xxix | lauren

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HOLY SH--

I don't know about you, but I thought I did a great job with hiding myself from the others. I probably haven't been invisible for that long ever before and at some points, I thought I was going to be stuck with being invisible forever. I did hesitate every time Tyson glanced at me, but I didn't expect him to know I was there. 

I had to dodge the dagger. I knew the second he stood up from lying on the ground that he was suspecting something. I moved to my left, but I felt my arm and hair brush off his side. He knew I was there. No need to hide any longer. 

I revealed myself, ordered Kelly to do the same. If I go down, she goes down with me. 

My fingers head to the side of my neck, where blood was slowly oozing out of the wound and onto my neck and clothes. I look at my now crimson fingers, feeling the blood between the tips of my finger. "So much for not wanting to hurt me." I shake my hand letting the blood splatter onto the ground.

If I didn't move, that would've gone straight into my neck.

Tyson was breathing heavily, looking down at the dagger stained with my blood. He then glanced at Kelly, her claws already out, ready to bleed someone to death. Then he met my eyes, asking the golden question. "What are you doing here?"

I looked back, shocked expressions spreading across everyone's faces. All except one person, who instead was filled with guilt. Aidan should've kept his plans away from me. Guilt didn't look to good on him.

"You guys are so funny, I admire your efforts, but there is no way you guys are going to find what you're looking for. You think this is an army? Try again." I smirked, examining my fingernails. I felt like one of those mean girls in those high school movies. "I mean, Bethany Asher as a soldier? Fat chance."

She growled. When the world was still simpler, she used to be the cliche high school mean girl, getting whatever she wanted. Bethany started to head towards me, but Aidan stopped her, wrapping a firm arm around her so she wouldn't go any further.

The scene made my heart ache. But I didn't let it show.

Tyson went for the punch right then, when I wasn't looking straight at him. I turned around when seeing his soft fingers scrunched together ready to make contact with my face in the corner of my eye. I moved quickly stopping the punch, smashing him into the very wall I was hiding in.

Of course that wasn't the end. My friends were better fighters than that, I was aware. Tyson quickly recovered, picking up the dagger that he dropped -- which now turned into a sword -- putting it in front of him. 

"Hey, you know not to hit a girl, right?" Kelly called, just as Jessica -- oh great, she's back -- moved behind her, swinging her leg and hitting her square in the back. She growled, turning to face her new prey. 

Tyson ignored what Kelly said before, and I was glad. This wasn't going to be fun if I was beating the crap out of him but he didn't even attempt to do the same to me. That was an easy, boring win. With a flick of my fingers, a weapon made of solid ice appeared in my fingertips. I stopped myself from awing since this was the first time I tried it. I simply held it up, ready for a duel.

He was good with a sword, a supposedly dead weapon. Maybe it came with being a prince? I myself wasn't that bad, I guess. I wasn't as good as him, I'll admit. I was good enough to almost loosen the grip of the weapon twice. But he still had it in his hand.

That is, until I kicked the hand he was grabbing the weapon with and watched it fly away, across from us. 

To make the fight fair, I tossed my weapon away. And I knew the boy wasn't going to end up using his abilities. That's fine, I can handle an old fashion battle.

But before I continue the fight, I glanced back at the crowd of people who were probably watching. Hayden and Sofia were no longer there, probably relocated inside my house. Taylor herself had a computer on her lap, typing away. Spencer, Kassandra, Aidan, Dad and Clayton were all just staring, not too sure what to do. 

Maybe they needed something to keep them busy. 

As I throw Tyson a punch to the chest, I tried to reach the group of people they newly recruited. If they were still attached to the grid, this would've been so much easier on me, but it didn't mean I couldn't control them. 

Seconds later, I hear Aidan's voice ring out for Taylor to rush in with the laptop as at least five of the group of of people stood up, fighting against Aidan, Spencer and the others.

It was a bloody mess. 

The simple instruction I gave everyone was to fight their selected target. I didn't have the time to give them specifics. I had my own fight.

I used a force of telekinesis to pin Tyson against the wall. He fought back, being able to use two of his fingers, using it to push me back, away from him, in hopes that I loosen the grip on him. Guess what... that doesn't work. But his grip on me was strong enough that I couldn't break it. Even with the little effort he was able to put in.

When I think about it, it makes sense. He was the origin of all our powers, even if he doesn't have many himself. The whole operation surrounded him and his mother, starting off as a way of discover why they had these abilities. It's evolved into so much more. 

"You going to let go of me any time soon?" Tyson asked.

"I'd rather not," I replied in a heartbeat. "If this is enough to keep you in one place."

I take the opportunity to glance back at the chaos behind my childhood home. The battles were still under way. Some of my soldiers were beaten up badly, cuts above their eyes and blood seeping into their clothes. But did they stop -- no. Would I let them stop -- of course. If they don't have their own energy to burn, they'd be burning mine. These people were bruised, not broken.

