Chapter 332: Let the elders handle this

Back in the basement the Woods were dominating the scene.

Kellen, like Brent, had never had to torture someone before. He had tortured himself before though. He’d had to saw off his own siblings’ limbs to save her. It was not on the same level that Brent had suffered, but Kellen was drawing on that pain as he watched the scene before him.

Seeing Brent cry had been heartbreaking. Knowing that he couldn’t step in, help him, take the pain away from him had been hard. He knew Brent had to do it himself.

He’d winced when Colby had screamed the first time, worried that Brent was lost to them when Brent hadn’t reacted. He’d sighed with relief when he’d reacted later.

Kellen was there, a silent support when Brent needed him. He helped Sergei grab the clean cloth to help Brent, he was the one who signaled Uncle Vance to approach. He was there, supporting his friend until he was done.

Brent looked shocked, like he’d gone through a great horror, and Kellen hoped that this was the right thing for him. He knew that Sergei would support him, and as much as it pained him to step back and let Sergei have that moment with Brent, he knew this wasn’t his place anymore.

Sergei had Brent, and Kellen? He would help clean up the other messes.

Sergei and Kellen shared a quick look before the couple left, and Sergei’s eyes warmed for a second from the protective sheen they had. He seemed to understand the great desire that Kellen was holding back and gave Kellen an appreciative nod. Kellen nodded back. There was a serious trust that Kellen was giving him, but he hadn’t failed thus far.

Kellen saw them off, watched as Rhys spoke to them as well, but he drowned them out. He turned back to the bloodbath that was before him.

Now that Brent was being escorted out, with Aunt Dina following him so that he got back safely, the energy in the room shifted.

The chests, which had been kept closed because Brent didn’t go for them, were opened. Uncle Parker moved towards them, his eyes pitch black, while Kellen’s own father turned towards them as well.

Kellen, a little shocked, but eager to be of help, moved to do the same. He only stopped in his tracks when his Mom spoke up.

"Kellen." She rasped, muffling Colby’s screams with her hand. "Leave this to us. The newer generation shouldn’t have to dirty their hands like this." Kellen stared at her, confused as he stared at the scene around them.

The room was sprayed with blood. Kellen hadn’t been safe from it, the blood on his own clothes. The air was rich with iron, and while Kellen himself hadn’t done any of this kind of work before, it wasn’t like his hands were clean.

He’d do worse in the future. He didn’t need his powers at the moment to tell him that, but they were an added sprinkle of truth.

"I don’t understand." Kellen said, and watched as the Mom who he knew, not the severe, angry woman who was holding Colby, peeked through for a moment.

"My son, whether you have to do this later or not, save your innocence for a few moments longer. Brent needed to do that, you don’t. Save the pieces you’re willing to give away for later. Let your parents handle this." She said and Kellen hesitated again.

A soft breath, a few shuffled footsteps, and Kellen turned before Rhys reached him. His eyes were serious, his hand slipping into Kellen’s.

"Do you have to remain here?" He asked seriously and Kellen hesitated. He could lie and say that he saw himself staying. He could do that.

Kellen sighed.

"I don’t want you to be alone." Kellen said, and watched as all of the others paused. Even Uncle Vance did, and when he looked back at Kellen, his glowing green eyes had softened. Even Uncle Parker’s black gaze was warm.

"Oh sweetheart, we won’t be." His Dad said. "Your thoughts are appreciated, but we have each other. We’ll keep each other in check." Kellen swallowed.

"If any of you need guiding, don’t be afraid to wake me, alright? I won’t get mad, and neither will Rhys." Kellen roped Rhys in without his opinion. Rhys chuckled.

"As if I would ever protest something like that. Come back in one piece, everyone." Rhys told them. His eyes glowing headlights in the dim light of the room, but his words sincere.

Kellen’s parents softened, nodding at their son and future son-in-law while Uncle Vance and Uncle Parker nodded with a smile.

None of them acknowledged the muffled screams and cries for help from Colby. Kellen was actually a little upset he didn’t get to shoot him again.

In fact-

Kellen bent, putting his face directly in Colby’s line of sight. He smiled, aware that it was probably pretty creepy given everything that was going on at the moment in Colby’s sad, pathetic life. Kellen grinned wider.

