It's Your Call

Chapter Ten: All Out

"Everything?" Ben repeats, his brows furrowing ever so slightly as he does so.

"What? Nervous, Bylilly? What's wrong? Have something to hide?" Kaien retorts, the smirk on his face widening at Ben's reaction.

And just like that, Ben's confident facade immediately returns. He shakes his head, a smile forming on his lips. I think I can almost hear a smirk trying to break through his voice.

"I have nothing to hide," Ben replies with an innocent look covering his face.

"Then why do I feel like you're closed off?" Kaien presses, raising an eyebrow. He leans forward off the log and across Embry, towards Ben.

"I'm not. I'm completely open," Ben says, leaning forward across Jake slightly as well.

"Open, huh?" Kaien retorts, snarling his words slightly as he does so. He narrows his eyes at Ben, his smirk slowly turning into a scowl.

"Like a book," Ben spits out, the smile on his face never faltering.

They stay like this for a few moments. Staring at each other. Kaien is staring at Ben with a skeptical look, trying to search his soul for any stains. Ben is staring at Kaien with a confident look, almost begging him to find something he's hiding.

"I don't believe you," Kaien finally shrugs after a few silent minutes.

"You don't? Then feel free to interrogate me if you like. Like I said, I have nothing to hide," Ben replies with a shrug of his own, leaning back on the log.

Kaien snaps his gaze from Ben to Sam, who gives him a single approving nod. Kaien lets out a quiet chuckle before standing up from the log. He walks to the side of the fire, grabbing a thick piece of firewood from the pile. Carrying it over in front of Ben, he stands the wood on its end before sitting down on it.

"Alright, Bylilly. Let's see just how open you are," Kaien smirks, resting his elbows on his knees in a dominant manner.

Kaien sends a glance in my direction, almost as if he's asking for my approval as well. Jake notices this and, once again, tenses slightly at the sight. I send a small smile to Kaien and as soon as I do he turns his gaze back to Ben.

"Your mother. You said she died, right?" Kaien spits out as if it's no big deal.

"Kaien!" I gasp, leaning forward toward him.

"No, (Y/n). It's quite alright. Yes. She died. Six years ago last month," Ben states, his voice almost sounding cold as he does so.

"How'd she die? You do something to her?" Kaien asks, quirking an eyebrow.

Ben's confidence falters a little at the second question that comes from Kaien's mouth. His eyes widen as he stares forward at Kaien.

"Of course not! She just got sick. Something terminal. It runs on her side of the family. There was nothing we could do to save her," Ben explains, his voice thawing out little by little.

"What about your dad? Where's he at?" Kaien moves on, sounding a little too uninterested.

"He passed away a few months ago. Car crash."

I can't help but notice the small wince he does as Kaien mentions his father. I'm guessing his relationship with him wasn't as good as the one he had with his mother.

"Well that's convenient," Kaien scoffs, rolling his eyes. He crosses his arms over his chest and tilts his head slightly to the side.

"Kaien," Jake warns, sending him a trying glance.