Fight to survive

Chapter 2.5: The Phone Call

As Alex hurries up to his bedroom Marty is left all alone. He figures that he has some explaining to do, and therefore he calls Everley. He didn't lie to her when he told her that he wants her to keep an eye on his cousin, he just never mentioned his cousin's age nor what exactly he needs her to do. He is aware that Alex doesn't need babysitting but things have been weird since he arrived back to America.

Marty still remembers clearly the day Alex disappeared. He remembers himself bidding goodnight to his cousin as he climbed up the stairs to his bedroom; he remembers the distinguished sound Alex's door made and still makes when someone opens and closes it. And he still remembers the morning when he woke up and his cousin was no longer home. His stuff were in his bedroom, but not him. He remembers thinking that he might had left earlier for school, as he still remembers his principal saying that Alex wasn't there. That was one of the saddest days of Marty's life.

It was a few months after Sebastian had taken the boys under his protection. They knew that the people in the government would be mad about how a civilian could threaten them. They were expecting something bad to happen, like Sebastian's arrest for disregarding them. But no-one came to arrest Sebastian and the boys were being trained the same way as before. So they all started to relax and let their guard down. What a huge mistake...

Marty and Sebastian were looking for Alex for years. The government had no idea what had happened to the boy, or at least that's what the people were claiming. Marty would break down regularly the first years of his cousin's disappearance and he would lose hope. The years passed and even though Marty had started adjusting to Alex's absence, he was still searching for his lost cousin. Some people considered Alex dead seeing he was gone for so long. Marty didn't blame them for thinking this way, there were no signs that Alex was alive. But there weren't any to indicate that he was dead either.

Fast forward to 5 years later, there are rumours that a new student will join Marty's year. The rumours are proved right when one day in mid-October a boy transfers to their school from the U.K. Marty feels like this day was just yesterday, when in fact it was only four months ago.

He was at his first class, American Literature, when a knock on the door was heard. Marty turned his head to count the students. They were all present, so who could be at the door?
Everyone was facing there now, as it slowly opened to reveal a tall bespectacled boy with blue eyes. He was wearing black ripped jeans with a chain hanging from the belt loops paired with a black T-shirt and black Dr Martens.

Marty choked on his saliva when he understood who the boy was. He knew before the teacher declared his name. The name was none other than Alexander Jonathan Stevens, as known as Marty's long lost cousin.

As the boy stood beside the professor, Marty couldn't help but stare at him. He had grown, and therefore he had changed. His skin was paler than Marty remembered and his hair a bit darker. Alex's eyes still had this vibrant blue colour, but Marty noticed that they were emotionless. He couldn't understand if his cousin was anxious up there, getting all this attention or whether he enjoyed it. His face was expressionless as well. Someone would characterize it as a poker face, and they wouldn't be wrong.

Alex was staring at the wall in front of him as the professor announced his name and asked if someone could show him around later. It was then that Alex's eyes landed on Marty. His gaze was so intense that made Marty shrink in his seat.

Marty understood that Alex recognised him, but he still couldn't get why he was acting like this. It seemed like Alex was angry not only at him but at the world too. Marty couldn't comprehend why he would be angry. After all, he was the one who had to suffer through these years. He had no idea about his well-being nor his existence. He should be the one being mad and sending glares.