Pulling the Strings || Book 2 || Golix - SEQUEL TO "OPEN MINDS" [Slow Updates]

Chapter 6

Phoenix's POV

  I bolt into my room and grab my extra backpack, and then to my closet again.  I yank different shirts and tank tops off of the hangers, stuffing them into my bag.  Looking at my bed and deciding that the stuffed husky and the stuffed vixen on my bed are definitely things I want to keep, I grab them as well and shove them into a different compartment of my bag. 

  Running to the bathroom across the hall yet again, I go in the cabinet under the sink and grab my first aid kit, bringing it back to my room with me.  Grabbing my black hoodie, I slip it in and sling the backpack over my shoulder.

  More cautiously than before I tread out into the hallway, and walk towards the stairs.  I step down carefully, a rank smell hitting me as I get closer to the first floor.  More death, lovely.

  What I wasn't expecting though, is to walk into my living room and see three corpses laying on the couch.  I gag, feeling nauseous as their hallow eyes and decaying skin.  They've clearly been dead for as long as I was in the pizzeria, maybe just a bit longer.

  Their souls stare at me, eyes void of life, faces expressionless.  But that doesn't mean that their eyes aren't speaking.  They're fearful, and obviously concerned at the fact that I'm in here.  I give them a shaky smile before retreating from the room.

  I walk to the kitchen, ready to go out the back door, when I notice blood splattered everywhere.  Then I hear it.  Whimpering, soft and hoarse.  I turn towards the noise and see that the pantry has been locked.  Forcing myself to move, I reach my hand out and gently tap on the door.  The whimpers stop.

"Hello?  It's okay, I'm not gonna hurt you.  I'm gonna get you out of there," I say softly.  I turn the lock, and twist the doorknob.  Pulling the door open, I see a teen on the floor, very clearly malnourished.  He looks up at me and blinks, and it's obvious that he hasn't seen the light in a while.  I crouch down to look him in the eye, wincing as my ribs shift slightly. 

"W-who are you?" he asks, voice scratchy and barely there.  I sigh.  

"My name's Phoenix.  I'm sorry about what has happened to you..." I pause and quickly search his mind for his name. "Liam.  My father is a monster, and I'm so sorry that he got you," I apologize.  His eyes widen, and he seems to be struggling to see me still. 

"Wait, Phoenix Afton?!  You were claimed to be dead after you and your friends stood up to your dad to protect us from him!  How-" 

"I was hiding with the rest of my friends.  We can't let ourselves be seen by the public yet, otherwise my father will strike again." 

  I press my hand to Liam's head and focus the magick reserves I have on healing him.  He flinches back for a second, but then blinks, obviously surprised.  I smile at him, and offer my hand to help him up.  He accepts my offer, and I steady him as he wavers after standing.  

  Still holding his hand, I lead him to the back door.  Not knowing if the yard is clean, I open the door and step through.  As soon as I do, I turn and cover Liam's eyes.  There's two more bodies back here, and I don't want him to be more scared than he already is. 

"What is it?" he questions, and I let out a shaky sigh.  

"There's two bodies back here, and I'm not going to let you see them.  I'm not letting you become mentally scarred anymore than you already are," I explain, and he nods, excepting the answer.  Carefully, I lead him across the yard and through the gates that enter the woods behind my house.  After we're a safe distance away, I uncover his eyes.  He looks at me, and gives me a sincere smile. 

"Thank you so much for saving me, I honestly thought I was going to die in that pantry," he tells me.  I give him a smile too, and surprisingly it's a genuine one. 

"You're welcome, Liam.  Believe me, you really don't want to die of starvation, it isn't fun," I say, my tone light and joking, but he knows I'm serious.  "If you ever need me to save you again, come back to this spot and say 'Kaen', or say it where you are if you can't escape.  I'll come to you." 

  Liam nods, and looks around.  "Okay.  I'm going to go find my house and see my family again, okay?  See you soon, I guess.  Thanks Phoenix!" he says before running off.  I watch him go until he disappears from my view.  At least I managed to save one of them...

  Turning around, I walk through the woods, my feet following an invisible path that I memorized long ago.  After a while, I look up and see the tree house three trees away.  Smiling to myself, I walk over to it and start climbing up the ladder.

  I pull myself into the tree house before noticing that there's others in the house.  My eyes widen and my expression is mirrored of the two sitting in the corner.  The first of any of us to move is Jeremy.

"PHOENIX!" he shouts, launching himself at me.  I grin and latch onto him, hugging him as tightly as my ribs allow me to.  I feel Jeremy shaking and I know he's crying.  And honestly, I am too. 

  A happy grin on my face and tears rolling down my cheeks, I look at Mike, who's still staring in shock.  He blinks like I'm going to end up disappearing when he opens his eyes again.  I don't, and wait for my cousin to get over his happy little shock.  When he finally does, he too runs over to me and hugs me. 

"H-how are you alive?  You've been missing since the end of the school year!" Mike questions me harshly, but I can tell that he's legitimately worried and curious.  I laugh under my breath, knowing that this is far from the first time that I've gone missing.  

"It's kind of a long story that's really easy to explain," I say.  The two stay silent, waiting for me to speak, and so I do.  "After my other friends and I ran out of the school we ran across town.  We went to the pizzeria, and ended up fighting William.  You saw that in the news though, according what I've gathered from people's thoughts.  Then the other five and I hid in a hidden room.  Not the safe room, you two.  Remember I can hear your thoughts if I want.  Anyways, we were all decently injured, and I was in a coma until about...two weeks ago?  I think?  My internal clock has been completely thrown off.  Last night I saw Vince and Scott, they were kinda scared of me at first until I proved it was me.  Then I snuck out to the hospital to get moderately healed, went to my house and saved a kid, and now here we are." 

  The two look at me, clearly worried and upset.  Mike hugs me tighter and I whine as my ribs shift.  Jeremy looks at me, now more worried.  I just smile.  "It's fine, just a few healing ribs.  I'll be okay soon."  

  The two stare at me without saying anything and I laugh again, just a bit louder this time.  "I also might need a ride back to the pizzeria when you guys have your next night shift." 

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Hey-o, everyone!  Life still sucks for me, I accidentally poisoned myself yesterday, drank far too much coffee today, got nowhere NEAR enough sleep for me to be functioning properly, and have only eaten a small coffee cake today.  Yeah.  This wasn't edited, so if you find some mistakes please tell me.  Also, constructive criticism would be nice.  See you all soon, I'm gonna try and work on my other books now while I have motivation for once. Ciao, Spirits!