glitched | ✔️

t w e n t y n i n e

Chelsie POV

"I can't say I'm surprised," I managed to get out, blinking at the two lines.

Amara began to stroke my hair.
"It'll be okay, don't worry about anything. I'll do everything in my power to make everything perfect. Perfect for you."

I smiled at her.
"Amara, you can't always be my mother hen you know."

She looked away.
"I know. But things are more complicated than I already thought. Theo wasn't just your usual freak. He had a mission, a mission to ruin our lives, and kill me."

I moved away from her, stunned.

"What?"

"I went to his college, and he had lunged for me, as if to kiss me. But he never got the chance to do anything- Peter killed him with a knife to the back."

My head pounded. "K-killed?"

"It's not what it sounds like. Theo had a knife in his hand. He was going to stab me. A knife that read in latin, 'this iron is buried in the hearts of all who run'."

I clutched my head. "What in hell are you talking about? Are you saying that Theo was part of the Head of Humanity's team all along?"

She shook her head.
"No. There's another group out to get us. Liberty for the Bounded members have been dying left and right, with no clues to their deaths. This game.... it just got a little more dangerous."

"I-I need to lie down." I stumbled into the living room and onto the couch, a hand resting on my stomach.

Amara followed, the dogs at her heels. She looked guilty.
"I'm sorry. You're not in the best condition right now. I shouldn't have dumped all this on your head."

"It's fine," I mumbled, closing my eyes.

Eventually she spoke again.
"Are you... how are you going to tell Liberty for the Bounded?"

I ran a hand through my tangled curls.
"I'll tell Yulia, explain how I was manipulated by Theo, make up some lies, and I think.... I think she'll understand. I think she will try to help me."

"And if she doesn't, than I will find someone who will." Amara declared, picking up the remote to the TV.

Just as we were about to settle down and watch TV the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it." Amara said, handing me the remote.

•••

Amara POV

The door slid open, revealing Peter standing there.

Survivor, who sat in my arms, began to growl lowly.
I laughed, shushing him with a tap to the nose. "He's a friend."
The pup stopped growling, but continued to glare.

Peter blinked at him. "Should I be concerned? Because that looks like a wolf."

"Nah, just got his test back. Purebred Shiloh."

"Am I supposed to know what that is?" Peter asked, entering my apartment.

"Nope," I said happily, peeking into the living room. Chelsie had fallen asleep on the couch.

"You hungry?"

"Sorta, but Amara-"

I cut him off, setting Survivor down and opening the fridge, looking for food.

Peter reached out to touch my arm and I flinched away.
"Amara we need to talk."

"No. No we don't." I replied, shutting the fridge and turning to the pantry.