Darkness from Within #2: Tension Rising (A Ninjago Fanfiction)

Chapter 13

Lloyd woke up bright and early the next day, this time truly determined to find out the truth. He shut his door tight and sat at his desk. He pulled out a piece of paper and a pen and clicked it open. Flicking his desk light on, he studied the paper.

Okay, he thought to himself. Let's go over what we know.

He thought back to the very first day he awoke from unconsciousness to the very night before, writing down everything that was suspicious or out of place.

He didn't care what the other ninja said—he was going to find out the truth, whether they liked it or not.

* * *

"Lloyd is smarter than we thought," Garmadon stated. "He will find out the truth in no time."

Wu rubbed his beard as he paced the floor. "You said he knows Kai had been wounded by the blade of a sword?"

Garmadon nodded. "I've never seen such frustration in him," he went on. "I feel I'm losing my son."

"Well, so much for us showing that we trust him," Wu muttered. "If he didn't feel distrusted before, he definitely does now."

"Is it really worth it?" Garmadon demanded. "The relationship between us and Lloyd is falling apart. Maybe we should just tell him the truth."

Wu shook his head. "It's too late now. He probably won't believe us in his anger." He sighed. "Lloyd's trust in us is broken. He won't listen to a word we say."

"So what do we do, let him figure it out himself?" Garmadon stared at his brother desperately.

Wu halted and returned the gaze. "I'm afraid that's all we can do."

* * *

Done! Lloyd held up his paper, now fully covered in notes. If the others think I won't figure out their little secret, they're wrong!

He froze as someone knocked on his door. "Lloyd?" came Cole's voice.

Lloyd looked around. I'm really not in the mood to talk right now! As the door creaked open, the green ninja hid under his desk. Holding his breath, he hoped the ninja wouldn't find him.

"Lloyd, are you in here?"

Lloyd peered around the chair to see Cole and Zane walk into the room. The two ninja looked around.

"I wonder where he went off to," Zane murmured.

Cole sighed. "I just hope he isn't planning on doing something stupid," he added. "This whole secret thing is really messing him up."

Zane glanced at him. "You're not thinking of telling, are you?"

"Of course not!" Cole objected. "I just don't want to see anyone else get hurt."

Anyone else like who? Lloyd waited in silence as he silently willed the two to spill the beans.

"Don't worry." Zane laid his hand on Cole's shoulder. "Lloyd knows what he's doing."

Cole raised an eyebrow. "Does he, really?"

Zane went silent.

What is that supposed to mean? Lloyd wondered. His heart pounded in his chest as Zane gazed at his desk.

"Come on," Cole broke the silence, "let's go. Lloyd's not here."

The black ninja turned to leave, but Zane walked closer to the desk. Lloyd's head whirled. I left my paper up there!