Hitman: Captured | #1 - HIATUS

► Chapter 14

The second time I wake up, the things happening around me begins to feel like a dream. An illusion. Blue eyes gazing at a window roof exposing the bright blue sky with no sign of any white clouds—no sun in sight either. Walls a nice pastel shade of orange, brown poster bedframe fitting a full sized bed, and from my peripheral vision, there is a window on the left side of the room without any curtains to provide privacy.

Recollecting where I am it makes sense why there wouldn't be any curtains for the window. As I tilt my head back I spot another window above my head small yet wide—as wide as either side of the poster bed of the headboard. It all feels strange to me. Everything I've been denying, everything I have been trying to keep off my mind suddenly crashes on me and I realize how serious this is.

I didn't know how to take it seriously and seeing Brian last night made me feel so relieved. It made me consider the choices I'd make. Made me comprehend why Neil is protecting me, to begin with. A soft grunt escapes my lips as I get on a sitting position, my thigh spasms except not in a painful manner thankfully; surveying my surroundings I note instantly there isn't really anything around here—like at all.

My bare feet feel the softness of the cream carpet, strolling to the only door I can view but before I can reach it someone opens the door abruptly causing me to jump. Brian's face is the first thing I see helping me relax my nerves, "You scared the shit out of me." I exhale.

Brian has dark blonde hair shorter on the sides and long medium length locks at the center swept back. Thick straight brows give his blue-green eyes a sunken look as it contours the straight-edged nose; I can tell he hasn't been sleeping by the bags under his eyes and the paleness of his usually warm beige skin.

The lean frame is hidden under an oversized long-sleeved, grey tee with 'hungry' across his chest and a small silly design on his lower left side. An amused smile slips on his natural lips befitting his strong and round face, "Good, I was just making sure I wasn't dreaming." His words edge with relief, lunging forward and embracing me in a hug.

Our heights matching due to my lack of shoes which I'm sure would make Brian happy for not being shorter than Christopher and me. My hands instinctively pat the blonde's back laughing, "I thought I was dreaming too. You have no idea how good it is to see you again." Fingers clutch his shoulders, pulling him impossibly closer, screwing my eyes shut.

"I can't believe you passed out on me last night."

"Shut up, don't remind me. I thought you were dead," Brian is the first to break the embrace gazing at me with bemusement resulting in me elaborating by what I meant, "It's a long story." I grimace.

He rolls his eyes, "My mom and dad are waiting to see you, Jesse is still sleeping," Brian snorts at the end mentioning his younger brother. The kid reminds me of Brian when he was his age—fourteen. The blonde frowns for a moment, "I really hope you have a good explanation as to why I'm not in a beach party today with some girls but instead here with your gay ass." Flashing me a look, I give him a sheepish smile.

"You love my gay ass."

"I really wish I didn't."

Laughter erupts from our chests, following Brian out of the room to a set of wooden stairs. Rubbing my temples I recall what I did yesterday plunging me with a strong tide of remorse and disgrace. "Where's Christopher?" I ask to distract my mind from drifting off to Alexei.

Brian shrugs, "Went to spend time with relatives for the past few weeks or something. I texted him the day before yesterday when I was at an amusement park with the family. He was in Philadelphia, I don't know what he's up to now since they took our phones." The last part is spoken with thick annoyance, jumping to skip the last few steps of the staircase.