Chapter 16 Chapter 16
Chapter 16 Chapter 16
Myla's POV
Something about the way he said it wasn’t just dismissal, it sounded more like a challenge.
I frowned faintly. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means,” he said, his voice quieter now, “if you’re going to do this, find a better way.”
I blinked. “You’re the one who dragged me into a corner.”
“And you’re the one walking into restricted rooms like you are some invisible lady or something,” he shot back.
Silence.
My chest rose slightly with the heavy breath passing through it. Then I tilted my head just a little. “Why do you care?”
That made him pause for a split second.
His jaw tightened slightly. “I don’t,” he said.
And I almost laughed. “You do,” I replied.
“No.”
“Yes.”
A second passed. Then I stepped a little closer, lowering my voice slightly. “What have you found?”
His eyes flickered just once. And I caught it.
That was enough.
“You’ve been looking too,” I said and he didn’t answer.
More than enough answers for me.
I crossed my arms slightly. “So what is it?”
“You’re not ready for that,” he said and the words hit instantly.
My expression hardened. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“That,” I repeated. “Deciding what I’m ready for.”
His gaze didn’t soften. “If you have to ask,” he said, “then you’re not.”
My fingers tightened slightly against my arms.
“That’s not your call.”
“No,” he agreed quietly. “It’s yours.”
A pause. Then—
“And you’re already making the wrong one.”
Silence settled again. Thicker this time.
I exhaled slowly, forcing the tension down. “Then tell me.”
He didn’t move and didn’t respond immediately.
Then finally—
“This place,” he started, his voice lower now, more controlled, “is built on more secrets than truth.”
My chest tightened slightly.
He held my gaze. “Everything you see?” He continued. “It’s just the very beginning, it’s all much bigger than you can imagine.”
My mind flashed back to the tutor's words and I folded my fingers tightly.
“There’s more going on here than they let you see,” he added.
And I stepped closer without thinking. “Then we find it.”
His expression shifted slightly.
“Together,” I added and the word hung there.
For a moment there, I thought he'd agree, thought he'd say yes as something in his gaze changed.
Then it was gone just as quickly. “I don’t work with people like you,” he said flatly.
The words landed harder than they should have.
I blinked. “What?”
“You heard me.”
My jaw tightened. “You were just—”
“I said what I said.”
Something sharp flared in my chest. “Then why even tell me anything?”
He stepped back fully now.
“Because you’re already in it,” he said. “And if you keep doing it your way, you’re going to get caught.”
“That doesn’t sound like someone who doesn’t care,” I challenged.
His expression didn’t shift.
“It sounds like someone who doesn’t want you messing things up for others,” he replied and the words hit harder this time.
I stared at him. “You don’t get to judge whatever the fuck I do,” I said quietly.
“And you don’t get to act like you know what the fuck you’re doing,” he shot back.
Silence followed heavily, tearing into me.
Then he turned, and just like that, he started walking away.
“Blake—”
“Stay in your lane,” he said without turning back, and that was it.
He didn’t stop, didn’t slow down. Just left.
And I stood there for a second too long, didn’t move, didn’t think. Just let it all sink in.
Then the irritation slightly burned into me.
I scoffed lightly under my breath and pushed off the wall.
“Unbelievable,” I muttered and turned out, walking the opposite way.
By the time I got back to the room, the tension hadn’t left one bit, just sat under my skin.
Quietly tugging and biting into me.
I pushed the door open and walked inside, barely any head turned as I did, not even his.
Kyle was sitting on his bed as I walked in. I stood at the door, staring at him for a second before walking towards my bed.
As I did, he looked up immediately and our eyes met.
A second passed. Then he looked away without saying a word.
I shook my head and set my things down.
I had seen too much today to be having this with him right now.
I quickly helped myself to a quick shower, taking my time to clean up before stepping back into the main room all dressed.
I laid down on my bed at once, feeling the weight of everything resting on me.
I needed to sleep, to forget about everything that had happened and focus on getting up early tomorrow.
But sleep didn’t come easily.
I lay on my back, staring at the ceiling, thinking about the file, about the name. Ford.
Then my mind went to Blake, to what he said.
More secrets than truth.
My fingers tightened slightly against the blanket.
None of this was normal. None of it made sense.
And yet, it all felt like it was leading somewhere.
I just didn’t know where yet.
Morning came too fast afterwards and I was left hating myself.
Struggle to sleep, forced to wake up. What the hell?
I pushed myself off the bed a bit faster than usual as the rest of the room emptied fast.
I watched as Kyle lingered a bit before stepping out too, and as usual, I was left coming last.
I rushed into my private side and changed fast, stepping out and rushing after him.
“Kyle!” I called but he didn't slow down.
“Kyle, wait up!” I called again but he kept going like he couldn't hear me till we reached where the group arranged themselves.
He got in line and I filed in behind him.
“Kyle, listen up, I'm sorry about last night, okay? I didn't mean to blow up on you like that,” I whispered to him.
He leaned towards me slightly, like he would continue, then shook his head, turning away.
“Whatever,” he muttered.
“Come on, Kyle. We don't have to fight,” I replied but he said nothing.
Then the loud booming voice tore through the room.
“Today is Wednesday and it's pairing day!” He yelled.
Pairing day?
“Hey, Kyle, what's pairing day?” I whispered and as he turned with a scowl, the voice cut in.
“All students are expected to pick a number from the box and pair with the number on the other end based on the numbers on the mats!”
I swallowed hard, this didn't sound fun.
“Now, trainees! Approach the box!”
And with that, everyone moved towards the box in front of their groups.
But I pulled Kyle aside.
“Come on, mehn, I'm sorry,” I apologized and he took a deep breath.
“It's fine, Myla,” he replied and I nodded.
“What's pairing day?” I asked and we started walking towards the box slowly.
“As he said, two people get paired based on the numbers on their card, the number on the front is yours, the number on the back is your other half, per say,” he explained.
I nodded.
Then he turned to the mats. “Look, the mats have been lined up with two numbers on each side,” he said.
And I turned to find same.
“You are to pick a card, then stand on the number that's yours on the mat while your other half comes up opposite you,” he said.
“What are we to do on the mat?” I asked, feeling funny.
He shook his head though. “Spar, Myla.”
I nodded and as he took a step forward, I reached out and pulled him back by his hand.
“Wait, let's pick together so we'll be matched,” I said but noticed he was staring at our hands together.
I coughed and let go, stepping back and he stuttered a bit before getting himself back.
“Yeah, sure,” he muttered and we waited.
So as the last person left, I walked over and picked my card while Kyle picked his.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before looking at my number.
“I'm 6,” I said and turned over. “Paired with 18.”
Kyle shook his head. “I'm 56. Paired with 22.”
Shit.
“How do they do this?” I asked and Kyle shrugged.
“You of all people should know that,” he replied and I immediately understood.
“See you later,” he called out as he walked off.
I nodded and searched for my mat while others walked around, some already paired and some waiting for their other half.
I found mine empty few minutes later and stood waiting.
A few minutes passed before someone walked onto the mat.
I sighed with a smile spreading out as I was relieved that someone actually came as I feared for a second I'd be rejected and overlooked again.
But that smile faded immediately as my eyes met my other half.