What Lies Within

What Lies Within pt29

Victoria’s p.o.v

“Is everyone ready?” Lindsay asks, taking a quick look around. The three of us nod at her. She takes a deep breath and begins to lead us through the forest. “Do we even know where we’re going?” I inquire, adjusting the heavily packed bag. “No, but we managed to get the maps from John’s drawers and we packed food. We’ll hit every headquarter we find- we will get Ethan back” Liz replies, determination coursing through her veins.

“You guys really are a persistent bunch, huh?” a voice comments from up ahead. We stop dead in our tracks. We’ve all recognized who the voice belongs to. It’s John. “Don’t even wonder about how I knew, it was obvious something was up. You four were acting weird all day” he explains, emerging from the shadows. He gazes at each one of us, packed and ready. Finally he sighs and mutters “Come with me, there’s something you should know”

Ethan’s p.o.v

-A few days later-

Steady… steady… done!! It’s finally complete. I’ve been here for around ten days, there’s only a week or so left until school starts up again. Its nerve wrecking. I collect all ten metal wrist cuffs, dropping them in my bag as discreetly as possible.

I was planning on doing it today but I haven’t been able to figure anything else out. I sigh, stepping outside the lab with the backpack slung casually over one shoulder. Out of the blue, a thought strikes me. Victoria- I rarely call her that. I’ve got my own nickname for her, she’s special. She’s probably hurting right now, why did I even say yes to him? Why would I say yes to John? Because he was right, I was the only one ‘fit’ for the job. He probably meant that I already have so much on my plate, why not more sin? More evil deeds to feel guilty over? More to keep me up at night?

“I know what you’re going to do” Jake says from behind me. I turn, squaring my shoulders. “No. You don’t” I reply, trying to walk right by him. He steps in my way, looking me straight on. “You’re going to try and take the stone back then leave this place. It was your plan from the start. Say yes to the offer, stay for a few days, and get the stone easily. I’m pretty sure it was John’s idea” he explains in a hushed tone, cocking an eyebrow up. “Don’t you dare stop me, I will destroy you” I growl, instantly slipping into guardian mode. 

“Who said anything about stopping? I want to come with you. I realize, I felt much more welcomed with you guys. I felt like I belonged. This isn’t me. I love Liz, she the only thing worth living for. She’s what keeps me sane; she’s what keeps me human” he proposes, biting his lower lip. My first instinctive response is the need to roundhouse kick this guy to China. I refrain myself from acting upon that as it will be too flashy. Instead, I roughly grab him by the collar, smashing him against the wall. 

“You break her heart beyond repair, shattering it to a million pieces, you leave her crying, helpless and ready to die, you frickin shoot at her, you take her damn virginity only to betray her the very next day… AND YOU EXPECT ME TO TAKE YOU TO HER?! Burn in hell bastard!” I roar furiously, gritting my teeth then letting go. 

“You don’t know if she’ll be able to forgive me or not. All I know is I’d rather die on her doorstep than live here. I truly love her, I can’t even express it. Don’t decide for her, she’s a kind person. I can only hope” he croaks, hoisting himself up. 

“How do I know this isn’t a trick and you’re not going to turn me in?” I hiss, narrowing my eyes. “You’ll just have to trust me” he answers earnestly, furrowing his eyebrows. “Last time I did that, the girl I hold so dear to me, the one I call my sister, went into depression. It wouldn’t exactly be smart of me to make the same mistake again, now would it?” I snarl.