Gifted

June's House,

Arisa's Room

June opened the envelope and emptied the contents on his mother's bed. The Envelope contains a wedding picture of his parent's wedding; a picture of the great wall of china; and a phone. June took the wedding picture and sat on the bed. Seeing the happiest day of his parent's lives put a lump on June throat. He run his fingers slowly through the picture of his parents' happy faces, putting a teary smile on his face. Then he noticed something written in the back of the picture. He turned the wedding picture and in the back is a letter addressed to him, from his mom.

Dear June,

I'm so sorry that I suddenly disappeared. I left because there is something very important for me to do. And I just want you to know that I'm safe and that you don't have to worry about me.

I wrote this letter because, you might not understand everything yet, but there is something that you need to do. You have to search for the people in our wedding photo, and fast. There is not much time, as they are being hunted one by one. You need someone who can help you find them. Go to The Philippines first and go the place they call "The City of Pines". Open the drawer in my night stand and you will find a keychain with a small stuffed bear. That will help you find the person who can help you find them.

When you meet him, tell him that you are my son and show him the stuffed bear, and he will know that I was the one who sent you to find him. But he will still decide if you are worthy of his help. When you prove yourself to him, give him the picture of the great wall of China and will be able to help you locate one of the Gifteds in the picture.

I'm sorry that I didn't get the chance to explain why you have to go or why you need to go. But this journey might help you get to know your father a little deeper and who he really is as a man and as a Gifted.

You are destined for greatness June, but you will have to always stay strong and never give up, because along the way, you will face many trials and testings. Trust in your brother; your friends; your family, because they are the ones who will help you in this journey. And always remember that I always love you and be with you every step of the way, even if I'm not physically there with you.

P.S. - I left a Phone for you. The phone is the only connection I have with you, so keep it safe. I will call you very soon.

With all my heart

Love, Mom

June read the letter over and over until every word sunk in. June felt a different kind of emotion every time he repeated reading the letter. He felt relived that his mom is safe, but then relief turned to worry, as June doesn't know where his mom is and what might happened to her. Then he felt confused. His thoughts were plagued with questions as to what his mom is trying to say to him or make him do. Then he felt his heart jumped with excitement, as his longing and thirst to know who his father was, might finally be quenched. He will finally get the answers to the questions he wanted to ask for so long. Then he finally understood and accepted, that he has to do something and decided to trust in his mother. That this journey might also help him find the answers he's been looking for, about the dreams that he's been having. And that this journey might also save a lot of people along the way.

June placed the wedding picture on the bed with the other picture and phone, then stood. He walked to the night stand and opened the drawer. There he saw the stuffed bear but what caught his attention is his mom's pendant beside it. June picked up the pendant carefully and placed into his palm. The pendant has a small, oval, silver locket. He opened the locket and inside is a picture of the day June was born. June never knew that the picture existed, and seeing it made his heart felt like it's being gently squeezed. June's father sat beside his mom in her hospital bed; they where looking at each other with so much love and pure joy, while June's father cradled June in his arms. Seeing the picture made June smile, while shedding a few tears. He softly ran his thumb across the the picture, relishing the moment. Then his thumb ran past two rings. He always saw his mom wearing the pendant, but this is the first time he saw the rings attached to the pendants. He instantly knew that one of the rings was his mom's. June's mom always and never forgets to wear her ring even though June's father is already dead.

June's mom told him that his father and his mom's wedding ring were made out of titanium, but her's was gold and his father's was black. That is when June realized that other ring was his father's. He noticed the rings has engravings in the inside. June's mom has the words "Find Me" engraved and his father's has the word "Always".

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Master Egor's Guild

"She will pay for this!" Master Egor said, seething in anger.

He is walking down the halls of his Guild followed by his oldest son, Pietro and a young woman with red hair and a scar across her left eye.

"Don't worry father, we will surely get back at that *Beep* for degrading our Guild and embarrassing you in front of the council members" Pietro said, looking like he's ready to punch someone.

