They were in the car again. Hailie was happy that she could finally find her answers and maybe, maybe find a place to belong to.
"Don't get so excited about it" Bryan's voice brought her to reality.
"What?"
"Don't get so excited about it. I'm not going to show you something big tonight. I'm not risking three years of my life and others with trusting you too much. And you have to earn a place to belong to. As I said, it's not free." Bryan said as he continued driving.
"How did you even know I was thinking about that?"
" You're obvious."
Hailie wasn't convinced with that answer but preferred to stay quiet for now. she looked at Bryan. He was driving with one of his hands on the wheel. And his other arm resting on the window, his fingers on his lips. He seemed to be deep in his thoughts. Hailie felt like he was doubting trusting her.
"It's not polite to stare at people strawberry."
"I wasn't staring."
Bryan smirked:" Whatever you say little one."
"Oi, it's not my fault that you're a giant!" Hailie said with a little pout.
Bryan laughed at her childish behaviour. "Sure thing." He then pulled over and continued:" We are here."
Hailie looked around. They were back at the racing field. But it was dimmed and empty. She felt fear and doubt filling her heart.
"Why are we here?" She asked.
"You'll see. Just trust me and do as I tell you okay?"
Hailie looked into Bryan's eyes. They seemed honest, so she nodded with hesitation.
Bryan nodded as well and said:" So as I told you, you're my girlfriend. Don't tell anyone about the things you know. Don't tell them about the things you don't know. Just, don't give any unnecessary information. don't mention your dad obviously. And stay close to me okay? Do as I say and everything should be okay. Also, smile. You look less terrified like that." Bryan said. He looked like he was crossing things off of a list in his mind.
Hailie nodded again and forced a smile on her lips. Bryan seemed pleased enough. he got off the car and opened Hailie's door for her.
As they were getting closer to the door, Bryan put his hand behind Hailie's back. Hailie turned her head toward him and arched an eyebrow as if she was asking the reason. Bryan just smiled sweetly at her. She thought maybe they could be seen from the inside. But as far as she could see, there were no windows or cameras. They approached a door with an odd sign on it. Bryan smiled at her:" you ready strawberry?" Hailie nodded with enthusiasm. Bryan shook his head and touched the sign. The door opened and they walked inside. Hailie couldn't believe what was in front of her. There was a huge round area that was divided by glass walls into two tangled circles. The outer circle was like a gym. Lots of weights and treadmills, arrows, bullets and little metals- which looked oddly like knives. But as far as Hailie could see there were no guns or bows. She assumed they must be hidden in one of many drawers that were all over the place. The inner circle, however, was parted into sections by the different colouring of the walls that were built across its radius. Hailie remembered the colours from the night of the race, but she couldn't see through the walls. There was a big column in the middle of the inner circle like it was the only thing holding this whole operation up. Bryan pushed her a little with his hand, which was still on her lower back, and they walked through the corridor into the outer circle. As soon as they stepped into the gym area a young boy walked up to them:" Mr Bryan, sir. I have all the reports you asked for ready on your desk, and we have accessed the coordinates to the ship. also Mr Wa-"
"Not now Sam." Bryan cut him off. His voice so stern and confident." Don't you see I have my lovely lady with me?" He glanced over Hailie and smiled at her. He continued as he was looking at her:" I'm going to show her around and I don't want anyone to interrupt us. Understood? And again, you don't need to call me sir."
Sam nodded:" Yes sir. Is she new?"
Bryan frowned and rolled his eyes:" She is my girlfriend Sam, You're supposed to be the smart one here."
Sam smiled:" Yes, My apologies. I'm happy for you. You look cute together." He ran away before Bryan could say anything. Bryan shook his head with a fond smile:" This kid is going to be the death of me."
"Isn't he a bit young to get into this stuff?" Hailie asked.
"This stuff?"
"Yeah, you know, fighting against the government and basically being a criminal."
"Of course you believe the stuff you hear on the news. We are not criminals Hailie. You need to be wiser." Bryan had a resting poker-face when he was talking. Hailie noticed it was the first time he ever called her by her name.
"Wisdom comes from knowledge, and you brought me here to give me answers." She smirked and continued:" Or maybe you just want to show me off to your, um, what you call them anyways, soldiers?"
Bryan smirked: "More like family. Besides, why would I want to show off a shortie?"
Hailie frowned and hit his bicep:" IM NOT SHORT, IM ADORABLE!"
Bryan chuckled:" Sure thing. Then I'm one lucky man. Now, let's show you around. Shall we?" He held his hand in front of Hailie and wrapped the other one around her shoulder.
As they walked past the gym equipment Hailie dared to ask Bryan some questions, since he was in a good mood.
"Why do you need a gym? I mean not that it's a bad thing, but you said people here are like me. If they have, whatever this 'ability' is called, why gym?"
Bryan looked at her like she was stupid: "We need physical strength as well as our other strengths. And we call the 'ability', power. Embrace your superiority as a good thing "
"I'm not sure if it's a good thing." Her voice fading at the end.
Bryan noticed her sudden change. He wanted to ask the reason why she looked in pain. But he knew Hailie didn't trust him enough.
"why all of these arrows and bullets and those nasty looking metals and no guns and bows?" She tried to change the subject.
Bryan smirked: " We don't need those my sweet strawberry. And that leads us here. A place we like to call the 'Impossible room'. "
And he led her toward the doors to the inner section of the circle.