Hidden in Plain Sight

Arguments, Zane, and Chen's Island

After the chaos of destroying both the Bounty and Borg Tower, we all got checked at the hospital. I was suffering from shock, plus my arm was all screwed up again. I had to get a second surgery to fix the damage.

Before my surgery, I wandered through the halls of the hospital, trying to process what I'd just experienced. Nothing sat well in my brain. I'd never lost control like that before. Well, that's not true. I've let my temper get the best of me a few times. But never was I so destructive... Stupid elemental power.

I passed by Cole's room, faltering in my steps. I heard Nya's voice. A wave of relief splashed over me. All my worried thoughts melted. It was the best moment of my life until I comprehended what she was saying.

"You can't tell Jay," she pleaded. Her voice was desperate, small, and raspy. I stepped closer to the room, without making my presence known.

"You can't keep doing this to him. I don't want to be a part of this. I don't want to lie to him," Cole said.

"Please," Nya said, "He can't know. He can never know. I'd... I'd break him."

Cole hesitated. I decided I had heard enough. I knocked on the doorframe, stepping out so that Nya and Cole could see me. Nya's eyes widened when she saw me. She pulled the sleeves of her jacket over her hands.

"Hi," I said. Nya began to cry. She wept into her hands. I rushed forward to comfort her. When Nya heard the footsteps, she flinched away from me, jumping into Cole's arms.

"Jay, get out," Cole said.

"What- what's going on?" I said. Cole tore himself away from Nya's grasp. Cole rose to his intimidating height, setting his cold gaze toward me. He pushed me out of the room.

"She doesn't want to see you," Cole said firmly.

"Why not? What did you tell her?" I said.

"She just doesn't want to see you," Cole said.

"But I'm her boyfriend," I said, "I should be giving her hugs and talking to her and-"

"The world doesn't revolve around you and your relationship status," Cole said.

"Let me in," I demanded, "Let me at least talk to her."

"No," Cole said.

"Let me in!" I yelled.

"Are you going to try to kill me if I don't?" Cole said. His words hurt a lot more than he realised.

"It was an accident," I said, barely able to push the words out.

"Your intention doesn't matter," Cole mumbled, "You hurt a lot of people." He slammed the door shut. I stared at the wood in my face, dumbfounded

Through the door, I could hear Nya's sobs. I rested my forehead on the door, debating to charge in there again.

Nya's face when she saw me haunted me. Like I was a monster. I guess I am... Cole was right, I hurt a lot of people. 

*

I took deep breaths, praying to the First Spinjitzu Master that Seliel wouldn't be the one answering the door. I knocked on the home in Ignacia, squeezing my eyes shut as it swung open.

"Oh," Seliel said. I sighed. This isn't ideal.

"Is Nya home?"

"See, if you have to ask the question, that means Nya doesn't want you to know the answer. Bye-bye!"

I stuck my foot in the door as it swung closed. I grimaced at the pain. Then I stuck my forearm in the door and pushed it open, overpowering Seliel.