Jessica and Kelly were at each other by the throat. Two girls fighting was so much more vicious than two boys. Jessica's clothes were already covered in blood, but that went the same for Kelly. Her claws shredded Jessica's shirt and one of her pant legs. Kelly had a gash in her right arm, but continued to punch whatever was left inside of Jessica. I couldn't tell who's blood they were each covered in -- their own or each other.

"Lauren, you can stop this. I know you hate seeing it like this."

"SHUT UP!" I screeched, closing my eyes. He was right, I hated seeing this. I hated seeing all the blood. I hated the fact that my friends and everyone I cared about was against me. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it.

But I had no choice, did I? 

I released my grip on Tyson, which immediately led to him releasing me. I took no time to hesitate, punching him in the face the moment I regained the control I had over my body. There was a faint crack, and a stream of blood flowed out from his nose. I punched him again before he could say another word, this time leaving an imprint around his eye, which would soon turn purple. 

What has gotten into me?

I step back, leaving Tyson leaning against the wall, his blood leaking onto his clothes, especially as he tries to stop the blood exiting his nostrils. "Are you out of your mind, Lauren Olsen?" 

"Yes, I think I might be." I order to stop the battles that happened around me. The new recruits stopped mid punch or kick, confused looks painted their bloody faces. I could easily bring them back to the palace, hook them back up to the grid, but I don't tell them to return to their mindless state. Kelly manages to give Jessica one last kick in the chest, making her topple over, then returned to her position beside me.

I looked around, something not seeming right. It just seemed like a sea of injured people and blood everywhere. I spot my father, pulling himself up. He tried to rub off some of the blood that dried onto his hand. For a moment, his eyes meet mine. He walked over.

I didn't know what I was still doing, just standing there. These people probably wanted me dead, for all I knew. They no longer wanted me safe, especially not after today. Yet, my father approaches me, slow at first. His gaze was fixed on me, his broken daughter, being tormented by his ex-wife. 

"Lauren... Lauren, sweetheart." His voice is soft and came out as a little louder than a whisper. "It's not too late for us to help you... Lauren, just come with us."

I hesitate. Kelly kicks the back of my leg lightly. I scowled, reminding her who actually was the boss around here. I turn back to my father, his eyes like Spencer's -- I mean, obviously, my brother had to inherit then from someone, and I recently realised his ones aren't like Mom and mine. 

After everything -- everything -- he was still offering to help me. Was there really a way to escape all of this? Was the offer really being offered in front of a group of people that were just badly injured because of me. 

His hands are on my shoulders now and he looked straight into my eyes, probably deeper, if that was possible. In front of me was a man who didn't want any part in any of this, at all, but helped the Institute simply because he had too much love for a woman who didn't love him back. He's been watching his family fall apart for years now. 

Can I really break him further?

"Dad... Dad, that isn't your daughter anymore." Spencer appears behind him. "You can't convince her to come back." There's no response form Dad. "She's Julianna Henderson's daughter, a monster, you really think she'll come back."

"Oh, you think you're so much better, brother?" I shout at him. Dad's grip on me disappears, shocked by my sudden attitude towards my brother. "You're the monster here."

"I came back!" He argued. "I'm here, fighting against the Institute. At least I try to follow what I believe in. You went back once and never tried to come back."

"Spencer Timothy Alexander Olsen, you are not better than you. You are the reason why I'm in this position. Everything could've been so much different, you know? Why couldn't you have just let me die--"

Dad gets in between us. "Lauren, your brother--"

"We aren't even a family anymore! We're enemies, not on the same side of the coin. Spencer, you are not innocent. You can't just call our mother by her first name, pretending that half your DNA doesn't comes from her. Speaking of which, she expects you back."

"I'm not going back."

"Yes, you will."

"Make me."

Dad knows that he said the wrong words, his eyes widening when he said those words. 

A twisted smile appears on my face. "Very well."

I turned around, heading back towards the palace. I hopped over Tyson, still on the ground, but now with Aidan next to him. Funny, I didn't notice he pass by me. Kelly was behind me and after a small scream, Spencer too.

I know Dad wants to follow, but I know he'd be more use here. He'd just be heartbroken while he sees Mom and Auston together. I keep in back. I have to hold him back, out of all people. 

Spencer finally compels to what I was asking him to do, actually following me without having me to make him. He swings an arm around my shoulders and I notice the blood covering him. He's practically leaning on me, tired, possibly because of the blood loss. 

His lips are against my ear. "I know Mom isn't making you do this. Everything back there, that was all you. Once upon a time, you were just my sweet little sister. What happened?"

"I'll tell you what happened. Taylor managed to get into the grid. Your army is slowly growing bigger, Spencer. All around the world."

- - -

We could've just teleported back to the palace, saving a lot of time, energy, and Spencer's blood. He was holding up pretty well, only having to lean on me a could times. I didn't mind his weight on me occasionally as he slumped over my shoulder, groaning in pain. I should've been a good sister, putting him out of his misery as soon as possible. But I was just too curious.

