"Damnit Castor, do your fucking thing," Hunter spat.
"Some help would be appreciated, if you two are finished holding hands."
The woman twisted her body, and when Castor released her, she bolted towards the alarm. Before she could get to it, she collided against Hunter's firm chest and retracted back.
"You have no right to be here, and will suffer severe consequences. You need to leave now!" The women elbowed Hunter in the ribs.
Hunter was caught off guard and doubled over before he staggered back, the woman all but lurching to the buzzer, her clenched fist almost punching Luxor in the cheek.
The mayhem unfolded and continued to escalate, a tussle between all three of them. Castor yanked the woman back by her top.
"I demand you to let me go," she grunted, and kicked out.
"Sure, after you give us the code for the cuffs."
The woman scoffed. "You are as crazy as her if you think I will—" Her words were muffled off by Castor clamping his hand over her mouth, and digging his nails into her cheek.
"Stop." His voice was firm and full of authority.
The women straightened up. Castor blew out a breath and removed his hand, wiping it on the back of his tracksuit.
Beside her, Hunter continued to hold Luxor's fingers. "This should be interesting."
Castor ran his hands over his shaved head. "Look we just want the code, my brothers friend wants to stretch her legs, you don't want her to get sore legs, do you?"
The woman blinked twice, and shook her head. "Now what's the code?" His voice was deep with authority, his gun metal grey eyes searing into the woman’s eyes with a deep intensity.
"Two, five, eight, three," she replied in a monotone voice.
"Original," Castor mumbled sarcastically, and repeated the code to Hunter.
Hunter scoffed at the code numbers which translated to blue on a phone keypad. He flicked the sheet off to expose Luxor's feet. He gulped, his hands halting around the cuffs, his knuckles turning white. Rubbing his thumb over the numbers, he squinted and punched them in. The red light buzzed. He crouched his face as he close as he could and tried again, closely taking note to take in all the numbers, punched in four numbers. The red light buzzed again.
"What's the hold up? And where the hell is Theo?" Castor dumped the woman onto the ground where she landed with a thump. She stared into space, her eye-lids droopy, and looking drugged.
"The keypad is out of order; I can't do it." Hunter slumped his shoulders, and continued to hold Luxor's ankle, while he made room for Castor.
"Can't believe I'm doing this shit," Castor swore, pulled the cuff down, and punched in correct numbers. The green light flashed and unclipped. "Not part of the fucking plan." He repeated the action with the wrists but with more force.
"Ow," Luxor winced, circling her ankles once they were free.
"Be careful asshole." Hunter punched his brothers’ chest. "Where's Theo?"
Castor shrugged. "Probably fucking a comatose patient, his penchant for somnophilia has reached new heights."
"You're disgusting," he retorted, and turned to face Luxor. "Don't take notice of him, he's being a jackass." He assisted her to her feet, and passed her a hooded jacket, then whipped the blanket off the bed and draped it over her shoulders
The door opened up and in walked Theo who headed straight from Luxor. "Hey, how you feeling?" Theo smiled, his warm grey eyes comforting.
Tired, sore, confused, did I mention confused?
"Don't touch her." Hunter spun him around, and pointed in the direction of the woman, who murmured the same four number code over, and over again.
Luxor ignored Hunter's self-imposed dominance, and watched in fascination as Theo knelt to the woman, his voice soft and calm. He lifted up her name tag clipped onto the pocket of the jacket. "Hi Dana. You're probably confused right now, but I'll explain everything. Do you want me to tell you?"
She nodded slowly. "You came in, woke Luxor up to give her medication, and checked her vitals. When you were satisfied everything was fine, you left making sure nobody entered the room for an hour.”
"Two hours," Hunter ordered.
"Two hours," Theo repeated, sighing in an exaggerated manner. "If anybody finds her not in the room, tell them you were on strict orders from Valencia to make sure she received fresh air. In three minutes, you are allowed to leave this room."
Luxor watched in horror and disbelief as Dana bobbed her head, and repeated the code number over and over again before setting the timer.
