Forbidden ~ after unlocked

Chapter 36 - Keefe

Keefe had so many questions he didn't even know where to begin.

But before he could say anything, raw panic flooded all his senses. It was so strong, terrifying him even though he was safe. It came out of nowhere, confusing Keefe out of his mind. And then it was gone.

Keefe blinked several times, turning his head back and forth, scanning the old park. Nobody's emotions were that strong. Except for—

Evren grabbed his arm so harshly it felt like it was being pulled out of its socket. "What are you standing around for? Come on!"

Keefe blinked. "Huh?"

"Did you not hear what I just said?"

"No, yeah, I mean, yes I did." Keefe couldn't organize his thoughts enough to even speak properly. Between the spike of emotion he just felt, Evren's own annoyance at him, and the information he'd just been told about raiding a Neverseen hideout, he felt he should at least get one minute to think.

Apparently, that was too much to ask.

Evren huffed out a breath and walked away from the grove without another word. Keefe followed.

✿✿✿

Minutes later, they were back at the apartment.

Keefe was expecting some rebuke for him sneaking out, but Kalea couldn't stop grinning, muttering to herself and checking some device.

They had all finally gathered in the living room. It was only the three of them going: Keefe, Evren and Kalea. Keefe had no idea how so few were supposed to break in and wreck a whole facility, but he tried hard to keep his questions to himself. Kalea kept promising she was going to explain everything, and now Keefe and Evren were waiting for her to speak. Ethan had his arms crossed, watching everything play out from the corner of the room.

Once again, it was hard to be in the same space with all of them at once, but Keefe knew he was getting better at controlling this ability. The final step just hadn't clicked yet.

"How long are we going to stand here waiting?" Evren asked. Keefe shared her frustration. Even though it'd only been just over a week, two at most, he was impatient to actually do something.

"Sorry," Kalea tucked the strange device she'd been staring at back into her pocket. Then she rubbed her hands together. "As you both know, it's finally time. This wasn't supposed to happen so soon, but recent developments—within the last few hours, actually—have prompted me to make this decision. We're going now. No questions."

"Why?" Keefe said. He snicked under his breath.

Kalea wasn't amused. "That was a question."

"No, I know... that was the point." He was met with blank stares. "...it was a joke." An awkward silence followed.

Kalea raised an eyebrow. Evren shook her head. Keefe looked at the floor. He felt like kicking himself.

Kalea cleared her throat, then continued speaking. She explained the plan to them, but Keefe could tell they were only getting the bare minimum. Something about it all felt off, like a piece of the puzzle was missing.

Yet for a reason that was lost on him, he completely believed Kalea. He trusted her with this; clearly, it was something she'd been thinking about for a long time.

Kalea took what looked like an orange leaping crystal from her pocket. Keefe's eyebrows shot up. Where did she get a crystal? He'd never seen an orange one before either. "How did you—"

"I said no questions." Kalea released a breath. She adjusted something on the crystal, then made eye contact with both of them. "This is it. You ready?"