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Ethan
"Relax man, you should be extremely happy to see us." Ralph said with a smug smile on his face, as he pushed me aside, inviting himself in. "Where's that pretty lady?"
Caramel, who had a lollipop between her lips, Fiona who carried boxes of pizza, and a brighter looking Roman, followed his lead, and all I could do was glare.
There goes my alone time with Ivy.
With a groan, I closed the door, walking towards the chatters.
My house had never been so noisy.
The fact that I never really entertained visitors, was one thing I stuck by. Fiona had only been here once, and it wasn't even up to thirty minutes, Caramel had never been here, but Ralph used to be here, all the time, well... When we were still friends.
"Dude, the fuck? How does he get to live in a place like this?" Caramel asked, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Didn't I tell you?" Ralph butted in. "He's scarce cause he lives like a freaking king here, I mean, I wouldn't be part of the Rebel-lions if I had his life."
I narrowed my eyes at him as I crossed my arms to my chest, standing in a corner and trying so hard to stop myself from glaring. "This is the last time I'm gonna ask this... What are you guys doing here?"
"Word's out that you shot yourself." Fiona said with her mouth full with pizza.
"Yeah, we just wanted to know if you were fine-"
"I'm super, now you can all get out."
"Ethan!" Ivy's voice wiped the glare off my face. "Why are you being mean, they brought pizza." She grinned, taking a slice for herself before taking a bite. "Oh fuck this is so good." She said with her mouth full to Fiona who nodded enthusiastically.
"I know right?"
"Gluttons." Caramel mumbled, her eyes still scanning the space around her.
"Dude." Roman started, placing his hand on my shoulder. "If you're ever in search of a roomie, I'm available. There's so much room to move around, Jesus."
I sighed in defeat. "Are you good?" I asked him, referring to yesterday.
"Yeah, absolutely. I feel a little weird though, hyper active than usual, I'll get used to it." He answered, taking his hand off my shoulder and tucking them away into both pockets.
"And Malcolm? Did he say anything?"
"Not exactly, he's still running some few test to make sure there are no negative side effects. So far, from what I've seen, there are none."
I nodded. "I'm glad you're fine."
He gave a small side smile. "Thanks Ethan, for everything."
"None needed."
"Hey Roman!" Ivy yanked him from the back of his sweater. "You have some serious explaining to do." She said, pulling him away.
The calm on her face meant everything to me at that moment. I could tell she was excited to see him back on his two feet.
Shooting myself had not been much of a risk actually... In that short while, I became so selfish, didn't care about what anyone would have said, felt or think, I wanted to help Roman, hurt myself for putting him in that position, and hurt Glory by putting myself in that position.
I knew threatening her with the gun was of no use, I couldn't hurt her even if I wanted to, I still don't think I have it in me yet to even point a gun at her.
Dean's words and threats were still ever present and fresh in my memory, and it was only a matter of time before he reached out again.
No... I'm not going to think of this now... I promised myself not to ponder on his words and threats, I would deal with him my own way, when the time comes. But I'll be damned if I let him hurt any of my friends or anyone I loved... Even Glory.
"How long has it been? Three years two? You didn't even decorate." Ralph's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Honestly, you're the last person I want to talk to right now." I said, making my way to the kitchen, noticing Ivy and the other's absence, but I could hear their chatters from another side of the house, probably the game room.
Ralph followed closely behind me, but I just plainly ignored him.
"Why?" He asked, just as I was about to open the fridge. I turned towards him, the look of indifference still plastered on my face as I cocked a brow at him from where he stood at the other side of the counter. "Why am I the last person you want to talk to? I mean you seem fine with Caramel, and her offence was even worse than mine-- in fact, I didn't do anything to you. You're cool being friends with everyone else but when it comes to me, you're a complete asshole."
He was right. But I wasn't about to tell him that, I wasn't about to tell him that I was the one undeserving of his friendship, because I broke the very promise we made to each other, the moment I threw the first punch and the moment I slammed my door at his face after he had swallowed his pride and apologized.
