16 Chapter 16

I strut down the hall with purpose, I need to see Laith. I want to know what role he wants to bestow on me and I will find out what his intentions are. Layla has been through enough so if anything aims to harm her or take away a child hood she will now be having, I am stopping it.

Plus I want to know his plans to attack the institution. When? Who? More importantly Why? If we manage to get our people out of that place what does he intend to do? Some may be shell shocked beyond belief and not to mention the older 'soldiers' who spent their whole life battling those beasts. They need a life.

I am taking the steps three a time and calling on my powers to increase my speed I mean a tiger moves faster than a human for a reason. However a purple haired freak running down the stairs with her bottom of the legs as claws may freak people out. Luckily these trousers are long as hell so hide my part transformation nicely. Although my middle throbs mildly I feel inanely good, the improvement in diet has affected my mood for the better.

In no time I am at the third floor where Laith's office should be and as I withdraw my power the training rooms spark my interest on my right. My curiosity pulls me in and I see punch bags fixed with masking tape, the floor with dusty mats and mannequin shape target bags, it may look messy but by god does it make me wanna train.

'Havent you ever heard curiosity killed the cat?'

Blitzing round I see Will in the doorway of one of the art rooms as he lights a shitty cigarette.

'Lucky I'm a cat then isnt it Will?' Tilting my head to the side and playing along.

Will chuckles and stubs the bud out lightly on the wall.

'Always so quick with the reply, so quick I couldnt read your thoughts.'

I stroll over to Will and peek my head in the window observing the art in the room. Some great...mostly shit.

'Whats the point in people doing art if they suck at it?' I dont get it.

Will rolls his eyes before responding bluntly 'You feel art. Not just create it to look pretty.'

Feel?...I have never experienced a feeling to create exactly just to survive..I still dont get it.

Will runs a hand through his hair exasperated at my ignorance.

'Okay think of it this way. You visualise something in your mind and when you bring it to life it releases a sort of feeling. Something that cant be explained.'

Something that cant be explained?

'What do you create in there then Mr artist.' I stick my arms around myself in defense of my naivety.

Will looks vulnerable at my question and physically blanches. AHA. I have the upper hand finally.

'How about you show me then if you know so much?'

Will recovers and gestures his head to follow him.

Walking in art room it smells of burning plastic and damp. Not particularly awe inspiring.

Will stops at a rickety table and shows me what looks like a figure made of some mushy stuff. Hang on...is that me and Layla?

'Its clay not 'mushy stuff' and yes its you two. Cheesy as it sounds the bond you have it inspired me...' Will scuffs his worn trainers on the floor.

'Why?' Now I am intrigued.

'I am an orphan. Never knew my parents because they died fighting. They didnt like how our people were treated so ran protests. Despite what authorities said it was peaceful But the authorities couldnt have that could they.' The bitter tone rings true to his anguish.

'The police arrested them and some others from here..but whilst in custody shot them all dead. They lied of course as U.K. arent allowed to carry guns they told the press the 'rebels' had weapons and tried to attack. Therefore they killed them with their own weapons they claimed.'

Will reaches in his pocket and thrusts a news paper clipping to me ...16 years old. The article titled 'Tasteless rebels claim to be peaceful shot with their own weapons.' On the front page is a couple, the man broad shouldered, ginger beard and blue eyes with specks on green...the woman long brown curly hair and golden eyes. Both holding signs with mouths screaming...the spirit in both their eyes. Anger swells inside me.

Will takes the paper from me and pockets it. 'Your bond with Layla reminds me what we are fighting for and what can never be broken. Our spirits. Despite you wounds you ran through London just to save her. That takes spirit and one heck of a bond. Just like my mama and dad had.'

Before I think I squeeze Will's arm as he lowers his tear filling eyes.

'They sound courageous as hell Will.'

Will smiles a wide smile. 'They were and I carry this with me to remember to carry on their legacy.'

I nod and step back as Will walks to the door and wipes his eyes on his sleeve.

'Will!'

Will stops and turns.

'Teach me to do art stuff tomorrow? I want to see if i can feel too.'

Will nods.

'Will do Erza.'

As Will leaves I look at the figure again and see it clearer now its one figure but in the arms of the bigger figure with curls is a smaller on with a bright smile. Layla.

Right Laith.

I leave the room and carry on till I come to Laiths office, rising my hand to knock I hear a heated discussion being. Too nosey for my own I draw on my powers to enhance my hearing.

'You said that TWO YEARS AGO Laith. How many times are you gonna make the same damn excuse?!'

Varian? What the hell.

'We need to prepare Varian. We cant just run in and risk all our lives and safety.'