I walked with confidence, each step light and quick, my hair blowing in the wind. I looked around the city, no longer the one full of people buzzing with energy. Everything was stripped to the ground, slowing growing back. And the people who used to greet me with bright smiles and sparkling eyes now cower at the sight of me. 

"Go, go, go, don't make her angry." I hear the scared voice of a woman, probably with young children, maybe siblings. I swerved my head back seeing her along with two children, possibly about the age of Tyson's siblings, maybe younger. The brief eye contact I made with the guardian left her with a fear that couldn't be brushed away and me with an ache in my chest. 

That was only one of the many encounters on the walk home.

"One day, she's going to pay for all of this." The faint whisper left one of the kids' lips as they turned around. 

Trust me, I'm paying for all of this right now. 

We reach the gates of the palace, which swung open when I reached it. There was no one at the gates so someone was probably watching. I've been gone for hours in the dead of night. I'm sure my mother noticed my disappearance. 

The huge front door opened once I stepped on the first steps. My eyes fall onto the marble base, where blood stained the white rock. It was never properly cleaned up. The sight sends shivers up my spines, knowing it was my fault for the blood. 

The two people at the door were none other than my mother and her new lover. Her arms were crossed, a look of anger spread across her face. I didn't even bother to look at Auston, knowing his expression was going to be more or less the same. 

"And where have you been?" She scolded, approaching me. 

I dodged her arms, diverting away. "I found your son, didn't I? You asked me for him." From the corner of my eye, I see Kelly already rushing away. The tough act really was just an act, wasn't it? She couldn't approach my mother. 

"I'm going to go find a bandage or something," Spencer said before my mother could question him. I watched as he limped away, cradling his injured body. 

When he was out of sight, past the corridors that lead to no where I knew of. My mother was still standing in front of me, a cross look on her face. I imitated her, crossing my own arms, tilting my head slightly to the left. "Shouldn't you go check on your son?"

"He's a grown adult, he'll be fine. Now, about you--"

I don't stick around to listen. I walk around her, eyes looking straight ahead, not back. My hand hovers to my neck, where Tyson stabbed me earlier this night. There was a small scab there, as I didn't have the time to heal it completely.

I climbed the stairs, up to my room, my prison cell, as that was what it felt like. I glanced over at the foyer swiftly as my sneakers continued to climb. All I could focus on was the smirk on my mother's face, slowly growing as she continued to watch me grow into the type of person I'm slowly becoming.

- - -

I'm in bed, curled in a ball under the soft while sheets. My eyelids are heavy, my entire body aches for rest. I'm surprised insomnia hasn't taken me over yet, sure that after all of this I wouldn't be able to sleep. 

Beside me, my brother rubs his fingers along the stitches in his skin with one hand, typed with the other. We don't speak. Occasionally, he strokes my hair, plays with the curly ends, holds me as guilt eats away at me. I think of my friends, bloody, injured and left on the ground. I think of the person beside me, stuck here against his will, just like what happened to me. 

Its six in the evening when I fully close my eyes after hours of just lying in bed, with my mother and Spencer stepping in and out of the room, Mom checking my temperature sometimes, making sure I'm not getting sick (if that was even possible at this point) but mostly consisting of her catching Spencer up on what was new. Behind closed doors, there were often hushed arguments between the two. People probably would mistaken them as a troubled couple, with the tone they used at each other. Surely not mother and son. 

The weight of the bed shifts as my brother gets up again. The motion was common throughout the day but only whenever Mom came to get him. He moves around my room, placing the laptop on the nearby table. He then walks over to me. I keep my eyes closed, probably because he thinks I'm asleep. I steady my breathing, making it seem more so.

Spencer crouches down next to my bed. I'm not sure if he's falling for my act but he doesn't show any sign of it. His gentle fingers hover over my face, pushing back thin strands of hair. 

"If I was still at university, I wouldn't mind you dragging me home. I'd love to spend every waking moment with you, you know?" I could imagine the smile playing on his lips right about now. "Now, sis... now's not the right time. I'm sorry. I love you, Laur." The nickname was used last an eternity ago. 

She's going to kill you if you leave.

His response was quick, so maybe he did  know that I was awake. I'm willing to risk that. Get some sleep, kid. You're going to have a lot of work cut out for you soon.

I leave my eyes closed as I hear his footsteps move across the room, farther from me, and the door quietly close behind him. I want to go after him, but I don't. Not until I hear the shriek of someone calling my mother's name. 

"YOUR SON IS ON THE RUN AGAIN." 

I jolt up at the chaos that stirred on the other side of my bedroom door. Tossing the sheets away from me, I stand up, heading towards the door. 

The first thing I see is an unconscious guard at the foot of my door. The first sound my brain can comprehend is a loud bang from another part of the palace. 

You asked for war? We'll give you one.

- - -

a/n pretty sure this is one of my longest chapters, oof. about 3300 words.

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