The General's Son w***e

XVIII

After we patiently waited for Amora's son of a b***h father to give us the ok to see Amora, I quickly sprinted down the stairs to her location.

Even though I was, apparently, the swinging vote for putting her down here, which I feel extremely guilty about. I was hoping it wasn't intentional because I would never agree to put Amora in a fricking jail cell.

Or maybe I really was a bad person and should be judged. Regardless, I was going to fix this.

When I rounded the corner, I spotted Amora in some type of glass cell and shouted, “Amora!”

She looked up from the bed she was sitting on and met me at the glass. Her eyes were glossy and a little red in the whites of her eyes as if she had been crying this whole time.

Seeing her like this really laid into me hard. I could feel her sadness pinching my heart and I knew I did this to her. I allowed her to be a prisoner in her own home because why? I was scared of her? Absolutely not.

I knew Amora would never hurt me even when she wasn't herself, she was too damn passionate.

“McKenzie are you okay?”

I snapped out of my trance and looked at Amora, “Yea. I'm fine.”

“Then why are you shaking?”

I looked down and noticed my hands shaking, so I quickly balled them into fists to stop my trembling.

The door upstairs creaked open and a voice boomed from the top of the stairwell. I felt myself fighting back the urge to say something to him and demand he release Amora but I knew I would be wasting my breath.

Once he came down the stairs, he spoke, “You'll have a few hours of visitation in the holding cell if you so choose.”

Amora's dad began to speak as he walked up to the dial pad, “And there will be absolutely no funny business.” He glanced at Amora, which made my stomach turn.

I started to feel my blood boil as I looked down at my hands. To be honest, this was only the second time I actually wanted to punch someone and for a very good reason.

“McKenzie … ” Amora warned in a whisper.

I glanced at Amora and then back at her dad. He smiled at me and stood full posture as he waited my next move.

I really wanted to punch him just because of his stupid face, but I backed down and shoved my hands into my pockets.

God, I f*cking hate him.

“Wise choice.” He stated as he hit enter, “Well?” He motioned his hand, allowing me to walk through. I kept my eyes on him as I passed through the doorway until I was next to Amora on the opposite side of the glass.

The door closed with a hiss as her dad stared back at us. I shivered under his gaze and noted the hairs sticking up on my arms. Something about him gave me the heebie-jeebies or maybe I just didn't like him, I didn't really know but honestly I didn't really care right now.

As he was walking away, he stopped by the stairs, keeping his back to us, “Just remember you are being monitored.”

After he said that, I looked around the small space and noticed cameras in every corner of the room.

F*ck, this dude ain't messing around.

I glanced back in his direction but he wasn't there anymore which I was mostly relieved but I couldn't stop thinking about the prick.

“Calm down … wouldn't want you to hulk out.” Amora joked.

I was startled by Amora's hands on my shoulders and I shook my head, laughing at myself for losing who I am.

I turned to face Amora as she stood in the middle of her cell, “Well, would you like a tour of the place?” She looked around, “I would have cleaned up if I knew I was going to be accompanied by a beautiful woman.”

I smiled as I tilted my head, “Advice for the future, if you ever want a roommate … look for a two-bedroom place.” Then winked and side whispered, “They are suckers for privacy.”

She raised a brow, “Well … it looks like you're going to have to compromise.” She patted the spot next to her on the bed and spoke, “Humor me.”

I rolled my eyes before walking over to her, surprisingly this mattress was super soft and I liked it so I gave it a squeeze.

I heard Amora laughing and I knew I must got carried away by this comfortable magic of a bed and stopped what I was doing.

I opened my eyes, which I didn't even know I closed. Also, at some point I had ended up on my back with a fist full of sheets.

Amora plopped down at my side with a playful smile and I knew this wouldn't go unnoticed.

She poked my dimple, “Wow, I didn't do a thing to you and still had you unraveling in my sheets.”

I blushed, “Please.” Then rolled my eyes, “Don't flatter yourself.”

“A girl can dream.” She chuckled as her head dropped which made me smile when I side glanced at her.

I knew how I truly felt about her and I'd like to believe she knew it too. I didn't remember why I was so confident when I told her I loved her in front of everyone but I did.

“Earth to McKenzie.”

