Moonlight washed over us as we drove through the dark forest. It had been about ten minutes since we left the safe house, and we still haven't come across Raven and Corey. Worry gnawed inside me. Why haven't they joined us? Where were they? I knew that I couldn't communicate with them since we all dumped our earpieces, and we couldn't wait because we had to get to the Prime and get them to a safer area.
A flash of light to my left caught my attention. I glanced in that direction, and a sigh of relief escaped me. A familiar motorbike with two people on it was headed in our direction. When they joined beside me, I glanced over. In the limited sight I had, I was able to see Corey behind Raven. Blood drenched his shoulder, and his face was scrunched in pain. Almost as if he knew I was looking at him, his eyes fluttered open, and pain-filled blue eyes met mine. I gritted my teeth. When I met them, I never wanted him or the others to have that expression again, but here he was with these eyes. He gave me a soft smile and nodded to reassure me before his eyes fluttered closed again.
Time passed, and clouds had blocked the moon. No Academy forces were seen, but we knew that they would be. After riding for forty minutes, we came across a familiar object. Slowing down, we came to a stop. I looked around, making sure that the others were okay. Axel and Brandon were gathering their equipment while Corey leaned against Raven for support. A closer look at Corey made me concerned. He was too pale.
"We need to hide the bikes," Axel spoke in the quietness. We nodded, and we dragged our bikes into the brush. I felt bad leaving our bikes like this but they were almost out of gas. Once that was done, we picked up our bags and started towards Destination Cinderella. I glanced at my watch. There was still a few minutes until midnight which was when Marc, Kayli, and the Prime were to leave without us.
Labored breathing made me look behind me. Corey was breathing and sweating heavily. He was too weak to walk so Raven was carrying him on his back. The look of despair and concern made my heart hurt. Letting Axel take the lead, I stayed back until I was next to Raven. I looked at Corey who had his eyes closed. "How injured is he?"
Raven frowned. "Bad. The bullet tore through his shoulder. I was able to get the bullet out but..." His voice trailed off. His hands tightened around Corey's arms. "I can't loose him, Luna. I haven't told him I lo-"
I turned to face him, glaring at him. "Don't think like that. Corey is a fighter. If you regret not telling him something, then tell him when he wakes."
Raven suddenly looked like a lost puppy. "What will I do if he rejects me?"
I hid my smile as I saw Corey's eyes wide open, shocked at Raven's feelings. "You'll just have to take that risk, but what about Kayli?"
Raven's lips curled into a small smile. "The day after we had that talk with Kayli about Kevin, Kayli confronted me about my feelings for her and for Corey. She said that she loves us and knows that I love him. She's given me her acceptance." His dark brown eyes looked at me. "It's all thanks to you, Luna."
I gave him a lopsided smile. "Oh?"
"She opened up to us," Raven spoke as we stepped over a small creek. "If you hadn't, we wouldn't have known the truth behind Kevin's death and Kayli's guilt. By telling us her guilt, she opened up to us in a way that we haven't seen in years."
I shrugged. "She just needed a push, but I'm glad that you guys are finding your happiness."
Corey moved around as if he was waking up. His blue eyes looked at me in sadness. "You'll find your happiness, too, Sang."
I sighed, looking at the cloudy sky. I imagined that the sky was clear and that stars were twinkling in the sky with the Polaris shining brightly, but my life was like this cloudy sky. The clouds were the obstacles and the starry sky was my happiness. The clouds may disperse but they will always come back, blocking me from my happiness. "I finally got my brother back. I'm happy." I peeked at them, seeing their tight lipped expressions. Even Axel and Brandon seemed stiff. "My life is more dangerous than yours. I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me, and I'll be alright."
"Will you?" Brandon asked me. His sad blue eyes looked at me over his shoulder. His gaze pierced me, daring me not to turn away from my feelings.
"I-" I started to speak when a shout filled the air.
"G!" Milo yelled before he appeared and threw himself at me. His arms came around me, and he squeezed me tightly. "You're all right, right?" He drew back before he started to pat my arms.