"Katarina" Master Egor said, his voice sounding very much like a general

"Master" the young woman responded with a stern response.

"You will be taking the place of my daughter who betrayed me and shamed me in front of the council." Master Egor said, his voice full of bitterness and quiet rage.

"Yes Master" Katarina said

"Form now on, I never had a daughter. Minerva is not a part of this family and never will be.... Understood?!" Master Egor said, his voice hard and firm.

"Yes Master!" Pietro and Katarina answered in unison, smirking triumphantly.

The three of them arrived at the training facility, greeting them was the smell of sweat and blood.

Master Egor treats all his members like soldiers, training for war. He believes that the only way for a Gifted to be strong is earning it through blood, sweat and brutal training (No tears, though. He believes that tears is a sign of weakness.). There is nothing more he hates than seeing weakness in his members. He punishes them severely to make them learn that weakness is not acceptable, and that you only have to be strong. Training and being strong is the most important thing to him, the rest is just trivial matters. He drilled in his members' brains that they should only; live, breath and sleep training and becoming strong and the rest is utter bull*Beep*. So that's the reason why Master Egor's Guild looked more like a prison camp than an actual Guild house. His lower ranked members sleeps together in a huge room full of bunk beds. They only have two big shower rooms, for the males and the females. The toilet rooms are also separated to males and females, which are in more worst condition. It's so dirty that anyone could get sick from just entering it, and if that didn't stop you, then the smell will. The slightly higher ranking ones are given their own small rooms that looked more like a jail cell, but at least they have their own toilet and shower room. The more higher ones like Pietro and Katarina, has a more decent and larger room, with more luxury than the rest. The only room that looked like a king's room is none other than Master Egor's. Every luxury that he denied his members are in his room. He believes that if you want to have a better state of living, then you should work hard for it.

Everybody eats at the same time in their dinning hall, and those who are late are not gonna be given any food. The training facility is like a warehouse that hosts underground fighting. The only thing that the young recruits has seen is how strong they are, however they were never shown how the life inside the Guild really is. That's why a lot of them joins Master Egor's Guild but when they entered the house they instantly regrets it. They have no choice but to stay, because leaving will mean that the other Guilds will have to fight for them, and that is not always the case when the other Guilds are facing the most powerful Guild in the Castle.

The smell of blood and sweat in the air is like a sweet perfume in Master Egor's nose; and the sound of shouting, roars, punches, kicks, and panting are like an orc.h.e.s.tra playing an epic music in his ears that eased his anger.

Then two young men walked towards Master Egor, dragging a bruised and beaten to a pulp, young man.

"Master" The two young men greeted, bowing their heads.

"What is this?" Master Egor asked, his voice commanding.

"This maggot is trying to betray you by joining Lady Maria's Guild" One of the young men said, as they pushed the beat up young man to Master Egor's feet, then stepped back.

The young man trembled as he begged "Please... let..... me... go...." his head on the ground has he knelt before Master Egor. The young man had a Thai accent, indicating that he is from Thailand.

"Have mercy on me.... please" The young man begged as he sobs.

Master Egor grabbed the young man by the hair and pulled him up, until they're face to face.

"Mercy?" Master Egor's said, his voice stone cold.

Then the volcano erupted. He punched the young man in the stomach, making him fly across the training facility. All the air in his lungs escaped from him when his back hit the hard metal walls. This made the whole Guild stop what they're doing, getting their attention.

"What *Beep*ing bull*beep* are you spouting?!" Master Egor roared, as steam oozes from his volcanic fist "You dare betray me!" marching over to the young man.

But before he could get close enough, another young man appeared beside the unconscious young man, fading in like a ghost, which halted Master Egor's steps.

"Who are you?" Master Egor demanded, but the young man ignored him and knelt beside the beaten young man and hooked one arm around his shoulder. When Master Egor realizes what the young man was trying to do, he let out a roar and his arms turned into molten rocks, with magma underneath.

