The Awakening

Chapter Fifteen

The fury inside of me is nothing compared to the confusion I feel. What is taking her so long? Why is she not screaming his face off? Then, I hear the door click as Frost walks out. He closes it shut tightly behind him. He is only out there for a minute, but when he comes back in I notice how much he is glowing. Not his body, but his eyes. I only see it for a split second before they go back to their normal blue. I am about to question this when I remember something.
"What the hell happened to you two?" I blurt out, finally remembering that they have been missing for the past couple days.
    "After we refused to do the mission they took us back here, tortured us a little, and then said we had one more chance or we were dead," Sophie explains.
    "Since neither of us wanted to die, we wet along with their mission, and we ended up going to the Atlantic ocean to find some weird box thing at the bottom of the ocean. We couldn't open it, but whatever it was, it seemed important. After that, they sent us back home where they showed us how they knew where our families lived, and then made us kidnap Devin in front of a crowd. I guess they wanted some news on it, I don't really know," Adrian finishes.
    "Look, Ella, I'm really sorry. You were right, we should have just stayed with the mission. It would have saved us a whole lot of suffering," Sophie grows, but forgetting everything that happened I pull her into a hug.
    "There is nothing to apologize for. We both said some nasty things, but what matters now is that you are okay," I tell her, pulling out of our hug.
    "I'm so glad we are friends," she smiles at me, and I nod in agreement. Before I can say anything else there is a popping noise, and a guard enters the room through a door I never knew existed. I can't help but jump, and I know I will ever be able to sleep soundly again. Is each of these panels doors?
"You, and you," he points at Frost and I. "Are to come with me, no questions asked." I glance at Frost who shrugs, and I follow him through the door. As the door shuts behind us I turn to Frost, not bothering to think of what is coming, but still dwelling on what has happened.
    "I didn't think I would ever see Devil again," I whisper to him, realizing that I have not used his actual name.
    "Devil?" Frost laughs.
    "Devin, the Devil, not really a difference if you ask me. For all, I know he really is one," I shrug.
    "Why don't you like him anyway? I thought you liked everyone," Frost confessed, taking a seat on the couch.
    "I don't like him because he's an asshole, that's why," I state, crossing my arms. Frost, an I walk side by side in silence through the hallway that we used to take every day. Now it just feels so much different. Soldiers wouldn't march up, and down the hallways when we walked out as they do now, but before we were also much less deadly. I couldn't leave even if I tried, at least not until I knew all my friends were there with me.
"You will be taking a jet to London, England where you will be instructed to search Big Ben until you find a box identical to this one," the man tells us as we enter the hanger. A small box with gold trim appears on a handheld hologram projector. It's small and seems easy to conceal, in fact, it looks like the one that we took from the facility we caught on fire. I hope Emma and Andrew are okay because I don't trust Devin at all. You can't really blame me, his girlfriend went missing, and he started making out with someone else. That's not something he should have done, at least in my opinion. Frost, and I board the jet, only to find that it is not like the hovercraft we are used to taking, but instead a luxury ride that I would never have been able to afford back at home.
"You will be landing at the airport, and escorted to a hotel. After that, you will have five days to get the job done, and back to the airplane. If you don't, well I think your friend explained it well enough. Now the both of you need to change into something nicer before you get there, and I suggest you do it now," the man advises us, and we nod.
"Will our suits not be detected by metal detectors?" Frost asks, tapping his stone.
"No, metal detectors cannot pick up what your stone creates, so you will be fine there. If that is all, I wish you a nice trip, just try not to get too caught up in sightseeing." When we don't respond he continues. "Your suitcases contain enough clothes, and money to get you through the week," with that he leaves. Frost, and I sit by the window, at a table. The place begins to move, and we are slowly lifted out of the air.
"So," Frost starts when we are in the clouds. "How are we going to play this? Are we a couple, or brother, and sister?"
"I didn't think that far ahead, what do you think the best tactic would be?" I reply, looking out the window. "I don't think we look enough to like to be a brother, and sister," I admit to him.
"I guess we could play the couple going on their honeymoon. We might get some sympathy from people on the street for directions, and stuff. It would also explain why we go see Big Ben so often," he suggests, and I nod in agreement.
