Chapter 43 -- Mind space

'I guess hiding in the forest until the 24 hours are over is now impossible' Lex thought as he heard Linda's voice.

He was still kneeling over Adam's now alive body with his back to Linda and the other person who Lex correctly guessed to be Laura. Lex knew that Laura and Linda would not agree to leave him. He wanted to stay behind in the forest and hide out until Adam started and finished his evolution. However now he had no choice but to go back to Rion with them and think of a plan.

{Son i think it's best if i take over for a little bit} Xen suggested.

{Why ?}Lex questioned. He had found out that he could not stop his father from reading his memories and talking inside his mind. However, Xen needed Lex's permission to take over the body. Back when Xen used Lex's body to fight the peak rank two Lex had willingly handed over control to him.

{You might not like this, but the best way to avoid a lot of questions is to act like Adam died. Then you request 24 hours to grieve your brother in private before the school and military is informed} Xen explained.

Lex thought about what his father suggested and had to admit the plan was the best possible one. He didn't want to explain why Adam was exhibiting the same symptoms of his 'disease'.

He only felt sorry for Tina, She would be the one most hurt by this. but it was for the best. Lex only had one more question though.

{ Why do i need to hand over control of the body though ?}

he asked, confused.

{You are too emotional at the moment Lex and i don't trust you around Linda. She might find a way to manipulate you into spilling the beans, and even if you trust her, I don't. It's only for a day and it's not like you won't be able to see and hear what I'm doing anyway}

{Fine, take control } As soon as Lex said those words. His view immediately changed , he was still looking at Adam but this time there was some kind of red hue. As he turned his head he realized that he was in a completely red ...'room'. Inside this room, there was nothing but a chair which seemed to be made of the same material as the walls and he was sited on this very chair.

The room had a single large window and through this window, Lex could see Adam. He figured that window reflected the outside world through his eyes. Lex decided to call this room the 'Mind space'. He then sat down and made himself comfortable on the chair as this was going to be his position for the next 24 hours.

"Babe are you okay ?" Linda said as she started to walk towards 'Lex'.

"I will be fine" Xen said in Lex's exact voice since it was still Lex's vocal cords. He then picked up Adam's 'body' and turned to face the girls.

As Linda saw Adam's limp body, she put her hands on her mouth as she tried to suppress a cry. A few drops of tears streaming down her delicate face. Although Linda was not that close to Adam, it still hurt as she thought of Lex and Tina. Laura on the other hand had turned around with her hands covering her face. Lex could not see her expression but he guessed she was also heartbroken.

Linda walked towards Lex in a effort to comfort him , however Lex (Xen) just avoided Linda's outstretched arms and walked towards Laura, Adam still in his arms his body still dripping the blood which had come out of the injury.

The real Lex inside the mind space felt hurt as his body evaded Linda's hug and he unconsciously tried to hug back as he had forgotten he was not in control.

'Lex' suddenly stopped "I will be fine babe i just need some time" he said after Lex threatened to take back control if he didn't say those words. It was a good thing Xen was facing away from Linda, otherwise she would have seen how emotionless those words where.

"Teacher can I please have some time with him before you call the base ?" Xen requested as he reached Laura. In the mind space, Lex just slapped his own forehead.

{Dad....we don't call her that.} he said to his father. Lex was confused as he thought that Xen had read his mind so how could he make a mistake as stupid as that one. Laura seemed not to mind however as she just nodded her head while wiping off the tears which had fell down her eyes.

It brought Lex comfort to see that Laura cared about them to this extent 'Maybe i can trust her' he thought.

Meanwhile Laura was actually crying for a completely different reason. Yes she was sad for Adam as she was close to all her students, however her real fear was for what Mr Brown would do to her.

One of the school's greatest talents had died on her watch. She would be lucky if she just got fired.

'Kalel is going to be so disappointed in me' she thought about her older brother who was always so happy that she worked for the military. Laura liked to see Kalel smile because ever since he lost her wife he has been depressed.

Lex sighed a sigh of relief when Laura nodded, it seemed she had not picked up on the 'Teacher' and maybe even if she had, she was most probably going to put the small matter aside as Lex was obviously traumatized. So traumatized in fact that he was not even crying....or showing any emotion.....at all.

"I am going to walk back to the village" Xen stated "You guys can go ahead I will meet you there"

Xen tried one more time to maybe get rid of Laura and Linda. If they agreed to fly ahead, he could just find a good place to hide out in the forest until the 24 hours are over.

However he was not that lucky. "Not happening you might get attacked out here, and you are in no condition to fight Lex" Linda chipped in.

Lex's broken ribs and shin bone had miraculously healed completely and no injuries where on his body. However his 'Force' was completely depleted. He only had enough force for maybe one [Flame blast] and if he was ambushed by rank two beasts he was not so sure he could protect Adam and fight at the same time.

Both Xen and Lex knew that Linda had a valid point and Xen nodded at the girls before they all walked towards Rion.