Chapter 9: Another Look
". . . At the time . . . I thought nothing of it. The pain hurt, but it became numbing, a burn still . . . forever part of me, as did everything I knew. I may not ever be anything like Gwen or anyone in my family, as a fact. As that small bug of man said before we left; the pawn is to be taken care of, how relies on what the future holds. But I won't let it be what defines me, not even kiss-ass Dweeb or jump-high Grandpa Max. No one is thinking straight, I'm trying, so don't give me that look. But I won't let this go on, being a pawn or not. So, you're choice, Cat Boy, help me or end up like the rest. Because unlike them, a life matters to me, and sadly . . . you're one of them . . ."
In the spare words that Ben spoke with Rook, of what Gwen's powers could give and show, but sadly not know of how others could used it.
". . . Her magic is far beyond what others say. If it wasn't for what happen before then. I would most likely have been dead. But they wouldn't let it happen, but it does it mean I trust them? Or better yet, who should is more reliable in the matters of winning this war? Ideas, Cat Boy . . ."
Rook gave a deep and nerve calming breath, that nick name, but no, no matters to what. That's just how humans come off as, saying things in certain tones of deceitfulness or signs of friendship. Hope was on the latter of this.
"Sargent Rook, why aren't you with Ben?"
Broken from his inner rant, looked to see Gwen ways down the walkway. Sleep bagging at her eyes, as they were tiredly coated thick black lines below her eyes, but her eyes bright green of an emotion; that Rook was in no hurry to know what it was.
Quickly fixing himself up, clearing his throat from lack of hours use.
"He's resting. There was a tension before I was there, but it was before he could get a word. Young Magister Tennyson was not all that happy about waking up in an unknown place. But, as I said before, it is settled." Rook reported to her, walking up enough to be close enough, but keeping his distance from her, as always.
Gwen eyed him, but came to the understanding.
"Ben has always been like that, I can only imagine what he put you through, nothing broken I hope?"
"None. Just his pride most likely."
She gave a nodded, Gwen's eyes once again found them spying down the path Rook came from, that lead to Ben's room. Wearing a look that Rook couldn't seem to comprehend.
". . . I love them, for they're all the family I have. But they have change, into people I don't know anymore. And I can't help but wonder. Should I trust them? Or worst yet, should anyone for that matter . . ."
"Miss. Tennyson?"
She have a hum of comply she heard him, to go on what he had to say.
"Was there anything else and are you alright?"
Her eyes landed on him.
Rook did his best to show signs of discomfort from the eerie feel they gave.
"No. You may go back to your team or Ben's room. Does not matter. Our first port stop is coming in a few hours. Do you what you need."
He gave a nod, watching as she went on, taking off where the board of the ship was.
When Gwen was finally out view, Rook release a breath he didn't know at first he was holding. Leaning against the wall, as it felt for his legs became jelly during the their chat.
Rook shook his head, clearing his thoughts, breathing a steady pace, looking across the hall's wall ahead him. Eyes trained on something. He blinked once, standing straight once more, fixing up his uniform, checking his Pro-Tool for its power charger. When all done, headed towards anywhere but where he was.
Meanwhile, back at the medical bay. Max laid in his cot. Black eyes clouded from doses of drugs that were dulling the pain, leaving the rest of the world blurred for him to see. Faint groans from others like him, where just an echo to him, as small chimes of doctors did their best in saving some of the more injure ones. But from the mutters they made, the saves were a hit or a miss.
Before letting sleep take, all was left to hear, was the thin cries from those finding out who they lost.
Something he wished to never come. Later or soon.
All through that time, back at Ben's room. The bed empty. With the once clean room, formed in matters of seconds, a rat-nest. Ben was in a search. For what was uncertain. But his face shone with lack of wellness to stop to find whatever it was. In a flash, unhappy to come up fruitless, relied on breaking the bathroom's sink mirror, breaking it and picking up a piece that was a good size.
Rushing out of the washroom, headed over to the bed, standing on the mattress, frowned a bit when so much of weighted down on him. But it didn't stop him, looking above his head, eyeing the device carefully. stretching his arms towards it, just within reach of it, used the glass that was cutting into him, but luckily got it to open the device with just a few turns, having the cover fall inches from his toes.
Wires and lights it all was, before he blindly smashed the glass, slicing the wires, breaking the small beaded lights with his fist, resulting in a slightly burn, blood soaked hand, sliver of glass and copper wires sewing through and sticking out his skin.
He gave a hiss of the shot of pain that came with it. Shaking it off. Running over to the closet he spent most of his time cleaning out until finding a vent. A small one, but, of course, a plan came about for it. Slowly he reached for something behind him. Ready for the pain this time, before the room glowed a flash of acid green, within that flash cleared.
Ben was gone.