Securing You (Little Gathering Series)

Chapter 15 - Serious Conversation

Leo pov

She is sleeping peacefully on the bed like nothing happen before. I tuck her hair that keep poking in her eyes. She clearly look so much alike to Ryan. Why I never realize this sooner..?

"I'm sorry." Choel keep apologize since we get here.

We end the camp trip after that shocking moment. They all are worry about her. So we decide to just go home and gather around later.

"I'm really sorry."

"Stop opologizing. What done is done." Its getting irritating to heard her never ending apologize.

"Aries always full of control. I just can't believe what had happen." Eiji speak as she plop joining us around the living room.

"Me too. Its scary looking at her outrage. She hold the pistol and pointed at Leo with her furious red eyes.. euww.. I don't want to experience it again. Creepy." Silis shrink on the couch.

"It use to be worser than this." My mouth wide open listening to Choel. Actually, we all are.

"No way.. " They say it unionly.

A slight smile cross Choel lips as she watch the girls reaction. "I broke few ribs because of her. She can't control her temper she always return home with bruises all over her body. "

"I'll never mess with her again." Riono declare his opinion making us laugh a moment.

After a while Eiji and Riono go home with Silis and Andrew. I take a deep breath before having this serious conversation with Choel. I need to know about Aries condition.

"Is she sick?" I ask straight to the point.

She sigh as she sit straight facing me clearly. "She's on medicine now. For deepression. She was getting better. But since you keep show up in front of her, her condition reapear."

"How long she's been like this?" I ask further.

"Few month after Ryan pass away. But it never reach the thought to kill you. That's new. Its happen recently." Choel voice full of worry and concern.

"Something must have happen."

"She didn't mean that Leo. Its true that she hate you. But please, don't sue her. I understand her crime attempt to kill but its because of her condition. She must have skip some pil." She grab on my hand and beg.

"I wouldn't. Don't worry." I smile to reasure her.

"Please.." She emphasize.

"I wouldn't." I speak firmly.

Austin hold Choel tightly to encourage her. I respect Austin alot. After knowing Choel past, his love toward her never waver. Infact, it getting stronger. I wish I am as firm as him. I can't even fulfill my late friend last wish. I'm such a fool.

"There is still something you need to know."

"What is it?"

"Aries.. she.." Choel pause. Things must be too hard to confess. Just say it what could be worse than almost dying.

"What?" I ask calmly.

"Aries is a hacker. You got what I mean." Her voice sound cheerful like we are playing gesture and guess.

I shake my head. Then she sigh a big one.

"Hacker..! You know. " She raise her hand and start typing on the air prentending like she is typing on her keyboard.

"Hacker?" I repeat her word and frown.

"Gosh.. you are as slow as Silis." She smack her own forehead.

"Just say it. Stop using secret message." I give up playing guess with her.

"Phantom." She answer shortly

One second..
Two second..
Three second..

"Oh my God.. Could this be even worse." I lean back and knead my sudden spining head. Aries is that Phantom. This is just too much to eccept in one day.

"Guard her well. She's the icon of trouble maker." She smirks.

"Don't worry. There is noway I'm letting her go. Believe me."

"Thank you." Finally she smile happily.

"You're not going to ask me why?" I ask casually. I know Aries is the gathering leader but Choel is second in command.

"Don't tell me. Tell her." Choel respond.

"Its Ryan wish." The pain in my chest raise up again as I mention his name.

"Thank you so much Leo." Tears of happiness lingering around her eyes and she wipes them before it fall down her cheeks. Choel really care for her friend.

After they left, I am left to deal with the situation alone. As I walk inside the kitchen, my thought is occupy with Aries being the Phantom and being Ryan sister. I take out a can of beer then sit by the dining table and enjoy the drink alone. What should I do now..?

I sigh heavily. After finishing the drink I go and check Aries in the master room. The moment I step in side she's already awake and stare right in my direction. I flinch but I recover imediately and keep my calm expression.

"We need to talk." That the first sentence slip out from my mouth as I pull the chair and sit on it. She didn't respond. All she do is stare at me and stare again and stare. What is this..??

"How are you feeling?" I might sound strong but this is all lies. I feel so defeated looking at her pale face.

"Pain." She answer shortly as she remove her gaze from mine.

"Do you still want to kill me?" I ask further.

"I do." She nods.

That force me to take a deep breath and exhale slowly. She too honest its troubling me. "Aries.. I.." I don't know how to deal with her.

"Why did you let him die?" She speaks in her small voice but I hear it loud and clear.

I raise and move toward her bed. I brush the bed before sit down and face completely. "I try to save him."

"You didn't..! You let him die..!!" She is losing control as her voice getting sharper and firm.

"Listen to me. I can explain that." I beg desperately.

She shake her head and pull the blanket covering all her body and hide away like a kid.

"I want my brother." She screams then slow cries fill in the room as she shaking under the blanket.

"Aries.." I called her calmly as I shake her shoulder but she elbow me from touching her.

"Give him back." She cries even louder.

"I'm sorry." I'm defeated.

"I hate you." She scream again.

I know it Aries. You don't have to remind me everytime, how much you hate me. I know it.

"I'm sorry Aries. I was there when they shooted him. I was fighting along with him. I'm trying to win the fight but they already prepare for it while we never got any back up. Ryan beg me to leave but I didn't. There is no way I could leave him fighting alone. But the next things I remember, he took the bullet for me."

I clutch on the blanket as the long contain memory replay in my mind. Ryan begging me to leave desperately but I didn't. Maybe if I did, he doesn't need to cover for me.

"I'm sorry Aries."

"I hate you." She screams again.