"You dare!" Master Egor slammed both fist on the ground, making a pillar of lava erupt underneath the young men. The young men faded out like a ghost, barely escaping. They both appeared in front of the training facility catching everybody's attention. The young man carrying the beaten young man was not left unscathed as he received major burns in the right side of his body.

"Catch them!" Master Egor commanded, and every Gifted in the facility charged for the young men.

The young man carrying the beaten young man, kicked the door opened, wincing at the pain, then faded out again.

Thankfully the young man carrying the beaten young man, knew every nook and cranny of the Guild so he knew where to hide and where the fastest way out of the Guild. But when they arrived at the entrance, he saw Minerva standing over a bunch of Master Egor's members, who must have been guarding the door.

"Minerva" The young man said, breathless, with a mixture of fear and shock.

When Minerva heard the young man, she glanced back and saw the young man filled with burns on his right side, supporting an unconscious, beaten young man with a deadly burn on his stomach. She saw the state they're in, and automatically understood the situation.

"Let's go" Minerva only said, then opened the Guild doors, leaving without waiting for them.

The young man was shocked at first but he shook it off when he heard reinforcements coming and fast. He rushed outside, fading out.

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Lady Maria's Guild

Cameron rushed to the front door of the Guild, when he heard the constant loud knocking and banging from the kitchen. When he opened the doors, he didn't expect the guests that were standing in front of him.

"Is Lady Maria there? It's urgent.." Minerva asked, as she and a young man with serious burn marks, supports a young man who's life is barely hanging on by a thread.

"Come in" Cameron said, quickly opening the door wider.

Cameron quickly closed the door when they're inside.

"I'll call Lady Maria and Minjae, while you guys wait in the living room" Cameron said, then rushed up the stairs.

----

Lady Maria entered the room "Good heavens!" Maria said, upon seeing the state of the young man with burns. "What happened?"

Minerva and the young man with the burns, stood as Maria walks over to them.

"It was my father's doing" Minerva said, her voice laced with shame. "My Father found out that this men are planning in joining your Guild, and he wasn't very happy about it"

"Please, save my friend!" The young man with the burns, quickly knelt on the ground, begging.

The other young man was lying on one of the couches, his breaths labored and almost looked dead. The sight of his burned and melted torso made Maria clench her teeth in anger. She couldn't believe that Egor would go so far.

Then Minjae burst though the door of the living room, followed by Cameron who quietly closed the door behind him. Minjae rushed to young man on the couched and proceeded in examining him.

"What happened?" He asked to no one in particular, while checking the young man's vitals.

"He was beaten by Master Egor's members, then was hit by Master Egor himself" The young man with the burns answered.

Minjae took out a needle from the front pocket of his lab coat, then pricked one the finger of the unconscious young man. He licked the blood on the young man's finger then his eyes turned red. Both Minerva and the young man with the burns, where shocked with what Minjae did, as this was not something they see everyday in Master Egor's Guild.

Minjae's Gift is manipulating blood. That's his bread and butter, and that's why as a doctor he specializes in Hematology. He can grow regenerative cell or toxic cells in blood, that heals or kills, respectively. And the things he can do with his Gift is very vast, that ranges from healing to battling. But the unique part about Minjae's Gift is that his eyes turns red every time he uses it.

Minjae's eyes turned back to normal then spoke, like a doctor stating the results of his diagnosis "He's suffering from fourth degree burns; his internal organs received some damage as well and he also has multiple fractured and broken bones from all over his body."

"Please save him!" The young man with burns begged again, his hands clenched into fists, on top of his t.h.i.g.hs. He was shaking uncontrollably, while trying his best not to cry.

"I am a doctor and I will put everything on the line to save this young man" He said, reassuring the young man with burns. Then he asked "Who is a type O?"

"I am" Cameron raised his hand.

"Give me your hand" Minjae said, with waiting hands.

