"How could I be so stupid?"
I watched my foster brother continuously beat the floor with his fists with frustration. I suppose I had to relate to him, this was frustrating. We had unbound Max as well, and he simply curled up in the corner, staring at us in disbelief. We didn't have to tell him much; our so-called 'mother' had done most of it already.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid!"
"Tala, if you say stupid one more time, then I'm gonna have to gag you with Max's gag."
That broke Tala from his reverie. Personally, I think he should have kept going now, looking at him. He was forced out of his black blazer, leaving him with the white polo neck. His eyes were red; I could tell the betrayal was getting to him. His hair was a little messed up; still spiked in opposite directions, but some hair was sticking up in odd places as well. I shook my head.
"You look a mess, mon frere."
Tala just looked at me and smiled slightly. "Like you're any better..." Giving out a resigned sigh, Tala came and sat next to me. His shoulders slumped. I glanced back at Max. He still looked scared and confused.
"Max? Are you okay?" I asked. Despite our current situation, I mentally added. It seemed to have taken most of his nerves to start talking to us.
"I... I'm fine... You two aren't... assassins; like that woman said... are you?"
In particular that question. I nodded to the blonde, upset that he had to find out in this way. He moved his face from me to Tala, who didn't respond. I observed my foster brother. He seemed deep in thought. Guess I shouldn't interrupt and explain things to Max then.
"Oui... Tala and I were trained when we were young boys and he was still living with me and my parents."
"You two are brothers?"
"Foster. But we were as close as any blood brother you could find."
"And that woman... I guess she's your mum... you two look alike..."
I shuddered slightly, not liking the fact that I resembled that woman in any way.
"Oui... she's my mother... Mum is too endearing a word..."
Max lowered his eyes to his feet. I don't know, but he seemed calmer... somehow. We kept talking to pass the time.
"So... did you... I mean... the murders in Paris recently..."
"I killed most of the French BBA officials if that's what you wanted to know. And did some thievery."
"...Why?"
"My mother ordered it... Something about what they know and have." I said. "A set of files and a computer chip." I added, seeing Max's face.
"And that chip is why the three of us are here?"
"And the reason Douglas is dead and your mother and Kai are in hospital" Tala spoke up, scaring us a little.
"My mum!? How did my mum get involved?" Max asked, a little hysterical.
"I suspected your mother and her team of holding the chip for Douglas, who I killed..." Tala continued.
"And... and... you hurt her!?"
Tala nodded. Next thing I heard was the contact of a fist to a face. Just the sound even made me wince. Tala was across my lap, after being knocked sideways by Max. I looked up at him. His face was contorted in anger and hurt.
"How could you, Tala!? Why!?"
Tala shook his head. "I'm sorry... I know it won't do any good, but... I regret ever doing it. But please trust me when I say I'll do everything I can to rectify that mistake..."
Max sank onto his knees, upset. I could see he needed to cry. Poor boy. I gently nudged Tala off me. I couldn't help but stare though when Tala slid over to Max, placing a comforting hand on the blonde's shoulder. Rather than flinch, Max locked eyes with Tala. I turned away, realising that this just might be a moment for them.
I could hear the two whispering something, then silence. I dared to turn around. Tala had Max in a hug. The blonde didn't seem to do much to prevent it. In fact, he hugged Tala back. I couldn't help but smile.
After a while, the two broke away, but I noted they were holding hands now. Tala noticed my look and looked down at the floor, smiling secretly.
"So. You two...?" I dared to say with a smile.
"Just... leave it Oliver." Tala said, with a hint of uneasiness.
I smiled and nod. After all, I'd probably have the same problem trying to admit my love for Kai in the same way. Kai... I wonder how he's doing now. At least he regained consciousness. I looked up at Tala again. He seemed to be thinking.
"What's on your mind?"
Tala looked up, then dropped Max's hand. He stood over me. I wasn't sure, but I didn't like the way he was looking at me... or rather, how his fists seemed to be raised at me,
"Tala?"
"Tala!"
