Betrayal Is My End

Chapter 14

Tsu

I felt a pounding in my head, it was directly in the front center and spreading slowly. My stomach was doing somersaults and I felt the low groan as it passed my lips, which felt dry and cracked. When I opened my eyes, it was dark. That's a relief, it took me a moment to focus enough to see the outline of my hand through the pitch darkness. I groaned inwardly as I sat up slowly. My chest hurt but it wasn't overwhelming, just a dull ache. I forced myself to move to the edge of the mattress and throw my legs over the side. It took a lot more effort than I wanted to admit, but as I was about to stand I heard a soft click and bright light flashed into existence around me.
I frowned outwardly and threw my hand up to block the light from my eyes but still found myself squinting trying to adjust. "Oh good, you're awake." The voice sounded distantly familiar, but I couldn't place it. When I didn't answer she continued. "I was worried." The girl who spoke sounded sweet, she smiled at me and I felt my mind slowly start working. "What happened to me?" I asked just as the girl stood beside me checking my pulse. Katy! My mind screamed her name at me and I couldn't help but make a small noise of acknowledgment. She didn't speak for a minute, and politely ignored my mewling sound. She quickly busied herself with my vitals. Making sure my machines as well as myself were ok.
I waited in silence as calmly as I could but I felt annoyance creep into me as she continued to work without speaking. Finally, after what felt like hours, she looked me directly in the eye, her eyes widened for a moment and a brief "oh," escaped her lips. I frowned at her reaction but she smiled. "Good news, sorry for the silence by the way I just had to check this stuff," she says tapping my folder she'd just written in.
I nod in answer and she smiles, as she does I see dimples come out and can't help but smile back. "You seem to have accepted the second power into your body without much resistance. The pain you felt was a result of your body trying to fend off the new intruder. If it had been anyone else's power, you'd probably be dead." My eyes widened at her calm and almost carefree attitude towards my death. She seemed reserved enough but it was clear my death wouldn't have affected her. "Davi is fine, he woke up a few minutes ago. Your body seems to have accepted this new power, it'll take time to get used to it."
"You'll feel wounds around you, it's imperative you don't fix anything and anyone the second you feel it, ok?" I felt confusion at her advice but just nodded, "how will I know?" She turned to me with a soft smile assessing my state before answering.
"Because, you'll feel everything. Their pain is yours. Your body broke and healed hundreds of times over when we implanted that power because your body truly melded with the power. Your body and bones have to be strong to handle all theirs." My mouth dropped and I felt a shiver run through me, I swallowed back my fear before calmly blowing out my breath.
"You can't heal every little thing. Especially when it can heal naturally, and if you heal big things you must do it in pieces. Do not be an idiot and do it all at once." I frowned and she muttered something under her breath. "Like, Davi?" I ask and she sighs, "yea. Like Davi. His insides were pretty bad but the power kept him from completely decomposing."
With that, she turned and walked out of the room leaving me alone.
I rolled my shoulders trying to loosen the stress that was knotted there. Hopefully I can be useful to Jerome now. I have to be, I want to kill Mikey. If I do that, I'll be free of my past. My mind seemed to calm at that and I smiled to myself.
Mikey may think that he's won, he may think he's got the upper hand, but he doesn't know just how bad it can get. The monster in me is finally free, I don't want to kill him for something as simple as revenge. I want to kill him because I want him to hurt.
I want to watch as he begs for mercy, as he begs for forgiveness and cries, I want him to feel his bones shatter. To feel the electricity ignite through his whole being as it scrambles every section of his brain. I want him to only know pain. Why? My mind intrudes on my beautiful thoughts, I shake my head in confusion before answering aloud. "Because, I can." The smile on my lips now is sadistic as I continue picturing his suffering. I want him and everyone like him to feel this pain I feel every day.
I was shaken from my thoughts, again, quickly as I heard what was a clicking sound.
It sounded through the room and I instantly started. I shook my head slightly before looking up and that's when I felt arms wrap around me. I was pulled into something- no some one- warm and heard words whispered to me.
I smiled as I clung to them too, the warm scent of caramel and vanilla clearly giving away who was hugging me. When I pulled back I was met with a pair of hazel eyes and a pair of pale blue eyes that reminded me of the sky.
