Chapter 25

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Warmth upon her cheek caused Lauren to stir. Her lids heavy as she squinted against the sun's glare. Sitting up it took her a moment to remember where she was. The light walls and wooden interior unfamiliar to her until she became aware of the heavy weight beside her.

Bane.

He hadn't moved all night. His long legs stretched out as he slept with his head in his hand. He looked younger when he slept. His hard features now relaxed and soft, giving him a more youthful appearance. Not wanting to disturb what peaceful sleep he managed to have she slowly lay back. Watching the sun's rays glint off his mask. His strange silvery scars just visible in the morning light.

She was still reeling from his revelation. Confused as to why he had opened up and unsure how to process it. It was strange to think of him that way – as the good guy. Bane was many things. A murderer. A mercenary. A terrorist and yet he had sacrificed himself for that of a child. There was no denying there was a darkness within him. But there had been moments of light too. She had seen it.

Maybe there was still good in him after all.

"Neil come quick!"

She sat bolt upright. The sound of voices suddenly outside the door. She turned to wake Bane but he rolled over her before she could even move. Shielding her body with his own. A gun poised towards the door.

"What?" another voice replied angrily.

"Look. I think we've been broken into."

Lauren's heart beat hard in her chest. Her eyes glued on the door.

'Please don't come in. Please don't come in.'

"Okay wait here. I'll go check inside."

Bane tensed. His grip on the gun tightening.

"Wait! What if someone's still in there?"

Silence.

They waited with for what seemed an eternity. Their bodies tensed and ready to spring before the man finally replied.

"Okay. Let's go. I'll call the police."

Relief washed over her as she listened to their footsteps walk away.

"That was close"

"Too close" Bane agreed "You okay?"

He turned to look at her then. Whatever he'd been about to say suddenly forgotten as their eyes locked. For a moment neither of them moved. Both breathing heavily as he stared down at her with an expression she had never seen before. His skin hot beneath her hands as she clung onto him. Their breath mingling in the air before he finally tore his eyes away.

"We should go " He said. His voice strained.

Lauren nodded not daring to speak as he climbed off her and turned away.

"Grab your things. I'll meet you outside."

He stormed from the room leaving her alone. What had just happened?

She knew what it was. She had known it for a sometime now but kept it buried deep within. Pushing it so far down that she had convinced herself that it wasn't there. That it wasn't real. Until today. Today there was no denying it. She had felt it.

And maybe Bane had too.

XXXXX

The drive back was silent and uncomfortable. The tension between them almost palpable in the air as they headed back down the hillside.

Things did not improve as they pulled into compound. Wanting to be alone Bane dropped Lauren at her room and headed for the gym, eager to burn his frustration in the only way he knew how.

Entering the ring he began pummelling the worn bag as the events of the previous night finally seeped through his control. He was furious with himself. In one night had told Lauren more than he had ever told another living soul. But why? He told himself it was because he was weak. Ignoring the feelings that stirred within him as he punched the bag over and over again. He had become distracted. Undisciplined. The girl was causing him to lose focus.

And yet he felt relieved.

With a roar of anger he punched the bag with enough force that it split. The sand pouring out onto the floor as he stood over it panting heavily. He knew the real reason for his anger. No matter how hard he tried to deny it. He was getting too close. Lauren was supposed to be a mere pawn in his game. Useful while it played its role and easily discarded.

Only she had become much more than that.

Grinding his teeth together he pushed the thought aside. Picking up a new bag and began punching it again. He needed to sever the tie. If he cut her loose things would go back to normal. Or so he told himself.

XXXXX

The atmosphere changed as soon as he entered the room. The quiet chatter now a deathly silence as he made his way through the crowd. He could feel their eyes on him. Averting their gaze as a sign of respect as they stepped aside, not daring to get in his way. Barsad was already there. Unlike the others he met his gaze briefly as he approached the table before quietly taking his place to the left of him.

"Brothers. I want to thank you for your hard work over the last few weeks. I know things have been - chaotic. I know we have lost brothers. But I promise you now, their deaths will not be vain. Our enemy is scared. We have them on the run with their tails between their legs but alas, we are not done yet. We have one final push ahead of us. But the League are coming. Make no mistake about it. "

He could feel the weight of the room upon him. The men hanging on his every word. They had known from the beginning that they were on a deadline. He had never denied that they would die should they fail. It was just the way things were. The way it has always been. But he was confident that they would be successful. He had taught them well. They were loyal and deadly. They just needed that extra push.

"You will make fine additions to the League and when I am demon head I will be sure to keep good on my promises but time is running out and so I urge you to fight. Fight for what is right. Fight for our fallen brothers. Fight for what is yours."

A cheer erupted. The ground vibrating with the deafening roar as the men pounded their chests and stomped their feet in unison.

