Love Struck Eternal
Chapter 71 - Distant.
Yoga's POV, Two weeks later, Iraq.
On guard at night was the only time I really got any peace and quiet. Everyone was asleep and in a building like this that meant the world to me mentally. Sitting outside Raptor's room with a bottle of water in hand, I drank peacefully until I heard something down the hallway. It sounded like someone broke glass, but I knew that wasn't the case seeing as the hallway was a dead end. It had to be from inside one of the rooms.
Standing up and deciding to check it out, I approached each room and swiped my card at each lock to peer inside. In every room I found people asleep. Nothing seemed out of place until I got to Maggie's door to find her not in bed.
"Maggie?" I whispered into the room as I took a step inside the room. Shutting the door behind me, I took a quick look around to find a light beaming out from under the bathroom door. It was cracked open, but I didn't wanna just barge in. Staying a few inches back from the door, I called to her.
"Maggie? It's me. I heard something. Is everything okay?"
A second later I heard her sobbing and instantly I felt my heart go down. Unsure of her condition I asked her through the crack.
"Can I come in?"
More tears could be heard forming, but a second later I heard her reply.
"Yeah."
Very gently I pushed open the door to find her sitting in the tub. She was completely naked with her legs tucked in at her chest. Both her arms curled around them as she cried into her own lap. The mirror by the sink had been smashed to bits by only what I assumed to be her fists.
"What's wrong?" I asked her nervously as she didn't seem to care one bit about covering up in front of me. Slowly lifting her head up, she looked over at me with the most broken looking face of all time and she looked absolutely exhausted, but I quickly noticed she was bleeding. Blood could be seen on her legs and it appeared to be coming from her right hand. Taking a moment to collect herself, she replied to my question.
"I don't know what to do."
Wanting to help her in any form I could, I reached for my neck to pull off the rag I wore in case of sandstorms. Approaching her side, I got on my knees and reached out to take her hand. She didn't fight me at all as she appeared to be waiting on a response. She'd continue to wait as I looked at her hand to notice she didn't manage to get any glass stuck in her. She just cut herself up pretty bad.
"You're lucky." I smiled back as I used the cloth to cover her wounds. Clamping her tightly, I held her for what felt like a minute. She had gone back to crying as I considered what to even say to her after hearing her last statement. I still had no right to tell her what to think or feel. What she's been through has broken her once strong will. She didn't even bother talking much outside of this interaction. She hasn't said more than a few words to her mom or dad. I think I was the only one getting special treatment by being allowed this close to her. I had to break the ice somehow so I opted to ask her a question. She held her head down as I asked her softly.
"Why'd you kill the mirror?" I made sure to give a fat smile to try and lighten the mood and to that I was told back by the wolf.
"Why? Because I'm weak. Both physically and mentally. Everytime I look at myself I'm reminded about that." Her head sank back down with her ears as I frowned a little before deciding to remind her of something natural.
"Weak? You?" Her eyes looked back up.
"Maggie you're not weak at all. If you were, you might not be here right now. It's terrible to think about what you went through, but you survived. You've been silent for most, but when we talk I still see the woman you are. Mentally you're strong. Physically? Look at yourself truly in the mirror and realize just how beautiful and amazing you are. You climbed your way through boot at the top of your class and you've done your duties with great ambition and determination. You're not weak whatsoever. You're just…off track and we can fix that. I know we can."
The look in her eyes said it all as she was enamored by my words. Deciding to take a chance, I gathered my emotion and whispered into her face.
"I'm not gonna watch you kill yourself or stand by as you get dragged down. I'm gonna help in any way I can. You can come to me for anything Maggie. Together we'll get back to where we were one day. You just need to have faith and take a chance. Life is worth more than we can comprehend and even if you decide to stay away from the military we'll find something else that calls to your heart. Something will ignite your spirit. We just have to search for it."
Maggie began to cry, but this time it was for a better reason. I held her hand down to keep the pressure on her cuts, but despite that she gently leaned over the tub's edge to hug me. I held her in my arms and shut my eyes as her chin rested over my shoulder. She cried and that brought my own tears forward as my eyes reopened a few seconds later to notice all the damage she took from that demon. Her back alone was still bruised and scars covered her back from the cuts he gave her. I ran my free hand over them as comfort and with her chest shaking I could feel her fear.
"It's gonna be okay. I promise." I told her as she managed to whimper back.
"I'm scared."
"I know." I replied back softly as we both knew tomorrow was the day she would be getting that baby out of her belly. She was scared to go under any more drugs, but it had to be done for her health. After this the trail for her rapist would be nearing its end and what came after would be scary, but everything would be okay. She'd never have to go through this again.
Byron's POV, The next day, Iran.
"I brought you lunch." I informed Anpu as I knew she had been up all morning working on her gear. She looked up from her work to see me there with a full plate of grub. As I handed it over to her, she replied back happily.
"Thank you Byron. You didn't have to."
Taking a few moments to eat some of the food, I sat down with her and fiddled with my thumbs for a few more. She noticed almost instantly that I had a question to ask and with a smaller chuckle she asked me.
"What's on your mind?"
"I wanted to talk to you about what happened two weeks back. Do you remember? What you asked?" Anpu instantly wore a playful grin as she replied back in a lower tone to hide our conversation.