Cameron gave Minjae his hand, then Minjae pricked his finger with a needle. Then Minjae's eyes turned red again. Minjae lifted Cameron's finger above the unconscious young man, faced down. As Cameron's blood drips; Minjae manipulated the blood, breaking it into multiple streams, entering various parts of the unconscious young man. While Minjae's doing the transplant, he's also manipulating the properties of Cameron's healthy blood cells. Giving it some regenerative properties to heal the bones, organs, and the young man's skin.

When enough time has passed and enough blood has been transplanted, the burned skin of the unconscious young man, started healing and his labor breaths became normal. Minerva and the other young man, couldn't take their eyes off of the unconscious young as his wounds slowly begins to heal.

Cameron coughed, getting everyone's attention. Minjae saw that Cameron's skin became really pale, he realized the he went overboard and forgot that Cameron might suffer if too much blood was taken away from him. Minjae immediately stopped the flow of the blood and closed Cameron's wounds. Cameron began wobbling and almost fell, if it weren't for Minjae catching him.

"Is he good?" Cameron asked, his voice very tired.

"You did excellent, dear" Maria said with a soft voice while stoking Cameron's head.

Cameron let out a tired smile, then his eyes slowly closed shut.

Minjae laid Cameron on the other couch, then put two fingers on Cameron's pulse on his neck. Minjae's fingers glowed, then everybody suddenly felt Cameron's heart beat. It was irregular at first but then it slowly started getting normal.

"I made his blood regenerate faster than before, so he'll be fine in no time" Minaje said. Then he turned to the other young man with burns all over his right side. Minjae walked over to the other young man, but the young man's eyes winded, instinctively took a step back. Minjae was shocked when he saw fear in the young man's eyes.

"I'm not going to hurt you, I just want to treat your wounds" Minjae said, raising both of his hands, showing the young man that he meant him no harm. "Just give me one of your finger and I promise you, that the only thing I will do is treat you"

The young man was reluctant at first, but when he saw that Minjae meant what he said, the young man slowly stretched out his right arm. Minjae carefully held the back of the young man's hand, supporting it. Minjae took out another needle then pricked the young man's index finger. The young man winced as blood started coming out of the wound. Minjea's eyes turned red, then young man's skin started going back to normal.

Minerva and the young man couldn't believe what they were seeing as when Minjae's done healing the young man, it's as if the young man never got burned. The young man examined his arm, his torso, and leg and saw that there was not a single trace that was left from the burn.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" The young man bowed, showing gratitude, crying with tears of joy.

Then the other young man lying on the couch, suddenly cough softly, then slowly opening his eyes. The now fully healed young man, rushed to his friends side.

"Nadet..... Nadet... you're alive!... Thank God you're alive" The young man cried in happiness.

"Where are we" Nadet asked, but when he saw Maria his eyes widen. "Lady Maria....." he said, trying to sit up, but winced at the pain in his lower torso.

"Careful his wounds are not completely healed yet" Minaje said, can't help but to smile.

Nadet finally sat up, with the help of his friend, he face Lady Maria and with determination "Lady Maria, please accept us in your Guild!" bowing his head.

his friend let out a laugh and said "At least say 'thank you' first..... They brought you back from the brink of death"

It didn't register at first, but when the words of his friend sunk. He then began to realized that "Yes" he's alive. He looked at his lower torso and saw that it was mostly healed.

"I'm alive?" Nadet said in disbelief, gently touching his torso.

"Yes, Lady Maria and her Guild saved you" Nadet's friend said, letting out another laugh

Nadet faced Lady Maria and Minjae and bowed in gratitude "Please forgive me for my rude behavior.... And thank you for saving me! I owe you my life!" he said with so much gratitude, his voice cracking from the uncontrollable tears.

But what everyone didn't expect was for Minerva to bow her head and said "You have my out most gratitude Lady Maria.... Doctor Ahn for saving and healing my companions"

It was so unexpected that even Nadet and his friend stared at her with surprise.

"It is our duty to help to those in need" Lady Maria said with a smile.

