CHAPTER TWELVE

In that moment, I completely forget about Ren and take a step forward. "I-

"What do you think? It's a discussion between old friends." Ren says calmly. "Who are you supposed to be?" I can tell that Sebastian would have drawn his dagger if he had it but the pockets to his suit are empty. 

"My name is Ren, considering your position, I'm sure you know who I work for." Ren looks at me, "And that you should stay away from her." It's surprising how he's so willing to answer Sebastian's questions but none of mine. Sebastian's expression is hard to read and I wouldn't want to know what he's thinking in this moment anyway.

Perhaps this is the universe trying to tell me something. I'm not meant to stay here pretending like I belong when I clearly don't. That thought makes me sad but I'm the one who will put them in danger ultimately. 

"You're right, but I don't abandon my comrades easily." I blink in shock at Sebastian before Ren suddenly laughs. He looks straight at me, "I see you've made your decision and I understand things will never be the same. I'm sure one day, you'll also understand my actions."

Ren walks to the door past Sebastian. "The next time we meet will be on different sides of the battlefield."

He leaves Sebastian and I in the laundry room. The sensible thing would be to apprehend him but Sebastian doesn't look like he plans on moving. Despite defending me, he still looks angry and betrayed. 

I open my mouth to say something but I'm cut short by his sigh.

"I think I've finally figured out who you are." He says. "And I don't know if you deserve my trust or not."

"What's the deciding factor?"

"How much you're willing to tell me." He replies putting his hands in his pockets. "Let's talk about this somewhere else."

I take a seat on the bed and Sebastian pulls a chair opposite me. "What do you want to know?" I ask. "Everything."

"You can't say 'everything'. Ask questions." I shrug. "Who are you? What do you want with Central? Who is that guy and why did he say we're in danger?" I miss the other questions and reach out my hands. "H-hold on, that's too many at a go."

"I know you're from The Fifth Order." He says simply. I don't say anything and sigh. "Yes, that's what it's probably called."

Probably?" He says raising a brow. "When I passed out, I remembered some things. I come from an organization called The Fifth Order, they prefer to be hidden. I was mostly on my own and they…taught me." I cringe at the memory.

"You mean they taught you how to control metamorphoses." He states. "Why didn't you bring it up earlier?" I ask. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't think of reason why he didn't mention it.

Sebastian looks away and refuses to make eye contact. Am I dreaming or is that a hint of a blush I see on his face? "Hah…this is embarrassing…it's just…I thought you trusted me enough to tell me so I didn't push it." He says in a low voice.

"Oh…um…" I look at the ceiling and then the wall. It sure is getting hot in here. "Don't say anything. But I need to know what's going on." I take a deep breath and look him straight in the eye.

"That boy's name is Ren. He knows me and has been watching me for quite some time now. He approached me on my first mission and told me something about Camp Rose."

"Sebastian raises his brow, "Camp Rose?"

"It's all a diversion." I say remembering Ren's words. "What does that mean?" I clench my fists in my laps. "Honestly, I don't know."

"It must be a lie. He's trying to mess with your head, you can't trust his words." He deadpans. "But if he's not, then what exactly is The Rebellion planning? Because it's clear they're organizing something big." I say.

"Why is The Rebellion involved with The Fifth Order?" Sebastian asks. I shake my head, last I remember The Fifth Order were more of scientists so I couldn't really wrap my head around it.

"Alistair might know something." Sebastian suddenly says. "No! You can't say anything about this to Alistair." I say quickly. "And why is that? Alistair is the only other person who knows about the existence of The Fifth Order. He-

Sebastian stops talking as if catching himself from saying something he shouldn't. I know this because it's something I've learned to do as well. "What is it?" I ask getting to the point. "It's nothing. Look, the lives of people are on the line. This is bigger than us." Sebastian argues.

"But if it's not? I know that there's something I can do. And Ren…" Sebastian furrows his eyebrows but I decide to continue. "Ren gave me something and I think it might help."