A smash sounds causing me to stumble back.

'Screw the excuses. You said we would get him out two damn years ago. He could be fucking dead and I wouldnt know?!'

Jesus he sounds pissed.

'Goddamit Varian! Cant you see it isnt that bloody simple? I have other lives to think about and I cannot risk them to come out with nothing.'

'Fuck them. You promised me we would save him. You swore your life on it. How long will I have to wait huh!'

He? Who is he on about?

'Varian I promised you because i care too for fuck sake. When he got taken I lost my best friend do'nt you dare forget.'

Laith? He sounds so different when angry...Christ.

'Its your fault he got taken. If it was'nt for you he would be hear right now.'

Quiet has descended in the office and even from here I can feel the tension.

'That's not fair Varian. He chose to go on the mission not me. You know how hard i have worked to do right by you?'

'Fat lot of good that did when you make promises.'

More silence.

'Give me six months Varian then we will get him.' Laith sounds resigned.

'We better or I may just tell them your secret that your so desperate to hide.'

'Dont push it Varian. I am not afraid to remind you of your place right here ...and right now.'

Laith's voice grew deeper and more ferocious sending my animal instincts into overdrive...so much so I pant to stay where I am standing.

'Whatever.' The door is booted open narrowly missing me.

'What a little ear wigger. Got nothing better to do P.P'

The bastard..but before I can say anything he has slouched off hands in his pockets and his greens eyes dull as moss. What the heck is that about?...

'Erza? Come in.'

Startling me out of my thoughts I step into the office and avoid looking at the broken chair against the wall. So that's what the bang was?

'Can I help you?' Laiths eyes lack their usual gleam and I can sense he is not to be trifled with right now.

Nevertheless I need answers.

'I want to know your intentions for recruiting me and Layla Laith. No bullshit or sugary words.'

Laith sighs knowingly. 'I saw this coming your too sharp to join blindly. I wanted to recruit you for your experience Erza. We have all heard of the Purple Predator and your squad Insurgo. They named you after the latin translation for rebels right? That meant they wanted to eradicate you because they could'nt get you to conform. You were sent on more missions than your other comrades right?'

I nod stunned at the extent of his knowledge...slightly suspicious too.

'I was in that institute for a while Erza. So I know it inside and out don't fret I'm not an insider for the bastards. But I had a connection with the director of that particular place. James Collings.'

James Collings? Never heard of him.

'He was the face of the institution. We lived in the same town together and he got a name for himself by turning me in. Then just rose through the ranks.' Laith's eyes turn a slight blue in his anger.

Wait he grew up with this guy ...and the guy turned him in? Jesus no wonder that place is hell on earth if he is leading it.

'That guy is a bland as his name. Blue eyes and Black hair with an elongated nose like the weasel he is. But they like them plain Erza. They would rather talentless and normal humans than us freaks roaming round. God knows why.'

My fists clench in the same fury I feel radiating of Laith.

'Fuck knows why.'

Laith chuckles at that. 'Agreed. Anyway I wanted Varian to find you because of your strength Erza. You got out of there alive even if you did do something indescribable to survive you did. Your 16 yet faced countless entities and better yet know the landscape of the place too.'

'Go on.' Shame flows through me at the mention of my sin.

'Dont get me wrong I don't want you here as a solider. But i want you here as guidance until you decide what role you want. A supporter or a fighter?'

A supporter or A fighter? ...Which one am i though?

'Don't decide now. For now heal and train. Let Layla settle and have structure. Then when the time comes I am offering you the chance at redemption. You can save the rest of Insurgo.'

Save my friends..something i dreamed of and dared to hope could one day do.

'But as you know when you were listening in at the door you've got six months to decide.'

He knew?!

'How'd you know i was listening in? I run a hand through my hair in embarrassment.

Laith's dark eyes transform to blue and as he stands his body goes translucent. His form cracks and changes until before me is a six foot lion made entirely out of water.

'They don't call me Laith the lion spirit for nothing Erza.' His deep voice rumbles.

He looks magnificent.

Wait ...water? ..Layla.

My amazement fades quickly and I call upon my power.

I implant the image of the tiger in my mind.

My body bristles as every cell is awakened. My power flows through me and I feel every crack of every bone, every twinge of every muscles and every flow of anger growing within me.

In no time I am transformed a magnificent purple tiger and despite every throb in my diaphragm I step forward until I am eye to eye with Laith.

Bearing my fangs as a warning. I speak.

'How long did you know Layla was your daughter before you sent Varian to us Laith?'

Laith's eyes widen and before he can reply. I pounce.