A Hero in the Dark: 2nd Edition

Chapter 105: In Secret, You're My War

Nine and I—and his missing students—teleport back to Florida, and when we do, John is racing to meet us. He heads straight into Nine's face; I can practically feel the heat of his energy as if his Lumen is turned up to eleven, but it's not. I'm sure it's not.

"What the hell were you thinking?!" he shouts. "The Foundation?! Are you insane?! It's bad enough you went behind my back but going up against Einar?! Even Archibald's been sprawling about looking for you! If you had just—"

"Would you relax?" Nine says, stopping him with a hand on his chest and forcing him out at arm's length. "Nothing happened. She's fine. We're all fine. Calm down." It's the lie we agreed to tell, and I'm glad Nine is the one telling it, because in my current state, I don't think I could. Although I wasn't happy about the idea, we both knew John would react in a way like this, but I don't think either of us anticipated just how mad he'd be precisely. "What does Archie want?"

"You, mostly. He's been trying to find you to put this whole Foundation mess to an end. I think he's got a lead into their inner circles or something, or one of them at least."

"Why didn't you talk to him about it?"

"Why? Because I was looking for her, that's why!" he shouts, and suddenly, I realize what a horrible thing I did to him: leaving without telling him. "Why the hell is she soaking wet?"

I say nothing and keep my gaze away.

They bicker the entire ride back to the HGA. I watch Ran and the others head towards the dormitories when we land until they're out of sight, not wanting to catch John's attention.

Nine shrugs. "I told you; we split up to cover more ground, but I promise, she's fine. There's nothing to worry about."

John shakes his head. I can tell he doesn't believe him. He looks defeated, but I'm far too tired to read anyone's aura right now; it's the last thing I want to do. "Of all the irresponsible..." he says, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You know how crazy you are?!"

"Very," Nine admits, but I think he's being sarcastic.

"Just go talk to Archibald," John declares. "I want to talk to her myself. Alone."

For a brief second, Nine turns to me, staring with wary in his eyes but offering no indication of what I should say or do. Looking at John now, it's obvious how hurt he is—or was. He looks like he's on the verge of tears. I did that.

He's been lost without me, and I could've destroyed him. It hurts seeing that so clearly. I wish I could take it away, so cautiously, as Nine begins his walk to the admin building, I walk back into alien boy's arms. "I'm sorry," I whisper. "I never wanted to leave without telling you..."

He sniffs my hair, kisses me there, and before I know it, we're no longer in the courtyard. Rather, we're alone in our cabin. It's warmer here away from the open air, but as soon as he steps out of my arms, it's instantly colder and I start to shiver again—inside and out.

"Where were you?" he asks, calmer now but still so obviously upset. I look away, down.

"Iceland," I murmur. Not only do I hate that he's still mad, but I hate that he's still on this, probing for what really happened. I don't want to talk about it. What Einar did to me... it may have been manipulation, but what's more at the same time, I wanted it, and I don't want John to know how much I wanted it. It's not worth it, so I keep my nose down.

"Why are you ice cold?"

"It was cold there," I shrug.

"Emily, come on. Please talk to me. I want to know what happened. If someone hurt you—"