The Risen HODWII

Chapter 19 : Keep Her

**Venice Claire's POV**

It's been two days since I came home, and all we did was our usual Sunday.

"Going now, sweetie?" Mom asked sadly.

I nodded, and she hugged me. "I will miss you. Don't forget to come back home, okay?" she hopefully asked.

"Of course," I said and smiled.

"Oh my goodness!" "What the heck..." Mom exclaimed, and Carlo, who was just behind Mom, murmured. My smile suddenly disappeared.

"Mom, am I dreaming?" he quietly asked, but Mom was still stunned in her spot.

She slapped the back of Carlo's head hard, causing him to fall onto the ground. "Hey! What was that!?"

"Are you still dreaming?" Mom asked, still staring at me with a face that was hard to decipher.

"I wasn't! Oh my!" He suddenly stood up, smiling widely, but I didn't wait any longer for them as I ran faster out of the house.

The last thing I heard was screams of joy. I closed the door of Xenon's car and drove as fast as I could.

When I reached Xenon's house, I parked the car and walked towards the door. I passed through the living room and saw Lucas with Stella sitting on the couch while talking and smiling at each other. On the other couch opposite to it was Jenna, lying down while watching TV.

They didn't recognize me, so I continued walking toward my room that I shared with Stella. Yesterday, Xenon saw me, and if I hadn't been that fast, he might have recognized me.

Thankful that my speed and big hood hid me well, I couldn't handle not seeing him, especially when his life could be in danger. But as I said, I did not interrupt; I just watched... him.

I was out of my daze when someone grabbed my hand and started dragging me toward... his room.

Oh, how much I missed this guy... she went crazy for two nights wanting to come out. She was looking for him, and it was hard for me to control my monster.

It was a test of how he affects me and my monster, but then I discovered that Xenon was like a pain my body craved.

He let go of my hand and caged me against the wall with both hands. "You never know how fucked up I am without you! How could you affect me this much? I'm so furious! Why did you take the bug out of your phone? I can't sleep at night thinking about you... you didn't even give me a call! You—" I couldn't wait for his rant to finish, so I grabbed his collar and pulled him down for a kiss.

He froze for a moment but responded to my kisses as he slung his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him.

He nibbled my lower lip, asking for entrance, and I immediately gave it to him as I opened my mouth and wrapped my arms around his neck, tangling my fingers in his hair and deepening the kiss... his tongue expertly explored my mouth.

The kiss grew intense, showing our longing for each other from the two days we both went crazy without one another’s presence. I could feel my entire body on fire.

He held my thigh with both hands, lifting me, and I wrapped my legs around his hips without breaking the kiss. I could only hear my heartbeat pounding too fast.

He suddenly broke the kiss as we both breathed heavily. He smiled, "Silly girl," and kissed me again. He tasted so sweet, just as I had been craving his enticing scent, and I wanted more of him.

He squeezed my butt, and I gasped. He took it as a chance to deepen the kiss. He slid his tongue inside my mouth and tangled it with mine. I moaned, feeling my body about to explode when he sucked my tongue.

I pinched his shoulder, making him groan. Our tongues engaged in an intense battle, but neither wanted to submit. I felt him walk toward the bed.

He threw me down and took off his shirt while looking at me with his eyes burning with desire. My eyes turned dark for a second before they disappeared, and I acted like it didn't happen. He blinked for a moment, probably thinking that he was just hallucinating.

He slowly crawled on top of me. "You're my air, Claire, and I couldn't breathe without you," he stated, looking into my brown eyes, his face just inches above mine. "So please don't leave me, okay?"

He's worried I'll leave him, as he keeps asking it ever since. For the five remaining years of my uncertain life, I won't leave him. After those five years, I know that the Claire he knew will die... again.

"I won't, as long as you need me," I stated, rubbing my fingers against his hair.

He closed his eyes, liking it. The moment he opened his eyes, he smiled. "Thank you..." as he caressed my cheek with his thumb and slowly leaned closer to me. When our lips nearly touched, someone knocked on the door.

Looking at the door, his face turned hard. But then he ignored it and looked back at me. "Leave it," he stated and leaned in to kiss me once again.

But, "Xen! Emergency!" I could hear Lucas banging on the door.

"Damn it!" Cursing, he got up and walked toward the door. I smiled, watching his retreating back.

"What is it!?" he snapped angrily when he opened the door. I bit my lower lip and got up as well.

"Woah! Easy, boy, calm down!" Lucas said, trying to calm him. I picked up his shirt and walked toward them.

"What is it, Lucas?" This time his voice was hard.

"Martin came just now, and he's wounded." His voice sounded serious.

Martin... the cute guy from before. What might have happened? I felt Xenon tense.

When I came near the door, I said, "Put on your shirt, and let's take a look at him." I handed him his shirt. He nodded and put it on.

Lucas's eyes widened when he recognized me. "Claire!" He suddenly grinned when he realized something. "Oh, that's why! I'm sorry for breaking your moment. Next time, give me a warning so I know." His grin didn't leave his face.

I ignored Lucas, but I sensed Xenon glaring at him. He held my hand. "Let's go," he said, starting to drag me downstairs.

Leaving Lucas with his playful look.

"Martin is our weapon keeper... and if something happened to him... things have gone bad," Xenon stated while we were walking toward the living room where Martin was waiting.

Things have gone bad... how bad could it be?

When we reached the living room, I saw Drena and Cassy giving first aid to Martin, who was now lying on the couch with blood spread across his left leg.

From the look of it... it came from a gunshot.

"What happened?" Xenon asked. All the Insigma Fighters had already gathered here, including the girls except Jenna.

Martin opened his eyes and tried his best to sit up. "They destroyed my place," he stated.

I felt Xenon tense, and the rest of the boys were shocked in terror.