A heart's wound.

Heart PART15

—Mom?
  —Yes, dear?
  —Who are these people coming inside our house? They've got long spiky tails, it's scary!
  —That's no one of your concern, sweetie. Don't bug into mommy's business, you don't want to annoy me, do you?
  —. . .No.
  —Then be a good child and go clean up your room.
  —Mkay. Oh! Did you remember to tell dad to please buy me a toy while he's out?
  —. . .
  —Mom? Hello?

  —KEY!
He'd snap back after getting pushed back. Key shook his head as he'd stop himself from sliding by slamming his palm against the floor and shifting the position of his feet while he bent down.
  —Huh?! Sorry! —he'd kick himself up again.

Zayden listened to music from his left earphone as he'd listen to Yena's rants about his favorite show with his right ear.
  —So the main character's like- super attractive but she's so fucking strong too! She could crush me! —he chuckled.
  —Impressive —he commented.
They were waiting for the others to arrive as they were going yet on another trip.
They were heading to one of Prey City's most known training arena, or gym. It was a big building, so everyone was aware of it's existence. Having separate areas for different types of training that could have anything one wanted. The materials they had were high quality as they came from the best sellers known from other cities or countries.
Predator city also had materials, but the Upper association has had a long bond with the establishment ever since it started, so it was normal that they sometimes borrowed or bought some of their materials for training.
Zayden, Yena and Zoro were heading over with Killer. Zayden was the one that insisted on their group for this assignment, as he was the one that took care of most of the training sessions and the things needed.
It surely didn't have to do with the fact Key trained there and there was a chance to see 1