"Yeah that would probably work best, just don't kiss me on the mouth, got it?" I warn him, and he nods in understanding. We go over a few more things before we even get close to the landing before we decide to get changed. My outfit consists of a white, and blue striped, off the shoulder top, tight navy blue pants with matching shoes, a pair of big, white sunglasses, a sun hat, and finally a light pink purse that I put some money in. Now I look like a true tourist. As I walk out of my changing spot, I notice that the bathroom is set up with a hair curler, and a small amount of makeup. I roll my eyes, but curl my hair loosely, being careful to set my hat on it, and then applying some blush, eyeshadow, and lipstick, which is all I really know how to do. I but everything from the bathroom into a small white, and black polka dot suitcase with a pink zipper, which I am guessing is mine seen as the other one is a deep blue colour. I open it to see that I am right and zip it tightly after. Frost comes out a few moments after I have my suitcase zipped back up. He is wearing a tight, light pink, collared dress shirt that matches my purse, with a pair of navy jeans. I guess even the people who picked the outfits decided to go with the couple theme. Frost has also brushed out his hair, and put a tad bit of gel in it to make it stay properly. He looks so different not being in his everyday blue shirt, and pants. I roll up his sleeves nicely, convincing him that will look more touristy, and he compliments my oversized sunglasses. I push him away with a playful laugh, finally fully forgiving him for punching Andrew that night. If he honestly thought I was hurt, I don't blame him.
"We should be arriving any minute," Frost tells me, and I run to look out the window. I can see the whole city, and most importantly I can see Big Ben. I still can't help but think back to Emma. I am so worried about her. At least if I was with her, I could protect her from him, but now that she is gone to who knows where I can do nothing. She doesn't want to be with him, and I know that I cannot let him hurt her like that again. I turn my focus back to our mission as frost hands me my passport and ID.
"I guess Frost stands out too much?" I laugh when I see they have changed his same to Noah.
"It's such a sweet, innocent name," I tease, and he rolls his eyes at me.
"It's almost as bad yours, Almost," he teases back, and I smile. We buckle ourselves in before I get a better look at my ID and passport. It has my name as Ella Whitley, age twenty-one, and born in Millbrook Ontario, Canada. The only thing true in there is my first name. Frost has the same last name as me, but a different birthplace. He is also a year older than me, even though we are the same age in real life. As we begin our descent I can feel my ears start to pop. This is the only thing I hate about airplanes. As we reach the ground, we grab our suitcases, and identification, and walk out of the plane. The airport's large like I expected to be, and we are escorted into customs just like everyone else who is getting off of their flights. Luckily for us, since we had a private plane, and nobody else was landing, we had a pretty easy time getting through. Just as the man had said, our gemstones didn't get detected by the metal detectors. Mine kind of looks like a necklace, and Frost's is hidden under his shirt anyways so we have no problems there. It is almost too easy getting through knowing that we are about to steal something very important for people who shouldn't be getting it. When we walk down the stairs we see a man in a nice dress suits holding a sign that says: Mr. and Mrs. Whitley. I guess we really are stuck with this couple thing now. As we begin to near people frost takes my hand and pulls me alongside him. The man in the dress suit greets us nicely, before taking us outside where a small black car awaits. We load in our luggage and get in. It takes a bit of driving before the man speaks.
"Your communication devices are in the cupholders of your doors. They are connected to each other, with a tracking device already installed so you won't lose one another," is all he says until we reach our hotel, and offers us help, which we turn down. He hands us our key cards and drives away leaving us at the entrance of the hotel. When we walk in I notice how high the ceilings are, and I can smell the divine breakfast cooking from across the hall. The floors shine so brightly I can see my reflection, and as we look around we can see the reception, eating area, grand ballroom, and lounge. After we check in a short plump lady waddles over to us to take us to our room. She has a lively laugh, and her voice makes even the dullest statement sound thrilling. As we head up to our room I can't help but get more, and more excited. The walls in the hallways are filled with a decorative painting that make the whole place feel so much fancier, but I guess it would be weird to sleep at a cruddy hotel after showing up in our own airplane. That may be a little suspicious, and we can't take any chances.
"And here is your room," she says, opening the door for us. When I walk into space my heart stops, and my jaw hits the ground. The floors are a shiny oak, while the walls are painted a tan colour with thick green drapes that fall to the floor. The ceiling is a perfect white, and there is even a small sitting area by the windows. The beds are both queen size, and their vibrant white sheets feel like silk. I take everything in, falling in love with it.
"It's beautiful," I whisper, still holding my breath.
"I'll let you two get settled in," the lady laughs before closing the door silently behind her. Letting myself feel excited, I drop my suitcase and jump on the bed.
"Dibs!" I should excitedly, and Frost shakes his head but then doesn't resist jumping beside me.
"It's so soft!" he hollers, wrapping himself in the blankets.
"And these pillows! So soft, but so hard at the same time!" I blubber, letting myself feel happy again, but then I feel a pang in my chest, which makes me smile fade away.
"You alright?" Frost asks, concerned.
"Yeah, my stone just wanted to give me a surprise too I guess," I answer, letting myself breath away the pain. I grab my knees and shake my head.
    "You sure you're alright?" He asks again, moving a bit closer to me, but I wave him away.
"Fine," I say, standing up, and throwing my suitcase on the bed as nothing happened. Frost does the same. I find the bathroom to put my hairbrush, curler, and toiletry bag, neatly on the counter.
