Section 60: The Breaking Point

"Now, hold your horses here" Joel intervened between our fights. "Why are we punching each other again?".

"Cause we feel like it?" I smiled in excitement. "And Kallen is itching for a fight so why not use this opportunity to smack some senses to-".

Joel cut to the chase and flicked my forehead with a heavy sigh. He shook his head, tapping his foot on the floor with a dazed expression as if he's exhausted. He flicked my forehead again, with more annoyance in his voice.

"Seriously Aria, you're such a kid" Joel groaned. "Planning to fight a fifteen years old boy? Are you a kid!?".

I feel somewhat offended when he said it that way. Pumped up just because a fifteen years old boy challenged me to a fight, he must have thought I'm too childish. Perhaps, maybe I am childish. Joel pushed me aside as he patted Kallen's head.

"What are you planning? You left me behind" Kallen snarled.

It's true that I didn't see Kallen with him when Joel caught him around the camp premises.

"Sorry about that, it's just that we're in a hurry" Joel smiled apologetically. "Ender sneaked outside".

He dropped the bomb just like that, I wonder how Kallen reacts. When I turned to see Kallen's expression he looked stiff when he heard Ender sneaked outside.

"Huh!? Is he an idiot!? Big brother Ender just got injured, isn't he? Why would he sneak outside?" Kallen gasped when he heard the news about Ender. "Is he here?".

"Yeah, he's in a bad shape now so he can't move much," Joel informed the young teenager. "And this is where I want to ask you".

"Ask me?" he tilted his chin.

"Yeah, it's about Vladimir" Joel exhaled. "Is he going to be alright with him sneaking out? Or is he going to kill him just like the way he killed Nash and his wife?".

Joel raised his voice in a serious tone, there's a sense of urgency from his voice. It is as if he's pressuring Kallen indirectly for an answer. Kallen noticed the way Joel raised his voice, he knows he has to answer honestly. Otherwise, he doesn't know how to face Joel ever again. Joel may look harmless, but his words can be quite venomous if he's angered.

Both Kallen and Joel seem to share some bonds with Kallen while in the camp, it speaks from the way Joel changed his attitude little by little. However, there's an uneasiness inside my tightened chest.

"Can I trust Kallen?" I questioned myself as I looked straight at Joel and Kallen.

"That I don't know" Kallen replied nervously. "To be honest, sir Vladimir seems to dislike Ender since he arrived at the camp".

So is that the reason why he's paired with Milla and Tom? So that Vladimir can keep an eye on that troublesome fellow. I have to admit, Ender can be quite troublesome more than I do. He breaks rules and disregards authorities most of the time. Not to mention his background as a hacker, he can threaten someone if he wishes to.

It's still unclear why Vladimir keeps an eye on Ender, I thought for sure I'm the troublemaker instead of Ender.

"Anyway if Ender escaped, then he must face severe punishment from Sir Vladimir" Kallen looked away. "It is what it is".

His words made my blood boil, my cheeks reddened not in shyness but in rage. I wish my fist could fly into his puny face.

"Aria, stop clenching your fist so hard" Joel shrugged. "You're not helping".

"So is he" I growled. "If he's planning to abandon Ender, I will-".

I can't continue those words, those damned words that might hurt someone's feelings. I have always respected Kallen from the bottom of my heart. Kallen's caringness for Candice is something that is very admirable. He had his own circumstances, but even I have my own circumstances.

"No that is not right, Aria" I mumbled to myself as I remembered the initial plan. I want to include Kalle in our squad, even Tristan, and his younger sister. Not to forget Candice, that sweet little girl that is currently waiting in Vladimir's base.

"Whatever you're planning, count me out" Kallen spoke firmly. "I don't want to be a part of your plans".

This boy tested my patience more than ever, he doesn't want to be included in the plan.

"Kallen, why are you-".

I got cut off by Caleb who's still out of breath because of Kallen's sturdy kick.

"Let him be, if he wants it that way then it can't be helped" Caleb crossed his arm. "He's a man, he needs to be firm with what he wants".

Caleb was right, but my heart aches thinking about Candice and Kallen's fates if they were left alone in Vladimir's group. I can't trust anyone in there, since they all cowered under his tyranny. Could it be that my perception of Kallen is wrong? He's a trustworthy friend and a nice older brother to Candice.

"Kallen, I'm sorry" I frowned as I walked to him.

"Why the sudden-".

"I'm not good with my words but I want to protect your happiness and hers" I scratched my head. "I'm a bad person for acting so selfish, I'm sorry".

As soon as Kallen heard my speech, he gritted his teeth in a hurtful expression. He tugged his own clothes, holding something in. I couldn't see his eyes since he lowered his head.

"Thanks for worrying, but Candice and I are going to be alright" Kallen answered solemnly. "Sir Vladimir has been taking care of us so we'll be fine!".

Kallen held his cracked voice, his expression filled with despair and sorrow unbeknownst to himself. That boy demeanor only makes me more curious about the reason why he's even staying with Vladimir. He looks pained and hurt.

Before we could continue our discussion, the girl with the name Vanya came inside the room. Sweats engulfed her tanned brownish skin.

"Big brother Caleb! There are that horrible man and his men near our territory! They're attempting a break-in!" Vanya spoke in panic. We all rushed to the front gate, following Caleb from behind. Kallen stayed inside the room, stiff and unmovable from his spot.

Caleb, Tristan, Joel, and I climbed the tower to gain a better view of who was the uninvited guest. I saw them, my friends and the person I hated the most paired together. It's Narita and Lola, my university friend along with Vladimir and his men.

Half of Narita's face has scars and bruises on her, the same goes for Lola.

"Narita and Lola!?" Joel gasped at the horrible condition they're in.

"Shit, they got dragged into this" Caleb clicked his tongue.

Vladimir boldly stepped in front of the gate with a confident step.

"Ah, I see that this place is still alive and well" Vladimir grinned.

The rest of the teenagers on the lookout aimed their respective weapons at Vladimir with a hateful gaze. The air grews intense as the Russian man hold my university friends in his rough grasps.