Halfway to the Phantom's home and Terrell altered directions.
"Location change," Terrell gave her somewhat of an answer.
Sahara continued to follow.
From the moment the Phantom omega and Sahara approached a tall shiny building, both were able to pick up the tense atmosphere. Terrell's expression didn't change, Sahara, however, couldn't help but bite her lip. She spotted two boarders who stood in the shadows, waiting, and grimly nodded to Terrell as he boarded by.
Another was standing near the door of the building. Two more sat up on a wall across from the building, board beside them as they kept a lookout. Both made a move to follow. A wave from Terrell assured they stayed put.
Terrell jumped from his board and Sahara followed, eyeing the place she'd never been to before. She followed Terrell who nodded at the other guy by the door before pulling it open and heading in.
The moment they passed through Sahara was once again greeted by a sparkling clean interior. Rows of floating chairs stood to either side of the room. In these various chairs were several guys who looked pretty beat up. One winced as he gingerly tried to touch his split lip. Another clutched a limp arm while staring into space, while yet another took up three chairs as he pressed a hand to his forehead and groaned every few minutes. There were more. None of the injured looked like they'd been on the winning end of whatever scuffle they'd gotten into.
Despite the injuries, the moment the boys became aware of Terrell's presence, they rushed to get to their feet.
"Stay," Terrell's one word made them freeze in mid-attempt.
"Ouch!" the yell came from behind a closed door.
Terrell headed to it. Sahara followed, looking around at the injured Phantoms.
Without knocking, Terrell pushed the door open.
A smaller room was revealed. Inside it was several beds, curtains, and what looked like a lot of equipment. On one of the beds sat a boy to whom a woman in a white coat and ponytail was tending. She viciously slapped the boy's arm. "Stop being such a baby," she scolded.
"Doctors?" Sahara asked.
"Vets," came the reply from a familiar voice.
Turning, Sahara found Sven was sitting in a chair, calmly watching the boy get patched up. Next to him was Roman, gaze somber.
"Cool!" a squeal sounded from somewhere.
"Not that one!"
Crash!
"Ah...sorry?" it sounded suspiciously like Naomi.
"Don't worry about it. We'll just charge it to your bill," a female voice answered.
"Another?" Noah's voice sounded exasperated.
"Dude! You can't hit a child!" Marcus boomed.
Terrell ran a hand through his hair. "What's going on?"
The lady tending to the injured turned her head at the sound of his voice. "Anna!" she called. "Guess who's here!" With that, she turned back to the boy she was patching up.
What sounded like a scuffle occurred in the room next door. "Move!" a voice demanded. A woman dove into the room, almost tripping over herself. She tried to run a hand over her brown hair to look more presentable and less flustered – her red face gave her away.
"Terrell!" she was more than overjoyed. "Are you hear for a checkup?" Her gaze wasn't all too subtle as it darted to the abs covered by his shirt.
Sahara couldn't help but bristle. She automatically moved closer to her boyfriend. Terrell responded by putting an arm around her.
"Took you long enough," Marcus spoke as the muscular boy walked out from the same room. Somehow, his threatening stance looked a lot less so since a little girl was firmly grasping one of his hands, a lollipop in her other. The moment she saw Sahara and Terrell, her eyes lit up and she let go of the hand to rush to the Phantom.
Terrell moved like a cat. He let go of Sahara and smoothly avoided the hug. When Naomi stopped in her tracks and turned for a second attempt, Terrell simply delivered his signature move and held her away by pressing his palm on her forehead.
Noah appeared in the doorway. He stayed there, leaning against it as he watched.
"Anyone care to explain?" Terrell asked. He ignored the little girl's waving arms and relentless attempts to get her hug.
"Good question," the lady attending to the injured spoke. She turned and pointed what looked like a pen at Terrell. "How come you're not the one beat up this time?"
"Kelly!" Anna reprimand.
"It's true," Kelly responded calmly. "When was the last time he ever came here without an injury?" Turning, she slapped something on the injured boy, causing him to let out another yelp. "Honestly, I thought you boys had finally gotten more responsible." Her head turned to where Roman was seated. "You promised," she said coldly.
Roman visibly shivered, but he held up his hands in defense. "It honestly wasn't my fault this time!"
Anna joined in with the disbelieving glare. Sahara watched this exchange as she couldn't help but wonder how the three were related – their similar looks gave a lot away.
"So?" Terrell asked again. He loosened his hold on Naomi as she stopped struggling. With a pout, the girl turned to hug Sahara instead.
"Right," Roman got to his feet. He shot a look at Kelly.
The woman let out a sigh. She turned and grabbed what looked like a small white briefcase. "Anna, let's tend to the boys outside."
"What?" Anna furrowed her eyebrows. "Why can't they just come in–"
She was cut off when Kelly grabbed her arm and dragged her toward the waiting room.