"What are we going to do about the bed situation?" I ask, motioning to the single bed that sits there.
"You can have it if I get the comforter," he says.
"Where will you sleep," I ask confused.
"Have you seen those couches? They are pretty much made out of pillows," he replies, which makes me laugh. "I guess we should go scope out Big Ben, and make a game plan,"
"Sounds great, but can we eat first? I'm starving," I complain, but Frost only smiles at me.
"Fine, but something quick. I want to get this done fast so we can enjoy this little holiday before going back to that stuffy dorm," he grins, and I nod in agreement. I want to make the most out of this trip because there is a good chance this will not happen again. We both take our key cards in case we split up, and the cheap cell phones we have been provided with, along with the cash that was in my purse. As we are walking out of the hotel an employee comes up to us and hands us a map. He points out some nice tourist spots, and some good places to eat before hurrying back to work.
"He seems friendly," I smile, looking at the map again.
"Ella, he just works here," Frost says, rolling his eyes.
"Well maybe he was just a nice person," I snap, noticing my tone, and immediately felt terrible. "I'm sorry, I don't know why..." I can't' quite finish my thought because Frost interrupts me by tapping on my stone, and I nod, knowing what he is implying. I know I got to stop letting it have some control, but I don't know how to shut it out, and I don't think I can. There is a good chance if I shut it out I won't be able to use my power, and that was the whole point of those people putting it inside of me, so really it is just a lose, lose situation.
"Well we are here, at St. James Court, so I say we take a walk, head down to The Cinnamon Club, and then make our way over to Big Ben," he says, pointing out everything on the map.
"Why do we need to walk again," I ask holding up a wad of cash that is stuffed into my purse.
"Because it's your birthday tonight, and we are going to do something special," he responds, putting the cash back in the bag. I have to pause a moment to think about it, but he's right. I look down at my phone to find that sure enough, it's September 21st. This means we have been away from home for nine months. A part of me wants to leave this place right now. To abandon the mission, and run home, but I know I can't, not yet at least. We have to have everyone, and we have to take out the Northern Facility.
"I forgot all about it," I mutter, trying to start walking. "You don't have to do anything," I remind him, not really in the mood to celebrate myself.
"Oh don't be silly, of course, I do," he smiles. "Besides it's not every day a girl turns sixteen."
"It's also not supposed to be every day that you are stealing from a major world city," I almost snap, but take a deep breath, keeping my stone in its corner.
"Look if you really don't want to whatever, but I really hope you at least consider it," he pleads, giving me a look so soft I am surprised to see it on such a hard face.
"I-" He stops me before I can finish.
"Just think about it," he interjects, and when I don't say anything he takes my hand, and we walk out of the large glass doors. As the warm fall air breezes across my face, I look around to see which way we need to go. I have given Frost the map, knowing that I am terrible at using them, and we begin to walk down the semi-crowded streets. As we walk I can hear all the noses of the city that I haven't heard in such a long time. There are chatter and car horns all around me, and I am suddenly reminded of home. My heart sinks, and my stomach turns nauseating. "You alright," Frost asks, as I begin to slow my walk.
"Of course," I force a smile, but he frowns at me.
"What is it?" He questions, and I am wishing Emma was here instead of him.
"Nothing," I wave off, continuing to walk, but Frost tightens my wrist, causing me to step backwards.
"Ella, you're a terrible liar, now what is it?" He demands, and I roll my eyes.
"It's stupid," I warn, feeling his judgement already.
"I don't care," he continues.
"I miss my home," I snap. "I thought I would love it here, but all it is doing is reminding me of what I am missing out on with my own family," I point down the street to some parents laughing with their three kids, and feel my heart ache even more.
"Well then let's change that," he suggests, but I scoff at his idea.
"How do you plan to do that?"
"By taking your mind off it," he smirks, taking my wrist, and running me down the street. My shoes are not made for running, so I am having a hard time keeping up with him as we zip through the people on the sidewalk. Soon we come to a large park, and Frost leads me over to the swings.
"No way!" I stammer, folding my arms over my chest.
"Come on! You know you want to," he tells me, which is true, I do want to, but I know I shouldn't.
"This is a kids park," I protest, trying to get him to change his mind.
"Who cares? Nobody is here, and you will never see any of these people again anyway," he teased, pulling me towards the swing. Reluctantly, I sit, and he begins to push me forward.
"This is really embarrassing," I tell him, but he shushes me.
