𝐈𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝

Chapter Thirty-One: Introductions

"Obsidian is an organization that specializes in protecting people. People like you guys," the man said, glancing back at us during his last sentence.

He guided us through the hallways of the building that I noticed was similar to the structure of the Monarch facility we broke into just a few days ago. However, it was much less menacing, despite the bright lights and grey walls. But, it still held the corporate and scientific aura of the Monarch compound. I listened closely to the man, straining my ears and focusing my attention in order to pick up on everything he was saying so I could understand it and remember it later.

"For the past couple of weeks we've been taking in as many kids like you as possible, giving them a place to sleep and food to eat," the man continued, who I just now realized hadn't given us his name. During our short walk, Dylan had managed to move up next to the man, obviously familiar with the building.

"Well, what about the people out there?" I spoke up for the first time. The man turned his head back as he continued to walk through the hallways of the compound until we reached double doors that lead to the lawn they had seen earlier, an unsettling grin forming on his face.

"All will be explained in due time," he said vaguely, "for now, you can take your bags and go find an empty tent out in front." Creepy. He stopped in front of the cluster of tents we had seen earlier when we were driving. I looked around for a moment before another guard approached us to lead us in the direction of an empty tent.

"Except for you, Dylan. We need to ask you some questions," the man in the black coat called out, keeping his eyes trained on Dylan.

What does he want with Dylan? Whatever it is, it can't be good because he's staring at him like he's a piece of meat.

My eyes flickered between the man and Dylan before they rested on Dylan when she saw that he was already looking at me. I sent him a concerned look but he shook his head, assuring me that he was fine. He stepped forward to follow the man who had already started walking back to the building, but I caught his arm before he could take another step.

"Hey," I said, keeping my gentle grip on Dylan's arm, but my eyes trained on the man in the black coat's back as he walked away from us. "Just...be careful, okay?" I turned my head to look back into his brown eyes sincerely. Even if we were fighting and Dylan was being a jerk, I didn't want him to get hurt or into trouble, and by the look the man had sent him, his intentions didn't seem so good. I cared about Dylan, probably more than I should, but I wouldn't let him get hurt.

Dylan's eyes flitted from my hand on his arm and back up to me, softening when he saw my genuine concern. "Always," he smirked lightly, the corners of his mouth quirking up a little and then falling back to their original position.

I let go of his arm and sent him a small nod before jogging to catch up with Raine and the rest of the group who were following behind the guard to a tent. I slowed my jog to walk when I met Raine who was walking with Jack on her other side.

"Hey," I said, keeping my eyes on the area around us.

"Hey, what do you think they want with Dylan?" Raine asked and Jack perked his head up as well, taking interest in Raine's question.

"I don't know. Hopefully, nothing bad," I said and turned back to look at Dylan who was walking away with the man.

"Hopefully," was all Raine said before we focused our attention back on the field. From the front, there were tons of tents but it was nothing compared to the backyard of the compound.

There must have been forty to fifty acres of land, covered in tents and small houses with people roaming around. I noticed a few bigger tents that looked more like houses in between the smaller ones. Probably for more important people or for people who have been here longer. There was grass, trees, and nature that seemed untouched by the asteroid collision. It had been a while since I've seen such pure nature so I couldn't contain my shock and awe when I noticed the greenery around us. As we walked past tents, I saw small fire pits sprawled between the tents and around the middle of the lawn that I assumed people used to huddle around for warmth.