xviii | aidan

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I DID SEE HER CLUTCH HER WRIST, HER FACIAL EXPRESSIONS HINTING HER PAIN, BUT I DIDN'T GO BACK TO HELP HER. I wanted to, I really did, but I had to go back as fast as possible. Lauren was right - the others would be wondering where I went for the last day. I couldn't reveal anything to them. What the Institute was asking me to do wasn't even spread throughout the building.

Upon walking into headquarters for the first time in months - minus the time I was here with Alyssa - I was given weird looks from those working here. A lot were confused to why I was there, knowing I wasn't supposed to. Others were thrilled, thinking that I was finally joining them. I tried to keep a serious face as I walked past, not looking at others too closely.

As I walked away, with that final sight of Lauren in pain in my mind, I looked down at my own wrist, a watch identical to her's. Mom gave it to me. I considered throwing it out. 

When Lauren first wore her's in front of us, I was quick to notice, but didn't ask where she got it. It seemed normal, yet Lauren never wore watches. It had to mean something more. It did.

Before Mr. Miller and Lauren's mom brought in my "team", I played around with it. The device itself was really strange, for the fact that there was no where to actually read the time. But what it actually did; seeing all the powers you have, which ones are deactivated, being able to see other's abilities and deactivating any of them - that's cool. Pretty handy in battle.

It seemed like only Lauren and I had them, I guess since we were the two most important people here, apart from the adults. 

The device was also a way for the Institute to control us, making it easier for them. Lauren's wrist burning was because I was deactivating hers, but clearly the device attached itself to her nerves.

Me, on the other hand: I was fine. My chip was already mind control proof. The watch had no effect on me. I just kept the device, wondering what I could do with it later. We could probably stop a bunch of Evolutians with this, but the other's are going to wonder how I got my hands on this. 

Darn, there are so many secrets in my life. So many ways they can all get out.

I walked out of headquarters and through the halls till I got to the front entrance. Part of me wanted to go visit my little sister upstairs, but I refrained from doing so. She didn't need to think about which side I was on in this whole thing. She didn't need to think about me. She has enough on her mind.

I was able to leave effortlessly, the barrier allowing me out, and the fence that used to go around the place was now gone, credits to Jessica. 

Immediately, I was attacked.

- - -

"What the hell happened to you? And where the hell were you?"

I walked into the palace slowly, my lip swollen and with a black eye. My hands were sore and my body ached, wanting to sit down. Princess Taylor was the one who saw me first, a guard following her close behind. Other than the usual set of guards times two in the main foyer, no one else was there. 

"Was bored... went to fight..." I managed to escape from my mouth. " I'm fine, really." I collapsed to the ground, more dramatically than actually falling. "Everything hurts."

Turns out that the watch could also take away abilities from yourself, if the Institute wanted to. That's what happened. Evolutians started attacking me, for reasons I didn't know, but I couldn't use my powers on them. The Institute took them away.

I knew Mikayla was someone I could beat if I tried hard enough. That wasn't the case today.

Everything is fine now. I stopped bleeding, which was good and my powers returned. I could already feel the swelling of my lip go down. I kind of just lied down on the carpeted ground, staring at the ceiling covered in chandeliers and splashed of paint. Everything just kind of blurred together.

"The ground is comfortable," I mumbled aloud. 

"You were out there for at least twenty-four hours, in battle? Are you out of your mind?" Taylor asked.

I think about what happened at the Institute. "Yes, I am."

"Did you kill anyone?"

"Possibly."

"That's what we're trying not to do," Taylor said, handing me her arm. I grab on, trying to pull myself up. I managed to get onto my feet.

"They were Evolutians." I managed to grab one of their guns and shot them in the head without thinking twice. Mikayla was gone, as well as some of her friends.

My first murder. And more to come.

"Where are the others?" I asked her. 

"We're leaving."

"What?" I asked, shocked. I could feel my lip returning back to normal, but nothing else felt normal. "Where are we going? Why?"

"All you need to know is that we; as in me, Tyson and Hayden, are going to be going to some sort of safe house. I'm not too sure where it is either," She explained. "You, Spencer, Kassandra - since Spencer cares too much about her and your fathers are going to be staying here, along with most of our staff. Lauren and the Institute are supposed to be coming here soon. Tell them that it's all theirs."

Confusion still swirled in my mind. "What's all theirs? The kingdom? We can't give up so -"

"We haven't given up. We're still going to keep in touch and find out a way to stop this. You guys have to be the spies from here."

A double agent. Got it. I'm already one.

