Chapter 39
My three week vacation for reviews became solitary household chores. All my books were at the limousine and sadly our public library doesn’t have those kind of books. I can’t even go out to look for trades since my dad wanted me to lay low for a bit. We didn’t know how the Venturians got the news about the attack or who really are responsible since he believe so much that the Mixed Blood rebels didn’t do it.
“Do you really have to go?” George’s eyes are tearing, pleading me not go back. I can’t blame him. Dad still doesn’t talk to him, but thankfully he doesn’t curse or beat him either.
I hug him and carefully untangle his frizzy hair. “I’m doing this for you.” I whisper. “Everything James and I are doing are all for you.” I kiss the top of his head without releasing my hug.
“I don’t want all. I just want you and James.” He answers, scratching my back.
Releasing my little brother from my arm has never been this hard. If I can just slid him into my bag and bring him to Whitehorn Academy, I’ve done so. I kiss him again, this time on both of his cheeks and forehead. “Tell Aunt Hillary I said thanks for cutting your hair. And if you can, tell Dad I went already. I’ve cook your lunch and dinner as well. I bought some vegetables and fruits, they’re in the table, eat them okay? If Dad won’t cook or too drunk to do anything, go to Aunt Hillary, tell her I’ll pay everything when I get back.” I say without holding my breath.
“Three months, how long can that be?” He says, rubbing his teary eyes. “And James will come home with you too, right?”
“Yeah!” I nod and hug him again. “Okay, time to go now.” I pat his head. I need to go far away from this house or else I’ll drown myself from guilt and lies.
It’s already late afternoon when I arrive at Whitehorn Academy together with my fellow Sages. They don’t give me much look now, but none of them still speaks to me, not even Terence. What he did was wrong, but apologising will do for me. With all the complications in whatever this is between us, he’s still my best friend. No matter what he do or what I feel it all comes down to us being the best of friends. Partners.
“There you are!” Train exclaims as he walks down the stairs rapidly. I think it’s the first time I’ve seen him normally appear in my sight. “Luke’s back. Come on!” he signals me to follow him in the main building.
We run past the main building and make our way to the other part of the school where the hospital is. I suddenly feel nervous, realising that there’s no bright smile to greet me.
He’s lying in a hospital bed with bandages wrap around his head, waist and legs. Bruises and wounds are like tattoo designs in his face and arm. He looks terrible. What kind of training did he sign up to?
I see Erda doctors and nurses tending to Sire Crane, Tobi and Viola just a few beds away from Luke when Dr Penelope comes panting with stethoscope hanging around her neck. She must have run all the way from infirmary to here. “Where are the others? I thought all of you were hurt?” she asks.
All of them look away and fall into deep silence.
“What happened?” Train asks, helping Luke in a sitting position.
“The moment we arrived in Camp Haiden they disclosed the information that Mixed Blood rebels are resuming whatever attack they left fourteen years ago. We weren’t called to learn persuasion techniques but to fight with them in case that happened. And they confirmed it by blowing up your ride, we still don’t know why they targeted you. Some say it’s a warning especially for Gen. Webster. Everyone knows how much he loves Sara. After that incident, we were all stationed into different posts throughout the country. The six of us were assigned to Rumford Lyme with two Argonian trainers. We were on our way back to Camp Haiden after six months of unfruitful mission when they attacked. We were outnumbered; they forced us to spill a secret concerning a military advanced weapon. None of us knew what they were talking so they fired at us. Brittany and our trainers were killed in action. We don’t know how, but before they let us go, they dumped Stephanie’s body in front of us telling that the next body will be Aya’s if we don’t give them viable information by the end of week.” He clutches his fists in deep anger.
My heart raises. Is it by any chance that the military advanced weapon they wanted is my brother? The reason why Kentron authorized an experiment on mutation is to create a one of a kind defence security. And now that it went beyond mutation, it is now an advanced weapon that can draw back anyone standing in Kentron’s way. Something that people would fear.
“I have to go.” I excuse myself and run as fast as I can to get into my brother. He’s there, he’s safe. I keep saying to myself. He must be safe. He has to be. My eyes start to flush tears and as I run, bumping students I feel like my heart is going to fall.
Dawn and Valix still allows students to go out of the school since today is not for formal classes.
“Oh it’s you.” Valix says. “Don’t drag my brother into your things. I did not become a guard to see him in jail; you know what I mean Keesha.” He says firmly. What does he know about Edward and his involvement with us?
I feel like everyone knows about everything.
I bite my lip and nod. I understand Valix, I know how it feels to sacrifice yourself just to see your family safe and sound. But, I can’t stop Edward from what he wants to do in life either and besides he’s been a great help to us. It may be a selfish reason, but we need Edward more than ever.
I rush to the underground laboratory with mixed emotions. A part of me hopes that he’s inside, safe and sound but I can’t deny the fear growing fast inside me. “James?” my voice trembles as I see nothing but the computers and laboratory apparatuses. “Where the hell are you James?!”
“What is your problem?!” Edward shouts from the beasts’ quarters. “Where all here, you little paranoid!” he shouts.
I run to the beasts’ quarters and find Edward and Professor Wood resting near James’s body. I dive my body in between them and hug my brother in relief. I feel his soft gray fur and warm body all around me. Though his legs and head have sharp spikes and long pointed tail, I still see him as good cuddle company.
“You scared me, damn you!” I punch his body.
“What’s going on?” Professor Wood asks.
I grin at them. “You tell me, looks like you’ve been having some boys’ quality time”
We all laugh for a while, even James larks with us. Though he’s a beast, he hears everything and have fully control over his emotions. When there’s nothing much to joke about, I tell them about Luke’s disastrous mission.
None of us speaks. The three of them fall silent, digesting the information and loss of people we barely know. I know something must be done, for our safety, not just for James but for all of us involve.
“Can we just stay here for the night?” I ask. James doesn’t react so I guess it’s okay.
I lay at his side with my head at his body using it as a pillow. Edward moves out, telling it’s uncomfortable to sleep next to girl no matter who it is. Professor Wood wants to give us some time alone since he already have their bonding moments when I was back in Sapius. “Just you and me then?” I smile. It’s been the first time in six years since we sleep together in the same room. It feels right, it feels home.
It’s nice to feel this way again, it’s like having my mom again and everything’s alright. At first I’m afraid to close my eyes and end this day, but I think all I need is to do is trust his promise that he’ll be by my side forever and hope that maybe, just maybe tomorrow will be kinder.
