Chapter 108 Love in the shadows

Chapter 108 Love in the shadows

\[Levi's POV\]
That Alex dude is getting on my nerves. He keeps dodging every punch I swing at him.
I lunged at him but he was quick to scarmble to his feet and kick me. Yeah, he kicked me in the face and I screamed at him.
'You trying to blind me, asshole?' I said aloud and the girls turned to me.
Their instructor, an ebony skinmed woman dressed in black rubber jumpsuit, turned to me. A grimace highlighted her dull face as she spoke with a Spanish lilt in her voice. '10 minutes recess.'
'Thank God.' Charlotte laid on the floor on her back and stared at the ceiling.
'I'm sorry, man. I didn't mean to hit you in the face.' Alex pat my arm as an apologetic gesture and I brush it off, annoyed.
'Yeah. Nobody ever means what they do.' I turn on my heels and walked away.

In the bathroom, I looked at my reflection and it vexed me. It was covered up in bruises put there by that stuoid trainer. With the way things are going, I'd be crippled before Hide and Seek even begins. I run the tap and scoop water to splash my face and it stung.
'Jesus.' I hissed and grabbed a towel to dry my face.
'You okay?' Jacob came up beside me.
'Yeah. What is it?' I hang the towel in the rack where it belonged and turned to him.
'I know it's none of my business but what's going on between you and Charlotte?' He asked.
'Like you said, it's none of your business.' His question infuriated me and I reached for the door, slamming the door on my way out.

I got the training field only to see Charlotte talking to Alex. Wow, so they really know each other. None of them spared me glance as they were so immersed in their conversation. Now, he has his hand in her and it seemed like he pulled something out. She's laughing and so is he. I fisted my hand. It's my hand that's supoosed to be in her hair. It's me that's supposed to be talking to her but instead she's choosing him. Fuck! I turn away before they'd notice me.

\[Charlotte's POV\]
Phase 1 is over and I feel like dying. As if learning to shoot wasn't enough, Alex had us engaging in hand to hand combat and trust Anna, she wasn't going easy on me. Of course, i teied mt best to escaoe her punches. Believe me, I practically ran away from her but in the end, I faced the pain and it hurt. Big time.

I lay on my back, catching my breath. Then I take a look at my watch. I'm fine. I'm not dead. Yet. My mind drifted to Levi. I couldn't compel myself to look at him but I wanted to. He distanced himself from me like I was some kind of plague. He barely stared at him and it was infuriating. How couldn't he tell that I wasnted to hold him? To make him call my name even if it was just once. How could he blind to all these emotions? Dammit. I think mom was right when she told me to be ready when I wanted to love. I have a bad heart already and here, Levi is, breaking what's left.

I closed my eyes, letting the lights warm my skin. This was as peaceful as ir could get as other agents began trooping out of the room. It was becoming empty and I liked it. Atleast no one would see me when I cry. Tears welled up in my eyes and I let them run towards my ears.
'Are you okay?' I heard Alex ask.
I refused to sit up or look at him.
'Yeah.' I said with a sniffle and cleared my throat.
'This might be the last time I'd ask you that. Next time, I wouldn't.' He sat down next to me and nudged my arm.
I looked at him and he smiled. 'Has anyone ever told you look ugly when you cry?'
I burst out laughing and punched his arm. 'You're crazy.'
'Ouch. That hurt.' He grabbed my arm and held me to sit up.
'Shit. You caught me crying.' I wiped my eyes with the back of my arms.
'Nah, I didn't.' He gave me a tissue, winking at me.
'Yeah, right' I took it from him and wiped my eyes. 'You always carry a tissue around?'
'Yep. In case a trainee needs it. There's a lot of crying around here.' He whispered that last part to me and I made an O with my mouth.
I crumpled the tissue in my hand and caught my lower lip between my teeth. I felt them quiver and shook my head.
'What's wrong, Charlotte?' He asked and I looked up at him.
I let the tears fall down my cheeks. 'This. All this. Why do I have to do this? Who - Who are you and how do you know me? Why is everyone here looking up to me like I'm some kind of saviour? I need saving too.'
Alex said nothing. His face was blank.
'Huh. I forgot you're a robot.' I sniffle and look away.
'Robot. That's a funny title.' He smiled. 'Well, for one, Malcolm briefed me on you guys and second of all, no one sees you as a saviour. Each and everyone of us is a saviour.'
His hand cupped my cheek, starling me. 'You don't need saving, Charlotte. You're perfect. I've read your profile. Someone who's loved by all doesn't need saving, they do the saving.'
I was quick to push his hand away. 'What do you know, Alex?'
'Hold up. There's something in your hair.' He caught my wrist and leaned forward.
'What is it?' I asked as he leaned near and reached his hand in my hair. It might sound weird but I wanted him to touch my hair like Levi used to. He pulled a tiny piece of fabric. It probably fell off Anna's shirt when I grabbed her. Yeah, we're combat partners and when she grabbed my arm to punch me, I fisted her shirt in my hand and bit the daylights out of her.
'Thanks.' I smiled at him.
'You look ugly when you smile.' Alex frowned and I hit his arm.
'Hey, that's rude. I have the prettiest smile. Eveyone knows that.' I say with a laugh.
Alex collapsed next me. He heaved a sigh of relief. 'Mission accomplished.'
'Mission acconplished?' I asked, confused.
'Yeah,' He shut his eyes, 'I wanted to make you smile seeing you were dazed all day.'
I was utterly speechless. Why was he so nice to me?
That was when I heard someone slam the door. For a minute, I thought I saw Levi standing there.
Jacob and Anna walked in. Their hands were interlocked. When did that happen?
'We're about to have lunch.' Jacob told me.
'Oh. Cool. What's on the menu?' I took to my feet and wioed the dust off my butt.
Jacob and Anna exchanged looks before they both turned to me.
'You don't want to know.' Anna gave me a weirs smile and I palm my face.
'I knew it. It's just like in the moveis. The food is always crao. Dont trust coos.' I say and they all laugh, including Alex whom I thought would pick offense but didn't.
'Yeah,' Alex aplmed the back of his neck and confessed. 'You're right. The food here is crap.'
'Anyone up for takeouts later?' I suggest.
'Aye." They chorused.
Looking around, I asked. 'Where's Levi?'
'He went to get some air. He'll be back.' Jacob gave me a reassuring smile and I gave a curt nod.


