The Trials

The Aftermath // Chapter 16

I lay flat on the ground, my rapier laying next to me. What was that? Who were they? Is Clint actually dead? So many questions are racing my mind, and I want more answers. But, the guy who is supposed to give us these answers has been shot, and probably dead, from these unknown people known as Ace and Spade.

"Orion! Are you alright?" Reyna drops to the ground next to me and puts her daggers on the ground.

"Yeah, I'm fine" I say and sit up and look around. Miles is still on the ground, but Cameo is standing up talking to Zoe away from the crowd. Everyone else is around, talking to each other and batting eyes back at the glass room, where I can faintly see Clint there. "How is he?" I ask Reyna and she takes in a deep breath and exhales.

"He's gone" she tells me and I feel my heart drops. "Zoe tried her best, but he needed medical care for his condition but we couldn't get there in time" She days and her voice lowers. "Are you going to stay?" She asks me and I'm puzzled. "Here, I mean"

Is she leaving the organization? No, we just learned about our new abilities, and apparently there's a need for us. We can't just leave, right? "No, I'm going to stay" I tell her and her face relaxes a bit.

"Me too. Honestly this all scares me so much but I think they need us here. Obviously there's a threat around, and they're going to need people like us to stop those others with the scarves" She lets off a small chuckle and I give one off in return. "That's quite a sentence" She says with a faint smile, but our calmness is soon gone.

"Okay guys, gather around" Cameo says and we all gather around him. Everyone except Jack. Where is he?

"Anyone have any idea where Jack is?" Cameo asks us and we look around, but no one has any idea. "Great, just spectacular" He says in a sarcastic voice and continues on, "I'm going to look for him. No one move, hear me?" He finishes and moves towards the glass room and Zoe closely follows behind him. 

"This is beyond crazy" Evan starts and crosses his arms. "I'm not staying, I'm leaving. I don't understand what's going on anymore, and honestly I don't want to. I'm out" He says and turns around and starts to leave. 

"Stay, Evan" Maia says and he stops in his tracks. "They need us" 

"She's right" Miles says and gets up off the floor. "Forget about me?" He says with a snicker and walks towards us with a limp. "Maia is right. We need you guys. I know I'm not the most friendly guy, but Corp 4 needs you. Evan, we need every single person we can get" 

The words linger in the air as Evan is still motionless, with his back towards us. He turns around quickly, and spits out a few words. "Need us for what? Clint is dead" He says and the tension is real. "Corp 4 doesn't exist without a boss, right? This is crazy!" He ruffles his hair and clenches his fist. We watch as they become covered in metal, but it's starting to spread up his body. 

"Evan, take a deep breath. Seriously, chill" Miles says and Evan hesitates for a moment and let's off a deep sigh, and the metal starts to retreat back off his hands. "Lesson 1, don't let emotion overcome you. You get too angry, too overwhelmed, too anxious, your powers will overcome you, and well, that doesn't end well. 

We all nod in approval and understanding. Cameo approaches us and Jack is following behind him. He looks like an emotional wreck, but I don't blame him. 

"Alright, Jack's okay, he was just having a moment. I hate to bring this news, but Clint is dead." The words sit in the air, and guilt fills my stomach. It wasn't any of our faults, I shouldn't feel this way, but I do. "As terrible as this is, we have to move forward. Tomorrow morning, 8am, we are all going to meet in the cafeteria. From there, we are going to discuss plans on further actions, does that sound fair to everyone?" I nod, and everyone follows suit. 

"Cameo is boss now everyone, got it?" Miles says and I feel surprised by his words. Miles didn't seem like the person to just give away positions like that, especially since he was holding a grudge the entire time. "And I mean it too, Cameo's the best one to run operations around here. I'll be his right hand man" He said with a smile and crosses his arms. 

"We aren't pirates" Avalon said and we all let off a little smile. 

"Thank you, Miles" Cameo said and gave him a head nod. "I'll be sure to not let any of you down, I promise" He said, acknowledging each of us. I trusted him, he always felt sincere and genuine. The organization was going to be in good hands with him. 

We each went back to our rooms, and I crashed on the chair in the corner of the room. Avalon was sitting on his bed, writing in his notebook while I laced my combat boots. 

"Hey Frosty, what do you think those people wanted?" Avalon said, cutting the quiet air. 

"Something about a flashdrive. They seemed very strong in finding that. Whatever is on it, is apparently needed by them" I reply and he sets down his pen. 

"That's a valid assumption. I hope we can get everything figured out, and stay safe. But, we're under Cameo's care now, along side with Miles. And I don't mean anything bad by this, but they're both a little more open than Clint ever was. I hope it stays that way" He finishes and I give him a nod in approval. 

"Yeah, me too. I think we're in better hands now. Now, we just have to survive whatever is coming" I reply. I hope we're in better hands, at least.