Section 59: Retaliation VS Submission

-Aria POV-

Tristan's frantic expression turns out to be real, with the help of the members of the camp we managed to rescue the bleeding Ender. My mind muddled up as I saw the pained expression on Ender's face. He was moved inside a small room inside the warehouse, a small clinic perhaps. The room is all white, just like a hospital.

Inside the room are three beds lined up next to each other. Caleb helps Tristan move the heavily injured Ender to the comfy bed.

"Get Elizabeth here, I need her help" Caleb instructed me, who is still distraught with the sight.

"Copy" I replied short.

I opened the door hurriedly and encountered the flustered Elizabeth in front of the room.

"I heard there's someone injured, I already prepared the necessary equipment to treat the wounded" she rushed inside the room.

Caleb dragged me and Tristan away from Elizabeth, he gripped my shoulder.

"Elizabeth knows what she's doing, let her handle the rest" Caleb tried to calm me down.

I clenched my teeth in irritation, remembering that the cause of his heavy injuries are them. However, the fact that they offered their help to tend to Ender's injuries is more than enough. I shouldn't dwell on the past. I need more explanation in regards to the experiment, but my mind muddled up with Ender's injuries.

Tristan, Caleb, and I waited for Elizabeth outside. Tristan's looks of concern made me anxious, did he know something about Ender's condition before?

"Hey, why didn't you tell me right on the bat that Ender is here! In this camp!" I grabbed Tristan's collar forcefully. "If I know he's here, we could tend his injuries faster!".

"How the heck could I save him if we're captured by that boy Cal-".

"Alright, that's enough you two" Joel came into the scene again and flicked my forehead.

He separated both of us with a heavy sigh, he shook his head disturbed by our quarrel.

"Aria, stop exploding at anything" he pointed his fingers at me, soon diverted his gaze toward Tristan. "Don't blame other people that easily, you do know that your words might cause conflict to another".

Tristan lowered his head, perhaps ashamed by his sudden outburst earlier. Caleb realized the tension between us and made his speech.

"About your friend, sorry for injuring him" Caleb frowned. "He's about to trespass our territory and there are Milla and Tom too there".

My eyes widened when he's able to recognize Milla and Tom, then both of them might be involved in this feud as well.

"Milla and Tom?" Tristan seems to have the same suspicion as I do.

"Yes, both of them are Vladimir loyal lackeys, they wanted Vladimir to recognize them" Caleb added. "They've been with Vladimir ever since the project started, they're soldiers trained under Vladimir's guide".

That explains their utmost loyalty to Vladimir, but to pair both of his soldiers with Ender means something isn't it? Maybe they want to supervise his movement? However, before I could continue my train of thoughts, Elizabeth exited the room with a relieved face.

"He's in no condition to move, but he's going to be alright" she smiled.

All of us sighed in relief, knowing that Ender will be alright. However, how will Vladimir react to Ender's absence in the camp? This is bad news, I just hope that Kallen didn't tell the whole story to Vladimir. I know Kallen trusted him more than we do, but Ender did this risky move out of the blue.

"Vladimir would end our lives if he found out about your plan and Ender escapes" Joel voiced my thoughts perfectly.

"Right, I know" I sighed heavily. "Have the guys confiscated the walkie-talkie Kallen brought?".

"Yeah, they did," Joel answered. "You're scared that Kallen will betray us?".

I nodded heavily, Joel was the first person I respected from the camp. However, his attachment to Vladimir is dangerous for my plan. There must be a reason why Kallen is so obedient to Vladimir. That disgusting man even called Kallen street urchin, much to my dismay. Perhaps, other things made the boy feel tied to Vladimir.

"Candice?" her name suddenly popped out inside my mind.

Did Vladimir hold Candice as a hostage? If he is, then that's also one of the possibilities on why Kallen pledged his loyalty toward that man.

"We need to talk to Kallen, sooner or later" I groaned. "I want to know about his intent, what's keeping him in that camp".

"After that, what?" Joel inquired about my answer.

"I want him and his younger sister to escape with us from Vladimir's camp".

Both Joel and Tristan widened their eyes when they heard my conclusion.

"Alright, hold up" Tristan mustered his brain. "You're saying you want to include Kallen in your escape parade?".

"Yes, you and your sister included" I added nonchalantly.

"This sounds risky as heck" Tristan rubbed his head. "And you're involving Kallen in this? There's a possibility that he will betray you though".

I leaned on the wall, with an exhausted sigh.

"Yes, I know that" I groaned. "That's why Caleb is going to help us in escaping as well".

Caleb, who happened to listen to us from the beginning, was shocked when he heard me.

"What? Why me?" He looks dumbfounded.

His hazel eyes show panic and concern to what I said, perhaps uncomfortable with what I am about to say next. However, turning back to Vladimir's camp now seems suicidal since Ender sneaked out unannounced. Tristan also has his younger sister to worry about, I am worried about Chrystant and Candice.

"Alright, since Ender sneaked out" I sighed. "There's no doubt that Vladimir will slowly lose our trust to us, hence our only way is to defend ourselves from Vladimir's force".

"He's going to use force right on the bat?" Joel asked with uncertainty.

"Not sure, that's why we're making a plan to counter whatever he throws at us" I rubbed my temple. "Now, let's meet Kallen and explain the situation to him". The four of us walk toward the small room where they locked Kallen and Joel in. Caleb unlocked the door with the keys from his pocket. As soon as he entered the room, his stomach was welcomed with a sturdy kick from the young boy.

"Caleb!" Joel yelled surprised as Caleb landed on the ground.

I looked at the young boy who just landed a kick on Caleb, who is none other than Kallen. His expression shows fury and betrayal, he gritted his teeth as he's about to land another hit on Caleb.

"STOP IT!" I blocked his kick.

"SHUT UP! YOU'RE WORKING WITH THEM AREN'T YOU!? TRAITOR!" Kallen snarled at me like an injured beast. It looks like we can't settle this peacefully, then I supposed violence is the answer to calm this hurt boy.

"Alright then, I won't hold back" I grinned at Kallen as I set my fighting stance.