"I was in heat, Bryon. Of course I remember what I asked. What about it though?"
"Did you ever…..you know?"
Swallowing the food that was in her mouth she replied.
"No. I waited it out."
"So no Dusk?" I now asked my main question which again made her start to laugh as she said back to me truthfully.
"No. No Dusk. I took your advice and listened to reason."
"That's a relief." I sighed out as I was worried Dusk might have gone too far if that did ever happen. If he fucked her regardless I'd beat his ass.
"Defensive Byron?" Anpu then asked me with another smile as I snapped out of my thoughts to question back in confusion.
"Huh? What?"
"Were you worried I had slept with him?" She now asked as I nodded back almost instantly to reply.
"Well yeah." I was breaking apart from the embarrassment of asking a woman I held dear this kind of question, but she seemed to enjoy the fact that I even brought it up. Leaning over to wrap her arms around me she happily cooed.
"Jealous that he might have slept with me Byron? Or are you just being my older brother again?"
Giving her a defensive yet completely embarrassed face back, I replied to the wolf of wonders.
"I'm just looking out for you and I was worried, okay? Girls don't make the right choices when they're under that spell and you were….?" I struggled to find the words because deep down I did find her to be a drop dead gorgeous woman. Who fucking wouldn't? I had to ask myself as she took my hesitation to try and answer for me.
"Begging for you to fuck me?" Going red again in the face I shouted out.
"What?! No! You were just….?" This time she cut me off but in the worst way possible. Grabbing me by the back of my neck, Anpu threw herself into me. Our lips connected and almost instantly she began to try to make out with me. I was in shock and rightfully so I tried to stop her by pulling back.
"What are you doing!?" I managed to ask her as her strength caught me off guard. It was like she was a vice. No matter how hard I tugged she held me there and soon my body betrayed me and I began to kiss her back.
Once I had accepted my place things started to get hotter and hotter between us. Enough so that I was shaking in place as her hands ran themselves down my chest. Soon she had a paw on my crotch and it was at that point that she parted from my lips to whisper into my eyes
"I have a boyfriend Byron." Widening my eyes I questioned back.
"Then why the fuck are you doing this?"
Putting a finger to my lips she informed me softly.
"Why? Well because he's halfway across the world from me and I only get to see him maybe twice a year. That and he's not like us Byron. He's an innocent kid whose sole focus is school. I care for him, yes, but I'm a bad person and an even bigger slut. Okay? I get horny just like you and you know as well as me that I could go to anyone here and they'd have no problem giving me what I want. I choose not to and instead go to you because you actually mean a lot to me. There isn't anyone else I'd want to do this kind of thing with and despite how strong you act Byron I can tell you're barely holding yourself back. Right?" She asked me now as her finger left my lips. I struggled to respond though and soon enough she gave me a softer look to state.
"Look. I appreciate you bringing me lunch, but I'd prefer it if you didn't lie to yourself. I'm gonna be here most of the day, so why don't you come back later when you're a little bit more….honest?"
Something about her voice was pushing me past my limits. She giggled to herself and before I could respond Anpu was looking back at her work. In disbelief that this was happening, I questioned in a whisper of my own.
"Are you serious?" Without looking back at me she replied back playfully.
"Mhmmm."
I was fighting every urge I had and it was the hardest thing to do ever as my eyes started to look down her back and towards her ass. Once I realized I had stopped looking at her as my family, my body decided to act on its own. Reaching out for the back of her neck, I gently placed my right hand around her. She instantly shut her eyes and moaned softly to my touch.
"Mmmmm." She mumbled happily as I quickly released her and stopped myself from going any further. This wasn't right. I told myself as she looked over at me to question.
"Lose your bite? I never would have guessed you were this soft."
"I….?" She cut me off before I could figure out a response.
"Don't push yourself Byron. If you don't want to fuck me then you don't want to fuck me. Just walk away and we'll act like nothing happened. But if you do I suggest being a bit…..rougher with me. I don't like my mates to be this submissive and indecisive."
It took everything I had to walk away from her in this state. She knew exactly what she was doing and now I was left questioning myself and what I should do. She took a small bite of the food I brought her and with our eyes locking she saw just how off balance I was.
"Don't be a stranger." She urged me as suddenly her tail came flying in to swipe me across the stomach. I stepped back even more and before I knew it I was backing out of the room with my heart racing and my head trying to come up with a reasonable course of action to take from here. Even if I wanted to have her I couldn't do such a thing in this bunker. We all fucking lived together. I can't just take a wolf her size back to the bunkroom.
Anpu had me twisting and turning to try and figure out a solution to this problem. The only thing I could think of was going back to what I knew best. I might be a loser and a bad guy, but I know how to handle this.
Sam's POV, Later that night.
"That's the plan." Riley informed me as she had come down to the lab to visit me. In shock she would allow this I questioned.
"Are you sure? Is Tika and the others?" Nodding she replied back happily.
"TIka and them were more than willing to help you and to be honest I got Scott and Fin both begging me to allow our team to be the one to assist, but I can't afford to switch us off. Speaking of which, have you checked in with Scott?"
"I did. He's doing better than I expected." I replied as she looked around the table we were at.
