In the Blink of an Eye

Chapter 29: Oh, you cute little Gumdrop

Liel's POV

How could James not tell us? Why would he keep a secret like that? Why wasn't I more excepting when I found out my best friend's biggest secret?

I am in the secret gym in the house and I am punching my brand new blue punching bag. No one is down here bothering me so I guess Siayla has something to do with that. I have to thank her once she's done yelling at me for holding James at gunpoint.

I add more force to my next punch, going over all the 'what if's about that mishap that took place earlier. The chain that is holding the punching bag jingles and clinks as I send one-two punches. I hear the door slam open and shut but I don't stop.

"Liel," Siayla's voice says from behind me and I stop with a sigh. I don't look at her though, I just rest my head against the bag. "Tell me what you're thinking."

No yelling? Where's the disappointment? Am I going to face her? I think not!

"I... How come he didn't tell us about him being Bullet? I know that he was scared but... He could've trusted us with it. We would've helped him through it-"

"Stop," Siayla cuts me off and I inwardly groan. Here comes the storm. "You're talking like he is able to get out of it. Like he wants to get out of it. He's helped many people. Yes some of them were bad people but he still helped for good causes. I know this because I've inspected his work for years now. I know most of his techniques. But I never fought him for the throne in the dark world. I have respect for him. I trust him. You want to know why?"

I really don't want to know why because I know I am just going to feel even more guilty than I already am. Taking a deep breath, I nod.

"I trust and respect him because he was the only person able to hack into my dad's hardest firewalls." My eyebrows shoot up in surprise and I turn around to see her looking at me with sadness in her eyes. "Dad told me about Bullet. He told me Bullet was able to pass through his firewalls in a week of nonstop working. Bullet didn't know that dad was watching his every move. Dad was proud of Bullet actually. I never understood why until now."

I look down with furrowed eyebrows and Siayla walks closer to me. She places her hand on my cheek and I look into her eyes.

"Dad was proud of James because dad knew something was going to happen to him soon. He was glad to know that someone would be able to carry on his work until I got old enough," Siayla says with a small smile and I stare at her with an expressionless face.

"I messed up badly. I shouldn't have held James at gunpoint. I've known him since we were kids. How could I do that do my best friend?" I ask quietly and Siayla's smile widens into a big, proud smile. She wraps her arms around me and I wrap mine around her. "I'm sorry, Princess."

"It's fine, Lee. Now, go talk to James. I need some sleep. And we're practicing with our daggers tomorrow. So be ready." I gulp as Siayla unwrap herself from me and she walks away with a smirk.

That lady's dangerous.

***

Beep! Beep! Beep!

No! I don't want to wake up! It's too early.

I open my eyes and I look out the window. The sun isn't even out yet! Ugh... I want to go back to sleep but I know that Siayla will kill me.

Slamming my hand on the 'dismiss' button on my alarm clock, I yawn loudly and I sit up. My eyes are half-closed as I attempt to get out of bed but fail when I fall face-first on the floor, tangled in my blankets.

"Did you seriously just face plant?"

"No. I just wanted to kiss the floor," I say sarcastically and Siayla scoffs. I get untangled and I stand up. I see Siayla leaning against the door frame and I roll my eyes.