Maybe

Chapter 11

It was 5 in the morning when I awoke. I felt as if I had rested and felt energized. Stretching my limbs, I get off bed and walk out the room. And very silently I make my way to the studio were my backpack and phone was at. But before opening the door I heard Andrew talking to another person.
"Why would you even do something like that? That is not how we follow protocol. What is going to happen afterwards?" Was the curt tone of a mystery man. I made sure to stay secluded, listening to the conversation.
"What protocol am I to follow? This is a sensitive case we have taken upon ourselves. You know just how fucked up the people these kids are dealing against," was the Count's tense response.
"I can't say what you can and cannot do. But taking a risk so major as to even become his teacher, and bringing them to the safe house was a step I would have never consider you taking. Have you thought of Taylor? Or Ana? What this means?"

"Don't you think I know?! Do you think I do not know the implications? What would you have me do? I couldn't let either of them be exposed to that monster again. Besides, you know this is bigger than all of us. We need to be smarter, more unified. Look past the protocol and see things for what they are."

"I'm just surprised more than anything that another person is sharing your room aside from Taylor, that's all. You are getting too attached."

"Just like how I did with you and the rest."

"You know this is different. Because he is different."

I didn't want to listen to anything more. I was torn. I didn't know what to think. This was big, and for some reason I didn't feel prepared. I knew about us being trafficked but just to what extent did this reach? How entangled was this web of lies and deceit?
I couldn't say I was shocked, I knew just how bad my family was, and I would have left if it wasn't for Emma. She was my light at the end of the tunnel. I needed to know if she was safe. She was too pure for any of this shit that was taking place.
And another part of me was wondering who Taylor was. Who was this person? And why did he share his bed with me?
There were too many questions and hardly any answers. I decided to walk back before I heard Andrew reply, "You have no idea the havoc that kid will bring one day. It's all part of a bigger plan. And he is center key."

There was a silence until the other guy spoke.
"What center plan? He is probably the biggest fool in all this. He has no idea what is happening and he is not as important as you make him to be. He's just a boy, and in all honesty, I would rather you focus on getting shit done. For everyone's sake, especially Taylor, we need to put an end to their power."

How I wished I could see this person's face. And the Count's as well. There was so much mystery in all this. Just who was he? What is it that I don't know? Everything is coming very soon, and I don't know how to stop it.

"Just trust me, this kid will be strong enough."

"Strong enough to go to the gym? You know what happened last time."

There was a pause, a deafening silence stretching longer by the minute.

"And he will not be alone, I will be there."

"What the fuck has gotten into you? Remember last time? Remember what they did? Do you think they're going to forget you?"

"I have changed from last time and you know it."

What was the gym? What did it mean?

I waited some time before realizing no conversation was flowing any longer, I had to leave quickly before getting caught. So I slowly retreated my steps back into the bedroom. I laid down and closed my eyes when I heard Andrew coming. I turned away from the door, afraid to get caught by my flushed cheeks and erratic heartbeat.

I didn't say anything, but I felt him lay down next to me. And after some more time I felt him reaching his arm out and draping it over my torso. I was flush against his chest before I knew it and his nose sniffing my hair. A shudder passed through my body, nothing I had ever felt before. But I still pretended to sleep.

I heard him talk under his breath, only catching bits here and there, "... fight.....strong... I'm sorry... sacrifices... feel... you..."

At the last part he held on to me stronger, and gave a soft peck to the back of my head. And with that I released a breath I was holding and melted into his touch.

We didn't say anything, and I slowly started to relax, not wanting to think of anything, drifting once again to sleep.