Operation W.A.R.

Chapter 19

Gregory's POV-

-What?! Not even the orphanage? You are useless. Get out!

Stupid policemen. How dare they come to me without them? After even getting orders from the president herself. They can't have gone far, but considering that they left without their bracelets, they could be anywhere, even the other side of the world. Damnit!

-Sir?

Judith knocks on the door and I let her in.

-What is it?

-Any news of the subjects?

-No, none. I can't believe it. Where could they be? 

-I don't know. We need to keep looking, maybe they'll be found soon, or they'll come back.

-Please, stop trying to make me feel better. It's not working. And besides, why would they come back? They found out why they were here in the first place. 

She knows I'm right, and thank goodness she's not saying anything back. The last thing I needed was for her to start talking some more crap. If I don't find them, Raquelle will fire me, or worse. Luckily Judith decides to leave the room and closes the door behind her, leaving me in peace. Where could those kids be? 

Branton's POV-

-So, how exactly are we getting there?

Getting to Ascana is an entirely different thing than escaping from the facility. How exactly will we do it? I mean, I could probably do it on my own, but there's the others I'm worried about, except for maybe Jack. 

-I had an idea, but it's probably entirely stupid and exhausting. 

Kath's voice actually catches me off guard. I was expecting Akilah, 'cause, well, I miss it.  We're walking through the grass towards Uthington, Jack and me in the lead, protecting the ladies.

-And exactly what did you have in mind?

I've noticed Stella and Kath haven't really been getting along lately. Wonder what that could be, but that's not important right now, I guess. Kath then stops in her tracks, the rest of us following her lead and also low-key staring at her. 

-Well, I know I'm not the best a teleporting, but I could try doing that and bringing one person with me at a time. We could get there faster.

-What!?

There is the voice I was practically dying to hear. I look at her and she wears a shocked, almost disgusted expression on her face. Kath is confused and has a right to be.

-Don't make me repeat that.

-No. I mean, how much of an idiot can you be?

-I hope that's sarcasm.

True fear is shown on Kath's face and even takes a step back from Akilah, who was standing next to her. It's kind of amusing. 

-Your teleportation sucks. I've seen it. If something were to go wrong, which it most likely would, I wouldn't want to know what would happen to anyone that dares to volunteer. What if half of their body stays behind?

OK, someone is a little crazy right now, but she's actually not wrong.

-I volunteer.

What the heck just came out of my mouth?

-Branton, are you nuts?

-Probably.

Even I scare myself sometimes. 

-Look, Akilah, I see your point, but I could try myself first and see where it gets me. 

-Yeah, I would prefer you went by yourself. I don't want to see anyone hurt. 

-Fine. I'll ditch the idea, but this is the perfect chance to practice more teleportation.

In that moment, Kath just disappeared.

-Great. And there she goes.

Akilah just looks so annoyed, and I have to admit, it's kind of cute. 

-She'll show up. Let's get going. We want to get somewhere someday.

Jack is not OK though. I can hear it in his tone of voice, it makes me sad. He goes on walking and I follow him, not waiting for the girls to catch up. 

-Dude, you good?

I put my hand on his shoulder, and he slightly looks back to see my face. 

-Yeah, don't worry about it, man. It's not worth talking about.

-It is when you're not in shape, and by that I mean your face.

-Very funny.

Not even a small grin came across his face, and that is really worrying. 

-Alright. Now tell me. I cannot stand not knowing.

-You almost sound like Akilah. Don't. She already scares me enough.

His sarcasm isn't the best, but points for trying.

-Come on. I won't stop until you tell me.

-Alright. 

He takes a pause, only causing more suspense. 

-Kath cut me off.

What? She did what? There is something wrong with that chic.

-No way, man. That's not cool, at all. Why?

-No idea. But I liked her and things definitely didn't go my way.

-Woah, liked? As in past tense? 

-Yep. Sorry. 

Dude, that's insane. Thank goodness Akilah can't do that to me. Jack keeps walking forward in the hot sun, leading the way back to Uthington. Could this have something to do with Kath and Stella acting weird? Maybe. It had always been obvious that Stella felt something special for Jack, but I thought Kath liked him to, making me confused. I feel like I have to do something about this, but what? I don't even know why I want to do something about it. 

-Branton! What the heck are you doing?

Akilah yells my name, when I notice that I've been totally out of it and was left behind. 

-Oops. Sorry.

I run to catch up to them, ignoring the questions asked.