In the Blink of an Eye

Chapter 14: Is it really you?

"Where did you get that scar from?"

"I think we should all answer that," Alec said and I furrow my eyebrows. I was about to ask what he meant when the rest of the guys pulled their shirts up, pointing at different places on the upper bodies.

Liel has a bullet scar on his upper back. Alec has a bullet scar on his rib area. James has a bullet scar on his lower back.

My eyes widen when I look at all of them. Their eyes holding stories and pain.

"We got shot in an attack. Liel and Max were shot during the attack. James and I were shot during torture. We were kidnapped. My father rescued us before we were able to die," Alec explained and I nod, feeling tears rim the edges of my eyes. They put their shirt down and I turn back to making the food.

"How come you can talk so easily while making food?"

"Um..." I sniffle and clear my throat. "It's kind of like when I run. It makes me focus on something else instead of the thing I talk about. I guess it just makes it easier for me to spit out."

"Why do you go into shock after you pass out?" I tense at this question. I trust these guys for some reason. I feel safe when they're around. Are they all agents? Do they know that I am Liel's mission?

"Um... Liel? Can you show them my back?" I ask quietly. Liel walks up behind me but before he pulls my shirt up, he leans closer to my ear.

"You don't have to answer them. I know this is hard for you," he whispers and I sigh.

"I trust them. All of you guys make me feel safe. I haven't felt that since my father was still alive," I say and Liel nods. He pulls my shirt up, exposing my whole back.

"Do you guys see that long knife scar on my left rib cage?" Everyone searches for a moment and then they shake their heads. I roll my eyes and I point to the scar effortlessly. I know where each of my scars are. I made sure I knew where each scar was, just in case I needed evidence for something.

"This one. It was a deep cut. The knife that stabbed me was so sharp that it broke one of my ribs. My rib punctured my lung and so now I have health difficulties. So... If I pass out, I would have trouble breathing and/or I would stop breathing. So I have to do something in order to get my lungs working again."

"Damn... That's... That's a lot. How do you know all of this?"

"I went to the hospital. They explained my injuries but they missed the complications that came with it so I found out what happens the hard way. But, I didn't ever go to the hospital again." The guys stayed silent, looking down at the ground. I keep cooking until it's finished.

"Snacks are ready," I say quietly. The guys all huddle around me and I tense up. I hate being surrounded, but I know they won't hurt me.

The next thing I know, the guys are all hugging me in comfort. This small little gesture brings tears to my eyes.

"We love you, Si. Although we only just met you, we see you as our sister now." And that made the waterworks explode.

I sob as the guys embrace me harder. They all say comforting words and all I do is nod at them numbly, knowing I can't say any words.

Soon, my sobs quiet down and turn into sniffles. The guys pull away and I rub my eyes, cleaning the tears from my face.

"I should be comforting you guys too. I mean... You guys could've died during that attack," I say and the guys all scoff.

"You've been through way worse, Princess," Liel says and I look at him with questioning eyes.

You've been abused for a long while by your dad. You're an agent so you must see some pretty horrid stuff.