"He's a completely different person now. He's…..happy. He's in control of himself and he can't stop crying about it. I'm pretty sure he's got a soft spot for you now as well." Riley chuckled as I questioned.
"Who doesn't?"
"Has anyone tried anything?" The hedgehog then asked me as I chuckled back to lowly reply.
"No nothing like that. I mean Gwent is a handful but he's just a flirt. Speaking of which Riley, but I gotta ask. What are your thoughts on relationships here?" My question was met with a reasonable answer.
"Your adults. It's not my place to tell anyone who they can be with. Even if it's just a fling; it's good to get that kinda energy out once in a while. Just do everyone a favor and keep any drama to yourselves and we won't have any problems."
"What about you?" I asked her which made her now look back at me.
"Huh? What do you mean?" She then asked me as I was quick to restate my question.
"I meant what about you? Is there someone special in your life?"
Riley looked disturbed by that question and to my surprise she replied back in a depressed sort of tone.
"No. I don't have anyone like that. I'm not looking either. I don't have time for relationships outside of you and everyone else who follows me and I'd like to keep it that way. Can't lose my focus."
"I understand. I'm sorry for asking." I sighed as she calmly shook her head to urge me.
"No, that's fine. Questions are good and I just so happen to have one for you that I hope you'll answer." My eyes were transfixed to her as she decided to let it out there by saying.
"A few weeks back you brought up wanting to meet with all of the uppers, including myself. You quickly decided against it when I asked what for and it's been on my mind considering what you've done for us as a whole. If you have a problem you need all of us around to discuss, I'd like to know what it is that's on your mind. Do you need help with something Anpu?" She asked me as I felt my throat close up.
Approached with this question for the first time made me ponder how to react towards it. Declining to say anything again wouldn't ease Riley's concerns, but laying my identity on her right now would probably bring about a load of problems. What was I going to do? I asked myself desperately as she continued to stare me down.
"Is it bad?" She asked me now as I looked back into her eyes to reply.
"That depends on a lot of things. Honestly? I don't know."
"Sound it out for me then. Give me a rough idea of what we're talking about." She then urged me as I was red in the face and I knew it. Unable to hide much more, I replied back while carefully watching my words.
"It's about me and who I really am."
"Okay?" Riley hummed as I decided to be blunt now.
"My name isn't Anpu. It's only ever been a codename since I got into the mercenary business. I've been hiding who I really am to all of you. Not even Ace really knows."
Leaning up in her seat, Riley replied back curiously.
"We all figured Anpu wasn't your real name, but it's never bothered us. We figured you'd come forward yourself at some point in time."
"Well it's been long enough and I've grown attached to everyone, you know? Grown to love my life and what I do and I want to do so much more, but not when I'm hiding myself from everyone. You guys are all the family I have, but I'm scared to tell the truth."
"It's just a name. We don't care who you were before you found us. What matters is who you are now." I was forced to look away from her now out of uncertainty and despite her comforting statement I sighed back.
"You'll care and that's the problem."
"Then tell me. Right here in confidence and I won't overreact. I'll do you that much if it helps you get this off your chest." Riley now said to me as I felt my eyes staring off into nothingness as I brought together every fiber of my being to get this out in the open. Once I was ready, I looked back at the hedgehog to watch every second leading up to when her ears heard my response.
"My name is Samantha Voltz."
Riley's face contorted as her brain tried to process what was just said to her. I bit my tongue and just stayed quiet as she soon managed to question back in disbelief.
"Voltz?"
"Raptor Voltz is my father." I now bluntly admitted to her as she stared at me in complete uncertainty of her own.
Riley had to stand up from the table and with it came her voice as she stuttered forth.
"You're his daughter? But….I thought she…..wait but….how? How did you…?" She was overwhelmed and as I went to stand up to face her she looked back into my eyes to admit.
"I'll admit you were right. I do care. This is….this is a lot. I don't know what to think."
"I've been away from my family for a long time now. Both of my parents are dead to me Riley. I left them behind with everything else that last name brought me. I had to get away. You don't know what happened."
She nodded, but was still completely lost for what to do now that she knew the truth. In a mental panic, she mumbled to herself in confusion.
"We're trying to kill your family."
"They aren't my family. They haven't been for a long time. You guys are my family. Riley? You guys have done more for me than they ever have. I swear on my life that I'm telling you the whole truth."
Pacing back and forth the hedgehog put her hand up to order me to stop talking. I lowered my guard and just obeyed as she took her time to come up with a plan. Once she had it she took a small breath then said to me.
"You were right to ask for a meeting. This…..this changes everything and I can't be sure of your loyalties. We need to get the other uppers together for this to be figured out."
"My loyalties are with you Riley. My family can go to hell. I've done everything I was asked of and even more. I've changed lives here. I wouldn't be doing all of this if I wasn't one hundred percent behind you. You guys mean everything to me. Please believe me. I'm begging you. Please."
Riley above everyone had to believe me. This news would change everyone's view of me for better or worse, but if she was against me I'd be in trouble. My pleading however was working and I saw that she was about to say something when all of the sudden the door to the lab opened with Byron standing there. Riley caught herself from speaking and with some concern being casted Byron asked us both.
"Did I interrupt something?" Riley now looked back at me for the answer and I didn't know what to give her. Instead she was the one to break the silence by claiming.
