Fracted (Book #2)

Chapter 34: Meeting With The Enemy

The bronze highlights on his black hair stood out even when the shadows made our skylight look gloomy. Broad arms made his ripped vest look noticeable. He was as lofty as the Golden Gate. Nose sharp enough to puncture through heavy metal. He's handsome, but not quite. He reminds me a lot of dad, except I could only get fragments of his appearance. Would it be a coincidence if they knew each other? He would've told me my dad's name. Such a shame.
"Silence!" His dad yelled loud enough to shake the entire sector. "Y'all act like you've never seen criminals before. Grow up for Pete's sake."
He stood next to his son. The way I figured, Hunter's adopted. From just one look, I could tell that they're unrelated. I mean, Hunter doesn't have pale skin like his dad and they most likely appear like good friends. I promise myself not to mention anything.
He looks at us, mostly at me, then looked away quickly.
"These four kids," He pointed to us. "have to choose wether they get tested...or punished."
Patrick grins at Hunter, who in return gave him a vicious snarl. Patrick chuckles.
"What are you testing us for?" Eiffel asked nervously.
"To prove yourselves to us that you guys aren't really criminals." He answered politely.
Politeness doesn't match his appearance, he looks like he is capable of killing by just one look.
Hunter elbows him on the wrist, that's the highest he could reach. "That's not what we're testing 'em for." He whispered loudly in disagreement.
"I changed my mind." He looks at me again. Am I the reason why we have to justify ourselves? I hope yes.
"What are we supposed to do?" Jason asked this time.
"You four have to go through physical, mental, and emotional tests. But since you kids are young, I'm only conducting a one-week physical test."
"I'm good with that." Jason said. "What about you guys?"
"Yeah," Patrick agreed. "I'm down."
Eiffel raised her thumb while I nodded smiled.
"I'm training these kids to endure hardships and pain...so that they could fight those Innates."
The last word crushed me inside. Why us? Why are we always the bad guys? I just realized why they built Capricorn Academy--to fend off the enemies. Those people infront of us, they are the enemies not us.
However, in order to survive, we have to pretend we're one of them. I will pretend to be my own enemy.
I last saw Hunter's disappointment on his face. He looks into my eyes, as if he's blaming me for what his father had done.

I could not look at the two ravenous boys. I regret any decisions I've made before finding out they're the adversaries. I just have to fake it for, I don't know--eternity? When we escape, I didn't think it would fully turn us away from our kind. For a second, I thought I could trust him...but all of it has changed.
I ran towards the deep forest after the meeting at the site. Eiffel chased after me along with Patrick and Jason. I hid behind banyan tree and grabbed the trunk's hard bump and pulled myself up into the branches. I just wanted to be alone. Looks like being away from everybody is just the best idea so far.
"Jess!" The three called out. But it's good that they didn't find me.
I try to keep my breathing silent. Just stop wheezing, I said to myself. I steady myself behind the thin trunk above. I just hope I won't faint and fall off this tree.
"There he is! Come on, get him!" I hear either Patrick or Jason's shout from afar.
I peek behind the trunk and I see the three of them running towards the tree. Now there's two. Shoot, Jason could catch me any second.
I felt his firm hand clutch the hem of my shirt and push me against the tree. "Would you please stop running? Made us tired, dude." I felt his hot breath blow up to my face.
"I just wanted to be alone." I push his hand away, but it quickly retracted.
"This was your choice, Jess!" Patrick shouts from below, like twenty feet down.
"You gotta finish this!" Eiffel continued for him.
"Remember," Jason sincerely stares into my eyes. "you started this, and you end it."
I sighed with a high wheeze. I choke on my own words. "If I...do this...you guys have to...help me." My voice quivered.
"Alright...we help you, and you help us. I need you to help us."
"We need to help each other!" Patrick yelled again.
"You guys have been good to me--thank you." I say. "And promise me something--we're all in this together."
"Promise..."
And that's when I realized, not everyone is a traitor.