Angel

Flashback Pt. 1

Five years ago...

I didn't like it here. It was cold, the food was horrible, and they were always watching us. It felt like every move I made or every word I said was being analyzed and studied. To think I actually missed Haven Home said something. I would trade in all this for the cockroaches that were as big as rats.

"Hola (Hi)." A voice greeted me in my native tongue. I turned to glance across my shoulder before quickly looking away. It was him again. Alexei. He had arrived at the facility the same time as me, along with the other two. Gunnar and Rhys. They weren't so bad. Gunnar was reserved and kept to himself. Rhys seemed to be acclimating to our new living arrangement pretty quickly. But Alexei was...different. He was so intense and he was always watching me. It was different from how the supervisors watched me. It made me feel uneasy. I scowled off into the distance now that my secret hiding place was found.

I came across it by accident during our free time one day. I slipped out of the lounge room unnoticed and started wandering the corridors. I found a door towards the end that looked like the lock was broken and I was able to get into the room. It was an old storeroom that looked like it hadn't been used for years. Layers of dust blanketed the metal shelves and it was damp and moldy smelling in there. That's when I noticed the window that looked out over a fire escape. I was able to pry it open and climb out. The ladder didn't work, so it was just basically a balcony now. I was able to get some fresh air and had a view of the dense forest nearby. I thought nobody else knew about it, but I should have known Alexei would find out eventually.

"Qué deseas (what do you want)?" I demanded sharply. He sighed and sat down beside me on the fire escape.

"Qué estás haciendo aquí (what are you doing out here)?" He asked quietly.

"I wanted some time...alone." I replied in English, giving him a pointed look. We were both quiet for a few minutes, the silence awkwardly stretching on between us.

"Lucien," he murmured softly, "why don't you like me?" He sounded so plaintive that I felt guilt wash over me.

"Don't take it personally," I replied, trying to sound flippant, "I don't like anyone here."

"You like Gunnar and Rhys," he said quietly, "at least you willingly talk to them," he sighed, "why does it always feel like you're having to force yourself to interact with me?" I was silent for a few seconds.

"It's...it's because you're always...staring at me," I finally choked out, glancing at him, "it's...a little creepy." Now it was his turn to be silent.

"It's only because you're so...beautiful," he whispered, "I can't help it." I felt my face instantly go aflame. What the hell? How was I supposed to respond to that?

"W-well...stop it then." I stammered shyly.

"I promise I'll try," Alexei murmured, "if I do...will you start talking to me?" I nervously chewed on my bottom lip.

"Maybe," I muttered hesitantly, "I'll...try." I glanced at him and noticed the corner of his lip quirk slightly.

I gave Alexei a chance after our talk and I realized he wasn't really all that bad. We actually got along really well and he quickly became my best friend. All of us started to bond. The supervisors seemed happy about that. Alexei was always so gentle and warm with me. It didn't take long for me to develop feelings for him...deeper than just friends. Then, for Gunnar and Rhys also. We were all we had in this place. They were my family.

Then, two years later, when we all turned eighteen, we were given to our Caregiver and released from the facility. Our training there was done and now our real mission would begin.