Darkest Hour

Chapter 6

"Does somebody know anything or have any clue of where she could be?" added Jack looking at everyone.

Hamish shrugged, Lilith rolled her eyes and left the room, Nicole shook her head. Only Gabrielle and Randall stayed silent, Gabrielle searching for Randall's eye contact.

"What do you know Randall?" asked Hamish. Oh, he was no fool and knew how to read him like an open book after almost three years.

"Nothin'" he answered quickly.

"I don't believe you

- that makes us two" completed Jack after Hamish's remark.

"Wha--? I don't know anything guys" repeated Randall trying to sound cool.

"Spill it out you two" stated Jack looking at both his friend and Gabrielle.

"He told you he knows nothing about where Kepler might be. What wasn't clear enough for you? Plus he's been with me or at the manor for hours. Not like he could have sneaked out without anyone noticing" spat Gabrielle like she was some dog barking to protect its master. "Regarding me, I have no idea of where she went, I didn't even know she was missing until you told us. So, may I suggest we start searching for her right now. Or do you losers prefer to doubt Randall and lose Vera's precious time?".

"You may be a good liar but he is not" said Hamish pointing his finger to Randall.

"I'm a strong independent woman. I'm a smart ass and good at whatever I'm doing. I can be a bitch. So yeah, I am many things. But liar is not one of them" replied Gabrielle. These last words sounded more like a warning, telling Hamish and Jack not to push further.

They both nodded, not saying anything. Once the two of them plus Nicole have left the room, Randall looked at Gabrielle and smiled at her.

"You didn't have to do that" he said thanking her.

"That's me repaying you for taking care of me after I killed Alyssa" she whispered before giving a quick smile. Randall did not move, far too surprised by Gabrielle's attitude.

"Thank you" he mouthed.

"Anytime" she answered before leaving to meet with the rest of the pack.

___________________________________

"Is this your home?

- Yes. Why, don't you like it?" asked Vera surprised by Maddox question as she opened the front door she had had repaired after Alyssa and Salvador broke into her home a few days ago.

"No that's awesome" said the young boy almost amazed. "It is not as big as Dad's but it is definitely cooler than aunt Bitsy's" he added walking around the giant living room.

"Don't touch anything" said Vera a little bit too quickly. She was watching the boy while getting rid of her coat, bag and car keys.

"Yup, don't worry, I'll be careful".

He was sweet and polite she has no doubt about that. Edward might not have been the best fit to lead The Order because of his egoism and ambition but Vera knew he would give the best to Maddox. This included paying someone to take care of him and educate him the right way, having him spoil at some point, sharing moments with him. But on this last point Vera wasn't sure Edward has been very present in his son's life. At least not as much as he should have for Maddox to build a strong son-father relationship.

"I'll order pizza tonight. Any preference?" she asked him when she had finished cleaning up her stuff.

"Hawaiian please" he answered making Vera smile for a second or so.

"I'll show you the bathroom and your room if you want to rest while I make the phone call" she said before walking towards a corridor. Maddox followed her to a giant bedroom. The decoration was soft but matching perfectly the painting.

"Here you've got a towel and shower gel. The bathroom is the next door on your left" she then told him before walking out of the room. "Let me know if you need anything. We'll stop by Kepler's house tomorrow if you have to stay one more night to get you some clothes" she added. He nodded quietly.

An hour later, Maddox was showered and they were both sitting at the table eating their pizzas.

"Do you miss him?" asked Maddox to Vera who almost choked with her piece of pizza.

"Who?

- My dad. You used to work with him, don't you miss him at work?

- Well. We – I - uh - yeah, we miss him a bit" she began not knowing what to say to the boy. The truth was she wasn't regretting Edward at all. No, not one bit. But how was she supposed to tell a 10yo that his father got what he deserved and that she, and The Order, would be the last to help him get back to this world?

- Was he a bad guy?". His question broke Vera's heart. She did not have a huge amount of sympathy for Edward kids because she didn't spend too much time with him, but the fact that he may think of his father like the evil he was, was kind of sad coming from a young boy.

"Your father was a complicated man" she told him precociously. "He had a bigger ambition than he should have had and that is what caused him to lose everything he had, including you".

"He would be proud of the young boy you've become" she continued. "And so would be your mother" she said before taking a sip of her red wine.

"How did you know my mother?" wanted to know Maddox. He has known Vera for more than he can remember because she has always been working for his father, but he wasn't sure of how she knew his mother.

"Your mother was like a teacher to me" answered Vera. Of course, she wasn't talking about The Order to the boy since he was not supposed to know the existence of the society. But she wouldn't lie to him either. "She taught me lots of things, and so did your father after. I liked her" she surprised herself with the sincerity with which she was talking to the boy.

"Time to go to bed now" said Vera. Even though she was appreciating not being alone, she was not at ease sharing her personal life with some kid she would probably never see again.

"I'll pick you up at school tomorrow before going to the University

- Night" said Maddox making his way to his room.

"Goodnight. Sleep well".