Chapter 19 : Found out

AJAX. “I can help.” Maxine Kane and the other guy both wheel around on me like they’re ready to murder, and that’s when I realize that I might have introduced myself at the most awful time in the most awful way. I’ve been out here all night, looking for the tunnel that the guy with Maxine right now used to get in and out of the camp without getting detected. I was losing time and that is making me panic. I haven’t been able to sleep or eat or do anything at all. Father is starting to get suspicious too, which was the last thing I wanted. Actually, the last thing I wanted was for him to try and get me even closer to Yelena, which is what he has been doing for the past couple of days. Needless to say, I’m exhausted. So yes, I came here in the middle of the night to find the tunnel and finally put this thing to rest. However, I didn’t know I would get lost on the way to that tunnel, and I certainly did not expect Maxine and the very person who tried to stop me before to be out here. I also did not expect him to be quite mangled/ So yes, I also offered my help. Did I think about it before saying it like that? No. Do I feel embarrassed and quite scared right now? Yes. “I’m sorry,” I start to say. “I didn’t mean to startle you, Maxine.” “He calls you by your name like that?” the guy asks Maxine, managing to conjure some sort of indignance in his tone despite his withering appearance. “Wow, I did not know you were close to the boy from the party the night you got turned.” Maxine’s face goes red. “It’s not like that, Theo. Now let me handle this.” “So your name is Theo.” I frown at him. “Why did you stop me from using that tunnel?” “Because you’re not allowed to go to the camp.” It’s Maxine who answers. “You’re not allowed to get anywhere near me or him ever again. Do you understand? Now get lost.” They start to walk again, and I can tell that she’s really struggling with his weight. He’s basically dragging his feet along the forest floor and her tiny little body is straining to keep up. I don’t know how far the camp is since the only thing I can see is the tall tip of the wall, but I can safely say that they have a long way to go before they get there. And if she keeps on struggling with him like this, neither of them is going to make it. So despite their words and their protests, I swerve close to Theo and put his other arm around my shoulder. He looks scandalized, but the effect is immediate. He seems to be struggling a lot less now. Even Maxine sees this, and she doesn’t say anything because of it. “Where do we go?” I ask. “The sun is almost up. I can just drop you off at the entrance and leave.” “To the right,” Theo says, and even though he’s doing a very good job hiding it, I can tell that he’s in a great deal of pain. “Just keep going right. The entrance of the tunnel is right there.” “Got it,” I say, and with that, I lift him off his feet and start walking fast while also being careful. “Don’t go back and use the tunnel,” he tries to warn me. “I will mess you up real bad and I...” He trails off. I feel it before Maxine can even come to investigate. There’s a warm gush of something soaking into my shirt, and that’s when I see that Theo is bleeding once again. This time more than ever, it seems. Rivulets of blood are staining his overalls and seeping right onto my clothes. His face gets even paler. Now he doesn’t look like the tanned intimidating man who once stopped me from getting to Maxine. “Theo,” Maxine whispers, her voice breaking. “We need to hurry up,” I say, and with that, we rush in the direction he pointed at. On and on we go. For a long while, it seems like we’ve been walking for hours, but at last, we reach the familiar entrance of the tunnel. We go straight in. I want to reach out and talk to Maxine as she leads the way but the fear in her eyes and the obvious urgency of the situation stops me. The horizon is now lined with pink and I can tell that we only have minutes now. “Where does he stay?” I ask, and a look of panic seizes her eyes. “I… I don’t know,” she whispers, leaning close to Theo. “Where do we take you? Who’s going to help?” “Jonathan,” Theo says. His voice is weak now. Barely audible. “Jonathan can do something about it. He will be at the cottage.” He raises his hand and points at a small battered hut at the edge of the sewer pit. I lift him and the three of us finally arrive. When we get there, another boy is indeed waiting. The boy named Jonathan has a badge that tells me he has a rank here, but he doesn’t seem to care about getting caught. He takes Theo from me the moment we arrive, barely paying me any attention. With one sweep, he clears the table, placing Theo on it and taking a small box from one of the drawers. “What’s going on?” Maxine asks. “I thought Werewolves are supposed to have healing—” “We do, but when other wolves get to us, that healing kicks in significantly slower,” I say. “It’s like when you Humans hurt each other. It’s not any different, actually, and we need assistance to heal. The only way to prevent injuries is to fight in your wolf form too. It doesn’t make the injuries heal faster, but it certainly can stop you from getting them. I assume you got attacked?” “I think it’s quite obvious, isn’t it, my guy?” Theo fires at me, somehow conjuring enough energy to be sarcastic. “Stop it, Theo.” Jonathan gets to work fast. He opens the box and takes out bottles of what I think is a moondust solution for healing. His hands are shaking but he pours the potion all over Theo, stepping back when it starts to steam. Theo groans but Jonathan places a steady hand on his shoulder. “Calm down. It’s going to be over soon.” “This hurts like a motherfucker,” he hisses through clenched teeth. “Do you have more?” “Yes, but it’s all we need. You get injured a lot.” Maxine exhales sharply. “I guess this teaches you not to fight wolves in your human form.” They start to bicker, and a slight stab of pain appears in my chest. I recognize the feeling immediately. Jealousy. But hold on. Wait just a moment. Why am I feeling jealous of Theo and Maxine? I mean, they’ve been in here for a while now. I’m sure they’re friends. Just friends. I’m just a nobody in this little group. Not to mention, the only reason I’m here is to strike a deal with her so she won’t mention anything about my birthday party. So why do I feel like I want to be a part of her life somehow? Just like Theo? I clear my throat and the bickering stops. I want to wave it off and tell them that I don’t mean for them to stop, but the three of them are already looking at me. “I think it’s time for me to go now,” I stammer, my nerves freezing my tongue. “It would not be good for any of us to be caught here.” “Thank you,” Maxine says, a clear sign for me to leave. Even Theo gives me a small salute. “Thanks, man. I hope you know this doesn’t mean I want you lurking around my tunnel or saying anything about it. I will hunt you and slice off your head.” “Theo!” she chastises him. “Um, what he means to say is that he’s thankful you saved his stupid ass.” “You’re welcome,” I nod at them. “I should….” I falter when I realize that Jonathan is staring at me, his face contorting with concentration. But at last, his face relaxes. And an expression of realization lights up his eyes. “I knew it.” He smiles. “I know you. I recognize you.” “No, you don’t,” I mutter, backing off. Jonathan shakes his head and points at me. “I know you. You’re the Alpha Supreme’s second son. Ajax Cavaliere.”