No one spoke as Terrell and Sahara boarded. They were escorted by the Keepers who kept eerily silent the whole way. They also kept very close, as though to make sure that neither Sahara nor Terrell tried to break away and make a run for it.
Sahara kept peaking glances at them. It was the first time she was seeing the so much talked about Keepers. If she remembered correctly, they were under Rayne and helped him enforce the Creed, and thus some sort of order. Terrell had once said they were talented boarders. There was something intimidating about them that she couldn't explain.
I wonder if they're as good as the Omega's, Sahara couldn't help but think. Or Terrell... came the afterthought.
Turning her attention to her surroundings she realized how things around her started looking cleaner and well kept. There was no trash in the area. The plants were well looked after and the buildings were in good shape. Looking ahead, Sahara realized they were headed to the tallest building right at the center of Regona.
As they got closer they came to a large black steel gate. It swung open and the boarders swished through. Green lawn surrounded the building and Sahara caught sight of more Keepers lounging in the area. As they passed by, she felt their eyes follow her and Terrell.
They finally reached the large glass doors at the bottom of the building.
"Leave your boards here," one of the keepers, a pretty girl with short brown hair, spoke for the first time.
Terrell got off his board and Sahara followed his lead.
A Keeper grabbed each of their boards and took them away.
"Leave a scratch on it and you're dead," Terrell told the guy. He got a glare in reply. Shrugging, Terrell turned and followed the brown haired girl who began to lead the way. Sahara hurried to catch up and walk next to Terrell. Two Keepers fell into step behind them.
The glass doors swished open and they entered into a large hall.
Sahara turned in a circle as she looked around in awe. There were stairs to either side at the back, disappearing somewhere above. What looked like hologram security gates were just ahead, all lit up green to show that they were in working order.
The girl led them through and over to a glass tube. She swiped her hand across it. What looked like a round glass elevator shot down. It stopped and the doors opened. The girl motioned for Sahara and Terrell to get in. They did so without question. The girl and one of the two other Keepers followed.
The doors closed and there was a pause as a green light appeared and scanned the group. Once it was done, the elevator shot up.
Sahara was surprised at how fast it went. It was like no elevator she had been in before. She watched out of the glass back as the ground grew further away and the city buildings became smaller and smaller. She wanted to point it out to Terrell, yet when she turned to look at him she paused. She could see how tense he was. His jaw was clenched and he looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there.
Is he afraid of heights? The thought flashed through Sahara's mind. She brushed it off at once. There was no way, not when Terrell boarded as high as he did. It had to be something else.
The elevators came to a gentle stop. The doors slid open and the girl and the other Keeper stepped out. They walked up to a large door.
The girl knocked once before opening it. Sahara and Terrell followed.
Sahara's eyes landed on a lounge area. There were couches and even a hologram aquarium in which fish were lazily swimming back and forth. However, there wasn't even one person sitting there. The room seemed completely empty...that was until Sahara turned her eyes towards the large window overlooking the city.
Behind a large desk a figure was standing. Though his back turned to them, Sahara at once made out that he was both tall and had jet black hair.
"Leave us," he spoke the two words, making the girl and the other Keeper leave without a word.
The door clicked closed behind them. For a moment, Sahara stood awkwardly where she was. Not even Terrell made an attempt to speak.
Is that Rayne? Sahara couldn't help but wonder as she stared at the back of the figure.
Suddenly, the figure whirled around. Sahara found herself staring at a handsome face. Almost immediately she had a feeling that there was something familiar about him.
Gorgeous brown eyes flickered over her before passing onto Terrell. Seeing him, they widened in delight. "Relly!" he exclaimed as he dashed forward. Sahara and Terrell had no time to react as the guy rushed over and threw his arms around Terrell.
Terrell cringed and Sahara watched in shock.
"You're alive!" the guy, whom at this point Sahara could only assume was Rayne, exclaimed. "Making me think you were dead, how cruel," Rayne added as he squeezed Terrell even tighter.
"Get off me, you freak!" Terrell seemed to finally spring to life. He pushed Rayne off, grabbed Sahara, and pushed her in front of him for cover. For the first time since Sahara had met him, Terrell actually looked somewhat terrified.
"Ah," Rayne's eyes landed on Sahara. "And this must be Sahara." He took her hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you." He lifted her hand and was about to plant a kiss on it, yet Terrell reacted faster.
"Don't touch her." He pulled Sahara out of Rayne's reach.
Rayne let out a sigh. "Why so cold when we're finally re-united, hmm?"
Terrell glared at him while Sahara tried to make sense of what was going on here. She wasn't sure, but for some reason Terrell and Rayne seemed to already know each other.
"Seriously, Terrell," Rayne added, "You're so mean to make your older brother worry."
Older brother? Sahara felt like someone had dumped a bucket of cold water on her. "What?" she whispered.
Oh," Rayne raised his eyebrows. "I see he hasn't told you."
Sahara turned to Terrell, questions buzzing in her mind. "You're brothers?" she asked in disbelief.