Zurich, Switzerland.
\[Adira's pov\]
I was so confused at the turn of events. Ratcliff was disguised as an old woman and we have the wierd woman with Charlotte's baby pics and the handsome dude whose name I don't know.
'Were you following us?' Lin asked, terrified. Trist me, I felt the same way.
'Yes. We were told to,' Ratcliff lifted his eyes to hers. 'By him.'
We both looked behind them. Nothing was there.
The old lady palmed her face. 'How dumb can you both be? He meant the director it's not like he's here.'
I'm super confused now. 'Wait. I thought Ratcliff is the director. Margo told me.'
'Nah. He isn't.' Lin heaved a sigh and sat on the floor.
I made a sharp turn, staring at her. 'Wait. You know who the director is?'
Lin pursed her lips then she replied. 'I can't say if I do, they will kill me.'
'What do you think I'll do to you if you don't tell me?' I scramble to my feet to lunge myself at her but the cute oldie pulled me back. Her grip was so strong I felt my broke would break.
'Enough,' She let me off and sat on the thin couch. 'Taking this job sure was a terrible decision.'
'You can say that again.' Ratcliff confessed even the hot dude agreed.
'Job? What job?' Lin asked.
The oldie smiked. 'Don't play dumb, girl. You know why we are here.'
I scooch away from Lin and stay beside the oldie as she went on.
'You were supposed to bring safely to us, the "it" for the next Hide and Seek game.'
'What?' My shook as I looked at Lin. 'She tried to kill me.'
'---which was not part of the plan,' Oldie heaved another sigh, 'You're lucky we had a tarp ready to catch you. This operation is over. We'll have to do without an it.'
'Wait,' I got to my feet when she did, 'I have so many questions. How did I get here in Zurich? Who are you? How do you all work for the director?'
Oldie cupped my cheek and I feel the wrinkles against my smooth skin. 'Well, you were drugged, that's one.'
I shot Lin a glare. 'Bitch.'
Oldie went on. 'Well, my name is Loretta and yes, Charlotte Melbourne is my grandbaby.'
I couldn't help but gasp at the realisation. 'What?'
'Charlotte doesn't know much about me. I don't want her to.' Loretta give a small smile and pointed at the handsome man. 'This is David. He's the director's son.'
'What?' Lin and I both scream.
'Nice to meet you, girls. It's been a pleasure.' David tipped his invisible hat and headed for the door. Loretta and Ratcliff too.
'Wait. That's it?' Lin yelled.
'Yeah,' Loretta inched towards her. 'Your job was to bring a novice - someone who has zero knowledge of Hide and Seek for the game, to bring them alive and well, and yet you brought someone who not only knows alot about H.A S but is a wolf in the game and worse, you even tried to kill her.'
'Wait. You're a Wolf and you didn't tell me?' Lin turned to face me.
'Don't blame me. It's not like everyone has their true intentions written on their foreheads.' I gave her a tatse of her own medicine and her face fell into a shocking look.
Loretta grabbed Lin's chin. 'You've ruined this, Linda. I wonder what the director would do if he discovers the "it" you brought is the wrong person.'
'N - No. I'll bring someone else. I don't want to get hurt.' Lin sobbed.
Loretta let go off her. 'It doesn't work like that.'
She turned to the door and held open the door. 'Well, just know the tables will turn.'
I run to meet Loretta. 'Loretta, does Charlotte know you're a part of this?'
Loretta shook her head, 'I want none of my family in this.' Then she smiled. 'The cold will get worse from here on out. Find a way to go back home.' Then she was gone.
'How do we go home with no money!' I went outside only so see it was morning and the trio gone, as though they had vanished into thin air.