“Ethan?”
The brunet inspected him with icy blue eyes, trying to figure out if Hunter was real. The pair stared at each other intensely, never once breaking eye contact. “Halson?” Hunter’s jaw dropped. A few seconds later, Ethan screamed again as he held on to his head. He appeared to be in pain, eyes shut tightly, teeth clenched.
Hunter instinctively ran to his side to check on him. He could see tears running down Ethan’s face. “It hurts,” Ethan blurted out. Hunter moved his hand to the ailing boy’s head and began to softly stroke his hair. “It’s okay,” Hunter soothed.
Ethan quickly latched on to Hunter and wrapped his arms around Hunter’s neck. “I’m right here. You’re okay.”
They stayed close together on the bed for a while. Hunter didn’t quite understand what Ethan was going through but he knew it had to be painful. His body was literally changing and transforming into something unnatural, unhuman.
As supportive as he was trying to be, the truth was, Hunter was terrified. He had no idea what was happening to Ethan or why he blurted out the name Halson earlier. Hunter was now more flustered than ever. He didn’t know what the long-term effects of these serums would be and what angered him the most was the fact that no one seemed to care.
It was as if they only needed Ethan to be enhanced right now but they had no idea what would happen to him in the future. What if these attributes shortened his life? Or worse, what if they only served to get Ethan killed that much faster?
Hunter knew how badly Ethan wanted to help everyone. He wanted the citizens of Daventry and the surrounding cities to be free, but at what cost? Was it worth Ethan’s death? Hunter didn’t think so. Ethan finally pulled himself away from the other boy long enough to catch Hunter’s concerned expression.
“I’m okay… I think,” he said after a long pause. Hunter cupped his face. “What happened?” Ethan shook his head. “I don’t know. I just started having these awful… flashbacks,” Ethan began to say.
He paused as he thought about what he wanted to say next.
“At least I thought they were flashbacks. But they couldn’t be because I have no idea who the people were. And it didn’t feel like me. It felt like I was someone else.” Hunter could see the confusion on Ethan’s face. “You don’t think they were…” He refused to believe that he had relived memories that belonged to the MalJari. There was no way. How could that even be possible? “Someone else’s memories?”
“Don’t even say it Hunter. I can’t stomach the idea of having another person’s life inside my head.” But the more Ethan thought about it, the more it made sense. His nightmares always contained people and places he didn’t recognize. What if this whole time, his dreams belonged to a different person, whose DNA was currently intertwined with his?
*****
“Godrik, who is this?” Hadley asked, pointing to a picture of a young boy. He was a standing next to MalHalen, as the leader was addressing his people. The picture was at least a few decades old if not more. The peculiar thing about the boy was his uncanny resemblance to Ethan. It was like his twin except for the white hair.
Godrik glossed over the photo thoughtfully before speaking. “I’m not sure. The caption doesn’t say his name.”
Quickly, Abby typed on her screen, searching the database for any reference of the picture. She found none. Frustrated, she sighed loudly and turned back to Hadley. “Anything?” Hadley asked. Abby shook her head.
They all stared at the picture, trying to figure out who this boy was. For some reason, it felt as if he was important. The team had been researching everything they could on the MalJari trying to find any weakness that they could use against them. So far, very little had turned up.
“He looks a lot like Ethan,” Abby whispered. “Not really,” Godrik said after a long silence. Hadley, Abby and Saia turned toward the doctor, willing him to continue. “Sure, there’s a resemblance but let’s not read into this okay? We have more work to do.”
“Resemblance?” Saia stated incredulously. “They could be twins.” She paused. “Are they the same person Godrik?” Abby and Hadley exchanged confused expressions. “Of course not!” Godrik shouted insistently.
“Oh Godrik, please tell me you didn’t do what I think you did,” Saia continued. “You told us you had a plan. Brilliant, I believe was the word you used to describe this epic plan. To make a human more like a MalJari. But it appears that you did the opposite?”
Godrik shrugged. “So, what if I did?”
