The Destroyed Girl

Chapter 24: Family Meet-Ups

RHEA'S POV
I have no idea how my aunt is going to react to seeing me. I don't see her much and we don't usually show much affection with each other-that's just not either of our thing-but we have a natural bond.

Seeing my father's twin is not going to help me. At all. They share too many similar features and habits. We share too many habits. She's the one person who I can rely on sometimes.

But it's not her that I am more anxious of meeting.

Teresa didn't land far from the base. All I brought with me was my bag I brought to the berg. With my clothes, necessities and weapons.

When we approach the tower, two Guards are instantly on us. They aim their guns at us and I lift my arms, cutting a look behind me to the rest of the group to stay put as I make my way forward.

"Who are you?" One demands.

They've never seen me without my hood.

"State your full name," The other says.

I sigh a little dramatically. "Rheana Hunter Allios."

They instantly lower their guns, eyes widening as they exchange a look.

"Our apologies, Rhea," One says, now recognising me. "We didn't know it was you without... without your hood on."

I nod, glancing over their shoulders to the large glass doors leading into the tall WICKED facility. Like the one in Denver, it's mostly blue tinted glass windows, the structure cutting high up and maybe a hundred metres long in breadth. "I understand. Where is she?"

"She's in her office with him," The other guard says. "Feel free to go right up. Your... companions too."

I nod and we head into the tower. Cold air hits us and I instruct all the kids, including Tessa and Andrew, to stay downstairs at the lounge floor. The rest of us head up the elevator.

I wonder if anyone can hear how fast and loud my heart is beating.

The elevator dings open on a floor somewhere near the top of the tower, and I step out first. There's a small area and then a door a few steps away. I walk straight to the door, everyone clustering together behind me.

Knocking wouldn't work. I place my right hand on the door and the metal pad immediately scans it, then recognises it to be mine.

"Rheana Anderson," The computerised voice says. "Please enter."

The door swings open and I step into the huge office. It's bigger than Ava's, but only because dad used to work here. He was Australian. He moved to Denver, though.

Everyone still follows behind me, into the grey-walled room. I spot my aunt at her desk, watching us enter, eyes wide in surprise. Beside her stands someone else.

I can only make out their features when I come to a halt at the entrance of the room, a long distance between us. Behind me, the members of Group A and B form a loose gang.

Aunt Rebecca hasn't changed much. She still has her blue eyes like mine and my father's, as well as our fierce demeanour. She looks so much like my Father, with her pronounced cheekbones and bony fingers and sharp eyes.

She stands and walks around the table, Dylan following behind her. He moves to stand next to his Mother.

I regard him steadily. He studies me. He looks more... mature. I last saw him almost three years ago, and back then he hadn't fully settled into his growing body yet. Now his jawline is more pronounced, his height taller, and his body more well defined. His eyes are the same dark shade of blue as Aunt Rebecca's.