The Coder

Chapter 25: Starting Our Journey

    We start heading down the halls towards and office that I knew had a map taped to its wall and it was eerily quiet. No screams. No angry voices. Not even the slight creak of the building settling.

    Even if it was quiet, I kept an eye out. You never knew what would pop out of a corner and hurt you. We didn't need that yet. We still had a long ways to go before we could even think about reaching the front doors.

    In fact, we were an entire wing away from the front exit, but that wasn't what we were heading for. If I remember correctly, there was a stream out back by the old fence that separated the prisoners from the real world. I remember seeing a small in the chain link fence that we could possibly pry off.

     But with Chris's strength we had no problem with that. What was going to be the hard part was getting past anyone that could be out there standing guard. I wouldn't be surprised if Murkoff had placed guards outside to keep us in since his guards failed at defending themselves while inside.

    I take in a deep breath of the musty air and let it out slowly. It was going to be heaven to take in some fresh air. I hadn't breathed fresh air since Waylon opened up that door to the courtyard for us.

    And don't go saying, "But what about that? Couldn't you escape through there?" Trust me, you can't. I have already looked into it. Last time I checked, there was barbed wire along the top of the fence and the bottom. We would never be able to get through that. It would tear us to shreds.

    I feel a tug on the hem of my vest and hear a small whimper behind me. I turn back to see Waylon looking at me with his large brown eyes. They were beginning to get their color back as tears began to threaten to spill. I looked at his small pink lips quivering and his body was shaking badly.

    From a window beside us I hear a loud crack as thunder and lightning struck. Huh, I hadn't realized it was beginning to rain until now. Shit!

    I quickly grab a hold of Waylon as a loud yelp escapes his lips. The others follow behind me as I pull him into an office and close the door behind us.

    "Chris block up the window, quick!" My voice was beginning to shake as I see the sight before me.

    Waylon was thrashing around wildly and clawing at his eyes furiously, probably trying to get rid of the images. Small whimpers escapes his lips once again as I pull him into my arms pull him into the corner of the room. He would probably feel safer there. He squirms in my hold but not enough for me to believe that he actually wanted out. He was just scared, that was it.

    I pull him into my lap and hold him close with a tight hold. He slowly began calming down, enough to sit still and lean against me tiredly, but I could tell he was still terrified. He was waiting for the next set of flashing images to start. I knew that all too well.

    I had been in the engine too. I've seen the same images he's still seeing, though mine have faded. I was amazed that the engine has affected him as badly as it has. Then again, who's said he's been through it only once? With the powers he has, I wouldn't be surprised if they experimented on him too.

    "Shhh. It's alright darling, I'm here. I'll protect you, I promise." I nuzzle into his hair and take in a deep breath. I knew how much he loved it. He's told me before how calming it was for him.

    I jump slightly as I hear his raspy voice and his arms tighten around me. "Promise you won't go." I start running my hand through his hair and rubbing circles into his back as I nod into his hair.

    "I promise I won't leave you, Waylon. Never in a thousand years would I dream of it. You're my everything, I couldn't leave you behind that easily." I can feel his arms around me tighten again as he nods slightly into my chest, my clothes soaked by now. But I don't care, as long as he's alright.

    I look up too see Chris and Miles cuddled up on a love seat with Miles lying in Chris's lap. They look at each other lovingly and a spark of anger erupts within me. I don't know why I hate him so much, but I despised Chris. I didn't like the way he looked at Miles.

    I had taken care of Miles, I deserve to watch over him. I deserve to feel like this, right? I feel... I feel like a father, and he's my son. We're a family, so It's alright to feel like this, right? I just.... Maybe I could accept Chris, but it was going to be quite some time before I do. Miles was my "boy" after all. It was going to take a lot more for Chris to please me. I would only accept the best for Miles, nothing less.

    I begin to feel my hold on Waylon tightening just a bit too much and a little whine come from him. Dammit, I hope I didn't hurt him. I lift his chin to look at me, and what I see makes me smile.

    His big brown eyes were back to their astonishing glow and his cheeks were warm once again. His face looked so angelic, so much so that when I first saw his eyes shining I thought I had gone to heaven. That didn't overtake my fear though. I can remember how scared I was when I first met him. He was crazy, unpredictable. But I helped him out of that. And now look where we are, my beautiful angelic baby.

    I give him a small grin as he wipes at his and his lips hang open slightly. They looked so kissable right now! He bit his bottom lip and looked back up at me apologetically.

    "I'm sorry Eddie, I can't control myself when a storm starts. The images are still so bad." I small whimper escaped his mouth before he nuzzles back into my neck, trying to hide from whatever he was thinking of.

    "It's alright darling, I'm just glad that you're alright." I decide to let it pass without bringing up anything earlier today, about when he was acting so weird. I didn't want to make him frustrated or upset again. I know how he gets really frustrated with himself when he can't remember something, Like it's his fault he forgot or something.

    I feel another thin but tall form crawl up against me and lean it's head against my shoulder. I look over to see Miles lying against me with a worried look in his eyes. His arms wrap around my free arms and pull in close, hanging onto me like a child.

    "You sure you're alright Waylon?" With his legs pulled up to his chest, he reaches out a hand and brushes away the hair that was hanging in Waylon's eyes. His worried gaze never left as I could feel Chris's large form sitting down on my other side and he began rubbing circles on Waylon's back.

    He gave Miles a tired smirk before and letting out a heavy sigh. "It's going to take a lot more than that to stop me." My cheeks warm up as a stupid grin lights up his face and his eyes begin to flutter. Damn, I'm so proud of him. He can go through all that and still be so strong. Thinking about it now, it was one of the many reasons I fell in love with him. No matter what, he still kept his spirits high and had a strong soul. He was the equivalent of a human shield. No matter what you threw at him, it would bounce right off.

     They both give him a bright reassuring smile and looked back to me, looking to see how I reacted. And I couldn't keep the stupid grin from lasting on my face.

    "Then do you think that when the storm is over you'll be able to keep going on? We should try and cover as much space we can so we can get out of here faster."

     He seems to think a moment, before his tired look leaves his eyes. It seemed to energize him thinking about leaving because he got this brave and courageous look on his face again, one I hadn't seen in quite some time.

    "Of course! We need to get out of here as soon as possible!"