Saia walked up to him and pushed him hard leaving Godrik shocked. “We’ll never be able to be like them, will we?!” She shoved him again. “You’ve been lying to all of us this whole time!”
“No!” Godrik tried to defend himself but Saia was already leaving the lab. “The other leaders will hear about this!”
Godrik stood there helplessly as she stormed off. Did he think Ethan’s blood could give the rest of the Awakened his powers? Not really. Originally, he figured it would be best to see if Ethan could even handle the serums before jumping into some big elaborate plan.
He knew however, that the Commissioner would need more convincing, so he might have accidentally eluded to a smartly outlined and well-designed plan that didn’t exist.
Godrik was aware that his actions were reckless but he couldn’t help himself. He hated the MalJari and he had his reasons. They took everything from him and he would rather die trying to stop them then let them live another moment longer.
“Is that really what you did Godrik?” It was Abby who asked the question though both girls glared at him, needing to hear the answer.
Godrik shook his head. “No.” He walked over to the computer screen and stared at the boy in the picture again. The girls were unconvinced.
*****
“Abby? What are you doing here?” Hunter asked. Abby walked inside the apartment before she spoke. “By all means, come on in,” Hunter mumbled under his breath.
“I wanted to check on Ethan. Is he decent?” she asked, arching her eyebrow suggestively to Hunter. He threw her a glare as he made his way into the bedroom. Ethan was working away on the computer, trying to get his mind off the images he was previously subjected to. He smiled when he saw Hunter enter.
“Hey, Abby’s here.”
“Okay,” Ethan said. He shrugged on a sweater and went out to greet his friend. “Hey Abs.” The red head turned and smiled at her friend, embracing him gently. She wasn’t yet sure if he was completely healed.
“I’m not broken,” he whispered to her. He knew her too well. “Are you feeling better?” she asked. He nodded and glanced at Hunter.
“He takes good care of me,” he winked causing Hunter to blush.
Abby smiled genuinely at her best friend. She was truly happy that he had found someone to love him so dearly. She hoped to one day find that herself. “He better,” she warned playfully, earning an eye roll from the sandy haired boy.
“You want to sit down?” Ethan asked. Abby shook her head. “No, I can’t stay. I just wanted to check on you,” she explained.
She figured she would leave out the actual details of Godrik and Sais’s conversation until later. “Is everything okay?” he asked.
Abby hesitated and Hunter saw it. She told herself that the boy standing in front of her was her best friend, regardless of what Saia or Godrik thought, but it was hard. “I’ll let you talk to Godrik yourself,” she said quickly. She was already making her way to the door when Ethan stopped her.
“You’re scaring me, Abs.”
“Ethan, focus on getting a good night’s rest, okay? We can talk about everything tomorrow.” He watched her glide away, frowning as the door slid closed behind her. Hunter came up behind him and wrapped his arms around Ethan’s waist. Ethan grinned when he felt Hunter’s lips on his throat.
“What are you doing?”
Hunter replied in between kisses. “Making sure you get a good night’s rest.” Ethan didn’t say anything back, simply letting Hunt
er take him into the bedroom. They were way past conversation anyway.
*****
The following morning, Hunter found himself alone in bed. He sat up quickly wondering where Ethan might have gone. He sighed in relief when he heard the shower shut off.
After a minute or two, Ethan shuffled out of the bathroom, wearing nothing but a towel, running his hands through his still wet hair. He walked up to Hunter and kissed him lovingly. “You scared me.”
Ethan frowned.
“I woke up and you weren’t here,” Hunter explained. “Sorry, didn’t want to wake you,” Ethan said. He walked over to his closet and began choosing his outfit. He settled on a pair of grey leather pants and a white asymmetrical sweater that hugged his chest. Hunter certainly seemed to appreciate it.
“Big day today,” Ethan whispered apprehensively. “You nervous?” Hunter asked while he too rifled through Ethan’s clothes. He slipped on a pair of black pants and a black sweater. They were a little tight but he would make do. He glanced over at Ethan and watched him bite his lip raw.