"Can I help?" Naomi asked as she sprang from Sahara's side.
"Sure," Kelly replied.
As the three disappeared from the room, the injured boy moved to follow.
"Evan, stay," Terrell's voice made him freeze.
Sahara shifted, wondering if it was better she left too. As though sensing this, Terrell, placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Explain," he demanded again.
Marcus gave Sahara a look. She couldn't blame him for what she could guess he was thinking. This was Phantom business, and she wasn't exactly a Phantom.
"Evan," Sven spoke.
The injured boy lifted his head, revealing a black eye. His cheeks were swelling, and he looked to be in genuine pain.
Terrell turned to him. "How many?" he asked, seeming to understand something Sahara did not.
Evan lifted three fingers.
"That was quick," Terrell commented.
"Too quick," Marcus jumped in. "They weren't even there two days. The only ones who originally knew who were you, Noah and Sven." His gaze hardened. "So how did they find out?"
Sahara was at a complete loss.
"The guys Terrell sent to infiltrate Noctorious," Noah came to her rescue.
Marcus and Roman sent him death glares.
"What?" Noah shrugged.
Sahara shot a glance at Terrell. So, he did already try to do something to keep an eye on them? She couldn't help but scold herself at thinking that Terrell didn't know or care at the point she'd mentioned it.
The Phantom looked to be in deep thought. He turned to Evan, eyebrows raised.
"We did as planned," Evan's speech was slurred, and he winced as he spoke. "Different times, through different people. After building trust...we thought it was fine. Others were recruited at the same time."
"How far in?" Terrell asked.
Evan shook his head only to wince again. "Was told we were going to get initiated. They jumped me on the way there. Same with the others." He closed his eyes, as though taking a moment to gather the strength to speak. "They knew I was a Phantom...as with the others. Either they're just that good or..."
"We have a traitor," Sven spoke.
All heads except Terrell's snapped to him.
Terrell's eyes narrowed.
"But the only ones who knew were..." Roman's eyes darted from Sven to Noah. "I only heard after..." he trailed off, suspicion darting through his eyes.
"Start suspecting each other and you'll cause conflict," Terrell spoke calmly. He lifted his head. "So. Three guys were caught. Why are there more than three..." he jabbed a finger behind him, "out there?"
A curtain pulled back.
The sound made Sahara turn her attention. For a split moment, she forgot how to breathe. She couldn't believe her eyes. Sitting on the bed was another version of Terrell. The slightly curly hair crowned a face which, despite the bruises across it, was handsome enough to rival the Phantom Omega's own. It even sported the same shade of green eyes Sahara hadn't seen on anyone other than Terrell.
Sahara realized the guy was only wearing his pants. She caught a glimpse of those toned abs before her vision was obstructed by a very determined hand.
"Put on a shirt, would you?" Terrell snapped.
All around eyebrows rose at the turn of events.
"Never thought I'd hear that line from you," Noah muttered under his breath.
"It's kind of caked in blood," came the reply from a low voice.
Terrell's hands pressed tighter on Sahara's eyes.
She heard a sigh and some rustling, a few moments later, her vision was returned to her. The first thing she noticed was that the new guy was wearing a white coat someone must have tossed him.
"Why is he here?" Terrell asked while Sahara looked from the guy in white to Terrell and back.
"He got ambushed," Roman spoke. "As did several other Phantoms."
Terrell nodded to the new guy. "Night isn't a Phantom."
"Wrong place at the wrong time," Night muttered. He reached for his split lip and winced. "If I'd known you had someone out to get you, I wouldn't have hung out so much with you guys."
Terrell let out another sigh. "Who'd they piss off?" he addressed Marcus.
Marcus rubbed the back of his neck.
Sven was the one to answer. "From what we've been told it was Noctorious."
A shiver went down Sahara's spine.
The room was silent.
Terrell nodded. "Ok."
"Ok?" Marcus repeated. "Ok?" He pointed from Night to Evan. "We're being targeted by a crew we know nothing about, and you say ok? Why don't you sound like this isn't serious enough already?"
Terrell shrugged. "A good beating builds character?" He turned to Evan. "Right?"
The boy stared at him while a chuckle escaped Night.
Marcus cracked his knuckles. "Want me to build your character?" He asked Terrell.
He got a wagging finger in response. "No tantrums or I'll have to give you a time out." He looked around. "So...Is that all?"
Even Sahara couldn't help but raise her eyebrows at Terrell's lack of concern.
"Terrell," Roman spoke. "Someone is attacking the Phantoms! They're targeting us!"
"So?" Terrell asked.
"So?" Marcus repeated.
Sven and Noah remained silent. Evan looked down while Night watched the exchange in interest.