You know what? If I did it once I could do it again. It wasn't that big of a deal right? AND I'm most certainly sure she felt the same … I think. “ Mc—Ken—zie.”

I silently groaned, of course, she likes me, she found me. But had she liked me from the beginning or was it recently?

I groaned, “Do you like me or not?”

I c****d my head after actually hearing my voice and wondered if that thought had literally escaped my mouth.

Amora questioned, “What?”

My eyes went wide after Amora's confirmation and knew I couldn't play this one-off. So I decided to address what I'd been meaning to know for a while now. Sitting up from the bed, I turned to face her.

I asked, “Do you like me more than a friend?”

Before she had a chance to answer, the door to the basement opened up and someone was yelling.

“This is not justifiable!”

Then along with that voice I hated, “People like you sicken me and I cannot simply turn slightly of hand by endangering my people with monsters like you.”

I looked at Amora and her eyes changed once again, but not the color I’d grown to love.

When the commotion got louder, I looked towards the stairwell where Amora's dad's eyes met mine.

I stood when I noticed the familiar girl from the main corridors as she was kicking and yelling, struggling to break free.

I ran up to glass and pounded on it, “Let her go!”

If I couldn't save Amora, I'll be damned if I couldn't at least save her from this hell.

As expected, he ignored me, leaving me feel completely and utterly useless. All I could do was watch as he shoved her into a similar cell across from Amora's.

I noticed her eyes glowing as her gaze met mine and my heart ached. It felt like someone had punched straight through me and squeezed my pulsing heart. This feeling had my head spinning, so I doubled over placing one hand on the glass and the other on my heart.

Amora wrapped her arm around me and whispered, “Are you ok?”

I quickly glanced at the girl and her once glowing eyes had dulled. I shook my head trying to convince myself that what I had seen was all in my head. Sure this was a strange world to me but her eyes certainly weren't glowing.

I was brought out of my trance when the door to Amora's cell opened.

“Because of your actions, there must be consequences. Which means for you, I'll have to request that your visitation with Amora for tonight is to be cut short.”

I snarled at him, “Fine.”

I started to walk towards the door until Amora grabbed my wrist and spun me back.

As we collided, she placed one hand to my cheek and leaned down, shortly her lips pressing onto mine.

I instantly melted.

She was so enchanting and this time, she was the one that initiated our shared kiss.

I felt my stomach turn with an abundance of pure happiness and nothing in this moment could strip me from that.

But naturally, I was wrong.

Me and Amora jumped when all of the lightbulbs in her cell blew up spontaneously, leaving us in complete darkness.

Amora's dad sighed, “Guess I know what I'll be doing tomorrow.”

I smiled not wanting to leave, especially not after that because that right there gave me exactly what I needed to know.

She liked me back.

I was running, running towards something … or running from something, the thought was unclear but the physical aspect felt real.

I yelled into the darkness, “Tell me where she is and all of this could be over!”

Echoes of growling surrounded me and I immediately stopped dead in my tracks, since I couldn't focus on exactly where the growl originated from.

I rolled up my sleeve and saw one of the markings on my arm glow a bright amber and I smiled knowing I was close.

I took a few steps ahead and heard crunching of foliage behind me, it was faint but noticeable.

“You're outnumbered these days. Instead of fighting against us, join us. This way, you can always be with her because there is no cure, Princess.”

I chuckled, “If you think I'll ever stop looking for her, your species are a lot dumber than I thought.”

When I quickly turned around, I jumped in the air full beast when the other beast jumped for me. Our bodies smashed against each other and we hit the ground hard as we struggled against each other.

I got the upper hand and smashed their head into the dirt several times, “I'll ask one more time … Where is she?”

“I much rather die than speak of her location.” They growled.

When I caught a glimpse of my necklace dangling between us, I knew I couldn't give up. And I wasn't going to. But I knew this beast was a dead end.

So, I lost all control and yanked the dagger from my boot, stabbing them right in the throat.

“I said enough!”

My body slammed against the wall and I suddenly woke up. Looking around, I saw my father getting up from the floor as he wiped his mouth and cringed when he touched a spot on his temple.

“I—I apologize father … ”

He started mumbling about coming in here only to fix the lights or something but I quickly lost interest when I noticed my cellmate across the room, standing at the glass facing me with her eyes glowing but immediately dulled. She shook her head and went back to bed as if what I saw and what she did, never happened.

