The Phoenix Society

Chapter 17

As we made our way through the dimly lit tunnel, no one said a word. Lillian walked a few paces a head of us, with Marley by her side, the heels of her boots sending echo's throughout the tunnel and filling the silent air. This tunnel was a lot like the previous one Banks and I had travelled through, although in comparison, it smelled a thousand times better.

My mind was racing with nerves as I followed behind the group. What if I wasn't ready for this? I knew the Phoenix Society would be here, but was I ready to face them? Was I ready to face my father? I had spent so many years counting down the days I would be face to face with him again. I wanted nothing more than to show him all the pain and suffering he had put me and Laken through.

But now that we were here, I wasn't sure I was could do it. They were my family at one point, how can you just throw that away? My mind immediately went to Laken. I pictured his sweet face, which rarely did not have a smile, and his sparkling blue eyes that used to be so full of curiosity. At the thought of my brother, my heart began to pound so hard it felt as though it would beat out of my chest. My eyes glassed over as a tear threatened to fall.

Laken.

I would give anything to hold him in my arms again, to let him know that he was safe. If the Phoenix Society was here, so would he. I had to find him.

"Are you okay, Kya?" Banks's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. He was eyeing me carefully from where I stood a few feet behind the others. I was so engrossed in my thoughts; I hadn't even noticed I had stopped moving.

"Uh, yeah." I stammered out, slightly embarrassed. I quickly wiped my cheek, ensuring that there were no hidden tears, and started to catch up.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Banks asked as I reached him. His brow was pulled into a small, worried frown. He was walking slower than the others putting us a few feet behind them. I did my best to pull my mouth into a reassuring smile.

"I'm fine." I told him keeping my gaze forward. I didn't want to give Banks any reason to think I couldn't do this. The truth was, I really couldn't be fine, until my brother was back safely with me.

"Hmm, that's not what your body language is saying." Banks told me, making me suddenly vary aware of how ridged I was walking and how hyper focused my eyes were on the back of Lillian's ponytail. I immediately readjusted my posture, hoping that now I could convince him of my wellbeing. I just needed to get this over with. Then everything would be fine.

"It's okay not to be fine all the time." Banks spoke softly after a minute. Why couldn't he just let this go? I ran my hand through my hair suddenly very annoyed.

"I'm fine, Banks. I don't need you to psychoanalyze me every chance you get." I snapped at him as my eyebrows pushed in to an annoyed scowl. Banks's eyebrow twitch. It was the only indication that what I had said bothered him. Then he nodded, not saying another word.

My eyes wandered up ahead, past Lillian and Marley, where a crowd seemed to be forming. It wasn't long until the small, excited hum from the crowd filled the air. As I glanced around the crowd, I couldn't help but be surprised just how many people had decided to attend.

Let me rephrase, I couldn't help but be surprised at how many people wanted to support a murderous group of criminals.

"This is supposed to be the best fight yet." A young man, dressed in khakis and a white button-down shirt, told his friend.

"It better be for the price I paid for these tickets." His friend responded. I didn't listen to the rest of their conversation. Instead, my eyes scanned through the groups of people. I hated that my mind searched aimlessly for any indication that my brother was here, as I had countless times before on my search for him. I knew that I was getting my hopes up only to have them crushed, like they had time and time again.