"I'll just be going to the kitchen to get some us drinks" Minjae said, walking out of the living room.

When Minjae's gone, Lady Maria's expression turned serious. Seeing her expression changed, brought intimidation to Minerva, Nadet and his friend.

"Before we talk about your request in joining my Guild, Since I already know Minerva, I would like to asked both your names first" Maria said, referring to Nadet and his friend.

"I'm Nadet Chinvinijkul" Nadet said, introducing himself. He pressed his palms together at about the level of his c.h.e.s.t and bowed slightly.

"I'm Shiro Kurosaki" Nadet's Friend said, introducing himself, bowing with respect.

"P.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to meet you both" Maria said, bowing her head a sign of respect for both the countries they came from.

Nadet is from Thailand; He has a chocolate brown hair and brown eyes, while Shiro is from Japan; who has a unique hair, with the right side being black and the left being completely white. Shiro has silver eyes.

"The p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e is all ours" Both Nadet and Shiro said in unison.

"The Three of you might have already heard of the history and the reputation of this Guild, Correct?" Maria asked.

The three nodded and Maria continued.

"Knowing all of this, are you still willing to be a part of this Guild?" Maria asked, looking each one of them in the eye.

"Absolutely.... There's no other way for me" Minerva said with so much determination, that made Maria's brows lift in surprise.

"We too.... still would join!" Shiro said

"We have to... We need to" Nadet said. Both having the same determination as Minerva.

"Would you tell me..... what is the reason for you three wanting to join this Guild?" Maria asked

"In my Father's Guild, I was considered the strongest and the most powerful Gifted next to my father." Minerva said "But I wanted to grow more and be stronger than what I'm right now, so that I can protect those who are dear to me."

After hearing what Minerva has to say, all the doubt in Maria's mind were all erased but she knew that there is more to her story. She then nodded at Shiro and Nadet proceed.

"For years that we have spent in Master Egor's Guild, we were treated like animals" Shiro said, really trying not to cry.

"We couldn't speak; we couldn't laugh; We couldn't do what we wanted to do; we had no freedom. the only thing we can to do is follow orders or we get punished." Nadet said.

"We wanted to escape the Guild, but no one was willing to fight for us, because they would be facing the strongest Guild in the Castle." Shiro said, his voice laced with bitterness.

On the outside, Minerva may show a strong front, but inside she was so ashamed at the things that Nadet and Shiro were saying. She clenched both of her hands into fists' so hard the her knuckles are turning white. She was angry and ashamed, because what they are saying is all true.

"But if there is one thing that we learned from Master Egor, That is to 'Fight for something you want'." Nadet said, then gave Maria a look of gratitude "Lady Maria, you gave us hope to fight for our freedom. Yes, we heard about the reputation and the history of the Guild and that is also the reason why we wanted to join."

Hearing both Nadet and Shiro, made Maria choked up. In fact hearing the resolve and determination in each one of them, made Maria want to welcome them more in her Guild.

"Very well.." Maria said, composing herself.

But even before she could continue, a loud blast rang through the Guild, followed by the loud voice of Master Egor. Maria almost rolled her eyes when she hear Master Egor's voice but restrained herself from doing so. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Cameron on the other hand is surprisingly still fast asleep, even with the loud blast and Master Egor's shouts.

"Maria! Where are you?!" Master Egor's loud voice, demanded.

"Oh dear" Maria said, letting out a sigh

Nadet and Shiro looked so scared, that they trembled at the sound of Master' Egor's voice. While Minerva looked so angry the she was ready to march out of the living room to face his father head on.

"You three, do not have to worry." Maria said in reassurance "You three have already become a part of this Guild, and this Guild protects their own."

Then Maria stood and walked out of the living room, followed by the Minerva, Nadet and Shiro

Upon exiting the living room, Maria was greeted with the sight of Master Egor and his Members. If Pietro brought a lot of Gifteds with him, then Master Egor brought twice as many.