I vaguely heard Max's cry of surprise. Stars danced in front of my eyes. Merde... he could punch. I opened my eyes and looked up at Tala, confused.
"What was that for?"
Wordlessly, he grabbed the front of my sweater and lifted me to my feet. I prepared to defend myself as he lifted his fist to hit me again. Max leapt up and grabbed Tala's raised arm.
"Tala, no! Why are you fighting!?"
Whilst Tala and Max struggled, I seized the opportunity. I broke free and punched Tala in the gut. I only meant for it to wind him and calm him down. I didn't expect him to cry out in pain and drop to the floor! Oh cher Dieu! He looks bad, clutching his stomach and moaning in pain. Max looked up at me from Tala's side, confused.
"Oliver! What did you do!?"
"I... I don't know! I didn't punch that hard! Tala?"
I knelt down by his side, trying to work out what was wrong. What if I accidentally hit an old wound!? Mon Dieu, what if I truly did some serious damage!? Before I knew it, the cell door opened and the guard on duty came in, looking at us on the floor, bored.
"What's going on? Make that kid shut up."
I looked up at the man. "I'm not sure. I just punched him, but it wasn't that hard. I think he's really hurt."
The guard bent over Tala. "C'mon, kid. Quit screamin' like that and... OUF!"
Max and I sat back in surprise at Tala's sudden movement. His fist was dead centre in the guard's gut. Slowly, like a falling tree, the guard sprawled all over the floor. Tala delivered a swift karate chop to his neck, knocking the guy out instantly. Tala stood and ran to the open door, looking out. I finally found my voice.
"Tala? What's going on!? I thought you were in pain!"
Tala turned and faced me, a smirk on his face. "With your punch? Now I understand how you got the reputation for being so girly."
I didn't have time to protest at the remark. Tala gave the outside one final look out before motioning to me and Max. "C'mon; unless you two want to stay in this cosy cell."
******
Tala and Oliver knew that they wouldn't have a chance to escape undetected. Soon, the alarms sounded and goons surrounded the trio. Even though they were unarmed, Tala and Oliver fought, protecting Max along the way. Finally, through all the hub bub, Tala and Oliver, managed to drag Max from the fray and ran.
"This way!" Tala shouted to the other two, throwing himself onto a door, causing it to crash open. The boys ran up the flight of stairs, conscious of the fact that there didn't seem to be anyone following them, but unwilling to stop and slow. Tala broke down another door and stopped. Oliver and Max crashed into him. The boys all rubbed sore limbs and heads, grumbling about the collision. That was when they noticed how wet they were as well. Lightning flashed through the sky, the thunder deafening them. Oliver scowled through the rain and stood up, looking around.
Trotting over to the edge of the roof, Oliver looked down. They had to be at least ten storeys high, on some sort of building. Looking over to the horizon, Oliver could see the Parisian horizon; the lights vainly twinkling through the storm. Tala and Max walked over to join Oliver, looking over the edge.
"What do we do now?" Max said over the rainfall.
"We have to find some way to get down safely. Tala; can you see anything we may be able to fall onto? An awning. A tree. Anything?"
Tala leaned over further, squinting. "I can just about make out something... I think it is an awning. We may just be able to reach it, but getting down from there might be a problem. That, and trying to figure out if it can hold us."
Oliver thought quickly. Tala was the one though, who came up with an answer. "We'll jump down one by one. Max in between. Oliver, you go first. I stay up here and keep a look out until Max gets down."
Oliver opened his mouth to protest against Tala's decision. Instead of an argument, Oliver screamed in pain and fell to the ground, a fresh gunshot wound in his shoulder. Tala whirled around and faced the holder of the smoking gun. Mrs Dubois smiled a predatory smile.
"You don't think I'd let you get away that easily, do you?"
===================================================
Oh my God!!! I shot Oliver! *cries* Anyway, I guess I should have guessed the response I'd get about character death. After all, who wants to see Tala, Oliver and max dead. Certainly not me. *shakes head* Nuh-uh.
