Hey guys, Jeff here!
Just to say, this might be the last chapter that I will be uploading for at least a week or so, therefore if you're wondering what's going on, then look out for an announcement in one of my fanfics called Unexpected Unity, but I'll also make an annoucement on Twitter too.
Without further ado, let's get to reading...
(Ash's POV; with Ash)
At this moment, my mind is focused on Serena as I quickly dashed across over to her house. Luckily, we are only neighbours, so I only need to cover a very short distance in order to get to her house. As I ran though, I still got time to think about her. I was really worried about her, worried that she could be hurt in any way, or even something else might have happened to her. I don't really know. All I know was that there was an explosion, very direct to where Serena's room is located, where Serena is working on that assignment most likely with Tierno, since it's not really that late just yet.
I scanned the surroundings before entering Serena's house. It seems that there is no one really around the house, if so, I could have seen them by now, but there is no sign. This could only mean that the person responsible for this mess must be Tierno. There is no doubt about it. If there is no one around, then it must have been Tierno that has done this. He's the only person I could think of right now that could have created this mess, no one else. I knew it was right of me to be suspicious of him, I knew he would do something to Serena, but I couldn't imagine it would be in this scale.
I rushed into the house. It was all dark, most likely the power has been cut off due to the explosion. I checked every room downstairs and it seems Serena's mom is not at home at this moment in time; probably she went out shopping into town, leaving Serena and Tierno at home. I then dashed towards the stairs. I could see that it was darker upstairs than downstairs, since there are fewer windows there. Also, there was a lot of smoke filling the whole upstairs floor, most likely once again due to the explosion.
I paused for a moment. I feel really unsteady, like I am nervous to get up there and check the place out to see if anyone is hurt; but I know that I have to do it otherwise Serena is even more in trouble. I didn't know what to do. Do I wait for someone else to arrive, like the police and then head upstairs; or do I just rush over there and hope for the best? I don't know. I can't decide on what should I do. I know that Serena's in danger, but then if I head upstairs, I might put myself in danger and then put Serena in even more danger.
I sighed. Who cares if I get hurt? Who cares if I get into trouble too? At least I tried my hardest to get to Serena, who is probably waiting for me upstairs, knowing that I will be the first person to find her underneath this mess. Then, without hesitation, I ran up the stairs and spotted a room where some type of light is pouring out of it and into the hallway on the upstairs floor. I'm not really sure how there is light coming from that room, but it was a good place to start. I walked slowly towards that room where the light source was, and then slowly opened the door, trying not to make a sound.
As I opened the door as slowly as I possibly could smoke was pouring out of that room too, making the whole hallway even more difficult to move around and see where you are going. I then started to hear some voices coming from the room, so I stopped my movements and had a sneak peek into the room with the amount of space that I created when I opened the door. There, inside the room, I could spot about four figures inside. From what it looks like outside, there were two people who are on the floor, but I don't know who they are. Also, I can see that the other two people inside are standing, whom I can see much more clearly. One is definitely Tierno, from what I could match him as, but I don't know who the other person is, since he was wearing a hood in black garments. For now, I'll just keep quiet and see what's going on…
Tierno sighed. "That was a grand entrance(!) Look, I already have what you want. Please, give her back now."
The hooded figure laughed. "I guess you liked it, but I told you to call me Mr.X, Tierno."
Tierno clenched his fists. "All right then, Mr.X. I did my end of the deal, so now you do yours."
The hooded figure sighed. "Well, seems it is that way, so I guess I have to. Seems that is what he wants as well…"
"You mean~" Tierno commented.
"Yeah, since it'll keep him happy… I guess…" The hooded figure responded. "But before anything else, why don't you introduce yourself, intruder?"
Damn. It seems hiding is not really an option right now. Do I actually enter the room, not really knowing who this person is and put myself in even more danger, or do I just continue to hide and see if anything else happens? This is not really the time for any hesitation, not at this very moment. There are a lot of things at risk here, but there are also a lot of things that I want to know. Where is Serena? Who is this person with the hood? Who are they referring to as he? Could it be another person who is not present? I don't know any of the answers to these questions, but I should at least find them out. I took a deep breath, fully open the door, and then entered the room.
As I entered, all I could see is Tierno and this mysterious person in front of me, but now, I could see who is on the ground on one side of the room. There's no doubt about it. It's definitely Serena, but there was also another girl next to her who I don't really know of. No matter, my main focus is this guy with the hood right in front of me. I don't know who he is, but he seems to have spotted me when I was just outside of the door in the hallway. It seems he is different from the rest of us here in this room, most likely the reason how he spotted me from outside or how he created that explosion, but for now, it seems he is in control of this whole situation.
The hooded figure smiled. "Well, well. It seems you've come out now, so who are you and what are you exactly doing here?"
"I came here to rescue my friend, that's all." I answered with confidence.
The hooded figure smiled. "Isn't that nice? Hey Serena, Ash came to see you off~"
I clenched my fists. "What?! What is going on here? Why are you with this guy, Tierno?"
The hooded figure laughed. "It seems you don't know what's going on, but I think Tierno would explain to you, right?"