The escape from solitary confinement was easier than Luxor anticipated. Hunter clung to her like fleas on a dog, while Castor lead the way with Theo at the back. Personal space was a luxury, but it was something she'd prepare to put up with, if she was to get reprieve from being subdued.
"I would carry you but I'm aiming for inconspicuous," Hunter whispered.
They reached an iron wrought door, and Castor peered in the square silver box nearest the door, and a flash of light scanned across. "Accepted." Valencia’s voice spoke through the speaker, and after a beep, the door clicked.
Castor turned towards Hunter, and pulled the door open. "One hour and fifty-two minutes, not a minute more or I'll make sure she's in there for longer,” he growled. “I’m not going to be dealt the consequences on account of her." He turned on his heel, and left swearing underneath his breath.
“Grumpy as always,” Theo said, sticking his foot in the door to keep it open.
Hunter held Luxor’s hand, jogged over to the Hummer, and opened up the back door. He retrieved a backpack, and thread his arms through the loops.
"What's going on?" she asked, unsure why he had brought her outside of The Renaissance Centre only to return.
"It's a surprise, you'll like it."
Theo remained tight lipped and power-walked ahead when Hunter and Luxor re-entered. Zig-zagging through hallways, they stopped at a pair of frosted doors, and yet another box needed for identification. Theo carried on with the process, and stepped aside with a self-satisfied smile.
Hunter walked in first with Luxor hesitant but elated. A field was spread out beyond them, acres upon acres of lush grass and flowers. The field was packed with teenagers of all ages, participating in sporting activities, will balls of every variety being kicked, thrown and hit about. Together in silence, they walked right to the end, until they reached a bubbling brook.
Luxor spread her legs out and laid back on her elbows, ripples of water soothing as it idled along. Beside her, Hunter rummaged through his backpack, and pulled out a fleecy cotton blanket, and covered her legs. She watched in curiosity as he went through the motions and laid out food before them, placing out two bowls with forks on top, one in front of them each, a pile of candy and chocolate piled in the middle, a couple of bottles of Gatorade, and a slender stainless-steel urn with two plastic cups.
"Ta da. It's a picnic!"
Who was this guy?
This Hunter was certainly a person she had never met before, and like The Renaissance Centre, was more than originally perceived. On the one side, she wanted to escape from him, he aggravated and pushed her to the brink, and on the other she was inexplicably drawn to him. And it scared her, more than she would like to admit.
Luxor cleared her throat, it was scratchy from being quiet for so long. “How did you know where I was?”
“My Juliet was in distress.”
Luxor rolled her eyes. "You're such an idiot. If you think I'm stupid enough to believe you, you can go back and lock me up." She tapped his chest twice and moved back.
"Ouch." Hunter mockingly rubbed his chest. "Your gratitude leaves a lot to be desired, if you like it rough, give a guy some warning,” he said. “How are you feeling?”
“Considering I was in a padded cell and I’m in a gown which has a split in the back, exposing my bare ass, how do you think?” she deadpanned, and sniffed. “You’ve brought a whole feast in the basket. Chicken Caesar salad, mango gelati, oh and is that Sta
rbursts?”
Hunter twisted his lips to the side. “How did you know? Is that why you’re in here?”
Luxor let out a heavy breath. “I’ve gained two more so-called gifts recently. My senses have amplified, I have enhanced hearing and smell,” she said. “So far it hasn’t been a bother but what if the list won’t stop. What if I’ll exhibit more of his powers, until I’m not me anymore?”
“You are not him, and never will be. I’ll make sure of it,” he said. “Always stay safe.”
Luxor wanted to believe him more than anything in the world, and before he left, she would have, but now she wasn’t so sure.
“Why are you really here? Nobody gets sent here unless there is something extremely wrong with them. Your arms are heavily bandaged, how did that happen? And nobody gets sent to solitary confinement, and shackled hands and feet for mere nightmares, no matter the severity."