"I thought we decided not to trust the shady guy." He says leaning back into his chair. "He might be shady, but he has information." I shrug.

"I don't think he'll give it easily though." I sigh and remember the first time I met Ren. "I don't think he's supposed to. Sebastian, I think Ren is working alone and against orders." Sebastian's expression remains calm as he looks at me and I can't tell whether or not he agrees.

"That's beside the point. What is the relation between Camp Rose, The Fifth Order and you?"

"That's what I've been trying to figure out." It seems I'm not good at this 'finding out the truth' thing. Nothing is working out the way I want it to, I feel further away from the truth than ever.

The more I learn, the harder it is to connect the dots. Sebastian sighs, "Okay, let's do this step by step. Firstly, we need to figure out why you can control metamorphoses."

"It's because of my blood," I fidget with my fingers, "That's what I heard them say one time." I look at Sebastian peculiarly, "You're going to help me?"

"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't." He answers plainly. Someone knocks and I turn my attention to the door. I briefly look at Sebastian before walking over to open the door. "Penelope."

Penelope is the only person who makes me feel the way Alistair makes me feel, like I'm standing in enemy territory.

Though right now, she looks worn out and tired. Her hair is let loose and from her eyes, I can tell she hasn't slept since we last met. This makes me lower my guard and I step aside giving her some room to pass.

"No, that's alright." She says putting her hands out, "I actually need you two to come with me." Sebastian glances at me and stands up. "What for?" Penelope looks at him, "The results are out."

******

"Hm, that's not something you see every day." Sebastian states. "That's why we thought you needed to see this." Governor Duri says folding his arms. After following Penelope, she took us to a lab where we found Governor Duri waiting for us. 

We stand, staring at the results of the DNA on the screen. "It's not something big that will lead to a breakthrough but…" Penelope trails off and stares at Governor Duri. "We don't think you told us the full story." He says finishing her sentence.

They found traces of some weird substance in the DNA of the metamorphoses we fought. More so in the one I fought. The marker in the blood didn't alter the genetic code of the beast but it showed us that it had come into contact with something.

It seemed more to be someone than something to me and I had pretty good idea of who it might have been. The image of the person with black veins comes to mind. The other scientists aren't aware of this apparently and I'm grateful.

"We told you everything we know." Sebastian shrugs. I suddenly look up, "Wait a minute. The metamorphosis I fought already had some injuries, I didn't think much of it but could it be related to all of this?" I ask.

Sebastian raises a brow at me. Honestly, he can't blame me. That was literally the last thing on my mind when I woke up.

 "Well, whatever it met, we'll assume it must have made all the reactions in its body spike up at incredible levels. The thing is, we can't just let this go on an assumption." Governor Duri says putting his hands on the table. "But still, it's a step forward to our goal. I'll arrange a meeting with Alistair and the other Governors."  

Penelope's eyes meet mine and I fail to look away. You can tell a lot of things from a person's eyes. What Penelope's eyes tell me is that she has more to say on the matter and she wants to say it to me specifically. 

Governor Duri and Sebastian look like they are going to get deeper into the discussion.

"Um, excuse me. I'll be right back." I walk out of the room knowing that Penelope will follow me out. When we reach a certain distance, I stop and turn to Penelope.

"You want to say something to me, correct?"

"How much do you know about Edmond Wesley?" Why is asking about that man? I was so sure it was going to be a confrontation about the mission. "Not much. I know that he created Central." I shrug.

I'm not sure if I said the right thing because her expression remains blank. "Do you know why?"

I tilt my head in confusion. "Haven't you ever wondered how a single man could have done that when the world was in chaos?" I don't understand what she is trying to get at; actually I don't understand why she is talking to me at all. 

"I mean, I don't think he did it alone. I'm sure he had some help and they just didn't get any credit." I shrug. Penelope laughs for the first time. "I guess you have a point."