  —Are we there yet? —Zoro asked whilst he fixed his hair.
  —You're getting even more annoying than me —Yena yawned.
  —Jeez, so sensitive. . .
  —We'll arrive in 10 minutes. Zayden, you've got the list? —Killer chuckled.
  —Yes, everything's ready —Zayden looked out the window.
He was feeling nervous, the tip of his tail tapping against the car seat. His hand moved as he felt his phone vibrating, quickly checking it as he didn't want the others to see. His lock screen opened, reading the first notification:
Bunny: I'll see you there!! In secret ofc.
He'd turn his head away, hiding his smile as the palm of his hand covered his face.
  —We're about to arrive, and I'll repeat what I said before leaving if anyone doesn't remember —he'd sigh. —No stealing, no disrespectful comments, and no wandering off, we could get in trouble.
  —Yes, Killer! —Yena exclaimed, although he turned his head away to hide a chuckle at the end of the phrase.
Zayden and Zoro looked at him, questioning his actions.
They'd arrive, Zayden stepped off the car as he closed the door behind him. He inhaled deeply to get used to the sudden change of scent of the city.
  —Are you guys doing alright? Anyone carsick? —Killed cracked his knuckles after closing the door as well, locking the car.
They denied, proceeding to walk off the road onto the street. The other citizens walking by glanced at them for a second, but it's not like they were yelling in fear as if it was a horror movie. They walked only a few steps before actually arriving, they didn't need to get told where it was as it was noticeable from a mile away. Wide building, vibrant colors and modern looking. Quite a big sign up front, but it was hard to read since it was made with graffiti.
They came inside as Killer walked in first, someone was already waiting for them at the entrance.
  —Killer! —they yelled with an enthusiastic tone. They had a deep voice and it almost made the ground shake.
  —Bodhi! —he yelled back.
Zoro, Yena and Zayden saw Killer accelerate his pace towards the other person who was coming towards him. They had two large horns, one of them had it's tip replaced with a metal piece. Long hair put up in a messy ponytail, visible muscles, small eyes and a wide smile across their bearded face.
  —It's been so long! Have you managed everything in your team just fine? —they excitedly shook hands after quickly embracing.
  —Of course! It's me we're talking about! Talking about my team. . . —he'd signal the others to step forward —These are half of my members!
  —Ah, nice to meet all of you! Name's Bodhi, one of the owners of the palace! —he quickly shook hands with everyone.
Zayden was startled by the sudden handshake, his hands were firm and big and his body wobbled while he shook it. Zoro had a look on his face that looked like he thought Bodhi would tore his hand off in that moment.
  —It's nice to meet you too, sir —Zayden said out of politeness.
  —Pleasure's mine! I hope Killer's been treating you well, he can get out of control sometimes! —he laughed, placing his hand on his stomach.
  —Not at all! —Yena added.
  —Alright, I'll give you guys a quick tour before we get on with the boring business, how's that?
  —Splendid, we'll be right behind you —Killer clapped his hands —I'd like to see how much this place has changed.
Zayden, after taking further inspection on Bodhi's features, ended up with a theory that he could be classified as a Bison. They walked through long halls, entering even bigger rooms all filled with people training with the equipment.
He didn't know what half of the things were for, acrobatics maybe? The others were easy to guess: boxing bags, treadmills...
His nose twitched, gathering different scents with every room he peeked into, hoping to recognize that one smell.
The tour went on for about ten minutes before Killer got distracted while talking with Bodhi. They all took a break inside a small sectioned room with some boxing equipment. Zoro got himself busy with those as Zayden did one last check up of the list before they went on with the selling.
  —And we need 6 staffs? Wooden, right? —Zayden checked things off.
  —Yeah —Zoro answered as he punched the bag, his tail swiftly moving behind him.
  —And what did Yena need again? Gloves or something. . .? —he mumbled. —Hey, Yena?
Zayden lifted up his head. He'd look at Zoro, then looked around the room as he didn't see him near Killer or Bodhi either.
  —Oh. . . —he'd bite his lower lip as he huffed —fuck.
  —Huh? —Zoro stopped the bag from moving, peeking over to look at Zayden. —What's. . . wrong with you?
Zoro looked at Zayden's mad but concerned expression. His ears bent sideways before he looked around the room as well, realizing what was missing. Well, who in this case.
  —Where the FUCK is Yena?! —Zoro whispered as he walked over to Zayden.
  —I don't know?! I just saw him earlier. . . —he'd close his phone, sliding it inside his pocket.
  —Well Killer can't notice he's gone, we'll ALL get in trouble! —he shook Zayden a bit, stressed.
Zayden rapidly shifted his head, his nose twitched.
  —I can't fucking call him either, he never has his phone —his ears bent back.
  —You can try and find him, and I'll keep those two busy for our sake.
  —How am I even going to find him?! —he slightly growled.
  —Don't ask things I can't answer you right now, Zay. I'll keep them busy since they don't really have a good view on us in this section of the room, you can text me if anything happens.
Zayden groaned a bit before agreeing, quietly sneaking out of the room as Zoro mentally prepared himself.
Zayden didn't want to be seen, not wanting to cause any panic for the people working. He'd try and catch his scent, poking his head into different rooms as he'd try and hide in the shadows once in a while. He walked along the hall, no sign of him. He looked inside the window of an office, no sign of Yena either.
  —Yena, this would be a perfect time if you just appeared so we'd all be trouble-less. . . —he thought, annoyed.
He didn't know where else to go, as the rooms he didn't check were full of people. As he walked he kept track of the places he looked into as the doors had a sign on them.
  — "Boxing, Obstacles, Weights, Gymnastics. . ." —he'd try to remember. —What was the other one again? Shit.
He was feeling a bit agitated by all the different things and scents he couldn't recognize, he wasn't used to this place at all. He turned corners as he saw a sign saying "Storage: PERSONAL STAFF ONLY" in the corner of his eye. He halted, taking a few steps back to look at the door closely.
  —He couldn't have. . . —he'd slightly bite his lip, nervous. —But it's Yena we're talking about. . .
He hesitated, he really did. If he wasn't there and he got caught he didn't know what could even happen.
He went to reach for the doorknob, he didn't expect it to be unlocked.
—The things I do for these assholes.
He opened the door, the smell of rubber and plastic made a shiver run down his spine. It was quite big on the inside, having one section separate some other materials behind a wall, he didn't bother to check. The door closed behind him as a breeze of air run behind his tail, making his head turn rapidly as he got startled.
  —He isn't here, not like he'd want to come here. . . —he'd clench his hand into a fist —Why'd I fucking bother to check here anyway?!
His thoughts got cut short, hearing a muffle noise coming from outside. He waited a few seconds to make sure it was heading towards him before deciding to hide behind the wall he saw earlier.
  —Why do I have to put myself through all of this?! Couldn't Zoro have done it? —his eye twitched in anger.