"What happened?" Minjae asked, who came rushing from the kitchen.

"What's going on?" Andrew asked, as he and Alisa appeared from the hallway leading to the training facilities. They joined Maria and the rest, when they saw the battalion of Gifteds.

Jordan came flying down from upstairs, jumping over the bal.u.s.ter, landing very skillfully and light on his feet.

"Whoa! Where did you learn to do that?" Andrew asked Jordan, as they joined them.

"I dunno, kinda just happened" Jordan replied, feeling amazed himself.

before Andrew could say anything more, Maria spoke.

"Egor.... Who do I owe the p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e of your visit today?" Maria asked, calm as ever.

"Enough with the pleasantries Maria..... I'm here to bring back my members. Just give them to me and we won't have any problems" Egor said with a condescending tone in his voice. Giving Minerva, Nadet and Shiro a death glare.

Nadet and Shiro visibly trembled at the sight of Master Egor, stepping back in fear. Minerva on the other hand, looked revolted at the sight of his father.

"I'm afraid I can't do that" Maria said, as a matter of fact.

Master Egor let out a laugh of disbelief "I don't have time to play games with you Maria. So just hand them forward, while I'm still in a fair mood"

"I'm afraid I can't let you take my patients way" Minjae said, but still is a respectful way.

"These Gifteds has already made their choice to join this Guild, and we in return welcomed them with open arms. If you have any problems with that, then I guess we will have to settle this the old fashion way, do we?" Maria said.

Master Egor's face turned hard as steam oozed from his body.

"We...." Nadet was about to say but got cut off by Alisa.

"Just relax..... Maria will handle everything, okay?" Alisa said giving his a reassuring smile. Making Nadet blush.

Nadet and Shiro nodded.

"Nice one" Andrew whispered to Alisa, giving her a proud smile.

"Are you forgetting who your daring to go against, Maria?" Master Egor said, his voice hard.

"I am perfectly aware, and I have no problem going against you Egor" Maria said, not backing down.

Then suddenly Master Egor burst out into laughter, surprising everyone but Maria just stared at him with a look that says "Really? That the best you can do?".

"I think that guy just went coo-coo" Jordan whispered to Andrew and Alisa, discreetly pointing at Master Egor, which made Alisa sneaker.

"Agreed" Andrew said, couldn't help the grin appearing on his face.

"Fine! If that is what you want Maria, then so be it. But remember I gave you a chance. Don't go regretting your decision when this is all over, because in the end we all know whose gonna have the last laugh." Master Egor said, smugly. Knowing that this is his chance to finally destroy that bane in his life.

"We'll just have to wait and see, don't we?" Maria said, accepting the challenge.

"Get ready to lose everything Maria" Master Egor said with a smirk. "Let's go" He commanded. Then the Gifteds parted a way for him.

When all the Gifted from Master Egor's Guild finally left, Maria turned to her Members.

"Suit up, everyone" She told, Minjae, Andrew, Alisa, And surprisingly Jordan as well.

"Are you really going to fight for us?" Shiro asked

"You want to be a part of this Guild right?" Minjae asked, then Shiro nodded "Then, of course we're going to fight. You guys are already part of this family, and in this family nobody gets left behind" patting Shiro's shoulder.

Looking at everyone's smiling faces, like they're not facing the strongest Guild. Nadet and Shiro bowed in gratitude, while Minerva put a fist to her c.h.e.s.t, The Castle's way for showing deep respect and gratitude.

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Crystal Mist, Luxury Apartment building

When Caleb saw the building in the address that Alex sent, he hurried to find a parking space. Thankfully he found one closest to the entrance. He turned off the engine, got out of the car and hurried to the building entrance.

From the name its self, the interior of the building didn't disappoint. It has a very vintage yet modern feel to it. But when Caleb entered the building he suddenly felt a ominous presence. He ignored it and rushed to the closest elevator. He pushed the button for going up a few time, anxious to see Isabelle. When the elevator doors opened, he waited for the people whose getting out of the elevator, before going in. When the elevator doors closed, he got in and pushed the number for Isabelle's floor. On the way, the elevator stop a few times, making Caleb let out a silent groan.