"Half-brothers," Terrell corrected her. "The only thing we share in common is a mother."
"We share more than that," Rayne smirked as he grabbed Terrell's head and put his beside him. "We look alike, no?"
Rayne was beaming while Terrell looked ready to kill someone. He turned and pushed his brother away.
Rayne wasn't put off in the least. "Perhaps, I should also call you by your other title," he said with a gleam in his eyes.
There was something about him that made Sahara uncomfortable. It was like she couldn't read him at all.
"Phantom Omega," Rayne finished.
"You have the same mother?" Sahara repeated as she still tried to process this. She didn't even catch on that Rayne seemed to know Terrell's secret.
"That's not all," Rayne disagreed. He tapped his head. "We both seem to be somewhat on the bright side." He winked at Sahara in a way that would make any girl's heart melt. She didn't notice as she still tried to put two and two together.
"One of us more than the other," Terrell commented as he seemed to pull himself together. He walked past Rayne and up to the desk.
"Please," Rayne snorted. "When have you ever beaten me in anything?"
"Boarding."
"That time doesn't count," Rayne snapped. Terrell seemed to have hit a nerve.
Sahara had a feeling this was going to turn into a sibling battle.
"You'd be surprised what I can do with a lot of free time on my hands," Terrell sat down in the comfortable looking chair and placed his feet on the desk. "But that aside, how did you know about me being with the Phantoms?" he seemed far from terrified now that he had the greetings out of the way.
Brothers, Sahara's mind screamed as she glanced from one boy to the other. They looked so much like each other. Both were tall and handsome and had the same dark skin tone. Yet, while Rayne had brown eyes, Terrell's were a stunning green. On top of that, Terrell had a more defined jaw line.
Rayne shrugged. "When I finally realized you were alive it all clicked into place. There's only one person who could lead a crew like the Phantoms."
"I'm flattered," Terrell yawned. He picked up a pen and began to twirl it in his fingers.
"So..." Rayne continued, "You let me think you're dead, and without even as much as a 'hello brother I'm doing fine' you run around with that little crew of yours."
Terrell chuckled.
"Something funny?" Rayne asked.
Terrell nodded.
"What's the joke?"
Sahara shifted. It seemed both brothers had completely forgotten her.
"I've heard the Phantoms called a lot of things," Terrell spun around in the chair to stare at the scenery outside, "But little?" His smile widened, "that's a good one."
"So, how big then?" Rayne asked. His curiosity seemed to be piqued.
Terrell stopped spinning the pen. "Want to make a bet?"
"You know what happens when you bet with me, little brother," Rayne warned. "But go ahead, amuse me."
Terrell turned back around. He placed the pen on the table before he leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table and his chin on top of his folded hands. He smiled slowly. "I bet you that I could give the signal and take over your spot heading the city whenever I feel like it."
Sahara stood where she was, her eyes almost popping out her head. What?
Rayne snorted. "Tell me, what makes you think you could ever step in?"
Terrell kept his calm. "Ever wonder why they called my crew phantom?" He didn't break eye contact with his brother once.
"Because you were too chicken to be seen?"
Terrell smiled. "Phantoms aren't meant to be seen," he replied. "But..." he got up and walked towards the window, "just because you can't see them doesn't mean they're not there."
"Your point?" Rayne asked.
Terrell's smile widened. "Being a phantom means you can be anywhere and anytime..." he leaned forward and breathed out onto the window, causing it to fog up. "And yet no one will know..." He slashed a finger across the fogged up area, leaving behind a line.
Something entered Rayne's eyes; it wasn't a pleased look. He seemed to be catching on to whatever Terrell was saying. Sahara, however, was at a loss.
"They can blend in with everyone else, thrive in other crews, everyday life, and infiltrate anywhere they choose..." Terrell turned around. "Tell me, brother, how do you know that some of my members aren't among your keepers?"
Rayne's eyes had narrowed. "Impossible..."
"And if there were..." Terrell sat down on the edge of the desk, "wouldn't it take but a word from me and they would take action, appearing out of the air like Phantoms do?"
"You're bluffing."
"Am I?"
"First move, make the other team panic. Cause distress and distrust. It's a classical attack from within," Rayne said.
Terrell's smile widened. "And yet you're already beginning to that." He leaned forward. "You're wondering about just how much you know about your personally picked keepers, aren't you?"
Rayne's lips tightened into a thin line.
Terrell lifted his eyes to meet his brother's. "Like I said; you'd be surprised what I can do with a lot of free time on my hands."
"So..." Rayne noted, "My little brother hasn't exactly been doing nothing these past few years." He chuckled. "Who knew you had it in you?"
Sahara watched the entire exchange in silence. If she wasn't mistaken, Terrell had pretty much just threatened his brother that he would takeover, and apparently he had the means to do it...unless it really was a bluff. With Terrell she could just never tell.
"But I'm sure you don't have all the keepers," Rayne continued.