"You’re lucky they’re sending us away right now, worm." Kellen had never called anyone else a worm in his life, but it felt appropriate here. "If my Mom hadn’t sent me away, you’d get an advanced course on bullet removal. Awake, alive, and with a play by play from Uncle Vance. Brent might be trying to get revenge for what you put him through, but I was determined to pay you back for everything else." Kellen told him seriously. Colby’s muffled cries only made Kellen smile more.

He turned back to Rhys, done now, and Rhys let out a sigh. He shook his head.

"You’re not in charge of this when we go home." Rhys warned. Kellen hadn’t even considered it, but now that Rhys brought it up.... "I’m serious, Kellen. No." Rhys said as they left the room with a drain, stepping out into the jarring grey jail.

"Why do you think they painted it this colour?" Kellen asked, not intentionally distracting Rhys from the topic so that they wouldn’t discuss it anymore. Rhys grumbled, but fed into Kellen’s curiousity.

"It’s a colour that plays on the mind. The paint was probably sourced from a gate. I’ve seen stuff like this before. It’s made with a particular beetle from a forest B Class gate. They had this kind of paint in the common areas I was held in at the D.E.C. It was to encourage everyone to stay in their cells." Kellen hated hearing that, even if he liked hearing more about Rhys’ past.

"Cells?" Kellen repeated, squeezing Rhys’ hand tightly. Rhys gave a nervous laugh, smiling at Kellen. He reached over, halting their walk through the jail to cup Kellen’s cheek affectionately.

"We all called them cells. They were rooms. With bathrooms, beds, and even a table to study at. They were just small, like a cell. Not actually cells." Kellen wanted to believe him, he did. He just...

That feeling? That felt like his old gut feeling but different? It was telling him that he shouldn’t trust Rhys in this particular case. Kellen frowned, leaning into Rhys’ touch without being aware of what he looked like at the moment.

"I don’t think that’s true." Kellen said, his voice serious. Rhys blinked, his eyes widening slightly. "I trust you, but something tells me that’s not quite right." Kellen told him. Rhys stared, silent, before a wry smile touched his lips.

"Oh dear." Rhys murmured. "I’ve never been on the receiving end like this. Is this how it feels? My goodness, what an odd feeling." Rhys admitted, feeling rather embarrassed. Kellen watched as his cheeks turned pink. "It was...half prison, half school. They didn’t do much to change the atmosphere of the place." Rhys admitted. He pulled Kellen back, gently tugging him until Rhys’ back hit the wall of the jail. "I was fine, Kellen. Truly. It was actually nice to have a place to call my own that didn’t get destroyed the moment someone was angry with me." Rhys told him.

The worst part was that he meant those words.

Kellen frowned, his heart aching. Damn it, he hadn’t meant to bring up memories of Rhys’ past. Not those ones. He didn’t like how his friends and family were suffering today.

"I shouldn’t have poked. Not today, of all days." Kellen murmured and Rhys sighed.

"Feel free to poke, my love. You have every right to call me out. Time and place do not matter, not when you look that upset for my sake. You’re too sweet, sugar. I am sure Brent feels the same." Rhys told him and Kellen swallowed.

"Should we go check on him?" Kellen asked. Rhys looked away from Kellen, his gaze thoughtful as he looked up, as if able to see where Brent and Sergei were. He might actually be able to do that.

"Hmm. I think we can check in with them tomorrow, but let’s let Sergei take care of Brent for now. He’s a good man, and cares for him deeply. He’ll make sure he’s okay." Rhys sounded convinced, and hearing it from him, Kellen believed him.

He had no reason not to.

Kellen nodded, his brows softening slightly.

"Okay." Kellen said, then sighed. "We should head back. I’m sure I was splashed with blood." Kellen muttered and Rhys laughed.

"Only a little. Not as much as Brent, Vance or your mother. Do you want to shower on your own?" Rhys asked and Kellen nodded. Rhys turned them, dropping his hand and squeezing the hand he still held.

"Yeah. I want to just get a quick shower so that we can eat and cuddle together on the couch after. While we wait to see if they need me." Kellen said. Rhys smiled.

"A great plan. Almost like I made it myself, or you read my mind." Rhys teased and Kellen snorted.

"I don’t think Time Espers can read minds." Kellen muttered.

"Some people think that they can." Rhys said. "Though, that is more Pamela’s area of expertise." Kellen blinked, surprised.

"Really? She can-" Rhys raised a finger to his lips, smiling warmly.

"You didn’t hear me say anything." Rhys said, winking. Kellen stared at him, stunned into silence, before he snorted. He shook his head, rolling his eyes. Sure. Uh huh. Silly man.