"I'm going to guess and say you don't share the same opinion as me." I say staring at her. The tired look is still there but it's easy to see that she's a woman with set ideals. I deals that can't be shaken easily.

"A lot of people don't know this but Edmond Wesley was a scientist. He understood metamorphoses on a level we can't. Throughout his lifetime, before he disappeared, he dedicated his all to find a way to reverse the past."

"You mean…turn animals back to normal?" I ask. "Yes and he got closer then, right after that, he disappeared together with most of his research." Penelope says pulling some keys from her pocket.

She leans against the wall and throws the keys from one hand to another. "What happened to the rest?" Penelope smiles at me. "He wrote a book and in it lays the code."

My eyes widen and I'm taken aback for a moment. "What do you mean by code?"

"Cora. So this is where you guys have been, don't just disappear like that." Sebastian says walking towards us. He suddenly drops his pen and bends to pick it up.

"The reason was to redeem himself." Penelope says barely over a whisper before walking past Sebastian. Sebastian watches her before turning to me, "What was all that about?" 

Penelope's words and behavior leaves me baffled. "Uh, actually I'm not too sure either." I say still looking in her direction. "Did she say something strange to you?"

"Obviously." I scoff. Nothing is normal these days, nothing was normal from the beginning. "Okay, not the smartest question." Sebastian laughs, "Anyway, we're leaving earlier than planned to give a report."

"Hey, do you believe it's possible to turn them back to normal?"

Sebastian answers immediately, "Yes. I wouldn't be part of Central if I didn't." I nod in response.

Sebastian and I go outside for some fresh air. I realize we had been in the lab for longer than I thought because the Sun has already set. 

Strangely, no one is outside, everyone is in the comforts of their homes. Back at Central, people would still be up and about mostly chatting in groups or training.

When we reach the playground, I sit by the swings. "Does it feel strange for you?" I ask as Sebastian looks confused by my question. "You grew up here right?"

He takes a while to answer, maybe I shouldn't have asked. It is a sensitive topic. "I wasn't here for long so not really. After the accident, Alistair took me in." I did notice that they shared a special bond. 

"So I guess Alistair is like a father figure." Sebastian takes a seat on the swing next to mine and swings a little. "I had one of those, a mother figure though." I say. The only difference is that she didn't act like one and probably didn't feel the same.

"Hey, wouldn't you want to go back to The Fifth Order. I don't know what happened there, but it is your home."

"Home is a place where you feel safe and protected. That place was far from that."

"Then you can stay with me at Central." Sebastian says as I raise a brow. "I-I mean us…you can stay with us at Central, you know; Alex, Nico, Blair and I." He says looking flustered. 

I laugh a little and push my swing forward. "How do you know about that place? No one else does." I say.

"Well, I learned about them through Alistair and he made me promised not to mention anything about them to anyone. That was when I learned there are other groups apart from Central and the camps out there."

Alistair sure does seem to be at the centre of everything and my being from The Fifth Order won't work in my favor. "What's wrong?" Sebastian asks turning his face to me. 

"I don't know if I'll be able to get away unscathed with everything going on." I say looking back at him. "Of course you will." He replies confidently. "What makes you think so?" I scoff.

Sebastian smiles brightly, "Easy, you have me."

"W-what?" I gasp. Thank goodness it's dark; I bet my cheeks, all the way to my ears, are red. "Like that will make a difference." I state looking at him.

I don't know how or when it happened, but our faces are way too close. I stay still, thinking he'll move away but when he doesn't, my heart starts beating fast. It's hard to read his thoughts from his eyes, looks like my theory about eyes might not be so reliable.

His eyes drop to my lips and he moves closer, closing the distance between us. It takes me a second to realize that he's kissing me and I find myself kissing him back. I'm consumed by his soft lips and nothing else goes through my mind.

"Of course it will make a difference, who do you think I am?" He says pulling away. This might not be so bad, I just hope nothing takes away this feeling.