“Hey, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to,” Hunter said. Ethan nodded but continued to gnaw his lip nervously. Hunter cupped Ethan’s face and made him look up into his eyes. “I’ll be right there with you. We’re going to do this together okay?” Ethan gave him a small smile and relaxed a bit.
“You’re right. I’m just so sick of people lying to me and using me.” Hunter felt his heart stop and he was eternally grateful that Ethan hadn’t picked up on it.
“I know. Do whatever your heart tells you to and you’ll be fine.” Ethan welcomed his boyfriends warm embrace. Hunter always had such an ability to calm him even when he felt lost or withdrawn. His feelings of inadequacy and disappointment were slowly melting away.
The pair left the safe confines of the apartment and set off for the underground laboratories of the North building. That was where they would learn of Godrik’s elaborate plan and where Ethan would decide his future and that of everyone around him.
Ethan kept glancing nervously at Hunter the entire trip. By the time they reached the North building his hands were sweaty, his forehead was clammy and his stomach was knotting uncomfortably.
He didn’t know why he was so apprehensive. It probably had something to do with everyone’s lives hanging in the balance but he tried to ignore that. Instead he focused on Hunter, never letting go of his hand once during their short trip.
Hunter was his anchor. Everything he was doing would be much more difficult if not for the boy standing next to him. As they stood in the elevator, Ethan leaned into Hunter and whispered in his ear. “I love you.” It was soft and delicate, causing Hunter’s heart to break a little. He grabbed their interlocked hands and placed a kiss on Ethan’s wrist. Even though he felt the same way, he couldn’t say it back. Especially since Ethan didn’t know the truth about him. Until then, saying those three words would be a lie.
As soon as they reached the laboratory, they were greeted with all the city leaders, as well as Godrik, Saia, Edred, Connor, Abby and Hadley. When Ethan stepped further inside the room he frowned at the sight of Preston and Tyler. What were they doing there?
“Hi Ethan,” Saia said in greeting. The other city leaders were standing along the wall to his right. Their eyes on him began to make him feel uncomfortable, causing him to squeeze Hunter’s hand in reflex. “How are you feeling?” Godrik asked.
Ethan searched around before answering. “I feel okay, I guess,” he said quietly. He could hear the leaders whispering amongst themselves. He tried to listen in but Godrik was distracting him. “Do you mind if I check your vitals?” Ethan turned back to the doctor and regarded him strangely. “Why?”
“I want to make sure you’re alright.” He grabbed for Ethan’s arm but the boy retracted it quickly. “It’s okay Ethan.”
“Don’t touch me!”
Ethan ducked away from Godrik’s touch again. Suddenly Hunter grabbed Godrik and slammed him up against the wall. “He said no, got it?” Godrik nodded his head. Only then did Hunter let him go. The city leaders watched with trepidation. So far, this meeting wasn’t going well. Ethan could hear them talking again and this time he listened in.
“…does he even have any abilities…”
“…probably didn’t work…”
“…. waste of time… resources…”
“… can’t stop them…”
“…cities are doomed…”
He found himself getting frustrated. He was already being called a failure and he hadn’t even been given a chance to do anything yet. He could feel his breath speed up as his anger took over. All these adults were trying to tell him what to do, use him in whatever way they wanted without regard for him or his well-being. They didn’t care about him. All they cared about was themselves and their own agendas. It was all too much to handle. Ethan felt it building up inside of him, that feeling of despair that was screaming to get out. He couldn’t hear another word. Finally, he gave in to his emotions.
“STOP IT!!!!!!!!” he yelled suddenly.
Everyone in the room was gasping but it wasn’t because of the sudden outburst, rather they were reacting to the glass wall that had shattered behind Ethan.
They ducked around equipment and cowered in corners as computer screens cracked and light fixtures burst. Ethan was breathing harshly now, seemingly unaware of the destruction he was causing.
His fists were clenched as his body shook with anger. He blinked a few times and took in the state of the room. Moreover, he realized the state of the people in the room. They were terrified.
