Caged (Book One)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Kristine, for once, was up before anyone else. Probably because of the uncomfortable sleeping position. She rubbed her sore neck as she stretched. Wait, Eveleen! Kristine rushed out the door, running down to the infirmary. She scared Jezz, throwing the door open, only to find the bed empty.

"She left last night. She's doing ok." Jezz gave her a look as she turned back to her cabinet. Raising a brow, Kristine shut the door behind her.

"So, do you wanna know what happened to us, when we got to your friend's shop?" Kristine asked her. Better she interrogates her than Aiden. Aiden will stab first, ask questions later. Literally. Jezz set down a bottle with a sigh,

"I, I should have said something. I thought Ellison would be professional, but I guess he still has a grudge against me." She admitted. Kristine gave her another look, she could tell, this girl was lying. Takes a liar to know one.

"Listen very carefully, Jezz. I'm trying to give you a chance here, to tell the truth. Aiden however, you know he won't be nice about it. Your friend attacked us. We had to stop him." Kristine told her calmly, watching her every movement. Jezz froze,

"You killed him, right?" Jezz turned her head to her, "Do you have any idea how stupid-"

"He attacked first! Now you better fucking explain right now, or I will gladly let Aiden get you to talk." Kristine glared at her as she threatened. Usually, she wouldn't choose this tactic, but this girl is not only lying, but was putting them in harm's way by sending them to that shop.

Jezz was still for a moment or two. Deciding her options, before sitting down. Kristine then felt stupid for not grabbing her sword before rushing out of Aiden's room.

"Ellison has always hated Hidden Souls. I joined after a Hidden Soul killed his son, my cousin." She explained

"Why did they kill his son?" Kristine asked her, making sure to check out the window, they really didn't need anyone walking in.

"I, may have sold him out. His son was doing illegal trading, I didn't think hiring a Hidden Soul would get him killed!" Jezz sniffled, causing Krisitne to look at her in disgust.

It's terrible, but Kristine could just tell she was telling the truth, and fake being upset.

"So why'd you send us there? He almost messed up everything!" Krisitne tried not to raise her voice, but Eveleen almost didn't make it! Jezz stayed silent, looking at her hands folded in front of her. Kristine slammed her fist into the wall, startling her again.

"It was a gamble! OK? I didn't think you guys would kill him! I wanted to help!" She rambled off. Kristine sighed feeling less tense.

"Feel grateful, I'm letting you off the hook. But I can't control Aiden." With that, Kristine threw the door open. She ran out of the infirmary, feeling uneasy. She really just threatened a young girl!? She's probably just a kid!

"Kristine, was it?" A voice snapped her back. Leo stood straight in front of her, giving her the warmest smile.

"Oh! Uh, hi." She felt her cheeks blush. Leo looked extra good today, she could see he styled his hair differently than when they first arrived. He has brushed it over to make it look neater. His clothes looked so clean with the Hidden Soul marks and colors of dark orange and gray.

"Hey, so how are you this morning? I heard you had a long day yesterday." Leo gave her a cheeky smile as he stood tall. Kristine awkwardly smiled, remembering the event of yesterday more.

"Uh, fine, fine. I gotta go." Kristine turned to dash down the path, "See ya!" She waved a hand behind her to Leo as he gave a small wave back.

Kristine darted down the dirt path, to where she faintly remembered Sean's room. Maybe Eveleen returned there once she woke up. Hopefully Aiden is also nearby so she can talk to him as well.

"Kristine?" A voice stopped her, Kristine tried to halt to a stop but failed. Her shoes skidded as she launched forward, smacking into the dirt. A hand grabbed her bicep to yank her up.

"Nice fall, at least you managed to spare your face." Eveleen remarked. Kristine sighed, brushing her clothes before turning to Eveleen. She caught her off guard as she wrapped her arms around her.

"Thank Hae! You look so much better, how's the shoulder?" Kristine smiled as she gently moved Eveleen's hair to the side. Eveleen smacked her hand away,

"It's better. Stop fussing over it."

"Right!" Kristine took a step back. Straightening her shirt, Eveleen sighed before awkwardly patting Kristine's back.

"Thank you, for getting the medicine and all that." Eveleen nervously told her. Kristine tried to hide her small smile, she could tell Eveleen was trusting her more and more. Maybe they've bonded better too.

"You should know, Sean returned late last night. He's alright." Eveleen informed her. Kristine's eyes widened, she opened her mouth to speak but Eveleen held her hand out, stopping her.

"No, no information that needs to be heard." Again, it hurts to lie. But the two aren't ready to know yet. Nodding, Kristine glanced back the way she came,

"Have you seen Aiden?"

"Not this morning, I was gonna go look for both of you." Eveleen shook her head as she checked her sword by her side. She's all geared up, like she's ready to leave the valley.

"Aiden first?" Kristine teased, earning a punch in the shoulder.

"Knock it off, we gotta get back to Bellshore soon since we are done here." Eveleen moved aside to walk along the path. Kristine blinked at her, before quickly catching up.

"Are you sure? Like, do you really wanna head back now?" Kristine tried to sway. Eveleen scoffed,

"Of course not. But I've left my parents in charge for too long. We're heading back today, Kristine!" She snapped. She was taken aback, but understood. Kristine nodded, following her to the path down by Sean's room.