When the elevator finally reached Isabelle's floor, as soon as the elevator doors open, he rushed out and looked for the number of Isabelle's apartment. When Caleb finally saw Isabelle's door, he took a deep breath and raised his fist to knock. But when he's about to knock, the ominous feeling that he felt down stairs got even stronger. No time for worrying, he quickly brushed off the feeling and knocked.

Caleb started getting worried when there was no answer, when he knocked a few times. He then started pounding at the door.

"Isabelle? Are you in there?.... Open the door" Caleb kept calling, while pounding the door.

Then he got really worried when there was no answer. He already made the decision to break down her door, when suddenly the door swung open. Caleb was stunned when he laid eyes on who greeted him.

Isabelle stood in front of Caleb, looking like a total mess. Her hair are all over the place. Her eyes were sunken with deep bags under it, looking like she hasn't slept in ages. She looked like she loosed weight since the last time Caleb saw her, and not just a little weight, she's looking like she also hasn't fed herself properly in the past days. She's wearing a over sized sweater and a pajama bottom, an over sized hoodie and a pair of socks, looking cold on top of the carpet. Caleb felt the cold temperature coming out of Isabelle's apartment like the AC has been put on the lowest temperature for a while now. Seeing Isabelle's state made Caleb forgot what he came there for.

Just as how Caleb was stunned to see Isabelle, Isabelle was also stunned to see Caleb.

"Caleb? What are you doing here?" Isabelle asked, her voice soft and very fragile.

Caleb came back to his senses, when he heard Isabelle's voice. He then remembered that Isabelle's in danger and they have to leave quickly.

"We have to go, there's no time to explain" Caleb said, pushing the door wider for him to enter.

"What are you talking about?" Isabelle asked, trying to stop Caleb from entering.

"I'll explain everything later..... but right now-" Caleb said, but his voice died down when he finally entered Isabelle's dark apartment. Caleb could only see the glow of the computers and laptops lightning the room.

"What do you think your doing?" Isabelle demanded, sounding angry when Caleb entered her apartment.

When Caleb found the light switch and turned on the lights, his eyes widen at the state of what he saw. Isabelle's apartment is just how Isabelle looked, a total mess. It's like her apartment reflected the owner's state. Isabelle's apartment might have been beautiful before, if it wasn't for electronics, cords, and papers that were scattered all over the place. Caleb just stood there stunned. Slowly turning to Isabelle with the silent question "What happened?". But Isabelle just glared at him.

"Leave?" Isabelle said, pointing at the door.

"What?" Caleb blurted out, couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"I said leave?" Isabelle repeated with a little more hardness in her voice.

"Why are you acting like this?" Caleb said, standing his ground. But deep inside, his heart is beating like crazy.

"I said, Leave Caleb!" Isabelle shouted. Her eyes started getting glassy, from unshed tears.

"I'm not going to leave until you tell me what happened!" Caleb said, his voice also raising. He marched to the door and forced it closed.

"Why do you care?!" Isabelle said, now face to face with Caleb.

"I don't know!" Caleb shouted back, which stunned Isabelle. Caleb's breathing hard, trying to calm himself. Lowering his voice, He said "I don't know okay?..... This is a first time for me."

When Isabelle furrowed her eyes brows, making her cute. Caleb couldn't help but let out a small smile.

"What?" Isabelle asked, her eye brows furrowing deeper.

"That" Caleb said, referring to Isabelle's cute face. "That's what's making me crazy. Every time I see you, my heart beats faster. Every time I'm with you, I couldn't help but smile. Every time I see you smile, It feels like someone's squeezing my heart. There are a lot more but seeing you like this, breaks my heart Isabelle. I have never felt this emotions in my entire life and they're making me crazy." Gripping the back of his hair with both hands, he let out a deep breath, then he continued with a gentle voice "Seeing you like this makes me wanna pull you to me and protect you. And just seeing you makes me wanna care."