Tierno sighed. "Well… I… um, I~"
"Just say it, Tierno!" I demanded.
Tierno sighed. "Well, it seems this guy in front of you is interested in getting Serena. I don't really know why, but since he's got Shauna with him, then I had no choice but to follow the guy."
"Seems my boss is a bit hesitant, so he sent me out to do this job." The hooded figure added. "Obviously, we had to use some assets…"
"I'm sorry, Ash. There was nothing I can do." Tierno spoke with regret.
I paused for a moment. I guess it makes sense Tierno was acting like this the whole week, right from when he got picked to be partners with Serena up to now. I thought it was such suspicious behaviour, but actually, he was just doing it for the sake of someone else, even if it means putting someone else's danger. It would also explain why Shauna wasn't at school for the past week, since she has been in possession of this mysterious person and apparently with someone else whom he refers to as someone whom he follows, but who could that be, and why hasn't that person shown up instead?
I sighed. "I'm sorry too… for being suspicious about you. Looks like you were in such a mess after all, huh?"
I pointed at the mysterious person. "But, you! Why don't you reveal who you are?"
The mysterious person laughed as he removed his hood. "All right then. The name's Trip. Nice to meet you, Ash."
"Why are you doing this, by the way?" I exclaimed. "What do you want from Serena? She hasn't done anything wrong!"
Trip laughed. "Oh, but we all go way back. We were all with Serena back then, but I just came to bring her back."
"Oh, the person who we met Serena and I were walking home after the first day of school is this boss whom you are talking about?" I asked.
Trip nodded. "Yeah, he's really too eager to meet her after all that time. I guess you wouldn't remember, now would you?"
I raised an eyebrow quizzically. "Huh? What do you mean by that? I did remember that time."
Trip laughed. "Wow, you sure are dense, just like before. I guess you haven't changed a bit… oh, I should really be talking about that now~"
"Tell me what you know!" I protested.
Trip sniggered. "Why should I? You won't remember, even if I told you. Anyway, I've done my part, so I'll best be on my way."
Trip looked at Tierno briefly. "I'll leave Shauna in your hands, Tierno. Don't worry, we haven't done anything to her, she's currently just asleep, so it's all right. I guess good work?"
Tierno nodded. "At least you gave your word."
"You're just gonna let him walk away like that!" I exclaimed. "You're not gonna get away with this~"
At that moment, Trip stopped from walking to where Serena was laid. He turned around and looked like he was pulling something out with his right hand, roughly where the left side of his hip was. Suddenly, darkness spread, filling the whole room, so no one could see a thing. We all don't know what Trip has done, but a feeling just went through my body, a feeling that I should make a move, a jump. I jumped backwards, not knowing what actually was that all about, but then I heard some sort of swing of something that I couldn't really see. With that, light was filling the whole room once again, and then revealed Trip holding something in his hands.
I noticed where he was at that moment; he was where I was standing just seconds ago. I had a quick glance at him. He still looks the same, the same clothes and all that, but what I can't figure out was what just happened. What was the feeling I felt telling to dodge all of a sudden, but also this item that he was holding in his right hand. From what I can tell, the shape and the whole looks of it tells me that that isn't a normal item to be holding and it's also telling me that what just happened is the cause of this item's doing. I glanced at it once again and from what I can then tell, it was definitely a sword.
I scanned though the sword and from what I can tell, it was nothing I have seen before, but there is something on the back of my mind telling me that I have, most likely a faint memory that I am just about remembering. From what I can see, this sword is very thin; the blade is sharp and covered with this black aura. It looks very plain, but from what I can tell, it looks like it is a powerful weapon, most likely what Trip attacked me with amidst all that darkness just now; but without the sense that I felt, I could have been hit by this weapon.
Trip smiled. "I have to say, I commend you for dodging my 'Dream Eater', my one and only unholy rapier. Normally, everyone would fall for my trick, but not you. I guess he was right about you."
"What do you mean by that?" I asked without hesitation.
"Ash! That was awesome!" Tierno commented.
Trip laughed. "Oh, did I speak too much. I guess this will probably jumble your memory, but I guess not. You really are dense~"
"Tell me what was that all about!" I demanded.
Trip laughed once again. "I guess you don't remember~"
"Tell me what you know about me?!" I exclaimed.
Trip smiled. "I already said, why should I? Anyway, how come you don't know about your own self? That's just plain wrong~"
I clenched my fists. "Tell me."
Trip grinned. "All right, I'll give you a hint. You were one of us."
There you have it, guys! Chapter 14 is done! Hopefully you have enjoyed this chapter! :D
Wow, what can I say with this chapter! Seems things are definitely getting very interesting around here. It seems that the next chapter is definitely not worth missing out on. What will Ash do to save Serena? How is he going to get around Trip? Found out in the next chapter ;D
Anyways, I'll see you all in the next chapter, but also please put your thoughts of this story in the reviews! Please show some support!
But also Private Message me for any story suggestions!
Also, please check me out on Twitter at jeff_amour if you can for updates of my stories!
So, that's it from me!
See ya! Have a great day!
