I Now Realize

Chapter 20: Unexplainable Events (part 2 out of 4)

I'm sorry if the previous part was a bit uneventful. I bet this story is going downhill and a bit boring. If it is, I truly apologize. My mind is blank and I'm trying to think how to make this chapter more interesting.

If you want to skip this part, that's your choice, because this part is basically Declan bringing Akio and his friends to his hideout. But the ending of this part is a bit important.

"Ey, you seem familiar..." The purple haired male eyed at Akio in a suspicious manner. "What's your name, kid?" He asked.
"I'm Akio." Akio blinked in curiosity; not remembering where he met this man.
The purple haired male stared at him and was agape. "You? You're Darkangel's comrade!"
"Indeed, s-sir." Akio raised an eyebrow at Kitaya; who shrugged in confusion.
"Call me Declan, kid." The purple haired male politely smiled and patted Akio on the shoulder.
'Hey! Maybe he can help Alue with her hideout members!' Akio looked at Kitaya with hope in his eyes.
'You're right. Maybe we better explain that situation to him.' Kitaya nodded in agreement.
"Ey, all of youse!" Declan whistled at his comrades to get their attention.
"What's up?" A woman yelled.
"Welcome these kids as our allies! He is one of Darkangel's comrades!" Declan wrapped an arm around Akio's and Kitaya's shoulders.
"Darkangel?!" The crowd of hybrids murmured in shock.
"We haven't heard about her in long time!" A man commented.
"Well, I'm not one to judge! But I can say Darkangel is always there! We welcome these kids as allies and will help Darkangel in any assistance!" A woman folded her arms and grinned in pride.
"Tell me, boy," Declan ruffled Akio's hair and smiled in a fatherly manner. "Do you contact Darkangel?"
"Yes, sir, I do." Akio nodded and shyly smiled.
"Are we allowed to contact Darkangel?" Declan asked.
"Maybe. But can we all go somewhere secluded?" Akio asked.
Declan placed his hand on his hair and scratched. "How silly of me! The boy's right! Let's get out of here before any other human knows our existence!" He gestured everyone to leave Tech Park and head to their...neighborhood?
Akio was so confused by this. But then again, he learned from Alue that one is not to judge, but to learn from the other.
And that did help Akio many times...
Akio and his friends followed Declan to where they went...

"And this adobe may not be the most beautiful thing to live in, but it's a huge space for everyone. I hope you and your friends are comfortable in here." Declan bowed in humbleness to Akio and his friends and went to the huge silver kitchen, pulling several vegetables out of the fridge. "You guys hungry?" Declan glanced at Akio and his friends.
"Yes." Kitaya politely nodded.
"Would you guys like hamburgers?" Declan turned on the stove and placed a few patties on a square shaped pan.
Akio and his friends nodded. "Yes, please!"
"Alright then. It will just take a while." Declan grinned as he flipped the patties and quickly sliced the tomatoes and onions...

"Ready!" After one hour, Declan prepared the tables and placed plates while his friends placed the wrapped hamburgers.
Akio and his friends sat and thanked Declan for the food and started to eat.
"Delicious!" Mian's eyes twinkled and started to gobble the hamburger like a termite. And so did the other two girls.
After ten minutes of getting to each other and being comfortable with Declan's comrades, Declan wanted to chat with Akio in private from where they sat.
Declan politely smiled and made eye contact with Akio. "So, how is Darkangel?"
"Very busy." Akio lightly pounded on his chest as he cleared his throat. "But I have a question. Does Darkangel know you?"
"Why, of course, boy." Declan shrugged and smiled and settled his elbows on the table. "We are allies with Skull. I assume you know that name?"
Akio snapped his fingers in a 'that's right' moment. "Yes, I do! I haven't heard about him in a while..." His tone lowered in frustration as his ears folded and drooped.
"Why's that?" Declan slanted his head and knitted his eyebrows in curiosity.
Akio moved a few seats closer to Declan so that no one else could hear their conversation and whispered, "Several months ago, I discovered that I have a chip in my head. That's why that man tried to capture me; even tried to kill me. I haven't been with my friends since then." His voice broke as he told Declan his secret. He tremblingly sighed and looked at Declan with hope in his baby blue eyes.
Declan was overwhelmed by Akio's situation...