“There’s…There’s no way.”
“I’m surprised it took you this long to recognize me. My father and I looked almost identical.” It was true. In a few more years, Alden would almost certainly look like his father.
“T-That was…that was your dad?” I couldn’t wrap my head around it. The man my family had villainized had a son as sweet and timid as Alden? How could such a villain raise a child like this? “The man who tried to shoot my father is related to you?”
Alden’s eye twitched slightly, though he nodded. “Yes, that’s true. The woman your parents ruined is my mother.”
“My parents didn’t ruin her.” The shock gave way to instinctive defensiveness. “ If it wasn’t for her reeducation, she’d be dead, just like him. My parents saved her.”
“And how did they save her, exactly? Is death not a lighter sentence than living the rest of your life with only the ability to praise the government?”
“Oh, don’t be dramatic,” I scoffed irritably, rolling my eyes.
“I’m not being dramatic,” His tone began to harden as he spoke, the first signs of irritation showing on his face. They looked unnatural. “Something happened to my mother in that facility. The only words she’s capable of repeating are ‘Praise the technology’. Do you know how it feels to not be able to speak to your own mother?”
In a way, I did, but I kept my mother shut.
“Like your mother had anything good to say anyway.” Words were tumbling out before I could think. “If she wasn’t going to voluntarily say anything good, maybe a little force was necessary. Besides, how do you even know something happened there? She probably just saw the light and couldn’t believe her eyes.”
“How do I know something happened there?” He scoffed, his lip curling in disdain. “I know because my mother’s body is covered in scars, her eyes are as lifeless as a doll’s, and she can only repeat one phrase! That stuff doesn’t just happen!”
“You keep making those theories, and it’ll be you n-”
Before I knew it, a hand was connected to the back of my shirt, lifting me from my chair. Craven had grabbed me by the collar, planting me on the desk back-down. He glared down at me, hand twisting in the back of my shirt to gradually apply pressure on my neck. Instinctively, my hands reached to pull him away, scratching at his skin in vain. It was pointless to even try; his hands were hardened from a life of hardship and refused to budge.
“You should learn how to watch your mouth,” He scowled down at me, Fickle and Link watching from the sidelines with shocked yet eager expressions. I’m sure the former was thrilled to see me getting embarrassed like this. Beaten by a commoner. Hopefully, no one else was watching. Axel, avert your eyes and don’t you mention a word of this to your no-good father!
“I was only telling the truth.” The pressure on my neck increased, forcing a choking cough from my lips.
“Your one-sided version of the story, perhaps. Don’t comment on things you haven’t witnessed, especially not about Alden.”
The blonde had turned his back, running a hand through his hair as though to calm himself. Now he couldn’t even look at me? What a baby.
Craven shook me hard enough to send my phone flying from my pocket and my headset thumping down to my chin. “You’re awfully cocky for a brat who doesn’t know anything about the real world. How long have you been living in it? A few days?”
I opened my mouth to give him an answer, though he quickly shoved his hand over it. His hands smelled of soap and were rough against my nose.
“I don’t need precise answers. I’ve got a good enough idea.”
Without warning, he let go of my neck, sending me flopping back against the wooden desk. The back of my head slammed into the hard surface, echoing loudly through the classroom. A stinging pain ran through my system, my vision momentarily blurring. Man, he had some strength. By the time I had refocused, Alden was standing over me, the previous irritation on his face replaced with thought.
“You know, I think I know exactly what you need.” Pointing a finger against my chest, he studied me for a moment before nodding. “Yes, you need some time in the real world. This afternoon, after school, we’ll take you to my place, where you can meet my mother and examine her for yourself. What do you say, Brash?”