The Renaissance Centre was notorious for aiding the misguided and troublesome teenagers with their problems. It was why Luxor was sent there, and under the guidance of the prestigious Dr. Lawson. What she wasn't told, was it was an institution, and beyond the confines of the office, teenagers were held in all kinds of levels, whose emotional stability was fractured.
"Are you going to answer my question?" He paused and waited. “Are you?” he said again. “Here’s my proposition. I want a no holds barred question session. You can ask me any question, and vice versa. You can only pass three times, and if you do, a punishment will be bestowed. Game is over when first one loses."
“Remember the last time we played?” she said alluding to the study session where she found out about his family.
“Vividly.”
"So, if you pass on a question, I get to punch you?"
Hunter arched an eyebrow. "That's my punishment? So, violent Angel. Well now it makes sense why you're in this place. And your punishment is I get to kiss you," he replied all too quickly, a mischievous grin plastered on his face as if this was his main aim.
"What, no! How in the holy hell is that a punishment? Are your kisses that repulsive?"
"You’ve had a taste, you tell me.” He smirked. “You'll get answers or I'll get punched, it's a win, win."
Luxor paused and mulled over her decision. Was it worth it? She needed answers, more questions kept arising that were driving her crazy. Well crazier. But to get kissed? She was scared she would like it, and that would be yet another thing for Hunter to hold over her.
"Tick tock, sometime today, Angel," Hunter sing-songed.
"Fine, but I go first," she said conceding defeat.
He smirked, and peeled away the lids of the plastic containers. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
"How'd you know I was here?"
"Ah, an easy question. Castor and Theo were visiting our friend when they called me. Blue alert siren was activated which sent the centre into lockdown. I was grabbing lunch at The Hive, and knowing this place like I do, I grabbed you a lunch pack one too. The food in this place is disgusting."
"Speaking from experience?"
He placed the container closer to her. "Eat."
Inside was leafy greens, a concoction of lettuce and spinach, mixed with an array of coloured vegetables and fruits. Hunter munched away at his salad, devouring it.
"A guy that eats salad, that's something I've never seen."
"Then you're very narrow-minded." He stabbed a strip of chicken breast and offered it. "Want to eat my meat?"
Luxor scrunched up her nose. "I'm vegetarian."
"You need protein," he argued, slipping the chicken off his fork and into her bowl.
"I'm vegetarian for your meat." She laughed and popped a cherry tomato in her mouth.
"You are filthy minded, I've corrupted you!" He chuckled.
She chewed on the crispy chicken. "This is so good. She removed the croutons, placed it on the lid, and hoped it didn't contaminate the other food too much. Following her lead Hunter flicked the croutons forward, birds swooping in to grab the morsels of bread.
“I loathe how our bodies are like this. Kind of like you. One taste and I'm fucked!"
Luxor hid a small smile at the sense of entitlement. She held power over Hunter, and his awareness made it even more satisfying. Once the words wore off, she went over the other thing he said.
Hunter clasped her hand and cradled it in his palm, lowered his lips to her hand and kissed it. "Your turn."
That's my punishment?
Luxor wasn't sure if she was relieved or disappointed at the lack of a real kiss.
Definitely relieved. Maybe.
If The Renaissance Centre was an extreme place to get into and out of, how was it possible Hunter and his brothers easily slipped under the radar?
“No matter where I go, I don’t feel safe. I’m aware of the dangers around me, how can I not be with the constant back up I have, but it’s different. Half the time they’re not real,” she confessed, pushing the food away, her appetite now gone.
“Your vision quests? Has Cane returned?”
“No. Worse. My mother.” She subconsciously rubbed her stomach. “I’m falling apart, I don’t think I can handle anymore.”
“It's not possible.”
“You said that when Cane entered my mind.”
“That’s different. Now you’re accessing the body and mind of somebody in the past.”
“What does it mean?”
“I’m not entirely sure.”