"Although, I'm curious," he continued. "Why do you still hate me though? I mean, now we're all working together to get the hell out of this place, I see no reason why I'm still the enemy, it's not like I won the fight that day, you did. And I still came to apologize to you-"
"Point of correction, I don't hate you. Secondly, I don't think there's ever going to be a time when everything will go back to the way it was."
"Why? Cause you can't move on from the fact that you screwed it up? Or because Glory's still keeping a close eye on our friendship."
I swallowed, not replying to that.
"Listen man, you're my brother, and I know you more than you wouldn't want to believe it. It's fine, I'm not mad at you for slamming your door at my face, or for beating my ass off and humiliating me in front of everyone, trust me, its all in the past." He assured. "We're cool, and I hold no grudges. I just wish you wouldn't push me away all the time, it's a terrible feeling, but good thing you know me better than anyone else, I'm not gonna stay away from you even if you were to pull a gun to my face." He smirked. "Grab a pack of Can beer when you decide to join us." He said, as he turned and walked towards the direction the others were.
I let out a tired sigh, already feeling frustrated.
I couldn't deny the fact that he was beyond right. I didn't want him to think that I hated him, I didn't, it was far from that. Very far.
Ivy
When Ralph entered the relaxing game room without Ethan, I didn't think much of it, seeing as he held no look that might arouse any means for me to worry.
He plopped down close to Caramel on the comfy couch where she sat, throwing his hand around her shoulder and pulling her to him. Even though Caramel had denied it for the past minute Fiona and I had bugged her, we could tell there was something more brewing between those two. Ralph was doing nothing to hide that he really did care about her, regardless of her blank expression and terse snappy comments.
I was even more surprised when Fiona told me she had spent the night at the Rebel's sector, with Roman. I knew they also had something between them, but I didn't think it'll escalate pretty fast. At least, not like that... Roman didn't even act like anything happened between both of them, asides from the occasional glances to Fiona's direction, no other means of exchange was seen between them.
I was happy, beyond happy that he was okay, and now together with Fiona. The air in the room was light as we all conversed with each other while Roman and Ralph tried to set up the game pads.
I could feel his hesitance even before he entered the room, with a pack of beer on one grip.
He dropped the pack on the table, his eyes widening as he caught Ralph manhandling some wires, trying to set up whatever game it was they wanted to play. "Hey hey, I'll set it up!" He let out, rushing to where Roman and Ralph were crouched. "Are you guys crazy, do you know how much these wires cost?"
"Uh... You're loaded, what does it matter?" Fiona asked, relaxing back on the bean bag.
Ethan blessed her with a cool look. "I'm saving up for a new motorcycle. I already spent a lot bringing the hub to life, thanks to Ralph who still doesn't know how to spend."
"Wait... What happened to your motorcycle?" Caramel asked.
I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped me, resulting to a glare from Ethan, almost like he was daring me to say anything.
I smiled sweetly at him, keeping quiet.
"Let's just say," Ethan started. "...it met a colourful end." He said, his tone resigned.
I laughed. "A very colourful one indeed."
* * *
Ethan
The day turned out to be... Great. I had to admit. I did have a fun time with everyone, and I temporally forgot about everything we still needed to do. I forgot about Glory, Dean, and even the Lithians, which I had sort of been ghosting. Rider was just about to kill my phone with missed calls and endless text messages. I didn't read them, neither did I intend to reply to them.
I had enough to worry about already. Rider would just have to wait until I sort everything out with Dean.
The cold evening air was as calm as the atmosphere around us six, as I led them outside. "Drive safe Ralph." I said.
Although, you could still feel the tense air around us both, but it was quite obvious a little had changed. I loosened up, just a bit, not too much to the extent of not willing to pull back when there is a cause for pulling back.
"When have I ever not driven safe?" He asked.
Ivy scoffed from beside me. "The fact that I will never let you drive my baby ever again is prove enough when it comes to your reckless driving, Ralph."
Fiona chuckled, coming to hug Ivy. "See you at school tomorrow."
"Yes, See you." She replied with a small smile as Caramel, Ralph and Fiona drove off into the dark, while Roman waited in Ivy's car.