"No. We were actually finishing up. We'll talk later Anpu. I need time to set things up. What was said stays between us. You have my word."
I nodded as the woman was obviously clouded now with a million questions and thoughts on what she just learned. Byron noticed her aura and once she was gone had turned around to ask me.
"Are you free for a little bit?"
"I think so." I replied with a deep exhale as I took my chance to walk up to him.
Byron was surprisingly dressed like a civilian for once. Nice pair of black jeans and pretty tight looking red and black polo. No weapons in sight, so curiously I asked him now that he had my attention.
"What's the occasion?" Without skipping a beat he replied back confidently.
"You. I want to take you out for the night. Maybe start with a good dinner from a respected joint that doesn't know our pasts and then maybe we can go see a movie or…..?" Stunned by his sudden display of confidence, I cut him off to state with a smile.
"Dinner sounds good. You driving?"
"Of course." He now replied with a chuckle as he put a hand on my back to help guide me away from the lab. Looking over at the big guy, I asked him curiously.
"Should I change?" Looking me over carefully the man smiled back to reply.
"Nah. You're perfect the way you are. Let's get out of this ditch already."
"Okay. Looks like you're calling the shots then. Lead the way." I urged him happily as we came into contact with Ace who seemed to be making his way to wherever Riley had gone. Stopping to notice both Byron and I, the rabbit asked us.
"Where are you two off to?"
"Dinner."
"Oh? Well, enjoy yourselves and stay safe out there. Sandstorm is supposed to be coming in the next few hours." Ace informed us as we entered the elevator.
"We'll be fine." Byron informed him back now as I waved the rabbit goodbye. Once the door was shut, Byron muttered to me.
"Sorry if this all seems rushed."
Reaching out to put my hand on his, I replied back with another smile.
"Don't apologize. I wanted to go. This should be a good time for both of us." Byron smiled back now and without saying a word he took my hand and walked me to the car once we got topside. Upon entering the vehicle I asked him curiously.
"Do you have a place in mind? Or are we just winging it?"
"Oh I have a place in mind. You just sit down and let me do the work. I promise you'll love it." He said that with complete faith so I had to wonder what he had in store, but for now I was content with watching him drive.
This was all so sudden and it couldn't have happened at a better time. I had no idea how to handle Riley right there and at least with this happening she'll have time to think. Whatever needs to happen for this to all work out, I'll be there for it.
The drive consisted of Byron and I sharing some smaller jokes and gossiping about what we thought Gwent did in his spare time when he wasn't trying to piss Dusk off. It was surprisingly liberating to just casually talk about something that wasn't as stressful as what I just went through. I wanted to tell Byron as well about who I really was, but I was worried if he knew it would ruin this date and that's something I didn't want to happen. I just wanted to have fun and thankfully he was ready for it as he pulled our car into the parking lot of a Korean steakhouse. The place was packed and that was made clear by the amount of people waiting outside to get in. In confusion, I asked him as he turned off the car.
"Jesus the line. How long are we gonna have to wait?" Shooting me a mad smile he replied back.
"I made a reservation. This place is locked down for most of the year, but I pulled a favor. Come on." He urged me as he got out of the car to wait for me to catch up. He then offered his hand and once I took it he led us to the front door and to the front of the line. People were pissed because it looked like we were cutting, but when we approached the hostess he said to her respectfully seeing as the poor girl looked like a nervous wreck from the line.
"We have a reservation. It should be under Figarola." Up till now I didn't know Byron's last name. I gave off a small smile as the hostess checked the list to quickly find us and reply.
"Ahh yes. Your table should be set already. Head on in and Vicky will take you there." She then pointed us in the direction of another hostess who was inside waiting for us with two menus.
"Follow me to your table please. I'll take any orders for drinks you may want as well."
"Can you recommend a lager?" Byron asked the girl as we found our table to be a booth near the back of the restaurant but closest to the kitchen. God the smell in here was driving my senses wild. I could smell every herb they had burning, but the meat was to die for. Once Byron had a drink in mind the focus came back to me so I said to the girl nicely enough.
"I'll just have an iced tea. Actually can I get two of them? I'm sure I'll burn through the first one fast enough."
"No problem. I'll get those out to you in just a minute. Take your time and let me know whenever you're ready to order." The young girl urged us as she parted from the table and made her way into the kitchen to fetch us drinks. Left with the well put together dog, I looked him right in his eyes and asked curiously.
"How'd you get us in here?" Byron looked up at me for a moment to reply.
"The guy who owns the place owed me a small favor for helping him out a few months back. I may or may not have gone undercover to figure out who it was on his kitchen staff that were stealing tips. Nothing crazy. No shooting or punching. Just sat in here for a good hour or two and watched. Once I knew who it was that had been stealing, we called the cops and they handled the rest. It was even better since all the food I had was free. Can't complain about tonight either because he's also cool with covering the costs for anything we eat. That girl Vikcy? Owner's kid. She knows to let it slip."
"Can't lie, that's a good deal. Makes things a lot easier on me too because this menu looks amazing. I don't even know where to start." I admitted as he smiled back and urged me in a polite voice.
"Order everything. Take advantage of this and eat your heart out. God knows the last time we've both had a good meal."
"You're right about that." I admitted again as I couldn't decide on getting a steak or a slab of pulled pork.
