Voices in My Head

Chapter 22: Blood Ties

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The attack from before where I found out Emma was also Phantom was actually a set up. It was a trap right from the start.

Dante lost everything when he was betrayed by his uncle and Henry's fiancee who was devastated over his brutal death. His bases were bombed and raided. Everyone was killed. Dante almost died if Ashton hadn't sacrificed himself to save him.

Everyone of his men were killed.

Except for me, Emma, and Oliver.

You don't defy death, and you certainly don't anger it. And now, he wants revenge.

As for me, I just got dragged along with it. It was true for the most part.

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He never had to interact with Allan's friends before. This was an interesting experience.

"So Allan---" He almost corrected it to Noah, but he shut his mouth, curious to see how this would go.

The teen ---Oliver, his brain remembered--- was searching for something on his ever messy desk. Cleaning it surely doesn't up too much time and it would be much faster to find what you need. Why are people so incessant on taking the long way?

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Emma and I met up some more and I found myself enamoured with her more each time. She reminded me a lot of Robyn.

The way she stood up for what she believed in.

The way there was a certain sparkle in her eye whenever she talked passionately of her favorite books (Robyn would get that way when talking about the pros and cons of using cheap art supplies vs. expensive)

But most of all, it was the way her presence put me at ease.

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After a long silence, Emma told me of how her family was involved with Dante's gang.

She already knew I was Raiden, and I told her I'll tell her my story after.

"My dad walked out on us and money was hard to come by. Mom was extremely ill after giving birth to Arthur so Oliver decided it was his responsibility to get some cash. You could tell how that went."

She pulled her knees close to her chest and hugged them. We were sitting against the wall in her room. Oliver had to go pick up Arthur from school so we were left alone.

"I didn't think of anything when Olly told me he got a job. I thought he was just lucky to land a store job or something. I found out about the gang when Oliver got into a car accident. That was the first time I became Phantom."

She reached behind her neck and I saw it. She had extensions the same color as her natural hair that I didn't notice it before.

"We had similar looks and height. Not to mention I had a flat chest so I could pass as a boy. I just had to cut my hair and I'm good. Only Dante knew. Oliver and the rest of them doesn't."

Her shoulders dropped. "I had to get the extensions so Oliver doesn't find out. But it's hard to keep secrets from him. I want to tell him so badly, but I know it would only hurt him. He'll blame himself for not being a good brother and I don't want that."

I squeezed her hand hoping to provide some comfort.

She smiled softly and I had to look away.

"Thank you, Allan. I needed to get that off my chest. Now, what's your story?"

It's been a long time since anyone was willing to listen to my side.

I was about to open his mouth when Oliver's loud voice boomed at the front door.