I watched my foster brother continuously beat the floor with his fists with frustration. I suppose I had to relate to him, this was frustrating. We had unbound Max as well, and he simply curled up in the corner, staring at us in disbelief. We didn't have to tell him much; our so-called 'mother' had done most of it already.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid!"
"Tala, if you say stupid one more time, then I'm gonna have to gag you with Max's gag."
That broke Tala from his reverie. Personally, I think he should have kept going now, looking at him. He was forced out of his black blazer, leaving him with the white polo neck. His eyes were red; I could tell the betrayal was getting to him. His hair was a little messed up; still spiked in opposite directions, but some hair was sticking up in odd places as well. I shook my head.
"You look a mess, mon frere."
Tala just looked at me and smiled slightly. "Like you're any better..." Giving out a resigned sigh, Tala came and sat next to me. His shoulders slumped. I glanced back at Max. He still looked scared and confused.
"Max? Are you okay?" I asked. Despite our current situation, I mentally added. It seemed to have taken most of his nerves to start talking to us.
"I... I'm fine... You two aren't... assassins; like that woman said... are you?"
In particular that question. I nodded to the blonde, upset that he had to find out in this way. He moved his face from me to Tala, who didn't respond. I observed my foster brother. He seemed deep in thought. Guess I shouldn't interrupt and explain things to Max then.
"Oui... Tala and I were trained when we were young boys and he was still living with me and my parents."
"You two are brothers?"
"Foster. But we were as close as any blood brother you could find."
"And that woman... I guess she's your mum... you two look alike..."
I shuddered slightly, not liking the fact that I resembled that woman in any way.
"Oui... she's my mother... Mum is too endearing a word..."
Max lowered his eyes to his feet. I don't know, but he seemed calmer... somehow. We kept talking to pass the time.
"So... did you... I mean... the murders in Paris recently..."
"I killed most of the French BBA officials if that's what you wanted to know. And did some thievery."
"...Why?"
"My mother ordered it... Something about what they know and have." I said. "A set of files and a computer chip." I added, seeing Max's face.
"And that chip is why the three of us are here?"
"And the reason Douglas is dead and your mother and Kai are in hospital" Tala spoke up, scaring us a little.
"My mum!? How did my mum get involved?" Max asked, a little hysterical.
"I suspected your mother and her team of holding the chip for Douglas, who I killed..." Tala continued.
"And... and... you hurt her!?"
Tala nodded. Next thing I heard was the contact of a fist to a face. Just the sound even made me wince. Tala was across my lap, after being knocked sideways by Max. I looked up at him. His face was contorted in anger and hurt.
"How could you, Tala!? Why!?"
Tala shook his head. "I'm sorry... I know it won't do any good, but... I regret ever doing it. But please trust me when I say I'll do everything I can to rectify that mistake..."
Max sank onto his knees, upset. I could see he needed to cry. Poor boy. I gently nudged Tala off me. I couldn't help but stare though when Tala slid over to Max, placing a comforting hand on the blonde's shoulder. Rather than flinch, Max locked eyes with Tala. I turned away, realising that this just might be a moment for them.
I could hear the two whispering something, then silence. I dared to turn around. Tala had Max in a hug. The blonde didn't seem to do much to prevent it. In fact, he hugged Tala back. I couldn't help but smile.
After a while, the two broke away, but I noted they were holding hands now. Tala noticed my look and looked down at the floor, smiling secretly.
"So. You two...?" I dared to say with a smile.
"Just... leave it Oliver." Tala said, with a hint of uneasiness.
I smiled and nod. After all, I'd probably have the same problem trying to admit my love for Kai in the same way. Kai... I wonder how he's doing now. At least he regained consciousness. I looked up at Tala again. He seemed to be thinking.
"What's on your mind?"
Tala looked up, then dropped Max's hand. He stood over me. I wasn't sure, but I didn't like the way he was looking at me... or rather, how his fists seemed to be raised at me,
"Tala?"
"Tala!"