Once the drinks arrived at the table we went ahead and put in our order and it was pretty large considering both Byron and I nearly took up a booth that was meant for four people. We were told it would take some time to get it all cooked, so for now Byron and I were content with just chatting some more. Nothing we said really mattered, it was all just small talk to keep time moving. As ten minutes passed in the blink of an eye, I decided to change the topic and asked the dane.
"Do you have anyone besides us Byron? Family? Friends on the outside of what we do for a living?"
"Nah. I never knew my real parents back when I was your age. I got traded around foster care until I was of age and went right into the service for G.U.N as a radio operator. Did my four years and after that I fell out and tried to find normal work back home. Turns out the job I was at had a bad reputation for being gang related. Some people thought it was run by the mob even, but if you worked there you knew the truth. Truth was the place was turning profits for Riley and a few guys she had with her who were acting as the employees."
"Where was this?" I then asked as he took a sip of his beer.
"Auto shop actually back in the states. Very low profile. Mom and pop kinda place so no one knew to look twice. After a few weeks working there I got clued in by my coworkers and put my stock in them and Riley to see if I could make some decent cash. Turns out I didn't really care for the money. I found a family in them. They had my back and I had theirs. But once people started to investigate a little deeper, Riley packed up and moved out with her friends. I asked if I could tag along and with open arms she accepted me into the fold. I haven't really looked back since."
Byron seemed sentimental when he said that to me and I felt his emotions through his voice and for a moment he just stared right back at me as we enjoyed our drinks. I tilted my head sideways and so did he; so we both chuckled but didn't remove eye contact from each other. After another minute I asked him curiously.
"What are you looking at?"
"Your face. I can't help but look at your scars." He informed me softly as I then wondered back.
"Be honest then, do they make me look bad?"
"Scary is probably more accurate, but that's if children were to look at you. To me they make you look like someone I want to get to know."
"You don't know me enough already? I told you how I got these Byron." I informed him as he shook his head to restate his response.
"I mean but that's not the whole story. You're about to hit your twenties and somehow you've found yourself right here with me and beyond that just look back at what you were able to do. You're gifted and it's no secret to us, but I want to know how. Is it all natural? Or did you have someone once upon a time who helped you?"
"As bad as it sounds, I'm pretty sure I'm just gifted." I said that with some regret because it sounded like I was just being cocky, but I really wasn't. I have no doubts that my skills came from both my parents. Mom gave me my smarts, but dad gave me everything else. As I tried to look away from the dog I was soon confronted by him again, but this time it was the question that stumped me.
"I don't think you're telling most of the truth. I've been around you enough to see how you work and how your body reacts to a lot of things. Even when you spar I've noticed some things. You know?"
"What do you mean?" I asked him back as I was genuinely confused.
"Okay so it's all about how you fight. I've watched enough of your takedowns to recognize you learned it from some G.U.N instructor. You're a master at it of course, but every move you use in the ring is in the G.U.N handbook and I should know since I've served. I guess what I'm trying to ask is if you were in the military at some point?"
We stared blankly at each other as my mouth was trying to figure out how to answer that. I had a plan in case this was ever brought up so I'd have to risk the gamble.
"I was." My voice finally came out and not to his surprise he then asked me in a lower tone.
"When?"
Scratching at my neck I replied back.
"It's a long story. I'd rather not talk about it right now."
"Why not?" He then asked me as I was now going to tell him what I figured would be happening in the future.
"Cause I might be in some trouble with Riley and I think she's gonna bring everyone together to talk about it." Byron's ears jolted up straight in worry and was quick to ask his many questions.
"Wait, why? What happened? Is that what you two were talking about before we left?" I nodded my head and that now made him even more curious as he then asked me as calmly as he could.
"What did you tell her?"
"My identity. My real one. I wanted to talk to her and the other uppers personally so I could explain myself. I just don't feel comfortable hiding it anymore around you all. I love you guys and you've been more of a family to me than my real family ever was."
"I thought you said your parents died in a car accident?" Byron said to me with wide eyes as he was genuinely concerned for my safety now that he knew Riley may be mad or worse. Trying not to get into the full subject, I replied to him carefully with some more truth.
"That was a lie Byron and I'm sorry. Both of my parents are alive and well, but I haven't been a part of that family for the last two years. We….we never see eye to eye; me and my father and my mother is just fake. She was the greatest person in my life up until we had our first fight. It was…..physical and again I'd rather not talk about it right now while we're trying to have a good time."
As the words left my mouth our food arrived and for a time everything went back to normal between us. In fact I think we were both enjoying ourselves a little too much. The meat was literally falling off the bone and my god was this a much needed moment to have. My belly was rumbling from the shear smell coming off the plate and despite killing my first serving I was going hard into the second. Byron noticed just as much as me and decided to joke.
"God we must look like real primal killers to some of these people."
"We haven't had good food for a few months Byron. As far as I'm concerned these people can go fuck themselves if they find us to be taken by our dinners."
Byron chuckled as I soon decided to ask him what I've been curious about since he decided to take me out.
"So what happened? A few hours ago I had you biting your tongue and tucking tail. Now look at you, all dressed up and taking me out to eat? Did I force your hand by undermining your manhood?" Byron didn't even flinch.
