Chapter 21
"That was completely unnecessary," Mackenzie huffed as Iggy sat her down on top of the bathroom sink.
"I know, I just wanted a good excuse to hold you," Iggy winked at her. She smacked his arm and murmured, "Pervert."
He rubbed his arm. "Ouchie. You gave me another boo-boo."
She rolled her eyes. "My sincerest apologies."
He straightened up. "That's better. Now let's take a look at that bump on your head."
His first move was to feel around her head, like she had when she had first woken up, until, like her, he hit the bump. Mackenzie felt the same shock of pain and she flinched backwards. "Ow!"
"There's the bump. Now, is there a first-aid kit in here?"
Mackenzie looked around. "Oh, there it is, let me just go and-"
"No," Iggy stated briskly, "Don't move. Gazzy!"
The young boy's head popped into view. "What do want Igs? I don't wanna see you get it on in here with Mackenzie."
Both teenagers faces' were the color of ripe cherries and Mackenzie asked, "Where on earth did you get that impression?"
The Gasman shrugged. "Max and Nudge were talking about it out there. Besides, Iggy's obviously faking his injury to get your attention."
She glanced at the blind pyro, who was glaring at Gazzy like there was no tomorrow. "Is that so?"
"Yeah, a bruise like that's nothing for Iggy. He's had way worse. Angel said he's probably trying to see how much you care for him."
"N-n-n-no!" Iggy stammered, his cheeks redder than ever, if that was even possible, "I'm not faking anything. Gaz, shut up and hand me the first aid kit, wherever it is."
"Fine," Gazzy murmured, grabbing the small metal box and handing it to Iggy on his way out. "Keep it PG you guys."
"Shut up!" the other two yelled. The rest of the Flock's laughter sounded from the other room.
"So," Mackenzie started, making sure Gazzy wasn't within hearing range of their conversation, "is your injury as drastic as you claim it is or are you just being an attention hog?"
"Nope," Iggy said as he did his medical magic on her head, making it feel as though she had never been tackled by an Eraser onto a concrete floor, "Your foot is 100% painful when it kicks people's cheek. I need intense medical attention."
"Oh well," she sighed smugly, "I guess I can't 'kiss it better' or else I might do some extra damage and-"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Iggy put his hand up to stop her, "possibly fatal injury or not my cheek is always open for a kiss to make it better."
He leaned toward her, giving her perfect access to his cheek. She laughed. "That's not even the cheek with the injury."
Iggy turned his face the other way. "The other one needed some love too."
"Uh huh. I'm sure it did." Without even thinking, Mackenzie leaned over and kissed Iggy on the cheek. Both of them jumped back a little in shock, faces flushing pink. Iggy let out a small cough.
"Oh geez, I'm sorry, I wasn't even thinking and-"
"It's fine," Iggy interrupted, "It's just…"
"Did it hurt? I really am sorry."
He shook his head furiously. "No! No.. It's just…" He fiddled with his fingers, his cheeks turning redder by the second. "My lips hurt too?" His last statement ended up sounding like a question, but still making Mackenzie blush.
"Oh," was all she said. "Well, we can't let an injury untreated can we?"
"No we can't," Iggy wore a full blown grin and as they both leaned in-
"Are you done in there?! I neeeeeeeeeeeeeed to pee so bad! My bladder's going to EXPLODE!" Nudge's voice sounded from the other side of the door.
The two jumped back as though they had been shocked, their cheeks flushed and warm. Iggy muttered a string of colorful words under his breath. Some that included, "That **** crooked bladder of hers." Seconds later, the chatterbox began banging on the door.
"Are you guys deaf? Stop hogging the bathroom!"
"It's open!" Mackenzie called back. She slid off the counter as Nudge opened the door. Seeing Mackenzie's pink face and Iggy's furious one, Nudge's eyes widened. "Ohmigosh I'm sorry. Did I interrupt something important?"
Mackenzie tried to keep her face from heating up even more as she shook her head furiously. "No, sorry to keep your poor bladder waiting."
As she made her way over to the door, Iggy's hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. "Mackenzie, wait."
She stopped and turned to look at him. He suddenly seemed to be at a lost for words as he stuttered, "You-you uh, don't forget to watch your head."
She smiled shyly at him. "Thanks. It's a lot better thanks to you."
And with that, she headed back to the other room, wondering what would've happened if they had actually kissed.
That night, Mackenzie didn't have the same nightmare as usual. In fact, she hadn't had a nightmare since she had been captured by the School. Figures. They were probably the ones behind her miserable nights. However, she had another dream.
She was sitting in a dark room, chained to the chair and her only source of light was an old flickering light bulb, covered in dust and hanging over her head. A dark figure emerged from the shadows. She sighed. "You again? Where's your partner in crime?"
"Mr. Batchelder had some other issues to attend to," Mark replied coolly.
She nodded. "Sure. What's with the mysterious room and all?"
"You will be sent to a secret location to attend a very important auction. Your job is to attain one of the items that will be auctioned off. Someone else will fill you in later on that."
"What the heck are you talking about? What's going on? Where are the others?"
Mark shook his head. "As expected. You became attached to that group of experiments. From now on, you will be working separately and individually. You do not need the other five experiments. You are very powerful alone. Solitude would do you good."
"You can't just decide-"
"Furthermore," he said, cutting her off, "You will be tracked so there is no chance of escape. If you do, there will be consequences."
"You can do whatever you want to me. I'm not-"
"Oh no, the consequences won't be directed at you. Let's just say if you misbehave, you'll lose one of those 'friends' you've gotten so close to. Permanently."
"You guys are sick, heartless jerks," she snarled, "It's a wonder why my mother didn't ditch your horrible group sooner."
Mark's eyes flashed with something she couldn't identify and his voice took on an icy tone. "The auction will be a black tie occasion. You will be given some money, but you may not try to escape. Remember that you are being tracked. It's best if you use it for your benefit. Use any method necessary to obtain the item from the auction."
"Even stealing?"
"Any method necessary."
"What's the point in me going to steal some item for you? You guys obviously have money, so why doesn't anyone just grow a pair and oh I don't know, actually BID for it at the auction."
"There will be many people bidding for that item. Many people we do not want as enemies or finding out about our organization. It's best you retrieve the item and leave as soon as possible and before the item goes up for bid."
"Okay, so I'm being blackmailed into stealing some really powerful thing from a auction. Not only that, I have to dress fancy and my friends' lives are at stake. Perfect. Can I at least know what I'm looking for?"
He gave a cold smile. "You'll see."
And with that, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving her in a dreamless sleep.
The next morning, Mackenzie woke up lying on a hard floor. She was wearing the same clothes, but they had been obviously cleaned and she shuddered at the thought of some perverted scientist washing her clothes and changing her. She sat up, and realized she was on top of a roof. She could hear morning traffic down below and the smell of fast food breakfast reached her nose. Beside her sat a small duffel bag, and inside, were instructions of what to do and a handful of cash. She discovered a thin silver anklet around her left ankle. Despite its appearance, she couldn't remove it and she realized this must be the tracker. She stood up, the duffel bag slung on her shoulder.
The only question now was: Where on earth was she?
Dun dun dun! Happy Saturday guys! Hope you enjoyed that chapter. I'm horrible huh? Stopping them from their first real kiss. Don't worry, I have the real one planned in a way I think you guys will enjoy.
Lots of pillows and thanks to those who reviewed, faved, and followed. You guys rock! The others are doo-doo heads...
Please review or follow or fave, whatever. It makes me haapy. ^_^
Less than three,
PalmerPie