Hadley and Abby huddled together in a corner while most of the city leaders stayed plastered against the wall, not moving for fear of upsetting Ethan. Godrik and Saia were across the room, staring at him with shock, not that he could blame them. He glanced down at the shards of glass that now littered much of the floor. He didn’t mean for that to happen. He simply wanted them to stop talking about him like he wasn’t even there.
He wanted all of them to stop treating him like he didn’t matter, like he was merely a tool to help them survive and not an actual person with feelings. Hunter slowly approached him. It broke his heart to see the fear in his boyfriend’s eyes, but there it was, staring right back at him. “Are you alright?” Ethan could feel a tear slide down his face.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered sadly.
“I didn’t mean-”
“It’s okay Ethan.”
“You’re overwhelmed, we understand.”
“We should be talking to you, not about you.”
Ethan couldn’t believe it. It was Garrick, Whitley and Locke speaking apologetically. They cautiously stood up straight and shuffled toward the enhanced boy. “I know your scared but that was impressive,” Alistair said, much to everyone’s surprise.
The room turned to watch Preston as he huffed in protest. Once again, Hunter’s glare quickly found the grumpy man. “That was not impressive, that was a temper tantrum that could have killed someone!”
Preston was clearly flustered by the adoration being given to someone he saw as an unqualified petulant boy. The savior of humanity? Not likely. “Because you could do better?” Hunter growled. Hunter was ready to kill Preston but unfortunately Ethan held him back. Even Abby and Hadley were openly glaring in Preston’s direction.
“As a matter of fact, I could!” Preston glared back. Tyler was grinning happily at Hunter’s annoyance. Suddenly the tension in the room was amplified ten-fold. Hunter and Ethan were squaring off with Preston and Tyler. Saia quickly got in between them.
“You think I wanted any of this?” Ethan sneered. Preston towered over him. “If you don’t want to do this, why are you here?” the angry man seethed. “Because I have something you don’t. I can do things that you will never be able to do,” Ethan said lowly. “I didn’t ask for this but it’s done and I’m our best chance at stopping the MalJari, so either stay and help us or get out!”
Preston wat
ched as the city leaders all stood behind Ethan, supporting him. Even Tyler seemed hesitant in his stance. Regardless of his hatred for the enhanced boy, Tyler couldn’t deny his power.
Preston scoffed in disgust and walked out of the lab. He turned around, expecting Tyler to be right behind him but was disappointed to see the boy still standing among the others inside the room. “Tyler?” he asked. The young man bowed his head shamefully.
“I’m sorry Preston.” The older man was both sad and angry at the same time. “Don’t even think of asking for my help,” he snarled before stomping away. “Why would we need his help?” Hadley asked. The teenagers turned to Saia and Godrik for a response.
“He works directly under the Commissioner. It will be difficult to get anything done without his resources,” Saia explained. “Resources?” Ethan inquired. “There are facilities that we will need to process your DNA and distribution centers in order to administer it to the Awakened,” Garrick stated. “You shouldn’t have dismissed him like that,” Alistair scolded.
At least that explained why he was there. Ethan felt uneasy about his departure though. He knew eventually they would have to work together. Without another word, he left the room in search of Preston. Hunter followed him to the elevators. “Let me talk to him Hunter. We need his help,” Ethan said. Hunter shook his head. “He’s a prick. We don’t need anything from him.”
“I do,” Ethan said as he boarded the elevator. If they were to have any chance against the MalJari, he would need to work with him. He just hoped the older man would listen to reason.
“Preston!” Ethan yelled, running up to him as he exited the elevator. He turned around and glared at Ethan. “What do you want?”
“I need your help.” That caused Preston to laugh. “You need my help? How cute,” he said dismissively.
“You can’t attack them without me!” Ethan said loudly. That caused Preston to turn around again. His eyes were dark and menacing. “And I can’t help the Awakened without you,” Ethan pleaded in a softer voice. That statement surprised Preston.
Awaken_Ethan Drake Chronicles Page 15