I vaguely heard Max's cry of surprise. Stars danced in front of my eyes. Merde... he could punch. I opened my eyes and looked up at Tala, confused.
"What was that for?"
Wordlessly, he grabbed the front of my sweater and lifted me to my feet. I prepared to defend myself as he lifted his fist to hit me again. Max leapt up and grabbed Tala's raised arm.
"Tala, no! Why are you fighting!?"
Whilst Tala and Max struggled, I seized the opportunity. I broke free and punched Tala in the gut. I only meant for it to wind him and calm him down. I didn't expect him to cry out in pain and drop to the floor! Oh cher Dieu! He looks bad, clutching his stomach and moaning in pain. Max looked up at me from Tala's side, confused.
"Oliver! What did you do!?"
"I... I don't know! I didn't punch that hard! Tala?"
I knelt down by his side, trying to work out what was wrong. What if I accidentally hit an old wound!? Mon Dieu, what if I truly did some serious damage!? Before I knew it, the cell door opened and the guard on duty came in, looking at us on the floor, bored.
"What's going on? Make that kid shut up."
I looked up at the man. "I'm not sure. I just punched him, but it wasn't that hard. I think he's really hurt."
The guard bent over Tala. "C'mon, kid. Quit screamin' like that and... OUF!"
Max and I sat back in surprise at Tala's sudden movement. His fist was dead centre in the guard's gut. Slowly, like a falling tree, the guard sprawled all over the floor. Tala delivered a swift karate chop to his neck, knocking the guy out instantly. Tala stood and ran to the open door, looking out. I finally found my voice.
"Tala? What's going on!? I thought you were in pain!"
Tala turned and faced me, a smirk on his face. "With your punch? Now I understand how you got the reputation for being so girly."
I didn't have time to protest at the remark. Tala gave the outside one final look out before motioning to me and Max. "C'mon; unless you two want to stay in this cosy cell."
******
Tala and Oliver knew that they wouldn't have a chance to escape undetected. Soon, the alarms sounded and goons surrounded the trio. Even though they were unarmed, Tala and Oliver fought, protecting Max along the way. Finally, through all the hub bub, Tala and Oliver, managed to drag Max from the fray and ran.
"This way!" Tala shouted to the other two, throwing himself onto a door, causing it to crash open. The boys ran up the flight of stairs, conscious of the fact that there didn't seem to be anyone following them, but unwilling to stop and slow. Tala broke down another door and stopped. Oliver and Max crashed into him. The boys all rubbed sore limbs and heads, grumbling about the collision. That was when they noticed how wet they were as well. Lightning flashed through the sky, the thunder deafening them. Oliver scowled through the rain and stood up, looking around.
Trotting over to the edge of the roof, Oliver looked down. They had to be at least ten storeys high, on some sort of building. Looking over to the horizon, Oliver could see the Parisian horizon; the lights vainly twinkling through the storm. Tala and Max walked over to join Oliver, looking over the edge.
"What do we do now?" Max said over the rainfall.
"We have to find some way to get down safely. Tala; can you see anything we may be able to fall onto? An awning. A tree. Anything?"
Tala leaned over further, squinting. "I can just about make out something... I think it is an awning. We may just be able to reach it, but getting down from there might be a problem. That, and trying to figure out if it can hold us."
Oliver thought quickly. Tala was the one though, who came up with an answer. "We'll jump down one by one. Max in between. Oliver, you go first. I stay up here and keep a look out until Max gets down."
Oliver opened his mouth to protest against Tala's decision. Instead of an argument, Oliver screamed in pain and fell to the ground, a fresh gunshot wound in his shoulder. Tala whirled around and faced the holder of the smoking gun. Mrs Dubois smiled a predatory smile.
"You don't think I'd let you get away that easily, do you?"
===================================================
Oh my God!!! I shot Oliver! *cries* Anyway, I guess I should have guessed the response I'd get about character death. After all, who wants to see Tala, Oliver and max dead. Certainly not me. *shakes head* Nuh-uh.