"Do you really have to go?" I turned to Ivy this time. "Roman can just drive your car home."
She wrapped her arms around my shoulders. "Its been almost three days since I've abandon that place. Also, I need to crosscheck the damages Roman has caused to my wardrobe, but I promise I'll text you as soon as I'm back home and all settled."
I sighed. "At this point, I think it's okay to ask you to move in with me." I said, already feeling her absence as I leaned into her warm body against mine, soaking up her warmth and her comfort before it all slips away.
"What?" She asked, pulling back a little to stare at me, her beautiful eyes were wide in surprise.
"It's always so lonely here, Edith won't be back for another week. I sleep better with you here."
She smiled, her cheeks going a little bit red. "Aw, aren't you the cutest."
I tried to roll my eyes, but the smile tugging at my lips made it quite impossible. "Stop calling me cute." I said, brushing her hair from the side of her face. "Not when I'm being so serious. Move in with me."
She paused. "Do you know what you're talking about? That's a huge step."
How is that a huge step? Last I checked, we're yet to cross the huge step. For what I have planned, I needed her here.
"But you're here most of the time."
"That's different Ethan."
Confused, I asked. "How is it different?"
"Because." She said, like it was supposed to mean something. Sighing she leaned up to place a kiss on my lips. My heart, on cue, picking up the unusual pace. "I'll think about it." She murmured against my lips.
"When will I get my answer?" I asked.
"At school tomorrow." She smiled.
I sighed, pulling her closer to me and burying my head against her neck, she was so warm, comfortable, small and cute against me, like she was made for me, the perfect cuddle buddy.
"You're-- squeezing- me." She wheezed out.
Hesitantly, I let her go, taking a step back.
"When did you get so clingy, Murray?" She chuckled, straightening her shirt.
"Like you don't love it." I retorted.
"You bet I do." She smiled, taking a step back. "I love you, and I'll see you tomorrow at school."
I returned the smile, willing my heart steady. "I love you too, text me when you get home, and drive safe."
"I will, bye."
I gave a small wave as I watched her get into her car, starting up the engine and driving off into the night. It was until her back light disappeared, that the loneliness of the night embraced me.
The quiet neighbourhood, now quiet than usual.
I sighed, walking back towards my house, ignoring the vibration of my phone in my pocket, already knowing it was Rider.
He never really did give up. One thing I admire about the guy.
Opening the door to the house, I looked around a bit, a nagging feeling suddenly breezing through me. I ignored it when I didn't see anyone around.
Inside the house was warm, and when I closed the door behind me, it all went suddenly still. Too quiet. Too still.
Three steps further into the living room, I looked around, suppressing a groan. "It's creepy, you know... You don't have to watch from wherever you're hiding, I already know I'm not alone."
"Dang it." A voice said from somewhere around me, followed by his lazy footsteps.
I turned, my head tilting to catch a view of the face, but I didn't. His face was covered with a mask, his unrecognizable eyes was the only part of his face visible to me.
"She did say you were pretty smart, and extraordinarily vigilant."
"Who the fuck are you?"
He waved his hand dismissively. "Eh... No one of basic importance."
He looked about my age, hazel eyes shinning with mischief.
"Who- the fuck- are you?"
He took off the mask, throwing it aside, a smirk appearing on his face. I still didn't recognize him.
"I recall my parents naming me Silas about 80 to 89 years ago, honestly, I've lost track about my identity, some people called me Subject 541, others patient Zero and shitty names like that."
I furrowed my brows, confused. "What?"
"See, I'm no one of basic importance, if I were to break it down for you, I'd spend the whole night talking instead of retrieving you."
"Retrieving me?" I scoffed. "Who sent you, Dean? Glory?"
"Eeh," he shrugged. "One of both, but who cares anyway, I'm finally out of that facility." He flexed his muscles. "locked up for over 86 years, in a dark corner of the dimension, like some test subject gone wrong-" He paused, looking up to think. "Uh... Basically, I was a subject gone wrong, but no need to brush that topic now-- wait, what year exactly is it?"