"I don't care," I smile, and continues. Soon I am so high I can see the sun beginning to set on the horizon. The colours are so soft but vibrant that it makes me smile because I haven't seen anything like it for a long time. The last time I saw the sunset was with Andrew, and I can still remember it in my mind. Along with his hands on my waist, and his warm breath on my lips... I snap out of my thoughts, trying to focus on the sunset because Andrew seems to make my heart hurt too. It's weird, I try to tell myself that he's just another one of us, but there is something about him that I can't quite get out of my head, something that gives me butterflies and makes my heart flutter. He makes me feel like I am more than the weapon they have made me, and that is what I need, but it is not what I should be thinking about. The swing slowly comes to a stop, and I get off smiling.
"Now, are you ready for your birthday dinner?" He asks, holding out his arm.
"What about Big Ben?" I question, taking his arm.
"We can worry about that tomorrow, for now, let's have some fun," I nod as we walk down the street towards not the Cinnamon Club, but instead a different club that sits on the street corner.
"I don't drink, and I'm only 16! They will never let me in. Also, how did you know it was my birthday?" I say as we reach the door.
"We have fake ID's for a reason, and besides, we deserve a little something to drown our sorrows in. We have been through more than any sixteen years old has in their entire lives. Oh, I looked on your log, October 30th, and I right?" he says, swinging open the door, and ordering something from the bar. I feel like I should be excited but that just reminds me that we have been here for nine months.
"I don't think this is a good idea," I shout, over the music that is burning my ears. Ignoring my Frost picks up two shot glasses, and hands me one.
"Get over your square mind, and drink," he says, tapping my glass.
"I am not a square!" I yell at him, as he throws back his glass.
"Oh really? Prove it," he taunts as I look down at the small glass in my hand. I shake my head slowly before taking a last sip of the burning liquid. I cough a couple times, trying to get the fiery taste out of my throat, but I can hear Frost laughing back at me.
"Okay, point proven, are we done now?" I smile, not knowing really why.
"No, now do it again birthday girl," he says ordering another two.
"Are you secretly trying to kill me?" I laugh as he hands me the glass.
"Nah, this is going to get too good before I can do that," he says, and he taps my glass, and we drink together. It's still fiery, but I can already feel myself beginning to feel dizzy.
"It's my birthday, shouldn't I get to choose what we do?" I bubble, no longer being able to sit still. Then the bartender comes over with a weird blue drink. "What's this?" I ask, looking at it curiously.
"Free drink of your birthday," he smiles, watching me take a sip. This one doesn't burn my throat. It is actually the opposite; sugary, and sweet. I smile as I take a sip.
"This one is way better," I say to Frost before noticing something in the corner. My hands find Frost's shoulders, and I begin to shake him.
"Ella stop! What are you doing?" He yells at me.
"They have karaoke here!" I shrink as Frost turns around to see the small stage, and television that is playing the song lyrics.
"Get up there!" He yells at me, and I hop down from the barstool. "Wait, take another sip first," he says, shoving me my glass, and pulling off my hat, and sunglasses that cover my face. I take another large sip of the drink before running up to the stage.
"Can I sing a song?" I giggle to the man who is running the song list.
"Sure, what do you want to sing?" He asks, me pointing to the song list. I scan the list until I find a song that pleases me and point to it. The man nods hands me a mic and points me onto the stage. I tap the microphone, creating a large squeaking sound that makes everyone turn their head.
"Hello," I smile. "I'm gonna sing a song now." As the song begins to play some people do a small clap, and I smile before it starts. The first verse is a little rocky, but then I get used to it, and I am in my zone so I sing I move my hands so they are clapping along to the beat, and a couple people join me. Then more, and more people start to clap as I move onto the next verse. I am getting through the song, and soon everyone is clapping along to the beat. I continue through, forgetting about the audience, and throwing in a few dance moves that get some cheers, even though I can't dance. As I hit this verse some people have started singing along, and I smile, singing my heart out, even though I'm sure I sound awful. I am nearing the end of my song, and now I am in full on concert mode. I twirl around a couple times and reach out to the crowd, high fiving some good sports in the audience. The song ends, and I am stopped for a moment while my audience is silent, and my hands stuck in the air, in my final pose. I take a couple of deep breaths, letting my fuzzy mind rest for a minute. I move to walk off stage, not at all caring that I am the only one moving, but then there is an eruption of applause, and I take a small bow before bouncing back to Frost.
"Wow, I need to get you drunk more often," he laughs, taking my blue drink away before I can drain it.
    "Hey," I say, reaching for it, but Frost slides it to the bartender, who takes it away. I frown at him, but Frost just smiles back.
    "Don't worry, you will thank me tomorrow," he laughs, tipping the bartender, and leading me out the door. We walk for a bit before we come up to Big Ben. We walk around it for a bit, trying to get a good look at it. Eventually, I get dizzier and have to sit down, so Frost continues without me. I lay on the grass, looking up at the stars for several minutes before he returns. He helps me up before calling a cab, knowing I won't make it all the way back if we walk. Halfway through the drive back my eyes feel heavy, and I shut them, letting myself fall into a deep sleep.