Beyond the Rift ✔ (Completed)

Chapter 22: Family Matters

Alexis

"We were in Downtown Portland, investigating a gas station explosion. We thought maybe you people had been there. Seems like we were right. We spoke with the locals, but they were too scared to tell us anything. I finally resorted to calling you, although it is against the protocol, we were worried. That's when I realized my phone was missing. We tracked it down to this place and ultimately found you." Nick says.

We are now at a local motel. It is dark and chilly outside. The silent woods echo eerie sounds, while the window flaps leisurely in the mild breeze. The motel is warm and cozy to the outside world. It was a two-hour drive from the abandoned factory.

Halitus had suggested to spend the night in the town of Prospect, rather than to travel 5-hours all the way to our secret base. Mainly because all are tired and wounded, but also, we have to keep our guard on for any more leviathans in the area, hence we warded our rooms. 

Nick is filling us in with the details of how Marty and he scouted out for us, as well as the red crystal; which they have not yet found.

"I can't imagine the trouble you guys went through to find us; it was our fault that we didn't inform you about the secret base." I apologize Nick, but am glaring at Ethan, who is sitting right next to me on the couch.

If it wasn't for him, Nick and Marty would have been with us this whole time. He thought Marty was double crossing us and he still does. He keeps glaring at the poor guy.

"No, it's good you guys went in incognito, but, you shouldn't have come here. What if it were the tridents?" Nick is serious, he looks at me with concern.

"I would've done the same thing." I say, however, I would be dead by now. I want to tell him out loud, but instead I smile. I didn't want to imagine the tridents here. It would be a nightmare.

"Yeah." Nick speaks vaguely. "You have gotten much stronger, I've noticed. The way you tortured the leviathan. It was impressive."

I flicker my eyes to Ethan. He hated the way I made the leviathan talk. He doesn't express his anger, but deep down, I know he is disappointed at my stunt. What else was I supposed to do? It wouldn't talk. At least, we know the Tridents didn't hire the leviathans and it is entirely someone else who is doing the trident's dirty work for them.

"You okay? That leviathan got you guys pretty good though." Nick askes me, and I realize I have almost zoned out.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I-I just ... uh... I can't stop thinking about what he said. If tridents didn't hire the pack, then who did?" I look at Halitus, who is resting on the bed. The tussle with the creature left her feeling exhausted.

"You don't actually think he is telling the truth, do you?" Nick scoffs. "That bloke was off his bonkers. They aren't exactly the trusting kind."

"Yeah, I know. But, it didn't seem like he was lying. I mean, why would someone want only Ethan dead. Halitus said I was their target, shouldn't their orders be, to kill me?" I ask.

"Who the hell knows? But, ultimately, we all are safe. Everything's okay now."

"How is everything okay?" Marty's speaks for the first time. He has been quiet ever since we told him about Elvira's death. He didn't react in anyway, yet. His eyes are cold and jaw locked. His breath quickens as he gets up and walks to the center of the room. He stands in front of us. His eyes dart at Ethan. Anger flickers in him.

"Marty." I rise slowly to settle him. He looks in a mood to fight. Marty never shows his anger, he is always cocky and easy going.

Today, he doesn't appear to be in a flirty mood either. His features are different. Something tells me this is not going to end well.