"Lieutenant Barsad has the rest of you detail. Be sure to listen to your instruction carefully. We have one shot at this gentleman. No mistakes."

Without prompting Barsad stood forward his expression stern as he laid plans out across the table.

"Okay Listen up. We have around a week to get this done and a lot to do. I want two scout teams to investigate a number of locations to gather further Intel. Many of their bases have been wiped out, however we know there are still more out there. I want details. How many men? Are they well equipped? The more we know about those left the better."

Bane's jaw clenched as Barsad help up a picture of Arman.

"Our primary target - this man - has still not been located. I want a hunter force with me on this immediately. No more than four. We have one of his last known locations so shall start there. He will likely be armed and well guarded so should anyone locate him you are to capture him de- "

"Alive."

Barsad turned to look him, his eyes wary.

"Sir?"

"I want him alive" Bane growled "You find him. You bring him to me."

"Yes Sir."

Bane knew this was not the usual way to do things. A located target should be killed on sight. Usually followed by the inevitable surrender from any remaining followers but this was personal. He wanted Arman dead but he wanted to do it himself. He listened to the rest of the briefing quietly as Barsad handed out details including their plan to draw Arman out should the hunter force come up empty handed. Everything was falling into place. Soon he would have Arman in his hands and this would all come to an end. He would finally take his rightful place as head of the League with army as his disposal. Just as destiny intended.

XXXXX

A few days passed and still there was no sign of Bane. He had referred back to his old ways. Leaving in the early hours or the morning and returning late at night. She had caught glimpses of him now and again but he never spoke to her and the more distant he become the more it hurt. She knew this had to be due to what happened at the house. Was he ashamed of what he had told her? Was that it? Or was it because of what happened after?

He returned late that night. His shirt thick with sweat, clinging to every inch of his muscular frame as he mopped his brow. A look of surprise briefly flickering across his features as he spotted her sat alone in the dark before heading towards the bathroom.

"Can I talk to you?"

"Not now."

"It'll only take a moment-"

"I'm busy"

"Why are you avoiding me."

He stopped walking.

"What?"

"You've been ignoring me ever since we got back."

"Believe it or not I have better things to do besides babysit you" he replied "Now if you'll excuse me."

she got to feet quickly, rushing to catch up to him and ducked beneath his arm so that she was stood in front of him.

"I thought we'd moved past this"

"Past what?"

"Lying to one another."

"I'm not lying to you. I simply have other matters to attend to" he said side stepping around her.

"Then why are you pretending like nothing happened the other night?"

"Nothing did happen."

"I know something is wrong. Was it something I did?"

"Just leave it."

She brushed past him again, coming to stand in the bathroom door way blocking his way.

"Was it something I said?"

"Move."

"Is it because of what you told me?"

"Move. Now." he growled.

"Are you ashamed? Is that what this is?"

"Lauren." He warned.

"No! I cant do this again just tell me what I've do-"

"It's because I'm afraid what I'll do around you!"

"What?"

He sighed heavily. Sinking to the ground in defeat.

"I don't know. The other night. When I'm around you... I- I say more in fifteen minutes than I have in fifteen years."

So he had felt something.

She watched him for a moment. Watching as he wrestled with himself, unsure of what to say before quietly coming to sit by his side.

"You can tell me you know" she said softly.

"Tell you what?"

"Everything. If you want too."

He didn't reply.

"I've seen your pain. I can see there's something tearing you apart. I see you struggle to hide it but you don't have too. Have you ever spoke about what happened?"

"What good will talking do. What's done is done."

"True. But maybe it'll help you let go. Maybe you'll finally be able to get some rest."

"I can't"

"Why not?"

"Because then you'll never be able to -"

"To leave?"

He didn't reply. He didn't need too. His eyes said it all.

"You brought me here to help you did you not?"

He nodded once.

"Then let me help you."

He was silent for a long moment indecision and uncertainty crossing his features before he met her with wary eyes.

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything."

Hi Everyone!

Wow its been ages since I last uploaded.
I do apologise. I suffered with a lack of writing mojo for a while now even though these characters are constantly in my head. My issue is that I know what I want to write but don't know how to find the words its so frustrating!

Anyway it seems to back now (let us all pray to the writing gods that it stays) so I'm going to try flesh out these last few chapters and then we'll be DONE! I think I'm going to make them a bit shorter to help me out which means they'll be short and sweet but means many more chapters coming your way soon. I hope you don't mind. I just thought I would try use this uncertain time to do something productive and if you are following this story, new or old I hope it will provide you with a bit of release from things that are going on right now.

I do hope you enjoyed this chapter and as always thank you for taking the time to read it.
Leave me a comment on how you think this is all gonna end. I'm intrigued to know what you guys think!
I hope you are all keeping safe and well.
Stay safe.

Until next time!

xxxxxxx