Chapter 24

phoenix the 1st: It was bound to happen, something go wrong. When things go so well... its fate.

Lady Snowblossom: I'm a goddess of cliffees. Always room for improvement though

russle: He is back, and now things start happening

Ashla: If only it were that simple

Bloody Mary: Who knows how long he'll avoid it. And thanks for the story for the site!

phoenix of order: What will they do? Run of course.

Disengage: I put you in rehab and you keep coming back. Don't get too addicted. All good things come to an end you know.

LingXiaoyu: I just installed some air conditioning. Help?

eyriess: You're happy Boris is here? You're weird.

umi n secylia: Thank you.

Castles in the Sky: Hope you enjoyed your holiday. Glad to have you back.

Curtis Zidane Ziraa: Oh, just spoil my fun why don't you.

Boris is back early. Not good. Not good at all.

Disclaimer: See first page

Grey eyes narrowed as he heard the footsteps of the last guard fading into the distance, leaving him to regard the boys. The entire Abbey were lined up before him, having been interrupted as they ate lunch, shocked by his early return, and none more so then the two standing stiffly at attention.

Boris growled softly at the back of his throat, remembering how he had arrived back and made his way straight to his office. Everything had seemed in place as he retrieved his keys, making his way down to the dungeon and wondering what to do with the two bodies that awaited him there.

Only they hadn't been there.

And now he was furious.

"When I am displeased, those who caused my displeasure are punished," he began. "And when that punishment is interfered with, I become… rather unhappy. Tala Yuri Ivanov and Bryan Kuznetsov failed their missions and were being disciplined, and yet I return to find them gone. They cannot have left themselves, so it is obvious that they were assisted."

He let his gaze rake over the gathered, noting that a few were not present. Alexander, he knew, would be in the lab. The reserve team was still training under the direction of the always faithful and reliable Panas and would continue to do so for the next hour. Roughly a dozen or so boys had come down with a flu virus that rendered them unable to train and had been sent to the medical wing. He would deal with them later.

Several of the boys shifted as his gaze played over them, a quiet fear reflecting in their eyes that pleased him. As it was, all the boys that had been through the Abbey had feared him, save one. Bryan had always been an inconvenience, and one he had thought dealt with. So many of the younger and older boys alike looked up to the one they called 'Iceheart', meaning that the quicker he was located and dealt with the less likely there would be a rebellion.

"It would be easiest for those who were behind their removal from the dungeon to step forward and give themselves up, but I know that it is unlikely for this to happen. But as it is, I already know who is behind it." His gaze shifted. "Ian, Spencer, report."

The two boys exchanged a quick glance, a soft muttering moving over the group as the two stepped forward to stop before Boris. "Yes sir."

Boris glared down at them. "I was considering you two a second chance as part of the Abbey's top team, but now I see that you are no longer reliable, and therefore no longer of use to me. I will find Tala and the insufferable Bryan, note this. But for now, I will simply make do with dealing with you two."

A collective gasp moved over the group as Boris drew the handgun and levelled it on the two, eyes moving from one to the other. "Now the question is, who do I start with?" He dragged the moment out, frowning ever so slightly as he noted several of the boys casting quick glances behind him, though he heard nothing. His eyes narrowed. "I think I'll start with… Bryan!"

He swung around, Bryan sidestepping as the gun fired and missed, bringing his rod up and catching Boris on the wrist, the gun flying out of his grip. Before Boris could move the rod connected with his chest, doubling him over.

Bryan smirked, eyes glittering with pleasure. "The question is, how do you like it?"

He brought the rod around one last time, catching Boris in the side of the head and bringing the big man down hard onto the floor. Bryan tossed the rod down at him, the metal bar clattering on the stone as Bryan looked up at his teammates.

"We're leavin'. Right now."

Ian glanced at Boris as the other boys cheered. "What about the guards?"

"Tala has them distracted. He'll meet us halfway."

The three boys moved toward the hallway, Bryan pausing as he heard someone call his name.

"For the road, Iceheart."

Aizik tossed the bag at him, Bryan catching it easy and nodding his thanks. As he turned, his eyes met Panas's as the 21-year-old joined the others, the reserves filing in behind him. Bryan touched his forehead in a salute, causing Panas to smile and return it, adding a wink of good luck. A small smile played across Bryan's lips as he followed his teammates from the room.

Boris is going to feel that one in the morning. :p And why aren't the special characters working?