Marcid

Forty-One - Raymond

Raymond couldn't stop worrying. He had taken his eyes off of the two for a couple of minutes, a few seconds, even, and they were suddenly gone? In the blink of an eye? He didn't even know how the military officers had found them. If they hadn't interacted with Dalton; none of this would have happened. Some of what happened; wouldn't happen if they had left Dalton alone. He shouldn't have wasted his time talking to him. He could have been searching for a place for the kids to stay temporarily, but he was instead talking to the very man who was on a manhunt for kids with powers. Kids. They didn't know what the real world was like. They were always cooped up in the labs, shut out from society. Why make kids with powers if the world wouldn't accept them with open arms? The government had said that they 'needed to run more tests' to make sure that it was safe for them to finally leave. They always killed the experiments the second they turned eighteen. Raymond had blood on his hands in his times working at the lab. He hated killing them. He never wanted to hurt the younger ones; he had thought that joining the lab would mean that he would help make the children into better people. Instead, he was a guard. Forced to electrocute, drug, tase, hit, and kill on the occasion that one of the kids turned eighteen. He never wanted to hurt anyone. He wouldn't hurt anyone anymore. He wouldn't hurt those kids if his life depended on it. They depend on him to survive. What would Konrad think if he found out that the only adult in his life at his most vulnerable time in life was a child murderer? Raymond automatically assumed that Konrad would never talk to him again. He would hate him forever for being apart of the group of people that Konrad hated. He knew that Konrad thought that the guards were heartless, and cold. He doubted that Ophelia would think any different. Nobody got special treatment at the lab. They all experienced the same amount of harm, regardless of age. Would it make any difference if—

"Raymond?" Konrad nudged Raymond's shoulder, snapping him back to reality. They had been sitting on the ground for a while. They were still deep in the forest.

"What is it, kiddo? You doin' alright?" Raymond immediately said. It was by instinct to ask him if he was doing well.

"Yes." He muttered. Konrad shifted uncomfortably. "I'm sorry for not telling you that Zeke was taken. I saw him right before he disappeared." Konrad's guilt was practically radiating off of him. Raymond's once tense expression softened automatically. He couldn't help but feel guilt for not comforting Konrad sooner. Even if he had just finished talking. Shouldn't he be a father figure to him and the others? They never had a father. Neither did he.

"It's not your fault, kid: remember that. He got caught by surprise." Raymond reassured. He paused for a moment before continuing. "I know it's hard; seeing your friends drop like flies." This wasn't helping. He was never good with pep talks, or comforting others. He couldn't even comfort himself! He had to stay strong for the kids. Konrad or Ophelia could be taken any minute now, and all because he had let his guard down. "You got this. I believe in you." Raymond awkwardly nudged Konrad's shoulder back. Konrad sheepishly smiled, a weak chuckle rumbling his throat.

"Do you mean that? Really?"

"Cross my heart and hope to die."

"What does that mean?"

"It means that I swear. I promise."

Konrad nods. He let out a huff, looking at Ophelia, who was asleep. She was leaning against Konrad. He smiled at the sight. "You're like a father to me." He murmured. "I never had a father. Ever." Konrad's hand intertwined with Ophelia's. Raymond's heart skipped a beat. He was a father to Konrad. Really? He wasn't that great. He was just giving a helping hand when he had first met the kid. Did Konrad really mean it? He felt relieved, almost. He didn't know why.

"Do you mean that?"

"Cross my heart and hope to die." Konrad repeated, smiling with glee. "Did that sound cool?"