Ace

Ace Chapter 4

   I lay huddled against Gordon who was knocked unconscious in the back of the black van Oliver had led me to. He sat across from me, but spoke to Cadence who was driving.

  "We should go to headquarter B. It's safest."

Cadence grunted in agreement. "How is she?"

Oliver glanced at me from the side of his eye briefly. "Still in shock by the looks of it. It'll wear off. We didn't get to the parents or the youngest one in time."

I frowned and tried speaking with authority, but my voice came out weak and hoarse. "Don't talk about me as if I'm not here." Cadence and Oliver went silent, leaving the hum of the van driving the only sound. I looked up at Gordon who still hadn't woken up. I glared at Oliver. "What did you do to him?"

Oliver scrolled on a small, see-through  touch screen device as he spoke to me. "I had no choice but to knock him out. He kept struggling."

"You could have explained who you were", I remarked bitterly.

Oliver scoffed. "Yeah. Take my time trying to explain who I am to someone who's already in a panicked state? Smart choice. It was either that or leave him there to be killed. You don't sound too grateful."

I wanted to scream at him, punch him, push him, but I was too weak. I mumbled a quick "thank you" and leaned back against my brother. "Where are we going? And what's even going on? Why are you helping us? Who are you really?"

Oliver closed the device into a thin, rectangular piece of metal and sighed. "I'll answer everything soon enough. Right now, you might wanna get some sleep. You've got a long journey ahead of you."

"I didn't sign up for a journey", I hissed. "Stop this van! I want to go home!"

"You don't have a home anymore, Avalia! The sooner you shut up and be cooperative, the better."

"How dare you speak to me that way. As your elite, I deserve the utmost respect and-"

Oliver stood abruptly and threw his hands in the air. "Well guess what, Princess? You're not an elite anymore. You're just a regular girl who nobody knows, or could care less about!"

I stood. "Stop the van!"

"Sit down!"

"STOP THE VAN!"

Cadence slammed on the breaks, sending us both flying forward towards the partition. He peered back at the both of us. "Will you both of just shut the hell up?! Separate! Now! Oliver, come get in the front seat. Jesus, Christ. As loud as you're both yelling, you'll get us all killed." Oliver glared at me as he hopped out the back of the van and slammed it shut. He hopped into the front seat and looked out the window with his arms crossed. I sat back next to Gordon and did the same. The gentle sway of the van then began to rock me to sleep. I fought it, but couldn't help but give in.

* * * * *

I woke to the sound of the van door sliding open. Gordon was still knocked out. I blocked my face as sunlight seeped in. We must have been driving all night. Oliver peered into the van with a blank expression. "You gonna come out, or are we going to have to drug you?"

I sighed. "I'll cooperate, but don't try to pull one over on me. I'm smarter than you think."

"Never doubted it", Oliver grunted as he dragged Gordon out behind me. Cadence helped me down and ushered me into a large, dark building. It was rectangular shaped with not much shape to it. Once inside, he led me down a hallway that ended with a squeaky elevator shaft. He pressed a button and I watched as a rusted, metal floor rose up to us. Cadence opened the gate blocking it. "Ladies, first." I stepped onto the metal floor as Caden followed with Oliver trailing behind, Gordon over his shoulders. The old elevator then began to go down. I studied Cadence carefully. "Where are we?"