"My manhood is not to be questioned by the likes of you." Now I let out a belly laugh.
"Hahaha! The likes of me? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"It means you don't get to talk about me like you know everything about me. I can be demanding."
"Demanding? Oh that's interesting. What would you demand? A back rub?" I now chuckled at him as he was again quick to reply.
"Yeah maybe. You can walk all over Gwent, but you ain't doing that shit with me Anpu. I love ya, but I have my limits."
"Oh so that's what this is? You hit a limit?" I questioned as he nodded his head.
"I'm not scared to take my chances. Yes I'm still getting used to this setting with you but I'll do my best to see you as someone other than my best friend."
"So this is a date? Well well well Byron. Guess you are a bad guy. My response made him blush slightly. Urging me to fuck off with his hand movement, I went on to ask.
"Is this all you had planned? Or is there more to this night?" Locking eyes with him, I watched and took in his deminier as he surely had another venture planned.
An hour later.
"What the hell are you buying that for?" I asked Byron as he took us to a sporting goods store to buy the most expensive tent they had. Lugging the box over his shoulder, he replied with a happy tone.
"Have you ever looked outside when a storm is about to come and wonder what it would be like to spend the night out there in the middle of it?"
Instantly I put two and two together and questioned the man as he was indeed crazy to be considering this.
"You can't be serious? Byron? Are you serious?"
"Would I be buying this tent if I wasn't? Come on Anpu, live a little. I didn't take you for the boring type." Widening my eyes I questioned.
"Boring? You know for a fact that what you just said is a lie. I'm the least boring person you know." Chuckling at my small bit of anger the big dog put an arm around me and again asked.
"So are you gonna live a little with me?"
"Sure." I mumbled back as he squeezed me gently before replying.
"Good. I knew you'd come around."
"What if this idea of yours gets us into trouble? There is no telling how bad the storm is gonna be Byron. We could get buried out there." I informed him as we got into line to checkout.
"My phone is charged. Yours is, I'd assume as well. We'll be fine. Worst comes to worst we'll have Ace come dig us out."
"Yeah cause a rabbit his size is capable of digging us brutes up. Funny Byron." I chuckled as he gently pushed me to the side.
Ten minutes later.
"Just make another right up ahead here. There should be a way to get outside the wall here." Byron instructed me as he insisted I be the one to drive us into the middle of the desert just so I'd feel more comfortable with this plan of his.
Finding our break in the city wall, I got our truck onto the sand and with it Byron shouted happily.
"Floor it!"
His urge to let loose made me hit the gas and once we started to sail over the dunes I began to find the perfect spot. I wanted the city outside of our sight and it was very easy to accomplish that. Once there was nothing but sand in all directions did I stop the truck to look at the sky above.
"It's still a ways off." I said to the man who was already out of the truck and gathering his tent from the trunk.
"Good. Then help me set this up."
"How the hell is this tent going to stand a chance in the sand Byron?" I had to ask him as he pulled out the stakes the tent would be using for all its support.
"Didn't you see how much this thing cost me Anpu? It'll hold its own. Trust me." He again urged me as I watched him embrace his inner boyscout for the next ten minutes. If there was one thing I could give Byron it was the fact that he could build almost anything so long as they came with instructions.
The tent was massive. Bigger than I thought but I suppose it had to be to support the two of us, but god damn this thing was almost as big as my room back when I lived with my parents.
"How much did this cost you again?" I had to wonder as I peeked in through the front door to find him laying down the last stake.
"Eight hundred and some change."
"I haven't really been camping, but this tent is crazy on the inside." I told him in awe as I entered the tent to begin looking around. The first thing that made this look cool was all the natural light it got. The roof of the tent had a clear top that allowed you to lay back and stare at the sky and all I could see were stars.
Byron smiled as I laid back to embrace the view and with his part done he asked me curiously.
"Did you bring the food in?" Widening my eyes I jumped up to reply.
"Shit! No, I forgot. I'll go grab it."
Watching as I got up to run for the exit, Byron shouted back as I made my way out into the desert.
"Make sure to bring the keys too! We may need to find the truck once the storm is over!"
"Gotcha!" I shouted back as I ran to the truck to open up the back. Inside was all our leftovers from dinner, so I grabbed all of that and the keys to the truck before making my way back to the tent. On the path I looked towards the incoming storm to find it a few minutes out. You could already feel the air around me shifting and in all honesty I was nervous to do this. Byron had faith and I didn't know how.
"It's about to hit." I informed the dane as he was going around the tent one last time to be certain he tied everything down correctly. Soon looking out at the storm itself, Byron admitted.
"Damn, that looks like a big one. Looks like it'll be here any minute. Let's lock this down and wait." Reaching out to grab me by the hand, Byron pulled me into the tent and zipped it back up once I was through.
I put the food down in the corner for now and just looked up at the sky. You could see small trails of sand being thrown once in a while and even sooner I had Byron come over to my right side to take a seat. He was practically connected to my leg. We were that close and as I looked to see his face the man laid himself down and urged me with a gentle voice.
"Lay back with me. Either we get to see the storm together or we get to have fun digging ourselves free once it's over." Chuckling, I questioned.
"I think either way we'll be buried once this passes." As I went to lay back he replied with a chuckle of his own.