"We should put an end to those ants before they cause even more trouble. We should teach them a lesson on what happens if they think they can just come in and attack–" Marcus began.
"What? You want to go and beat down a crew just like that?" Terrell asked sharply.
"Yes!" Marcus replied. "We need to retaliate. Show them that they can't mess with us."
Terrell scoffed at the answer. "Don't get beat up then." His eyes grew cold. "If Phantoms are so weak as to easily get beat down, then maybe that's what they need."
Evan flinched.
"Terrell," Sven stepped in.
The Phantom Omega waved him off. "You do nothing."
"Nothing?" Marcus pulled himself up taller. "Are you insane?"
"He has a point," Night spoke up.
All eyes turned to him.
"Going after a crew when you don't know much about them doesn't sound so wise." He looked right at Terrell. "Gathering info first is probably your best bet before making a move, right?"
The Phantom omega watched him for a moment. "No," he spoke the word coldly. "No information, no move. They know about our movement. We don't retaliate. Just watch your backs and stay out of their way."
Roman looked like he couldn't believe it while Marcus seethed. Sahara bit her lip as she observed the tense situation.
The door burst open. Troy stood there, panting. "Theodore has pledged his allegiance to Noctorious," he spoke as he walked in. "His territory has fallen under their control."
"Theodore?" Sahara's eyes widened at the mention of the omega. Her gaze darted to Terrell.
"What?" Noah stepped forward. "Just like that?"
"I don't know the details," Troy closed the door behind him.
The others turned to look at their omega.
"My command stays the same," Terrell spoke calmly.
Troy looked at the others for answers.
"You're joking, right?" Roman spoke. "Terrell, they're obviously making a move on the city."
"You're basically handing this new crew Regona, you understand that?" Marcus hissed.
Terrell closed his eyes and let out a sigh. "Is that our problem?" he asked after a moment. His eyes opened as he coldly surveyed the other boys in the room. "We're Phantoms, not another crew. We stay out of it."
Marcus' eyes narrowed. "And if they go after the Falcons? Does it then become your business?"
Terrell didn't answer.
"They attack the Phantoms and you don't move, but if they go after your girl's crew, you'd make sure to destroy them, wouldn't you?"
A muscle in Terrell's jaw jumped.
"Double standards, don't you think?" Marcus finished.
"Terrell," Sahara began softly. "They have a point."
Another sigh escaped the omega.
"And this is the moment I leave the room." Night swung his legs over the edge of the bed. "As it's none of my business, I think it's better you guys should discuss your matters amongst yourself." He let out a hiss as his feet touched the ground and he stood. Fighting against whatever pain he was dealing with he raised a hand in farewell and limped for the door.
"I think I should step out too," Sahara murmured. As much as she wanted to stay, she knew it wasn't her place to stick around and listen to the crew's personal matters. She slipped from Terrell's reach and before he could protest joined Night on the way out.
Night let her go first, holding the door open. Terrell's glare didn't seem to phase him as he stepped out after the girl.
Sahara found herself back in the room with the crowd of injured boys. Kelly and Anna were working their way around with an ever-excited Naomi bouncing from one boy to the other and poking them while innocently asking them if it hurt.
Night leaned back against the door, closing his eyes for a moment.
Sahara shot him a sidelong glance.
"Something on my face?" the boy opened one eye.
Caught, the girl quickly turned her eyes away, a blush creeping up her neck. "I was just curious."
Night's other eye opened. "About what?"
The Falcon chewed on her lip for a moment. "Who are you?" she blurted.
Night raised his eyebrows much in the same way Terrell often did.
"I mean..." Sahara paused. "You and Terrell...you're not related, are you?"
A chuckle escaped the boy she'd asked. "We really look that alike, huh?"
"Especially the eyes," Sahara replied honestly.
Night nodded. "Who knows. It's possible we are somewhere along the line. Regona didn't have many outsiders from other cities stay. Wasn't really important enough. So, it could be." He lifted a hand to touch the split lip again. "Whatever the case, I'm guessing the similarity is what got me beat up in the first place." He lowered his hand to shoot Sahara a glance. "If you ask me, someone's gunning for your Phantom."
Sahara nodded. "I figured as much." She watched Naomi climb on a chair and peer closer at one of the boys' black eye.
"You're not worried?" Night asked.
Turning, Sahara found him watching her. It looked as though at the moment he was almost...intrigued.
She squirmed under the gaze which was so similar and yet different from Terrell's.
"I'd be lying if I said no," she spoke honestly. "But I also trust it will be ok."
Night hummed in response. "The omega who caught the untamable Phantom's heart," he spoke. "I've heard a lot about you." His head tilted. "Seems the rumors about you are true."
Sahara furrowed her forehead.
"I don't mean it in a bad way," Night disclosed. "I'm just curious." He leaned his head against the door. "How well exactly do you know the Phantom?"