I smiled, forcing Brandon's question away. "I'm fine, but Corey is injured."
"What?" Kayli's shocked face appeared from behind a tree. She gasped as she saw Corey on top of Raven and ran towards them.
Further beyond her was the cave that was Destination Cinderella. The cave was the entrance to the safe house. There was a false back of the cave that opened to a staircase that winded downward to a dugout area the size of a small house. I could see Marc and the other nine Prime looking at us in concern. Sean stepped towards us, looking a bit awkward as his gaze shifted from us to the wounded Corey. "May I look at his injury?"
A lightbulb went off inside my mind. A memory of the Bidding came to mind where I remember that it was announced he was a doctor. I nodded. "Go ahead. We need to move quickly, but if you need more time, we'll give it to you."
Sean nodded. His green eyes were filled with kindness and an unrecognizable emotion before he ran towards Corey who was being taken towards the cave. Milo ran after Sean. I along with Brandon and Axel made our way after them. When we came to the mouth of the cave, I looked at the Prime.
They looked haggard. Dark bags were underneath their eyes, and tiredness made their shoulders sag. Dirt and sweat marked their skin from their hike, and I knew that they were not used to this harsh environment. "You should get a nap. I don't know how much time we'll have until we have to move again."
Some of them nodded before going down into the underground living space. When I went to go down, a hand appeared in front of me. I looked up to see gray eyes. Mr. Blackbourne was a few step down than me and was holding his hand out towards me.
Warmth spread through me. I have never been treated like this. Sure, the Toma team has treated me with kindness but never had they tried to help me down the stairs unless I was injured. I stared at him. "I'm not injured."
His lips twitched, and amusement flickered in those gray eyes. "I assume you are not, but I would like to help you down the stairs, Ms. Lyons."
A smile came to my face as I took his hand. His hand wrapped around mine warmly. "Thank you, Mr. Blackbourne."
"No, thank you, Ms. Lyons," he said as he moved with me. "Thank you for letting Sean help."
I raised an eyebrow. "what do you mean?"
His hand tightened around mine before his group loosened. "Sean was treated as a genius for getting his doctorate at such a young age, but he never had the opportunity to use his abilities. Even if the others or I were injured, the Academy doctors would take care of us, and Sean felt useless."
My lips turned downward. "He wanted to be depended on." I hummed. "The Phoenix will love to have Sean help them in the hospital."
Mr. Blackbourne's head swerved towards me. I was speechless at the surprise in his eyes. "You'll let him help?"
I nodded. "The Phoenix doesn't care what blood type we have. They care about what one's ability. If it was healing, or even cooking, cleaning, teaching. Anything." I stepped down a step so our eyes were level. "I'm glad that I learned something about you."
A slender brow curved. "And what did you learn about me?"
"I knew that you cared for the others, but I assumed that it was because you were their leader or their friend. I was wrong. You care about them deeply as if they were your family." I watched as he digested my words. When he didn't speak, the atmosphere turned a bit awkward. I coughed, looking away. I stepped down to another step. "Do you hold the memory of me buying you against me?"
Mr. Blackbourne started walking with me. "I don't. I was ready for that moment when we were to be sold off. I am more shocked to learn that you bought me instead of your brother."
I bit my lip, nervous. I didn't know how to out my feelings at that moment into words. "I don't know why either. When I saw you, I spoke before I could think."
I felt him glance at me from the corner of his eye. "And do you regret that moment?"
I looked at him, straight in the eye. "No, I don't. As to why I did that, I'm still figuring that out."
Before we came to the last step, he leaned in until his lips brushed against my ear. "Truthfully, I am glad that you bid on me."
He stepped away and let go of my hand. Although we were in the dark, I could see the blush on neck. I wanted to smile at him being so cute.
"Mr. Blackbourne," Axel spoke, attracting both of our attention. His almond shaped eyes latched onto the Prime. "I need to see your violin."
A/N: It's been quite a while since I've updated this. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Tell me what you think!
<3 Azallya