Crossfire ~ {Book 2 in the Emerald of Annihilation Trilogy} #Wattys2017

Chapter 25 ~ Actions and Consequences

Amber's POV.

I stared once more at Scott, who was on the bars once more, executing pull-ups. Sweat glistened on his arms and slid off his chin. His muscles tensed as he pulled himself up again and again. I couldn't keep my eyes off him...

But I forced myself to. He was the enemy. I couldn't trust him. I shook my head. We had plans we had to finish. Besides. we were not safe here. My brother was in dire danger. But I trusted Lily. She would take care of Jay. 

Dylan had warned me to stay away from Scott. He was trouble. He was the right-hand man to the phycho who was bent on killing us all.  There was no doubt Scott knew about our secret. So why hadn't he treated us any differently? Why hadn't he done anything to them yet?

Was he buying his time? Was he trying to find their weakness? If so, he was not doing the best job...... or was he?

"Whatcha thinking about?" I nearly jumped at the voice and the hot breath on my face and neck. 

I raised my gaze up to see the young man who had just been in my thoughts. His chest rose and fell with near exhaustion. "H-huh-what?" I stuttered, flustered at his closeness to me. He smirked, showing a row of pearly white teeth. 

"Ok, I'll ask again since you seem to be deaf." I nearly snickered. "What are you thinking?" His arm rested above my head, trapping me. Enclosing any ways for me to escape him.  "N-nothing," I muttered. 

Scott chuckled. An angelic laugh it was. "It didn't seem like nothing." He retorted. "You're eyes were glued to me for at least a half an hour." I could feel my face heat up. "I did not. I was observing the wall." I replied. It was lame, but my tone made it sound sarcastic. 

Scott decided to play along and nodded. It is quite exquisite isn't it....?" I rolled my eyes. "Whatever Jameson..." I turned and ducked under his arm, leaving the training room. Scott's fist closed around my wrist.

I swallowed hard, turning slowly. "Remember....I'm trying to protect you...." I squinted at him. "WH-what?" He opened his mouth, but the door opened and young agents and trainees wafted in. Scott unlatched my arm and stared me in the eye, turning and leaving me alone, kids and adults walking past me. I was confused.....

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3rd Person's POV.

Dylan gripped the Sig Sauer p226 mk25 in his hand and stared at it angrily. He was usually against violence. But this bastard had killed his father! He deserved to die! He had made his life a living hell.

Not only had he killed his beloved father, but he had chased and attempted murder on his mother and himself. Dylan's hand trembled as he gripped the gun. His head was full of anger, memories and a motive to avenge his father. 

A gentle hand was placed on the young man's shoulder. "Dylan?" Henry's voice pulled Dylan from his boiling rage. But only for a few moments. "Go away, Henry. I don't need your sympathy." He fought the tears that threatened to fall, but failed since his face was already streaked with salty tears.

Henry's gaze lowered and his eyes fell on the Sig Sauer in his friend's hand. "D-Dylan? What are you.....-" Henry was beginning to become worried for his friend. He hadn't been sleeping or even eating properly during lunch hours. Henry was worried the stressed, overly aggressive behaviour was from the separation anxiety Dylan must have from being away from Lily. 

Not only that. He didn't know if she was alive, or dead. He must have felt responsible and that it would be totally his fault if she was killed. "I'm not trying to make you feel better, Dylan." Henry released his arm. "I'm trying to be a good friend and-" "And keep me from doing what I need to do? Not going to happen." 

Dylan stood. His eyes filled with anger, pain, fear, and yet, determination. Henry opened his mouth to speak but was shut up by Dylan's hand raising. "Don't try to stop me, Henry. I'm going to finish Houston once and for all."

With that, Dylan Tanner turned and with fire in his eyes, and a gleaming Sig Sauer in his pale-knuckled fist. He exited the dorm room and made his way to Marcus Houston's office. "Wait, Dylan!" Henry gripped his friend's shoulder, wrenching him back. 

Dylan glared at Henry. An arm lifted to wipe the still falling tears from his face. "Do you want to get yourself killed?!" Henry was usually a calm guy. But this was madness! Dylan was always a man of calm. Of peace. Wanting nothing to do with fighting or violence. 

"Let. Me. Go." Dylan dragged out through his teeth. He tried to snatch his arm from Henry's grip but to no avail. "Do you want Lily to come back victorious, only to find you lying in a pool of blood?!" Dylan's eyes softened. "L-Lily...-" "Yes, Lily! The girl you love! The one who left to keep us all to safe! You think she wants us to just blow everything up, while she's out there risking her life for the sake of all of us!" 

Henry rarely yelled. But this boy's antics had him nearly shouting at the top of his lungs. "Give me one reason why I should let you go to kill this phycho with nothing but a hot-head and a gun!" Henry had a point. Dylan had nothing for protection, save his tightly clenched Sig. 

His old grey shirt wouldn't be much of a help against a gun or knife. But he didn't care. The pain of seeing Lily helpless before him. Her on her knees, scraped up, bleeding and weak made his heart drop. "It's not just Lily." He admitted. 

Henry nodded frivolously. "Yeah, yeah, I know. He's the one who has been chasing you and your mom all over the globe, nearly killing you guys and-"

 "He murdered my father!" 

OoooooHHhhhhhh!!!! Cliffhangerrrrr!!!! How will Henry react? What will happen after this?! Will Dylan still go after Marcus Houston?! Will he kill, or be killed?! (0_0) You'll just have to wait for the next chapter!!! Mwaqhahahahahahaha!!!! Hope you enjoy this chapter!!! :)