Chapter 3.5

Fifteen minutes later of speechlessly walking and mostly blending into the shadows we arrived at our destination, to be honest, I was still trying to grasp what Isaiah told me, yes I mean it's his mission to protect me but I never actually thought he really cared. Maybe I really should put my trust in him.

But then how many people have screwed me over, the people I thought I trusted the most. I shouldn't be so naive to fall for his tricks. You're better than this, sternly I had to remind myself.

You get nothing from putting your faith in others.

The vast change of environment slightly stunned me, coming out from the vast busy, crazy streets into the somewhat quiet green area, the complex more like a skyscraper which merged to appear as a single mansion without a doubt looked out of place with the rest of the greenery. But this couldn't possibly be our destination.

"We're here."

I did a double-take on his face trying to suss out any hints of humor in his statement but no, he was actually being honest.

He watched me for a minute as I was trying to comprehend how this could be a safe house, "What?" One side of his lips pulled into a smirk.

"You're joking right, this cannot be it. I thought you said a couple of people were here, not hundreds. Are you sure we won't be found here?"

He was standing so close that when his laugh erupted, the vibration emitted over to me, giving me such warmth. Maybe it was Isaiah himself, he just seemed to radiate heat.

"I'm sure and I'm not lying. I guess they like us to live comfortably, we can die in any one of our missions and they know that. Might as well enjoy ourselves."

It was utterly confusing why his last comment left an empty pit in my stomach. How incredibly sad. Your whole life handed to people that just wanted to use you for their personal gain.

Scratching his head, he smiled., "Maybe that's why it's forbidden to fall in love, it complicates things."

"You're not allowed to fall in love at all. So, you have no one to share your life with. That sounds extremely-"

"Lonely." Asserting himself finishing my sentence for me, he didn't think that I captured that flash of sadness, I did, before it disappeared behind a grin,  "I know. It could be worst. I mean most of us were orphanages, we'd be living on scraps on the street. They adopted us and made us one of their own."

Ever since everything happened, the whole economy worldwide turned upside down one of the many consequences was that money wasn't going into orphanages they were starving, orphans, unfortunately, started dropping like flies, murders of innocent children just to get more food around, worldwide governments shut all of them down, some were lucky getting taking in by families that were willing to help but most were scrubbing on the streets. It was worst in India, they had to be herded into government facilities completely against their own will. No one has seen them since.

" And turned you into their own personal servants, risking your lives. Strange thing for family to do, don't you think? What happens if they even find out? Do you get punished?"

I didn't expect him to look so shocked, surprised even. "They do what they need to and so do we, Alexis. It's the way the world works. My guess is that we're stripped of our titles or rankings but if it's seen as an extreme case it's left in the hands of the director."

"So, they haven't found out about you yet and your extracurricular activities?"

He knew what I was hinting at and just laughed. "Sleeping with people is vastly different from falling in love, Alexis. Anyway, I didn't peg you as a caring one."

Intentionally he searched my eyes trying to bring me to lock eyes with him, eventually, I gave in, "There's a lot you don't know about me, Isaiah."

"Isaiah!" A blob of blonde followed with the voice of a woman running from the entrance of the complex and practically tackled him. Tightening her embrace around him, he returned it back with almost the same ferocity. Almost. But the fact she was so openly free with him was slightly upsetting. With the way she was with him, they had to be something between them.

Nevertheless, any creeping feelings for him left. Back to square one.

"Veronica."

She pulled away examining his face before frowning, gazing back into his eyes, "I was so worried. Your intercom went offline. My gosh, I thought you were dead Isaiah." Wrapping him back in an even tighter hug, she whispered what she'd like to think was just to him but, it was loud enough for me to hear every word. "Don't ever do that again to me, okay?"

She pulled away, smiling and he returned the favor, silently nodding, " I'm sorry."

"I'm just glad you're okay." Cupping his cheek in her hand, tenderly stroking his cheek.

Someone broke the lingering silence, but this voice didn't come from either of them or me, it sounded stern, calculating even, "Veronica, enough. We have surveillance everywhere, you don't want people getting the wrong ideas... " I'm guessing it's the fact that they couldn't fall in love. But where was this surveillance? Scanning the area, a couple of trees and short shrubs came into view, no camera, nothing.

Tracing back to the voice to see two tall boys and one girl, one standing up his brown mousy hair and bright eyes, human eyes, cupping his hands over his mouth in an attempt to possibly give Veronica a hard warning, but the other was leaning on the metal door entrance looking somewhat amused with this situation but then his eyes fell onto me and his piercing green eyes didn't leave mine. Lockdown. I couldn't tell what he was thinking and I couldn't read him, I don't know what made me more terrified. One thing I knew was he wasn't coming from hateful intentions but that was about it. Even after breaking contact I still felt him burning daggers into the side of my cheek.

Swaying her way over, the second girl, her skin resembled that of an eclipsed sun, close to mine but not quite, but still exceedingly beautiful, everything drew me to her, her glistening skin, her broad nose perfect for her face, her warm eyes and bouncy hair. The black boots contrasting with her white skin-tight top and ripped jeans. She was a beauty.

Tugging me into a strong hug, pulling back she looked over to Isaiah, "So this is the savior of the world then? Well, they've made a good choice." But what did she mean, savior of the world? Was it the Nations code for something?

Isaiah grinned, "Nice to see you again Zee. I hope you're putting Jordon in check." Nodding over to where one of the boys were, following her gaze landing on the boy closer to us the look on her eyes was blooming. So much love. It was clear. I wonder if Nations discovered about them yet.

Another set of daggers pierced into the side of my face it was as if this was the first time 'Veronica' actually noticed my existence, our gazes locked her hazel eyes clashing with mine. She beamed at me what seemed like a smile twisted into a slight grimace. "Why didn't you introduce me?" She threw the question to Isaiah but her focus never left mine. If she thought she was intimidating me, she was deeply mistaken. Returning back the harsh stare Isaiah intuitive eyes scanned the current situation, he could visibly see and feel the tension, rotating his stare between the both of us he frowned.

"Yeah, I was planning too. You didn't really give me a chance."

Her next move more or less startled me, she draped her arm through my arm urging me forward, she flicked a gesture to Zee, like they were connected through a hive mind she instantly trapped my other free arm leading me closer and closer towards the entrance, passing the other boys, making their way to formally greet Isaiah, the staring boy pushed himself off the door in a swift motion his green orbs still penetrating mine, all their moves quick, precise, calculated.

That would explain why I hadn't had the time to edge in a quick disappointed response, on their part at least.

"We're going to make you up so well. We never get visitors, I'm so excited." Veronica piped, far too happy for her own good. I wasn't comfortable having people I've only met for the first time, tell you all of that.

Protesting, I tried to stop in my tracks but the strength of them combined was too much, "I don't need a makeover."

A makeover? At this time seemed a little inappropriate, considering this world was practically starving, but their biggest concern was makeup?

"It's not a makeover, you're already stunning, more like a clean-up." Zee attempted to reassure me like that would ease my nerves.

Being here in unknown territory wasn't exactly satisfactory never mind the incessant grabbing.

Straining my head back, seeing the boys standing in unison.

Isaiah. I could clearly read behind his message. For some reason, it seemed he knew a lot more about me than he was letting on. Everything in his blue orbs screamed at me to go with them, enjoy myself and possibly make the friends I never could.

Reassuringly he smiled, which reduced my nerves, ironically now I was terrified of why I felt his smile, his presence, him, so calming.