"I didn't say I had any," Terrell replied calmly.
Rayne watched him for a moment. "So, are you going to do it?"
He believes him, Sahara realized. Whether it was a bluff or not, Rayne seemed to be taking it seriously.
Terrell looked up in surprise.
"Try take over and run the city?" Rayne clarified.
Letting out a snort Terrell stood up. "Really? And then what?" he shook his head. "Too much work, not to mention boring."
"Then why?"
"Let's call it a safety measure..." Terrell replied calmly, "In case you let things get to your head and decide to step outside of your boundaries...plus it's fun."
"My, my," Rayne chuckled. "Looks like my little brother is all grown up." He shook his head in disbelief. "I didn't think I would ever raise such a tiger."
"You didn't raise me," Terrell told him dryly.
"Say what you like," Rayne told him as things suddenly felt less tense in the room. He walked towards Terrell, who watched him approach. "You could have dropped by anytime and yet you stayed away and let me think you dead. You really are too cruel, Relly." Before Terrell could leap to safety, Rayne had grabbed him to give him another hug.
"Hey!" Terrell tried to squirm free.
Sahara cleared her throat.
Rayne paused to look over.
"I've got some questions here," Sahara said as she tried to keep her emotions in check.
"Sure," Rayne let go off Terrell, "Ask away."
"Not for you," Sahara told him. She turned to Terrell. "You could have come here anytime?" she asked in disbelief.
Terrell didn't reply but Rayne nodded in his brother's stead.
"You told me the only way was to rise to the top to get his," Sahara pointed at Rayne, "attention."
"That was a lie," Rayne commented.
Sahara shook her head in disbelief. "Why?" she asked Terrell as she tried to figure out if she was angry or not. What was going on inside her head was confusing her. "You could have brought me here from the start!"
"Oh," Rayne commented. He sat down on the desk beside his brother, looking as though he were suddenly watching a drama on screen. "This is interesting."
"Sahara..." Terrell ignored his brother. He got up and walked towards her. "Look...you appeared when things had gotten boring. Stuff had happened...I wanted to be left alone. I was shutting myself away from it all..."
Rayne raised his eyebrows in question.
"And then you came along," Terrell reached Sahara. He put out both hands and held her shoulders as he stared right into her eyes. "At first it was simply because it fun. I finally had something to do; to help you reach the top would be interesting." His eyes searched hers. "Before I knew it you had stuck yourself in my life. You kept bringing in more people...annoying people, and yet it was fun. You reminded me of what it was like to have a family." He paused. "And then I suddenly didn't want you to go," he added softly.
Sahara stared into those green eyes, all confusion fleeing from her mind. He wants me to stay! She realized.
"Oh my, you've really fallen hard," Rayne commented. "And here I was thinking it would be just another fling." He got up. "Surprisingly you picked one with a decent character," he added as he walked over. Reaching them, Rayne pushed Terrell to the side. He looked down at Sahara, his eyes examining her. "But you don't have the older brother's blessing, yet."
A hand grabbed the side of his face and pushed him away.
"Owe!" Rayne exclaimed.
"Don't go near her you freak," Terrell growled.
"I was wanting to examine her!"
Brother glared at brother.
"She's not something to be examined!" Terrell told him.
"Look, she's..." Rayne reached for Sahara, yet Terrell's hand shot out and grabbed him in time to stop him.
"Don't. Touch. My. Girl." Terrell growled.
Sahara felt her heart speed up. His girl, her mind screamed happily.
"Typical," Rayne muttered as he drew his hand away. "So unfair, Terrell. You can get so possessive." He peaked around to shoot Sahara a look. "Careful, love. Relly sometimes goes overboard."
"Would you stop with that ridiculous nickname?" Terrell complained.
Sahara couldn't help the giggle that escaped at that from her mouth.
Terrell turned to shoot her a questioning look.
"I think it's cute," Sahara told him.
Terrell looked like he wanted to die.
"I like her." Rayne grinned. He turned and walked over to the wall. Pulling it open he pulled out a can. He popped it open and took a sip. "So how about we skip all the chit chat and get to the main point as to why you're here." He stared right at Terrell. "What do you want?" Rayne asked.
Terrell raised his eyebrows.
"Racing to get my attention like you did, there's only one reason you would." Rayne took another sip. "My little brother wants something which only I can give. I'm curious," he took another sip before tossing the can to Terrell He caught it. "What could it be?"
Terrell and Sahara exchanged glances. Rayne's eyebrows rose.
Terrell took a swig of the can.
"I'm trying to find a way home," Sahara spoke.
"Home?" Rayne asked. His eyes narrowed and he suddenly looked alert. "You're not from Regona," he realized. His shot a look towards Terrell. "Which city?" he demanded.
Terrell made a face before crushing the can in one hand.
"None," Sahara said. She was sure it was okay to tell him. Terrell was the one who had said so.
Rayne's head snapped in her direction.
Sahara took a deep breath. "I'm from another world," she told him softly.