Chapter 51 - Follow the Crumbs... (2/2)

”Bennox, what's going on?” Bennox shook his head and stood up, concentrating on the black haired boy talking to the girl with purple hair.

”If we want answers, we need to go over there.” Bennox pointed at the two kids and Owen nodded, offering Bennox his shoulder. Bennox shrugged it off and started to walk towards the boy.

The black haired boy looked up and smirked, or at least that's what it looked like to Bennox. Owen was right behind him as well.

”Looks like your calculations were off Javier.” Bennox looked to the left and there stood a cream haired boy with scars over both eyes. The faded discoloration of the scars told him that they were old. The boy noticed Bennox's staring and smiled. He turned towards Bennox and introduced himself.

”Hayden. I'm not blind though so don't make any assumptions.” His tone and smile seemed friendly but the dissatisfied look in his eyes overpowered his words. Bennox gritted his teeth and tried to ignore the way Hayden seemed to look down on him.

”Likewise. I'm Bennox. Don't make assumptions from my current appearance.” Hayden smirked.

”From what? Disheveled and bloody? Limping and weak? There's nothing to guess, it's plain as day that you are weak and a coward. Someone who doesn't fight on the front but on the sidelines. So tell me, how did you guys manage to get here?” Hayden leaned closer over Bennox. Owen wanted to intervene but Bennox's arm stopped him.

”I have no business with you but that boy over there.” Bennox nodded his head towards the black-haired boy and the purple haired girl. Hayden looked both ways. His eyes met the black-haired boy's and he shrugged his shoulders.

”Whatever.” Hayden turned around and left.

Bennox and Owen made their ways towards the other. Bennox's firm gaze slightly faltering at the sight of the other kids giving way for him as he neared the black-haired boy. From the way they glared at him and yet still moved for him, Bennox was sure that they were following someone's order. He stood in front of the black-haired boy now. Clenching his fists he was about to speak when an unknown pressure pressed on his shoulders. Caught off guard, Bennox wavered and caught himself on Owen's arm. The black-haired boy smirked. He leaned on one arm and lazily glanced at Bennox.

”Kneel.” The pressure increased and Bennox couldn't help but watch as his knees began to shake. One side gave way but Owen propped up Bennox with his arm over Bennox's shoulder.

”Who are you to order us around?” Owen bared his teeth to the black-haired boy. He didn't know what was wrong with Bennox but given that this started when they came closer it had to be because of the black-haired boy.

”Are you his dog?” Shivers went up Owen's back. Something about the boy's tone felt intimidating. Looking at the boy again, Owen could see something ominous behind him. For a second it looked like a black demon but it disappeared just as fast, it must've been an illusion. Swallowing hard, Owen braced himself.

”I am not his dog but his friend. I'm Owen and he is Bennox.”

”I am called Javier. You will learn to obey me if you wish to live.” Owen scoffed at Javier.

”Obey you? Like all these other weaklings?” He used his other hand to sweep around the room to the others. They jumped up and began to come closer, some obviously fuming while other's sneered at Owen. They shouted insults and threats at Owen.

”Know your place mutt!”

”Yeah!”

”You'll pay for that!” The mob of kids crept closer. Owen stared at them and back at Javier. Shrugging, Owen walked closer to Javier, Bennox still limping next to him.

”See? Weaklings that only cuss from afar and gang up.” Owen stood directly in front of Javier now.

”You better tell me where we are and what's going on, right, now.” He growled on the last words.

”Ha ha… the mutt thinks it can threaten me?” Javier sat up. Pulling himself onto his feet, Owen could see that Javier was actually taller than him by a few inches. ”I'm asking you. Are you threatening me?” Javier's face was barely an inch from Owen's face now. Bennox lifted his head and saw a wispy demon behind Javier.

”O-Owen stop!” Bennox pushed his way in between Owen and Javier. Flustered, Owen backed away and made way for Bennox.

Trembling slightly, Bennox swallowed the small fragments of his pride. ”Javier, we'll kneel.”

Owen opened his mouth to protest but Bennox was already pulling him down to kneel. Bringing his mouth close to Owen's face Bennox whispered.

”Unless you want to have our new life ended short, just listen to me. Didn't we already agree on this?” Owen hung his head like a lost puppy and nodded.

”…Yes…”

”Good, now since this guy seems like the big fish around let's just follow him for now…” Owen and Bennox kneeled in front of Javier. They hung their heads low and pressed their head to the floor.

”Very good. It seems like one of you is at least competent enough to know your place.” Javier scoffed and turned around again to talk to the purple-haired girl. She snickered and whispered something into his ear. Just as this happened the door on the other side of the room slid open.

”Oh my…” At the entryway stood a beautiful light green haired girl. From her fancy clothes to the way she carried herself, she exuded an aura of nobility. ”What's going on here?”