Chapter Two
Blaze
We crouch down behind the barriers next to the elevator, the one exit from this nightmare. A pack slung over both our shoulders, carrying what meager belongings we have.
“And you’re sure you know what you’re doing?”
“I’ve been working this out for months, testing it too, I’m positive this will work.” A man with a sleeveless shirt and two tattoos running up his huge biceps guards the two metal doors jutting out of the black stone. He has the signature buzz cut of a Venatores. “I need a distraction.”
“Like what, set something on fire? This whole place is fireproof.”
“Fine, I’ll create the distraction, when he goes to check it out get in the elevator, I’ll carry out the rest.”
“Alright. Be safe.”
“You too Firecracker.” He gives me a soft peck on the cheek, then moves to the other dark iron barrier and starts to yell.
“Hey! #060! If you don’t get over here right now blood is going to be spilt tonight!” The Venatore goes to check on the “fight” and gives me a chance to get out.
Freedom. I run right in front of the elevator and furiously pound the red up button.
“August?” I whisper as loud as I can.
“I’m here!” He whisper yells back. The doors slide open and he pulls me in. The door inches back to a closed position. A jolt to the wire and I feel the sensation of taking off I haven't felt in way too long.
“You know, It’s just us to now. No guards, no director…” August lets out a low laugh.
“Are you trying to seduce me?”
“Depends if its working.” He cups my neck and pulls me into a kiss I will never forget. His lips pull my jaw open a bit wider so he can run his tongue along my teeth. He stops occasionally to mumble some sweet nothing into my mouth. We keep this going as we climb higher and away from our childhood cage. His hands pull my jacket away from my body, my bare arms wrap around his neck and I play with his black and fire colored hair.
“Firecracker, I’m gonna need you to do something.” Oh no. What did I do wrong. Was I too eager? “Put your jacket back on, we need to be discreet.”
“Oh. Sorry.” An entirely different heat flushes my face.
“No, it’s me, I just...got a little carried away. That's all.”
“Well, where are we planning on going?” I ask.
“I’ve spent a whole month getting this ready, I’m not just going to tell you right off the bat.” He takes out a red handkerchief and pulls it around my eyes, the elevator lurching to a stop. “Now walk forward.”
“It’s my first time outside in ten years and you want me to put a blindfold on? You’re kidnapping me aren’t you?” I hear the doors slide open. He takes me through the forest, fresh air that smells of pine. Fresh air. How do I even know what pine smells like? I don’t care. I’m so happy, finally after so many years my skin is soaking up the sun.
“Now,” He unties the blindfold. “We’re here.” I open my eyes and see a cabin. Dark pine with green grass and wildflowers decorating the front.
“August…”
“Do you like it?”
“August...I, You did this for us?”
“Blaze.” He cups my face in his hand. “I would do anything for us.” I hold back any emotion and decide to tease instead.
“Aren’t you going to show me inside?”
~~~
“What do you mean you can’t find him?!” The director slammed his fist on the dark oak desk.
“Exactly that. He's not here. We suspect that he left Sanctum completely.” The head Venatore shut his mouth and started to sweat. I shouldn’t have said that.
“He left Sanctum, he just simply left?!” The director ground his teeth together. “Who let him leave.”
“We suspect it was #044. He was on guard at the elevator, went to go check out a fight and came back. We talked to him when we found out August was missing.”
“What about the cameras?”
“Blown up. We can't see or salvage anything from them.”
“Did he have any accomplices?”
“Not that we know of, sir.”
“Get on finding anyone else who’s missing.” The head Venatore turns to leave. “And one other thing.” He turned around and stood up with the poise only a general would have. “Tell #043 he’s about to move up.”
“Yes sir.” He left the director looking like he was going to spew fire. The door shut as he grabbed the black paper weight off his desk and hurled it at the wall. It shattered, showing that it was not in fact stone, but glass. Next to the shards of black glass lay a simple red, blue and silver chip. He picked it up and inserted it into a small crevice along the stones and a huge screen emerged from the wall.
“Henry, old friend, I have a proposition to make.”
“Its King Henry to you Farron. And why of all times are you calling now? After the extermination order and the…”
“I know the timing isn’t ideal but I need a favor.”
“What is it, and what's in it for me?”
“My son has gone missing.”
“And?”
“We have reason to believe that he is in league with the chosen one.”
“Not the Prophesy again. Farron I thought you were past that! The one to bring the Drage to light? How is that supposed to help me, to help us?”
“If we kill the chosen one now it’ll make things a lot easier.”
“You’re suggesting I kill your son?”
“No not until we find out who the chosen one really is. I don't want August dead. Send in a rider, find where he is and frighten him into coming back.“
“Very well Farron, But What exactly is it that are you doing for me?” The director placed a huge chalice full of a sweet cold liquid in front of the screen.
“Chocolate Milk?” King Henry stroked his third chin. “Very Interesting” He muttered
“When should your rider have him back”
“Rest assured Farron, that he will be in your clutches within a fortnight”
“Perfect” The screen went dark and the director sat down on the office chair and propped his black army boots along the wooden desk. Not only a minute later the head Venatore knocked on the door.
“What is it?”
“August had an accomplice.”
“Who is it” The director stood up and clenched his fists so tight his tan knuckles turned white.
“#092.”
“Blaze.” He hissed. Then quickly his rage erupted like lava from a volcano. He swiped a hand along the desk, sending scrolls flying “BLAZE!”
~~~
“Kara dearest” Henry chuckled, turning in his chair
“Yes sir?” The girl asked from a corner of the room
“Find the director’s son, August, I’m assuming you can at least do that and” Henry paused, thinking “And kill him.”
“Yes sir.” She saluted and smirked “Your wish is my command”
ns 15.158.61.8da2
