The Hidden | ✅

Chapter Twenty-Two

The sun shone brightly behind my eyelids as I slowly woke up. I warily opened my eyes and frowned when Alex was leaning over me with his shit-eating grin.

"Hey, Snow White." He smirked. "Sleep well? I mean, I didn't have to kiss you awake, so it wasn't that good, but-"

I shot up and shoved Alex's chest laughing. "Creepy much?"

"Creepy often."

We burst out laughing and as I looked up at Alex I felt...sorry for him. He went through all those things at a young age and he somehow found himself...lost and hopeless. That house was his home, a second chance in this crappy life.

And it was now ruined.

I must've been staring because Alex's brow furrowed. "Hey," He began, "Are you okay?"

I snapped out of it and smiled at him. "Just peachy."

He raised a brow with a smirk, "Okay then." He stood up and stretched, his black tee shirt rising up to reveal the tiniest view of his stomach. "In that case, we should get back to Vic and Nora."

He extended his hand to help me up and I took it graciously. When we arrived to the place where we'd set up camp, Victor and Evanora had something cooking over a fire.

Evanora's eyes widened when she saw us."Guys! You won't believe what we got!"

Alex's nose scrunched up as the metallic smell of blood hit our noses. "Did you guys KILL something?"

Victor shrugged. "Just a squirrel." He said nonchalantly.

"Okay..." I began slowly, "How though?"

Victor grinned. "Wolf." He said simply. I internally winced as I envisioned Victor ripping apart that unsuspecting squirrel in his jaws, his sharp canines ripping into its skin and snapping it's small fragile neck with one colossal crack.

Victor pulled it from over the fire and I watched as he held it out to Alex and I. "Evanora and me already ate ours. We made this one for you."

Alex took it and looked it over. "You know we have snacks in the backpack, right? You didn't have to do this."

"Yeah, but we don't want to be stuck on a diet of nothing but snacks." Evanora explained.

"Plus, it's like a little sliver of our House life. Back when me and Evie would wake up before the crack of dawn to run around in these woods." He furrowed his brow. "We never went this far out, though."

Alex's eyes flashed with something distant before he handed me the squirrel. It had been skinned already and it smelled a little crispy. I bit the inside of my mouth before ripping off a piece and chewing it slowly. It had a slight old taste to it, but it was overall juicy and tender, kind of like chicken.

I took another bite and Alex smiled at me. "Good?"

I chuckled. "Yeah, actually. It's not as bad as I thought."

Victor's offended gasp hit my ears and I grinned at him cheekily.

"As much as I hate to interrupt our down time, the question I have can't really wait that long." Evanora spoke up. We all turned to her expectantly and she began to fiddle with her thumbs. "Well, I mean, humans can only survive for up to 4 days without water and, I know that you guys were in a hurry and all, but you didn't pack water, so I think that that should be our main priority at this point."

I mentally face palmed myself. Of course I would forget something that important! That was only a feat so stupid that only I could achieve it! I sighed. "I'm sorry, guys" I muttered.

"It's fine, Circe. Honestly, I'm forgetful too." Evanora said sweetly.

"Yeah. But Nora is right." Alex began. Dehydration isn't really the sweetest way to go. So let's pack up. I know there's a stream or something nearby. Something has to be sustaining all these animals out here. So let's find it."

I went over to get the backpack but Victor got to it first. "I got it, C." He smiled softly.

I smiled back and retreated to the front of the group with Alex. "Relived of backpacking duties?" He smirked.

I sighed with a small smile. "Yeah. Vic is really sweet."

"Or it's just because you're really weak and unqualified to carry the backpack."

I gasped and hit his shoulder with a snort and we both laughed. I hadn't realized how much I loved to hear Alex's laugh. It was a melody in its own way. And to be honest, it was a good contrast to the Alex from last night.

The Alex who was a crying blubbering mess.

I didn't mind being there for him and comforting him. I honestly felt touched that he trusted me enough to tell me about himself like that. But it was the fact that he looked so broken. I could hear it in his voice and see it in his posture when he talked. He was so small and was forced to grow up so quick. No child should have to endure the torture of seeing their family slaughtered in front of them.

Especially not Alex.

"Hey," He asked suddenly."Everything good up there?"

I looked up at him and saw the concern swirling in his eyes. I wonder if he saw the same thing in mine.

"Never been better."