Isabelle just stood there, stunned by Caleb's revelations. And when all Caleb's words sunk in, her tears finally broke out, and started sobbing.

Seeing Isabelle's tears, broke Caleb's heart even more. He couldn't help but gently pull her to him, and wrap his arms around her. Isabelle gripped Caleb's shirt for dear life as she sobs in his c.h.e.s.t.

Moments passed and Isabelle finally calmed down but Caleb never once let go of Isabelle, he wasn't actually intending of letting go, which seems to be fine by Isabelle. Her arms also wrapped around Caleb's torso, they both stayed like that without talking. In the silence of Isabelle's apartment, she could hear and feel Caleb's heart beating fast, which put a smile on her face. When Caleb got a glimpse of her smile, it also put a smile of Caleb's face.

Isabelle let out a deep breath and said "My life's a mess Caleb. Ever since that night at the school, I couldn't sleep without having nightmares."

Caleb just quietly listen to Isabelle.

"I kept seeing you and what happened to you that night, every time I close my eyes. Like it's reminding me that it was my fault that what happened to you and not only you but to everyone. I blamed myself for what happened that night. If I just held my emotions back then and didn't took the shot then maybe all of us could've survived that night without getting hurt." Isabelle voice just sounded tired, regretful and sad.

Caleb didn't know what to say so he just hugged Isabelle a little tighter, showing his support. Hearing what Isabelle is going through, felt like his heart is being squeezed.

"I'm so tired Cay, and it's not letting me sleep" Isabelle sniffed, her eyes turning glassy. "It hurts so much, Every time the events that night kept repeating in my dreams. I kept waking up screaming and in a pool of my sweat. I don't know what to do anymore Cay and I just wanted everything to be over"

Hearing those words made Caleb pull back looking at Isabelle with dread in his eyes. It didn't shock Isabelle with the way Caleb acted, in fact she was anticipating it but still it hurt.

Isabelle kept pulling the sleeves of her over sized sweater, which Caleb notice. He pulled her arm and pushed down her sleeves to see a light scar on her wrist.

"What did you do?" Caleb asked. his emotions are so jumbled up that it messing him up.

"I couldn't take it anymore, so I decided to just end it. But in the end I couldn't do it." Letting out a humorless laugh as now a fresh batch of tears came out from Isabelle's eyes.

"Dying was your solution for ending it?" Caleb said, sounding a little accusing.

"What do you expect me to do!" Isabelle said, pulling her arm from Caleb's grasp. "I don't know any other way, and I'm so tired, it hurts and I couldn't take it anymore!"

Then suddenly Caleb wrapped his arms around Isabelle again, hugging her tight, which Isabelle, this time didn't saw coming.

"If you can't find any other solutions, then I'll be your solution Isabelle!" Caleb said, his voice filled with a wide array of emotions that stunned Isabelle. "I'll help you get thought this! I'll protect you! I won't let the nightmares hurt you anymore!"

When Caleb's words slowly sunk, Isabelle wrapped her arms around Caleb and began crying again, But this time it was a quiet one.

Isabelle just met Caleb not to long ago but she's noticing this feelings that she had for him that she hadn't noticed in the past. Isabelle knew it was too soon to be "love" but you can never know until you're actually feeling it.

"Why do you care so much for me? *Hic* It was my fault that you got hurt *Hic*" Isabelle asked.

"It's not your fault, no one is blaming you for what happened. Not me, not the guys..... So don't ever blame yourself." Then he pulled back a little but not letting go, so he can look directly to her eyes. "I don't know why, yet..... why I care so much but I intend to find out" He said smiling at her.

Isabelle smiled, thinking that it might actually be "love" (The real one) that's starting to grow on both of them. (*Writer speaking* Well, we'll just have to wait and see.)