"2019."
"Fuck, that's over 89 years, Glory's a bitch... I still love her for letting me out though." He rubbed his palms together. "I'm gonna be nice and ask you to come with me gently, no questions asked, what do you say?"
I sighed. "Listen here, Silas, Subject 541 and Patient Zero, I'm not up for beating up anyone today, okay, you can hop back to whoever sent you, and tell them to come fight another day, hm? Have a nice night."
He frowned. "You clearly want to do this the hard way."
I groaned. "Get out of my house."
He smirked. "Like hell I would." Then he charged, super fast, his feet not entirely meeting the ground, but I was quick enough to send him flying the other direction, by pushing him, and landing a blow to his jaw, merely missing his neck as his back connected with my couch, shifting it to the end of the room.
"Ugh! I fucking hate decorating, you punk!" I heard myself say, as I reached him, grabbing him by the collar of his jacket.
He pushed me, my grip loosing from his jacket.
"Pardon me," he growled out, his eyes glowing bright red. "I'm a little bit rusty." Then he charged again, quicker this time, his fist connecting with my stomach, his leg hitting the back of my knee, almost sending me down.
I would have commended his strength if he wasn't aiming for my face with his fist. I blocked it, my hand landing a blow to his ribs, earning a groan of pain from him.
If felt like every hit I gave him, fueled his anger, cause his fist landed on my face, sending me across the room, my back hitting the shelf that held different collections of disks, one of Edith's favourite possessions in my house. The disks came tumbling down on me.
It didn't take long before I felt his feet connect with my ribs, sending a bone crushing pain through me. The next kick stopped mid air cause I held on to his boot, twisting his ankle, the crack sound breaking through the air.
He yelled, retreating.
I took that opportunity, tackling him to the ground, as he tried to fight me off.
His fist connected with my ribs, mine with it face.
With what felt like his a whole ton of energy from him, he pushed me off him, but I didn't fall back, I grabbed his arm twisting it to a dangerous angle as he tried to fight free of my tackle, my leg, with force, came to land on his shoulder, another crack bursting through the air, followed by another loud grunt from him.
I tackled him again, landing a blow to his now bloody face, his lip busted his nose broken, and a really ugly cut on his brow and cheek.
The metallic taste in my mouth told me my face was pretty bruised too.
He still fought to get me off him.
Our strengths matched, seeing as it took a lot from anyone to draw blood from me.
He pushed me off him again, this time, not giving me space to even catch my breath as he hit me again with his good hand, I could feel my rib shatter, I didn't live through the pain before he hit me on the face, quickly fishing for something in the pocket of his jacket as he pinned me to the floor, his ragged breathing heavy.
I noticed a syringe with a red substance on his grip.
"When she told me I- I couldn't beat you, I didn't think it was possible. But hey, you're also a patient zero, I should have expected this."
I didn't get the chance to ask what he meant by that, or to even think about it, before the needle came plunging to my chest.
He pressed down on it, emptying the content into me.
I felt it, squeezing my heart and seizing my breath. I struggled to breathe as I watched him smirk.
"Hurts doesn't it? It just feels like you can feel yourself dying eh? Don't worry, this will be quick."
The air was out of my lungs in an instant, my throat closing up, blocking any means I had to fight for air. My heart was shrinking against my chest. My whole body shaking, fighting against what was currently pulling it down.
"How long does it take you to die?" He asked, his eyes shinning in wonder. "Takes me about a few seconds. Glory tells me it'd be your second time dying. How was the first?"
Bastard!
His form began to fade pretty quickly, my body feeling so tired of fighting. Numb was how I began to feel, no longer in control of my body or my will to fight.
His glowing red eyes fading to the normal hazel, was the last thing I saw before the lights went out.
__
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What do you think of this chapter?
Who remembers Subject 541? If you don't, reflect back to the prologue and just glance through!
Riona is finally together.
Ethan................. (â¥â¯ï¹â°â¥)à¸
Ivy should have stayed, do you agree?
How bad do you want the next chapter!
See you Rebels in the next update, till then. Stay beautiful.