I cautiously walked up to the glass that separated me from the outside world and the closer I got, the more pressure I felt clenching my heart.

I needed to find out who she was and why I had some strange attraction towards her because the longer I stood in this 'pressure bubble' the more I felt her emotions.

I fought the tears back the longer I stared at her. Whatever burdens she had to bear were immensely affecting me in several negative ways.

Like, there was this empowering sense of loneliness that made me feel so trapped and useless. Although there was a spark of hope reminiscing from her aura, it wasn't much to aspire from, or at least not to me.

“Alright, so that's the last of them.” I nearly jumped out of my skin when I felt my father place his hand on my shoulder, but couldn't keep my gaze off of the girl next door, “Is everything okay?” He questioned, wiping his bloody lip again.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts, “Yes sir.”

He looked at me quizzically, “If you say so.” Then started packing up his tools, “I have arranged for Berlin to run some tests on you and your friend this evening. In fact, she will be conducting all further studies and will report back to me with the findings.”

“What? Why would you do that? She assists me in the work of animals. I am not an animal.” I argued.

I looked over my father's shoulder to see Berlin punching in the pin code and placed my hands to my head for a brief moment before speaking, “You can't be serious father.”

He continued to ignore me and walked through the doorway. I quickly tried to use this as my opportunity to either injure him again or finally make a breakthrough.

I finally reached the door but not in time to escape, so I started to pound on the glass hoping it would break if I had tried hard enough, “I'm not an animal!” I yelled in desperation.

My father turned and looked me dead in the eyes,

“No but you are a monster.”

I slammed my fist where his face should have been and he didn't even flinch. All he did was turn his back to me as I watched helplessly in my own prison.

“Do me a favor and don't blow the lights out again, Princess.”

Once he was out of sight, I heard clapping from the cell across from me, “And scene.” She laughed.

“Is this a joke to you? Since I have absolutely no idea who you are, I'll have you know that man is disturbed.”

She smiled, “And yet you still try to convince him differently?”

I started to pace back and forth alongside the glass in frustration.

Who was she to question me?

“Hey … look, I need you to calm down for a moment. I'm not here to question your authority. I'm here to help, Amora.”

I stopped pacing and side glanced at her, “How do you know my name?”

She sighed, “It's complicated.”

My brows furrowed, “Listen here, lady. You don't know what complicated is. So you better speak up and tell me who the hell you are and what you think you know about me.”

She nodded, “Okay. As you wish.”

I too nodded in satisfaction but it didn't feel like I earned it because she gave up rather quickly and it made me feel nervous more than anything.

When she was about to speak, Berlin came from the side office with clothing and a couple other supplies.

“Ok … ” she sighed, “Let's get this over with.”

I turned my attention away from the mystery woman and focused more on Berlin, “Hey.” I spoke, “Berlin, you don't have to do what my father asked you to do.”

When her eyes met mine, she whispered, “I do.”

“No, you don't. We study animals, wild animals not people.”

I could see the tears pooling at the corner of her eyes before she bowed her head, “Back away from the door Princess Amora, this will be your one and only warning.”

I pressed my lips together and saw the mystery woman silently telling me to do as she says, like an echo through my mind.

So I put my hands up in defeat and stepped away from the door, “Fine.”

We watched as Berlin entered our opening codes into the dial pads, first mine then the mystery woman's.

We were escorted to the back of this containment room and ordered to strip ourselves of our outside clothes along with any jewelry we had in our possession.

When I went to place my necklaces on the tray, I noticed markings on the woman's arms that I’d never seen in my life. Then my eyes trailed down to the shimmering necklace dangling from her fist and immediately recognized the symbol.

“You're a Rogue Avalan?” I questioned in a whisper.

She clenched her teeth, “Yes.”

I nodded to myself and didn't want to question her further seeing how I sensed a little discomfort with the topic.

Berlin interjected, “Here are your newly assigned wardrobes.” She handed over a neatly stack of white clothing, “And if white isn't your color, take it up with the big man because I'm running on three hours of sleep and don't have time for this rubbish.”

After we grabbed our clothes and got dressed, Berlin dismissed us back to our cells so we could get proper rest for our testing tomorrow.

While she punched in my code, I tried to sneak a peek at the number sequence that way maybe I could get one of my friends to let me out when they came down to visit.