"If Lauren needs Tyson, she can always mind control him here, so remember that if you see him around," She continued. "Please don't try to kill yourself, Aidan. Don't risk your life out there, you are so much more useful here. Any questions?"

"Yes, actually-"

"Okay, great," she interrupted. "The palace is all yours. The boys already left, I just wanted to pack some stuff-" She glanced behind her. Two suitcases were in the guard's arms. "I'll go now. I'm saying this again - don't die, or I'm positive Tyson will just be dead on the inside."

"I am so confused right now but okay." 

She turned around. "Okay, lets go."

I didn't know how they were going to get there unnoticed. 

Once they were gone - or, out of sight at least, I screamed. "WHAT'S THE POINT OF GETTING ENGAGED WHEN YOU'RE RUNNING AWAY FROM YOUR FIANCEE? Whoa, that felt good."

A rush of footsteps were heard, and they were getting louder. I looked in the direction they were coming from - one of the staircases. Spencer's head poked into the hallway, followed by Kassandra. 

"Oh, that was just you," He breathed. Examining my face, he added: "Are you okay? Never mind, we have to talk." His gaze fell to my wrist. 

"Never mind?" Kassandra interrupts. "He has a black eye! Shouldn't we help him? Get some ice?"

"I heal on my own..." I stated. Kass let out a slow breath, like she forgot that bit of information. Relief spread on her face. That must come from having a doctor as a mother. But with that, I couldn't help what she felt about everyone injured in the city.

Spencer ran and hand through his hair, tapping his foot as he grew impatient. "Lets go. Kass, do you want to let his dad know he's home safe?"

"I'm coming with you," She said in a snap. "I'm your girlfriend, I have a right to know basic information."

This might not be that basic.

"Okay, yeah, whatever." Spencer started walking. Kassandra and I looked at each other, giving each other a look saying that Spencer was acting oddly, like he has since the chaos began. Maybe it was the fact that Lauren wasn't around that made him act this way. 

We went to the dining room. There was no sign of anyone in there. Spencer gestured for me to take a seat, and I did. Seriousness filled his eyes and I really didn't want to find out what he was like when he was angry. He and Kass sat across from me.

"So..." I dragged the single word out for a couple seconds. "what's going on here?"

"You went to the Institute," Spencer said, matter-of-factly. 

I crossed my arms, putting my right foot on my left foot. "What? No." I said, probably with too much confidence.

"Don't lie to me, Aidan. What did they say? My mother. Your mother. Lauren. Mr. Miller. Anyone. What did they say?"

"How can you be so sure he went, Spence?" Kassandra asked him, putting a hand on his arm. He pulled away.

"He went." He glanced at my wrist. "I can tell." He slammed his fists onto the table and stood up. Anger filled his voice. "What did they tell you? What are they making you do?"

I can't tell them... I can't tell them... "You have your secrets, I have mine."

"Aidan, you don't understand-"

"I do, Spencer. I do. I'm not involved with the Institute in any way." I hated lying about this. "You on the other hand..."

"You don't have to be involved in my life."

"Same goes to you."

I look hard into his bloodshot eyes. He's tired. He doesn't want to do this. His blue eyes were dull and like me, it looked like every part of him ached with exhaustion.

"Lauren gave you warnings." Spencer's been in contact with her. Of course he has. He's trying to hear everything from my mouth, but he knows what's going on. "Lauren told you not to do it."

"I don't know what she's saying half the time."

"You should be able to take a hint."

"Why am I supposed to be involved in everything that has to do with her. She shouldn't be in my life. She's engaged for a reason, so Tyson can solve all her problems. That's what partners are supposed to do, last time I checked." That definitely is not a solid fact. I know that.

"I have no idea what's going on," Kassandra said. "But you two seen to. This was a mistake, I'll go now." She walked out, muttering to herself.

"The virus..." He started, but his voice trailed off. 

"I can explain-" How did he know about it?

"Stop," Spencer interrupted. "Listen."

Nothing. Everything was silent.

In a city? That never happens. In a world in war? There should be bullets going off every minute.

We rushed to front entrance of the palace, wanting to see what was going on. This was unusual. Too unusual. Pushing open the heavy front doors, we saw outside.

Everyone stopped, frozen in place, making room for the people walking down the road like it was a red carpet. Citizen's bowed to them when they passed by, treating them like royalty, which they were not.

Not yet, at least.

I saw her only hours ago, looking into her scared eyes as we spoke. Her arm was now bandaged, her eyes glassy as she walked by with what seemed like confidence.

I looked to Spencer. He gulped.

The Institute was here. And they probably weren't going to leave anytime soon.

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