The Fall of Hope

Chapter 17

            “Where were you yesterday?” Denzel asked Nick as he pulled him into his office, twenty minutes after he pulled him away from Alex, Blake and Caleb.

            Nick sighed, “I was busy.”

            “Don’t lie to me Nicolas,” Denzel said.

            Nick glared and crossed his arms, “I’m not. I was busy.”

            “Busy with what?” Denzel asked. “You told Alex you would be on that patrol.”

            Nick raised his eyebrow, “So?”

            Denzel glared, “Alex was freaking out. She thought the Monsters got to you,” he said. “Where were you yesterday?”

            “In my room,” Nick said. “Darla came in and started talking to me, she left five minutes before Alex and Chase showed up.”

            Denzel raised an eyebrow, “You go find Alex after the conversation?”

            “I had to think,” Nick said, shaking his head.

            Denzel sighed, “About what you and Darla talked about?” Nick nodded and Denzel shook his head. “That girl will say anything to get what she wants. What did you talk about?”

            “Just a stupid crush I have,” Nick said.

            Denzel sighed, “I can handle Monsters, the Nameless and Veronica. I can teach people how to shoot, fight and build, but I can’t deal with hormonal teenagers,” he said. “Now get out of my office.”

* * *

            Nick, Chase and Blake knew Alex didn't sleep at all, but when she woke them up so they could hit the road, they didn't say anything.

            “Her brother was just kidnapped and is probably being tortured by Monsters,” Chase hissed to Blake and Nick when they were talking about making her sleep for a while. “Did you expect her to sleep an entire night?”

            When they got in the car it was silent. A few minutes into the ride, Blake started crying and, a few minutes later, Chase wrapped an arm around him. Alex was unresponsive for most of the trip and the red rings around her eyes made Nick grip the steering wheel until his knuckles were white. Finally, Alex gave up moping and began to take out the gun she was working on.

            “Quit moping,” she snapped. “Blake, do a scan. Chase, where is your gun and why is it not next to you?”

            Chase and Blake sat in shock for a moment before Blake grabbed out his scanner and handed Chase his gun.

            Alex waited for the boys to start moving and talking before turning to Nick, “I didn't apologize last night so I'm sorry for snapping at you before,” she said.

            Nick looked over at Alex, gave her a half smile and grabbed her hand, “I know.”

            Chase's head popped up between Alex and Nick, “Yay, Mommy and Daddy finished making up,” he said, smirking. “Maybe they should make out,” he whispered to Blake, who quietly laughed.

            Alex pulled her gun out and shoved it in Chase's face, “Keep talking, blondie,” she said with a smirk of her own.

            Chase paled and slid back into his seat, “I've said all I want and need to say.”

            “Thought so,” Alex said, exchanging a weak smile with Blaze.