"Probably right. Damn, we should have bought a shovel or something while we were there."
"Thinking ahead tends not to be either of our strong suits." I informed him back as he nodded and proceeded to whisper.
"It's about to happen. Look."
I refocused and with my eyes on the sky our vision of the stars soon became a sky of nothing but brown sand. The storm hit with such force that for a moment the tent itself shook and immediately both of us looked to the corners of the tent to check on the stakes to make sure they were holding.
Turns out they were and once enough time had passed we went back to looking out at the storm. Sound however was everywhere. All we could hear were the winds shaking our tent and the smooth slashing of harmless sand colliding with the fabric. My eyes soon decided to check on Byron; so slowly I looked over to find him already staring at me with a different look in his eyes. One type of look I hadn't ever seen him display. It caught me off guard and left me speechless as he rolled over on his side but didn't say a word.
"Byron?" I muttered under a nervous tone as it was clear he was about to make a move and to be honest I think that's what I wanted now more than anything. I just didn't think he intended for this. Was he worried I'd try to run and needed a storm to keep me here?
Slowly his hand came over to gently caress my face so I gently lifted up my hand to rest it over his and managed to question before he could continue.
"What are you doing?" Without skipping anything and without even changing expressions the man continued to stare deeply into my eyes as he soon stated back to me in a soft whisper.
"What you told me. I'm ready to try this between us, but only if you want it as well. I know you want me to just be dominant, but it's second nature for me to ask anyway. So Anpu? Do you want this? Do you want to take a chance on me?"
"Yeah. I am, but….Byron I want you to know that even after this we'll still be friends. Best friends. I'm not going to let this one night change who we are, but I do want you. I want…..?" With the hand that caressed my cheek, Byron lowered it till it was wrapped around my neck. Gently he squeezed me and soon I felt my head going lighter and lighter. I didn't dare break eye contact because after a few more seconds he leaned in to kiss me. The instant our lips touched things changed. The storm outside kept everything a secret as I focused solely on enjoying this wonderful moment.
Two days later.
I sat among friends as Tika was instructed to wait with me by Riley who had called upon a meeting of minds. She hadn't told anyone why this was happening and even Tika asked me what I had done, but I was instructed not to talk until the meeting. For now we waited in the war room and much to my surprise she invited everyone. My whole team idly waited as the door soon opened with an influx of people behind it. Riley brought in her whole unit and I had to take a breath considering behind all of them stood Lane and his entire team.
"Holy shit." Tika muttered in disbelief as Riley was quick to inform us.
"Brecken and Cal are on their way down. Make room everyone. We need enough space."
"What's going on?" Tika had to ask as it was clear this wasn't just going to be a little discussion. Riley however didn't answer, but proceeded to approach me to ask instead.
"You ready for this?" I nodded so she offered a hand.
"Good. Get up and join me in the center." So I did and with most of everyone looking at us I began to feel the weight of having this many people looking to you for answers.
I kept my mouth shut however and time passed and Riley had positioned herself right next to me on the main operation table. Using my gifts to invade her thoughts, I soon realized that Riley had no intention of trying to kill me. For now she was just waiting for everyone else to arrive and coming up with a way to break in the news she would be dropping. Leaning an inch over to meet her ears, I asked her nervously.
"What do you need from me?" She looked me over for a moment before calmly replying back.
"I need you to come clean with not just me, but everyone here. I want the full story. Not some fabricated lie you had in store if this ever had to happen. I can understand why you kept your name hidden from us, but now that I know I need to understand what you went through to get here. I'm not going to question your loyalty, but I will be expecting answers to a lot of hard questions. One of which I'm going to ask you now before we get started." I nodded once as she then whispered to me.
"Are you an active member of the M.E.A.F or G.U.N?"
"G.U.N." I replied which earned me a single nod from her now as she took that in for a minute before asking me back.
"Are you here because of them?"
"Half and half I'm afraid, but Riley I haven't told them anything. Nothing that would jeopardize you or any of our operations. I….?" Cutting me off by putting her hand on my left knee, she urged me with a small smile.
"I don't want to hear it just yet. You'll have your time to explain yourself and your motivations. If you're worried about your safety then know this. I don't have any intention to hurt you. If you come clean and tell us everything; I'll look past this, but only this once. You've earned yourself a pardon from me, but the others, we'll have to wait and see how convincing you can be."
I was relieved to hear that, but still choking on my own nervousness as the war room opened and in walked the remaining two uppers and their teams. Brecken turned out to be a dark black snake of some kind and from first glance I could see the resemblance to Tika just coming off his aura. Cal on the other hand was a hedgehog much like Riley, but she was half her size. She reminded me of Uno back from basic training with G.U.N. They both came right to the front where Riley and I were seated. Tika and Lane also found their way to us and with the room filled to max capacity Riley clapped her hands and shouted.
"Alright! Everyone settle in and quiet down!" There had to be a hundred of us here. I wanted this discussion to happen with just the uppers, but this had to be the price for my freedom. It wouldn't be fair if I wasn't honest with everyone. My eyes shifted over to Byron who stood just behind Ace near the front of the room. He gave me a comforting smile as I pushed all my hair to the right side of my head to clear up my eyes. Riley stood up to take center stage as it was clear she'd be leading me down this path.
