The Fools of Remington Street

Chapter Twenty Three- Gemma

     So, the train was far enough away from the exploding station, and it kept going through the tunnels. Thank goodness all trains were automatic and we didn't have human drivers anymore. We made it to the next station. We ran up the steps and into the bright street. That's when Indigo literally ran into a huge broad figure and fell into her back. The figure was gripping the wrist of a red headed girl and he was wearing all black. I instantly went into ninja mode, thinking it was Terrin or something, but Rex held out an arm to me and I looked at him cautiously.

Isaac Reyes.

"Rex?" The taller boy asked. "Why aren't you--?"

"Well you know the mission you assigned to me to bring Ms. Hallan's niece to the Base?" Isaac nodded and Rex continued. "Well, it kind of went crazy and Terrin showed up, probably trying to recruit her for the King's League, and I had to rescue her from Buckingham and that's where I found Gemma." I waved at him. "She's the Joker that disappeared a couple days ago."

Tall boy still had his grip on the redhead. She looked like she was deep in thought, her choppy shoulder length hair flying around in the wind.

"That's great because I found May Lynn's granddaughter." Tall boy pointed his chin at the redhead. She looked up, confusing spread across her face.

Rex nudged Indigo forward with a hand on her back. "This is Indigo Robyn, Ms. Hallan's niece." Indigo shyly smiled then stepped back.

Tall boy then looked behind us to where the station was. "Did you guys take the Tube?"

"Long story." Rex said. "But it just got blown up by the King's League. I'm guessing the police are on the scene by now."

"How are we going to get back to the Base?" I asked.

"Taxi. Bus. Uh. . ." Indigo suggested.

"We can't." Isaac said, looking up and around at the buildings.

"Why?" I asked. He didn't answer, just kept looking around, the redhead still in his grip. She looked exhausted and I couldn't help but feel bad for her, knowing she won't get any sleep when we reach the Base.

Tall boy then threw the red head to the ground and I was on guard again. He was a traitor. That voice in my head said. Maybe he's--

Nope. Or he could just have thrown her to the ground to protect her from a speeding bullet coming from behind us. I'm surprised I wasn't shot myself.

We sprinted down the street going wherever we could to get away from whatever gunman was following us. We ran so far so much. I didn't realize how far we had sprinted until the buildings started to change.

We stopped in a narrow alley in between two old redbrick buildings. This part of town must be the Reserve. (The place where people with relatives from the early 2000's would live and try to keep the old stuff here "alive". As they would say.

Tall boy spoke up. "I'm almost sure that the gunman was apart of the King's League." I rolled my eyes. Wouldn't it be obvious? "The King's League has been trying to kill us and random civilians for years, right? I mean, I've only been with the Rebellion for a month or so."

Tall boy didn't say anything.

I held out my hand to Rex and he put a knife in my palm. I gripped it and that's when I heard a gasp behind me. I whirled around.

It was the redhead. "This is my neighborhood."

"The Reserve is your neighborhood?" Rex asked.

She nodded. "Except, we don't call it the Reserve." She paused. "But anyway, I know this place like the back of my hand."

I looked around. "Which one of these is yours, because it's not like anyone lives here anymore. It should be easy for you."

She grimaced at my comment and went on to look for her house. We followed her, then stopped at a redbrick just like the rest. There was a black bike parked right outside, and a blue door.

"Let me look for the keys first." She bent down to look under the mat.

Ugh. That was such an ancient tactic.

She went on looking for at least a minute until Rex walked up to the door and turned the handle. It opened swiftly and we all gave each other skeptical looks. Someone was here.

We all made our way inside. The living room looked normal and old like a grandmother lived here.

We all trudged up the stairs. They creaked with every step I took and when we got to the top, I gasped.

Everything was covered in slashes of red. The picture frames on the wall were marked in X's and the wall was just covered in red.

I walked down the hall and into what seemed like the master bed room. Empty but perfect. Rex and Indigo held daggers just like me, to make sure that if anyone was to jump out at us, we'd be ready. They kicked open the door to a bathroom and looked back at me, shaking their head.

Nothing. Okay. Isaac was standing at the stairs, watching the redhead look through all her ruined things. I looked around. One last door was right behind me. Rex and Indigo looked at the guest room. Nothing.

I grabbed the handle to the last door and slowly opened it. It was very dark in there. The blinds must have been closed. I then kicked it open. It bounce off the wall and rattled.

The smell. I gagged and turned on the lights. What I saw shouldn't have been seen. I dropped my dagger, stepping away from the room.

"Rex?" I croaked. He came out of the guest room with Indigo behind him. I beckoned him over.

He stayed near the room longer than I could. Indigo tried to look but I shoved her away. She shouldn't be seeing this. I've only known her for a day, but she obviously was only just about a teenager. My guess: fifteen.

She looked mad and down the hall, Isaac eyed me. I drew a finger across my neck. He walked over and I glanced at Rex. He was examining the room.

"Dead." He turned back to us. "No doubt about it."

Of course they were dead. Their throats were slit and they had cuts on their bodies. At least they were resting in peace now.

Redhead tried to walk over but I shoved her away with Indigo. It was her parents most likely. Even though she was eighteen and older than Indigo, she still shouldn't be seeing this. She should have her last memory of her parents be of them alive and well.

That's when Isaac found a note. He read it aloud.

"'You and that blond should have considered my offer. Now you're going to have to live by the burden.'"

"This is meant for redhead to read." I said glancing at her.

I barred both girls off from the end of the hall now while both boys looked for clues.