll try my best working on the ending.

Since this fic was written long ago, a lot of things doesn't align with the canon. Just like the revelation about Volcan, John's parents, and William. At that time, some information are still unknown. I am thinking if I should edit some parts.

-Pleasant_illusion