"It's good to see everyone made it after being so long apart from one another. Brecken? I'm sorry to take you away from your operations. Same goes to you Lane and you Cal, but I wouldn't have called for this meeting if this wasn't something of utmost importance."
"We know that." Cal replied as Lane was quick to add on with a giggle.
"My "operations" practically run themselves anyway Riley. We can afford this."
"Good." Riley smiled as she put a hand on his shoulder to then look back at me.
"Everyone here knows of the strides we've made over the course of the last year. Between the attacks on the M.E.A.F alliance and the assassinations of two M.E.A.F presidents, we've halted the governments to a near standstill. On top of finally rooting out G.U.N president Hecan Moore. We've made world changing impacts happen in such a short time and I'm proud to announce more. For those who don't know her, this is Anpu. She's part of Tika's unit and I dare say the best addition to this family we've had in a long time. She's responsible for a lot of things, but her high marks are as follows." She announced as eyes were on me now.
"She managed to kill Azerbaijan's president all by herself before being inducted by Ace who you all know very well. That was not something I planned on, but I welcomed it because she got out clean. Her talents are undeniable and I dare say world class, but that does not mean we are yet done with some of the things she's presented to us. Anyone who has been with us for years surely knows Scott and Fin. They are two of mine. Come forward guys." She urged them from the crowd as they came to stand between Lane and Brecken.
"Both of them suffered from the use of viper venom. Classified as ferals and Scott had the worst of it, nearly turning himself completely from its sheer power. Anpu, among other things, is a scientist and a remarkable one at that. She's found a cure for ferals. Both Scott and Fin have been cured. Am I not right, guys?" She asked towards the two who both agreed instantly.
"She didn't just cure me Riley. She saved my life." Scott admitted towards the woman who still wore the same smile she had this whole time on her face.
"I never thought I'd be able to think clearly again. Never thought I could stand here and see the beauty in all life has to offer. As a feral I was lost and utterly controlled by something I couldn't shake. But thanks to you I can actually function. I have my life back, Anpu." Scott was tearing up and that made Fin emotional as she added.
"The freedom from venom is indescribable. I owe you everything, Anpu. I'm sorry I haven't taken you out for a drink yet, but we're going to fix that soon. I promise."
Riley nodded and with open arms stated to everyone.
"She's changed lives and her cure has yet to be marketed to anyone outside of our family. I want to consider options for marketing it legitimately using your company Lane. Of course this is something we can't go public with ourselves, but I'm sure you could figure out a way."
"A cure for imperfect users? Anpu herself told me about her breakthrough during our time together. Riley, if we have something like that it would make us millions. My company is largely invested in medical advancements around the world. I could easily make this happen. Say that my research division discovered the formula and market it to the world for a small fortune a dose; we'd have more money than god within a month and that's just off sales. If we wanted to sell it to G.U.N? We could shut down Tika's and even Brecken's operations. We'd be able to focus more on helping you directly. Myself included of course." Lane stated as I nodded and looked to Riley to see she was in favor of such a move.
"How old are you, Anpu?" Brecken asked me with a natural hiss to his voice.
"About to be twenty." I informed him as he looked at me in disbelief to question.
"You're nineteen and you've accomplished this on your own? Where did you learn how to operate like this?"
"The fighting I dare say is natural. It runs in my bloodline. The intelligence is from my mother. She was a scientist much like me. She's worked on some really groundbreaking things in her youth." Brecken seemed pleased as Cal soon had to wonder in my direction.
"What were you doing before Ace recruited you?"
"I was on my own providing my skills to anyone who would pay. Mostly the network."
"A contractor as well? You're an odd case." Brecken chuckled as Riley stepped in to refocus the conversation.
"She's more than just an odd case. She's family and she's earned her place among us. We can all agree to that, yes? Does anyone think otherwise?" Her eyes shifted to the room now as we all went silent to look at each other. To my surprise not a single objection was made. Not even from the people who I hadn't met until now. Riley seemed happy to get that response from them and without wanting to hold this off any longer she looked among the uppers.
"I thought as much, but I had to be sure. Tika? Do you know who Anpu is?" In confusion the bird replied back with some uncertainty.
"Ahh yes? She's Anpu. She's my sister. A fellow friend and comrade and a person I'm extremely grateful to have met." Riley shook her head but held her smile as she asked again.
"That's not what I asked. I asked if you knew who she was? Does anyone?" Again she asked the room and again we got not a single response back. Nodding her head, she went on to state.
"Just two days ago I learned the answer to that question. Anpu herself was the one to tell me and now she will be the one to tell you. To tell all of you. After it has been said I want you all to let her speak. To tell her story. Once she does you'll understand why we are here. Anpu? Are you ready to speak?" She then asked me as I took a deep breath to take note of the people who were watching me.
I could see it clearly in people like Tika, Byron, or even Ace. They were transfixed and at a loss for what was being said as others just wanted to know what was going on. My body was shaking slightly as I tried to focus on calming myself down. Taking a second to feel for my venom, I used that to help me relax and once I was ready I looked back at Riley to reply.
"I think so."
"Stand up hun." She then urged me. So finding my feet planted off the table, I took one long look around the room. Gulping my fear down, I let the truth come forth.
mT Shadow.