Diabolus: The Lost Phoenix

Chapter Twelve

LEXI SPENCER

After the never ending lights of the city, I underestimated the utter blackness of nighttime in the woods. It was so dark I was barely able to see where I was going. There were only small sounds of rustling bushes and the howl of the wind, leading us to the place we never saw before.

It was a long, unfamiliar way outside of the city; from the lightened ways of the freeway, we turned to the little gravel road, leading us deeper and deeper in the woods, until it was so dark that we almost lost the man we were following; but fortunately, we finally found out where he was hiding.

It has big concrete walls surrounding it, so you could never see what's inside. Like a prison?

It could be an abandoned prison.

The place is hidden away from unwanted eyes, and also, well guarded. Many guards are surrounding the walls, standing by the entrance; like it was a military base, but we all know it definitely isn't. All of those men's body-types are closer to gorilla than human; and I feel surprised how heavily armed they are. The weapons aren't out on display, but I watched them long enough to know where they're hiding their toys.

I saw the guy, Leonardo; the one they told me about, how he abused and raped Beverly. And I know everything has to go as planned; but I can't wait for him to die. Even that I don't know him; I can feel what Beverly felt. I want him dead because he hurt her, because he's a villain. And villains only desire for power and money, they think nothing of making others suffer, as long as they gain advantage. Their aggression is destructive because they lack empathy, because they made choices for emotional coldness - those infinite paper cuts to the soul. I know that because I was; probably am a villain myself.

Through the years I've learned that it's easier to be alone, feeling nothing, being with yourself, trusting only yourself. Because when you act good with people, they expect good. And I don't want anyone to have those expectations, because I don't want to be who I am not.

But having friends, having people who care about you... it feels nice. No matter how hard it is to get used to it.

"Ah, finally I can relax a little."

We stopped in the woods, but to be able to watch the big concrete walls and the entrance to the place; in case we would see a blond girl or someone that could be that man named Yellow Eye.

And of course, Kai had to leave us to watch. Because Leonardo doesn't know me or Aaron.

"Do you mind!?"

He takes out a bag of chips and places his feet on my lap, shoving the chips into his mouth with a curved smile on his face.

"What? It's going to be a long night. Let's make ourselves comfortable."

"Like spending the night with you wasn't enough for a punishment."

I shake my head and lock my eyes to the entrance of the place, to the armed guards; avoiding any eye contact with Aaron. But as much as I try to convince myself that it's not, his touch feels nice. Especially after that night we spent together.

"Last time you weren't so unhappy about it..." I feel Aaron's finger, how he slowly draws it down my arm and I turn back to meet his seductive dark eyes, together with an alluring grin on his handsome face. "What was that you were saying? Oh, Aaron, don't stop!"

I slap his arm as he starts laughing; from deep inside his chest comes a great shaking motion and his face muscles grow tight. I fold my arms, my eyebrows arch, but before I could stop myself my straight mouth twitch upwards and I am giggling.

"You're a dick. You know that?"

"I have one, and you really liked it."

I roll my eyes when I'm feeling my mouth going dry, remembering that night back in New York, in Aaron's hotel room. As I think about the way he touched me, kissed me, I feel my cheeks flush hot, and my stomach gets heavy. I hate this feeling. I hate it because I don't know why I feel that way.