They were both filled to the brim with love and worry that I felt my heart contract. "Jerome said there were complications, but when I- we-" Kai conceded barely hazarding a glance behind him to where I assume Jerome was. "Came in, Davi was awake and pissed. Katy said you were in here," he smiled at me and I shook my head.
"I'm ok, I felt absolutely miserable and I won't lie, transferring power? Not the funnest thing." I grimaced at that and when I looked up I saw Jerome frown and whisper to Katy who shook her head and shrugged in a clear I-don't-know.
He gave us a span of five seconds to hug one another before I heard his clearly annoyed throat clearing. Instantly, Kai and Davi stepped back, both at attention waiting direction from their leader. I sat in the bed still looking up at him as he peered down at me.
"How're we feeling?" He asked in a condescending tone, his arms crossed over in front of him and he leaned back watching me for any changes. I scoffed but smiled anyways, "ok, now." I felt like being cheeky with him but instantly regretted it when I felt his hand crack across my face.
I grimaced as I felt the stinging there but didn't move, Jerome tilted his head and I watched as a smile spread across his lips. "Guess it worked, good to know." I raised a brow to him in clear question afraid to speak. He touched his cheek, as he did, I realized the stinging was gone in mine.
"You could've gone about that easier." I muttered and he smirked, "could've." He conceded, "but I enjoy my methods. They're quite effective, no?" I rolled my eyes and he turned on his heel, immediately I was on my feet and following the three of them out of the room. "It's been about a day and a half." He said as we were outside now. My eyes widened as I felt the cool nights air on my skin. "Holy crap, no wonder Katy was so tired. She is ok, right?" Jerome shrugged but didn't seem worried, Davi turned back and winked at me causing me to instantly feel relieved.
I studied him now and could see the difference. It was almost blinding how different he was. No longer was he worn and tired looking, no longer did he have dark circles under his eyes, and he even seemed to stand taller.
He's not sick anymore, the thought hit me like a train and I had to force myself to keep pace. We walked back through the house and I frowned as I looked around seeing it was all but empty. "What-" I said quietly as I studied the now empty rooms and walls. Kai sighed, "we're moving bases after this. No point staying in one place. Especially since Mikey knows where this is." I nodded and didn't speak again, as we walked I stopped in the kitchen staring at the emptiness.
I felt my throat tighten and tears fill my eyes for a moment. I remembered leaning against the counter as Ash grilled me about Kai and Davi, talking to Claira and just feeling-for the first time- I was truly in a home.
After one last look, I turned and followed the boys to the laundry room and the entrance to our rooms and everything down below.
Kai and Davi stood just through the door waiting for me patiently, seeming to know I'd need just a moment while Jerome had gone on. "Sorry," I say quietly and Kai smiles softly before walking to follow Jerome. Davi wraps an arm around me easing my tension. He pulls me close and kisses the top of my head before following as well. We walk in a comfortable silence and I can literally feel his well-being.
"Someone feels better," I mutter and I feel his arm tighten around my shoulders. "Well, yea, I'm not losing my mind anymore. Kind of does that to a guy."
"Where are we going? I mean, obviously the meeting room but," I ask looking up at him and I see as his brow furrows.
He purses his lips in thought before shrugging, "I'm assuming it's finally time to merge our groups. It's been a long time coming and both sides don't want to bow to the other, so, by merging like this- it saves a lot of face." I nodded actually understanding what he was saying, "but- isn't Jerome taking over everything because Dylan sold out to save Jake?" Davi chuckled, at that and kissed the top of my head.
"Oh, you certainly pay attention, don't you? We've got the merging to get through."
I scoffed and pondered my question before speaking, "and then?" I asked and when he looked down at me I saw genuine amusement there. He didn't get to answer though, as he went to speak Jerome cut him off.
His whole demeanor had changed, no longer was he the slightly disgruntled friend to us, but now he was the no-nonsense boss that'll take a bat to your head. Clearly, he's proven that point. I bit my lip and waited for the reprimanding that was sure to come. Only, it never did.
"Tsu, keep your eyes open and your emotions off your face, I want a clear reading of everyone in the room. Davi, Kai," he said addressing each of them with a simple nod. "Keep the room secure. We may be merging but I won't put it past this asshole to have something up his sleeve. He has a weakness though," he says calmly looking from them to me and smirking. Clearly, he sees us as each others weaknesses, he licks his lips and smiles before continuing, "his brother. That's our trump card." The two boys nodded and I stared blankly at Jerome hoping to convey a sense of professionalism. It must've worked because with one last glance he turned and opened the door.