The Protectors

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

I open my eyes. I'm dead. I know it.

But why is my heart still beating??

I open my eyes and take a look at the grounds around me. There's the train tracks to my left, and here I am, and to my right is Melanie and...

Topaz?

I blink a few times and try to get an understanding of my surroundings, as memory floods back into my mind. Cristian, the note, Melanie, the cameras, the train tracks... Where are Cristian and Nixi anyways?

I look in front of me. Cristian and Nixi are on the ground. Nixi is holding her arm, groaning. Cristian is beginning to sport a black eye, motionless on the ground. Topaz must've knocked him out.

I turn to Topaz. He has a serious expression on his face.

"How did you know we were here?"

He grimaces. "As if Nixi's screams weren't enough, you sure did make a commotion leaving the dormitories. You sure woke everyone else up, too. They all went back to sleep, but I decided to come check out what was happening. You've caused enough trouble here already." He gives a short laugh, but I don't think he was joking around. "Anyways, It seems like you've had a pretty large target on your back lately, and considering your new promotion," he gives a hint of a smile, "we really couldn't afford you getting murdered."

My head is still spinning. "Thanks, Topaz. You saved me and I don't know how I'll repay you. No, really," I interrupt as he rolls his eyes, "I mean it. I'm not trying to be the damsel in distress. You know I'm not that type of person."

"I should hope so." He chuckles. "You can repay me by please, just staying out of trouble. I don't think he would've actually killed her, he's just looking to mess with your head. And I guess put you in some danger." He looks back to Cristian, who is still motionless on the ground. The black eye is pretty noticeable now. "But I don't think he's stupid enough to ignore the technology this place has. They would've been able to trace his fingerprints."

I didn't think about that. "Yeah, that's true. But then Melanie would also be dead. And I don't think that would've worked out too well." I look at her. "Everythig alright?"

She's still shaking. "Oh, Emity, I thought you were gone for sure! I'm so glad Topaz made it. Thank you again," she turns to him, and he nods. "One more thing, Topaz. I'd love to give Emity a hug, but I'm kind of in a stringy situation. Got a knife on you?"

He laughs again. "You two would've had no chance tonight without me, huh? You don't need a knife. Remember what we learned in stage one?"

"Oh yes, of course," she says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Sorry for asking for a quick favor." She and I struggle a bit, it takes us about five minutes but we are finally free. She leans over Topaz and gives me a giant bear hug. We embrace for a minute, and I turn back to Topaz. "You had a knife on you that whole time, didn't you?"

He shrugs. "You can always use some practice."

I roll my eyes and turn back to Cristian and Nixi. "What are we going to do about them, anyways?"

Topaz kicks Cristian over. He rolls onto his stomach, still motionless. Nixi seems to have balcked out from pain, too. "Whatever you two want. I'm sure a night in the cold won't hurt them."

"No, we'll take them to the infirmary. They are our fellow initiates, after all. What goes around, comes around- they'll get what they deserve sooner or later."

Topaz just shrugs again. "Whatever. That's your decision."

I go to pick up Nixi and Topaz helps Melanie with Cristian. "Let's just check them for weapons first, so they can't harm anyone else."