Kieran gently laid Kali's body under the tree near them. After crying for a few more minutes, he stood up, grimacing with eyes glaring at the monsters disturbing the area. A few moments later, he was like a wild animal, an apex predator, rushing and killing them one by one.Lesley could do nothing but watch the young man fight from a corner. His every attack was ruthless and bloody, filled with rage and hatred.While sitting and watching him, she felt an unfamiliar pain in her chest. Bangs felt distant and strange. He was like a different person in front of her. And not even once did he look or even glance at her."Wh-What happened?!"She turned her attention to Iston, who had regained consciousness. He was gaping at Kali's body, confused. She lazily faced the doctor with her eyes lowered."Mrs. Dapit is gone," she said grievously. "Her body could no longer handle DE01's cells' poison. We couldn't—" she swallowed. "We failed to save her."Iston gasped while he melted to the ground. He
On her way to her cabin, Lesley noticed how busy the surrounding was. Everyone was preparing to evacuate before sunrise. MNA already knows this location, so staying here is no longer safe or wise. A few groups were also assigned to look for Airah, who is still searching for her. She just hopes Ai is safe wherever she is right now.Entering the cabin where she was staying, she found food on the table. Dan probably left it. She peeked at it for a second and then ignored it. She was starving after looking for Bangs all day, but she really could not find her appetite. She is too sad, angry, and annoyed. So instead, she went straight to the bathroom and took a shower. After scrubbing her body of all the blood, soil, and other dirt, she heard someone knock on the door. She stepped out and only covered herself with a towel. And then she carefully peeked to see who was in front of her place at this time of night.Her eyes widened, and her heart beat faster when she saw who it was. She hastil
"Put your things in the car. We'll be leaving in a couple of minutes," said Dan to Lesley and Kieran, who had just finished packing their few clothes.7th Hideout has been compromised. MNA knows this place now, so they are no longer safe here. They are instructed to evacuate to the Main Hideout, where the mastermind behind the Crimson Clan is, Kieran's older sister, Catharina Kingsley."We're ready. We don't have much stuff. It's just clothes," Lesley answered Dan, standing at the door."Alright, I'll wait for you there.""Will you be driving our car?""Yes. Iston will come with us.""But," she scanned him worriedly. "Have your injuries healed?"Dan softly smiled. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine. Iston is a good doctor, and my wounds will heal quickly."She sighed in relief. "Ah, that's good to hear. Thank you for protecting me yesterday.""It's nothing. I'm just doing my duty."She smiled sheepishly. "Oh, right. But thanks anyway.""You're welcome," Dan replied before leaving.Lesle
"I see a diner ahead. It looks like we can stop there," Dan said. They decided to take a short break and parked their car at the diner. The four of them went down and chose a table near the door they entered. Fortunately, no one else was eating there at that time, so they felt more comfortable. They also bought Lesley medicine, and she felt better. "I'll check the engine and the tires. We are still a long way," Dan said after taking his last bite of food. "I'll help you," Iston offered, draining his glass of water. "We'll just call you when we are done," Dan added before walking out of the diner with Iston. Lesley glanced at Kieran. He is sitting across from her. She noticed he barely ate his food. He seems to have the same appetite as her, or the absence of it. "Thank you," she said, breaking the silence. "I was really embarrassed to say that I felt sick. I didn't want to be a burden." He stared at her for a few seconds before answering. "You're not a liability." She blinked a
Lesley slowly opened her eyes when she felt a gentle stroke on her cheeks. Kieran's smiling face greeted her. "Wake up. We're here," he announced.She sprang up and looked around. Iston and Dan just got out of the car, glanced at her for a second, and smiled. She rubbed her face with her palm. The last thing she remembers is Kieran offering to rest her head on his shoulder. She didn't realize she had fallen asleep on his lap. She quickly fixed herself, and then they got out of the car together. A dozen armed men and women appeared before them. Each had the Crimson Clan symbol branded on the part of their clothing or tattooed on their body. It was two letter C's surrounded by a thorny and bleeding rose.Even though the guns were not pointed at them, she did not lower her defense. Her eyes were alert, warily scanning the surroundings. They looked like they were in a huge, spacious underground tunnel. There wasn't enough light to see the corners, but she could tell the thick walls were
Lesley's group was sitting next to each other at the same table. Catharina was in the middle beside Kieran and Dan, while she sat next to Kieran and Iston on the other side.She looked around for Amanda and Patrick but couldn't see them anywhere. Another group of people grabbed her attention, and that was the four mutants who helped them escape from MNA. As far as she remembered, they were Jacoben's men.After a while, four women came to their table and brought them food and drinks."My God, Lanz! We need to catch up, big time!" Catharina exclaimed as if she couldn't wait to talk to her brother.Kieran smiled at his sister. "Yeah, I'm excited to hear how you managed to do all of these.""Well, I got a lot of help, especially from Jacoben. He's the one who told me about everything that happened. That guy just never gave up on you.""That's because he's a good man... which is also his weakness," answered the young man with sadness in his eyes.Catharina sighed. "Right. I feel sorry for
Lesley had been staring at herself in the bathroom mirror for more than a minute now, completely lost in her own thoughts. Her face was still a little wet from washing, and her hands were holding tightly on each side of the sink.She doesn't understand the emotions building up inside her. She didn't know where it was coming from, but something awful was weighing on her chest.She should be happy because she and Kieran have made up, and he is reunited with his sister. In addition to that, they are now in the Crimson Clan's safest fortress, away from the threat of MNA, and she can finally see Amanda and Patrick.But why does it seem like something is missing? She couldn't feel completely happy."Ugh... Les, what's wrong with you?" she groaned as she stared at her own reflection in the mirror.She was fine earlier. But now that she is alone in a quiet room, the noise of her chaotic mind is dominating.Something doesn't feel right, but she doesn't know what it is.She closed her eyes tigh
What just happened? Lesley asked herself.Why can't she be happy despite all the good things that happened today? What is wrong with her?Her palms clenched, and tears fell uncontrollably from her eyes when she realized what was making her feel so heavy and discontented. She couldn't stop comparing Kieran to his old self. She even referred to him as Bangs earlier in front of Catharina by accident. It seems she is yet to move on, that the man he used to be is gone.The man who always longed for her and respected her. The man who will never force her and promised to wait when she is ready to give her first.She hugged herself tightly and sobbed. "Bangs... Bangs..." she bitterly called the name of the man she loved over and over again.She cried all night. She didn't know how long she was like that, but all her remaining strength drained until the lids of her eyes closed, and she surrendered to sleep. It was already noon when she woke up. If it wasn't for the loud knocks on the door, sh