I stared, completely mortified. Now I was even more conflicted then before! Why? Well, Chase just reviled my secret, the Monks probably hated me, but they were on the side of good. I was so confused.
"I don't have all day, Adrienne," Chase said, tapping his foot on the wooden floor, "Just choose me so I can get out of this hell hole."
I looked over to the Monks. They all looked worried. I guess they already knew that their chances were slim.
"I guess," I started, watching as they held their breath, "I should give you all one last appeal." The Monks breathed a sigh of relief while Chase just smirked. "Who wants to go first?"
A brief look was exchanged between Xiaolin and Heylin. "I guess we will." Said Raimundo, stepping forward. He looked into my eyes before starting. "Adrienne," He began, "I want you to know that I'm sorry for the way that I acted when I found out about you and Chase." He cast a sideways glare at the dark warrior. "But, I just wanted you to know, we won't hate you if you go with him. We'll still be here for you." There was a nod from the other Monks, even Kimiko, though hers wasn't as prompt as the others.
"Oh, Raimundo," I said putting the back of my hand on his cheek, "I wish I could believe you. But I know how it is. I know that if I leave with Chase today, then there will be feelings hurt, or in some cases," I glanced at Kimiko, "feelings assured. Don't try to sugar coat it for me." He nodded, tears coming to his eyes. "Don't cry," I said, pushing his chin up, "You don't need to shed tears over me." I leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He closed his eyes as a tear fell down and landed on the floor.
I turned to the others. "Good bye, Omi." I said, walking over to him, hugging him, "I'm going to miss your slang terms."
He looked down at the floor. "I guess I'll miss you too. I just wish that there was some other way, so you didn't need to be on the side of evil."
I gave him a small smile. "I do, too." I moved over to Clay. "Clay," I started out, "I want to thank you for understanding how I felt and for not getting to offended by me asking if you were from Tennessee."
"Think nothin' of it, Miss Adrienne." He said, tipping his hat "But I do wish that you could stay here with us."
I nodded, and turned to Kimiko. She stood, not looking at me, but at her fingernails. "Kimiko," I said, not at all disturbed by the fact that she thought I wouldn't talk to her. "I want you to know that I'm sorry. About everything. About pretending to be with Raimundo, and for kissing him just now. And I want you to know that you two look cute together."
She looked up at me. "Thank you," she said. "And I guess that I'm sorry for being jealous of you."
I smiled. "I don't see what you have to be jealous of."
I turned to Chase, who stood waiting for me. I sighed and walked slowly to him. He held his hand out, a gesture that made me shiver inside. I saw how his eyes stared hungrily at my hand as it moved toward his, and it felt even more like I was sealing my fate. I delicately placed my small hand in his bigger one. "You belong to me now, Adrienne Thanos."
I nodded sadly. "Let's just get out of here." I said, unable to take one last look at the Monks behind me.
"If you wish, Zhen." My eyes widened as he christened me with this new name. A pet name. His grip on my hand got tighter and we where suddenly out of the room that I had sat down to meals in for the past eight days, leaving behind my friends. Some of the only friends I had ever had.
End Chapter 10.
Yes, The Answer you have been waiting for was just revealed. I'm sorry about the shortness of this chapter, but I think to add more would ruin the moment. I'm also sorry about the bits with Raimundo, but you know, I just made him so cute, I couldn't pass it up. Thank you for reading this chapter.
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