"Why do you ask?" Sahara surprised even herself at how defensive she suddenly felt.
"No reason," Night replied. "I've just heard a lot about him. The omega who built the strongest crew in Regona and yet kept it hidden. The same omega who outsmarted Rayne and later saved Regona from Lithium. I always wondered what kind of person he was." He squinted at the Falcon omega. "You would probably know him best. I hear he took quite a few bullets for you."
Sahara stiffened.
"That in itself shows how much you mean to him. I'm sure it's the other way around too, huh?" Night didn't give her a chance to answer as he prattled on. "Though it's probably also why the Phantoms are mostly cold toward you." He tapped a finger lightly against the door. "Multiple bullets but didn't see any scars, nothing. I wonder how Rayne did it," he murmured
Sahara didn't speak the knowledge she had. Yes, Rayne had somehow healed the boy almost flawless – almost. However, there was one time when the scars those bullets left were very visible when even Rayne's work couldn't hide them. The scars did exist.
"If you ask me," Night continued, "you seem to think that your Phantom is invincible." He turned to her. "Don't take that for granted. If there's someone aiming for him, he might need you to protect him with all you've got."
The Falcon omega brought her thoughts back to the present. "And you're telling me this because?"
A playful smile stretched across Night's face, highlighting the handsomeness even further. "I've long since admired the Phantoms and their omega. I just worry that sometimes people forget that in the end, everyone is just...human."
Sahara tried to detect if there was another meaning in his words.
"But, enough serious talk." Night's smile vanished as he swayed.
"Hey!" Sahara jumped to his support.
Night steadied himself on her shoulder. "Thanks, but..." he shot a glance back. "Wouldn't want to anger the Phantom anymore." He let go of her shoulder and tottered over to a chair before collapsing in it. Panting, he tipped his head back and closed his eyes, waiting for his turn in getting treated. The white coat had fallen open to reveal angry looking bruises on his midriff.
Wincing, Sahara turned away. She took in the injured in the room. The door behind her flew open. She turned to find Noah standing there. Behind him was a clamor of raised voices as the debate went on.
Noah closed the door behind him to keep them inside. "Sorry," he told Sahara. "This might take a while..." he trailed off.
Sahara understood. "Naomi!" she called.
"Daddy?" the voice made Sahara turn to see Naomi standing before Night.
The boy slowly opened his eyes, taking in the little girl before him.
"You're not my daddy," Naomi realized.
Night chuckled. "No," he agreed. "I'm not."
"We're going home!" Sahara called to the young girl.
Naomi held out the lollipop in her hand. "Medicine," she informed the boy before her.
Night took the half-eaten candy. "Thanks."
With a smile, the little girl turned and scampered to Sahara. "I made lots of new friends today," she announced.
Sahara stroked her hair. "Maybe you can come back and play with them some other time," she mentioned.
Naomi nodded enthusiastically while Noah looked slightly on the verge of panic at the thought.
"I hope she wasn't too much of a handful," Sahara told him.
"Ah..." Noah rubbed the back of his neck and Naomi gave him a meaningful glare.
"She was quite...delightful," the boy spoke obediently.
Naomi nodded in agreement, satisfied at the response.
"Got quite a few Phantoms eating out of her hands," Noah added. He gave Naomi a mock salute. "Captain."
"Servant," came the serious response.
Noah's smile dropped. "I guess I stay demoted." He sighed.
"I'll put in a good word for you," Sahara told him.
"That's all I ask," came the response.
"Alright, time to say goodbye." Sahara reached for Naomi's hand. The girl obediently took his while giving Noah the sweetest smile.
"Next time, everything blue," she pointed to his hair.
"Yes mam," was the reply.
Sahara led the girl from the room.
As they walked by Night, Naomi made a motion for him to put the lollipop in his mouth. The boy was obedient, mustering up the strength to do so and then give a wave as they left. Naomi bounced happily along, blowing kisses at the injured as though she were a princess leaving her royal court.
They tracked down Naomi's board and the little girl was on it in moments.
"Let's race!" Not waiting for an answer, she sped off.
Sahara watched her go, getting on her own board at a leisurely pace. On it, she paused and looked back at the building she'd just been in. She knew the heated debate was ongoing, but from what she could tell, Terrell wasn't going to budge on his decision.
Noctorious attacking, Aaron's warning, Theodore pledging allegiance...what does it all mean? She thought. Just what is going on? She closed her eyes for a moment as she took it all in. They're not the ones that worry me right now, Terrell's voice flashed in her mind. Slowly, her eyes opened. "Something's coming, isn't it?" she murmured.
She turned and began to board home, determination filling her the closer she got. "I may not know what," she decided, "But whenever it gets here, I'll help you face it." She looked back to the building that had long since left her sight. "That's a promise."