Luxor stepped up onto a loose large rock on the bank of the stream and dipped her feet into the cold water. Water always calmed her, it was a soothing contrast to her fiery personality. She wobbled, the rock underneath lifting off the edge. She searched for the nearest rock so she wouldn't fall in but came up empty. Luxor tilted back and forwards, her hands flapping around wildly.
Hunter wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, lifted her up and placed her on steady ground. "Last thing you need is to get drenched, try explaining that." He leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead, his thumb running alongside her jaw. "And there's your punishment for not answering."
Luxor lowered her eyes, and turned her back on him, concentrating on the one thing that made sense; the nature which surrounded her. It was pure and simple, and everybody knew their purpose. She was confused on what to do, and about Hunter's true motives; nothing made sense anymore. Two times he had the opportunity to take advantage of the situation, and both times he respected her wishes. But she was starting to not want that anymore.
The next time she turned around Hunter had moved everything underneath a shady tree, it's branches and leaves overhanging like a canopy. The clouds had dissipated, leaving the sun to blazed. Hunter had taken off his jumper, and placed it on the spot beside him. When Luxor joined him, it seemed like that little moment never happened, just like last night under the porch.
"Want to keep playing?" he said, his forearm flexing as he drew lines in the dirt with a stick.
"Of course," she replied. She hadn't scratched the surface of all the information she wanted answers to.
A frisbee flew in her direction and Luxor ducked just in time. She picked it up and checked out who threw it. A young boy, no older than ten, jogged over, the laces of his runners untied. Did it hit you?"
"No," she said, and handed the frisbee over.
"Oh, that's a shame," he said menacingly. His pupils enlarged, and darkened his yellow eyes. "You don't belong here; you have to leave."
Finally, someone understands.
"Mason, that's not nice," Hunter said, venturing towards him.
Mason retreated back, shaking his head, his dirty blonde hair swishing into his eyes. "She has to leave; she will hurt us."
What the hell?
"Mason, calm down." Hunter kneeled, and placed his hands on his small shoulders. Pebbles were manically kicked at Luxor. "She's not like us, she needs to leave, she will hurt us," he repeated, heaving as he shrieked with more emphasis.
A group of medics in c
risp white coats arrived and witnessed the chaos, and everybody else parted to let them through and not get into their way.
"Hide behind the tree," Hunter ordered.
Luxor obeyed but peeked, her curiosity heightened. Mason thrashed against the arms that held in a stronghold, as he chanted the same sentence over and over again, each time louder. He was pinned to the ground; his arms and legs were immobilised. "She will be the death of us all."
One of the nurses produced a syringe from the inside of her coat, and without restraint jabbed the young boy in the leg. Mason cried out, sobs coming from him, until he became limp. Cradled in one of the male’s arms, they carried him away inside.
Luxor huddled behind the tree, hidden under the hood, and curled her body in a ball. The boys screams echoed in her head. Did she look like that when she was having a breakdown? It had caught her off guard, and if it wasn't direct it wouldn't have affected her as much. It made her think of Meredith and what she was going through to see somebody she loves out of control, mentally and physically.
An overwhelming cocoon enveloped her like a blanket, a tight embrace that needed no words, yet said so much. She inhaled, and the forest was comforted her, just like the beach used to. The hood was removed from her head, and she tucked her damp hair behind her ear.
"Angel, it's okay he's gone." Hunter cradled her, firm strokes running the length of her back, his chin rested on her head.
"What's wrong with him?" she mumbled, and leaned in closer to his chest. "I mean you seem to know him."
"He's a paranoid schizophrenic, everybody he comes into contact with he believes will cause destruction. Sad bit is, this is him on a good day, he's usually confined all day in that padded room."
“Do his predictions come true?”
“Don’t worry about him, his young and confused,” he said. "His foster parents couldn't handle him, that's all I know."
It was always family. When damaged, it was the root of all evil. Mason was an orphan just like Luxor was, and Hunter had no mother, and from what she understood they were broken.
Was a prerequisite to have loving parents to avoid having severe problems?
Betrayed: The Chronicles of Luxor Everstone Book Two Page 17