Berlin whispered, “I'm so sorry Amora, but a new code is activated every time your cell is opened.”

I sighed, of course, things were never easy especially when it involved my father.

My door opened allowing me to enter, which I did, trudging towards my bed until Berlin spoke, “Oh I almost forgot … your cape, Princess.”

I groaned, “Seriously?”

She sighed, “Look, I'm really sorry. King’s orders.” Then continued to walk into the office to supervise visitation hours after handing me the cape and closing my door.

I shook my head at the girl across the room, “You see this?” I asked holding the cape in front of me, “This is his way of trapping me.”

She shrugged, “All I see is a cape.”

“A cape of a thousand responsibilities.” I retorted, “Enough about me. What I'd like to know is why he would lock up a child.”

She huffed, “I'm not a child.”

I threw the cape over my shoulders and chuckled, “Well, you're not exactly an adult either.” I stated, tying the strings together, “And that was rather a rude attitude you had there … You know back when I was your age.”

She interrupted, “I'm eighteen.”

I rolled my eyes, “So am I.”

“Then why are you speaking to me like you're much older?” she asked.

I raised a brow, “I don't know, that's a little peculiar, is it not?” she nodded, and I shrugged, “I'm sure it's nothing to worry about besides you're too young to understand.”

“I told you I'm not—”

Her sentence was short-lived when someone came down the stairs at a high speed, tripping on the last stair.

I smiled at the glass door as I watched her compose herself, trying to fluff out her hair smoothly.

“Wow, you got down those stairs fast.”

McKenzie turned to the voice across the room and approached her, “Listen here, missy, we don't talk out of turn in this household.”

I raised my brow as I watched McKenzie scold my cellmate like a child and started to question her sanity when she began to ask irrelevant questions about her morning routine.

“Ok, good … now go make your bed and clean your room.” She said turning back towards me, “And when I come back, it better be spotless.”

What. The. Heck.

“But—”

McKenzie held her pointer finger up, “I don't even want to hear it.”

Whatever tone McKenzie had in her voice definitely shut up my cellmate because she actually stopped talking and started to clean her cell.

She rolled her eyes when she approached me, “Ugh, teenagers. Am I right?”

I stared at her like she was a stranger and tried to make words into sentences but she had me so confused I couldn't figure out how to function. “Berlin? Could you let me in Amora's cell, please?”

I just continued to stare at McKenzie flabbergasted. I was trying to make sense of everything that just happened but always came up short.

What I did know, was, I really liked it.

There was so much confidence and sass the way she carried herself with that stranger. I was lost in so much thought that I hadn't even become aware of my surroundings when McKenzie spoke, “Amora … ?”

I shook my “head, “Yes?”

“You have something on your shirt.” She said worriedly.

I freaked out and held my arms out as I searched my clothing, “Oh my God, what is it?”

McKenzie quickly wrapped her arms around my waist, “Me!” she said giggling.

I deflated in relief as I hugged her back, “Don't scare me like that.”

She stepped back as we released each other, “Well, it's nice to see you too.” She said as she began to walk around my cell.

I studied her as she went around running her finger over areas that could collect in dust.

I started to follow her, questioning, “Have you gotten into anything back at the shelter?” She shook no, “Had any run-ins with the locals?”

She turned to me, “No, so what's with the interrogation?” She cringed, “And the whole wardrobe?”

“My father requested the clothing.”

McKenzie tucked her hair behind her ear, “Yikes.”

She started for my bed, but I stopped her from advancing because this certainly wasn't the McKenzie I knew. Sure it was still her physically and maybe some personality traits passed through but the whole thing with my cellmate had me scratching my head.

After I held her shoulder, I walked in front of her and stumbled back to the mattress when I saw her eyes glowing.

She gasped as her eyes dulled and immediately buckled at the knees. I stood quickly to keep her upright as I brought her to the bed.

“Are you ok?”

Her voice trembled, “I-I'm fine.”

I watched as her eyes occasionally side glanced at my cellmate and I turned to see what McKenzie was looking at. I saw nothing but the woman that was once cleaning because of McKenzie's demands now sleeping soundly in her bed.

McKenzie stood, “I need to go.”

I stood along with her, “But you just got here.”

“I'm just not feeling the greatest.” She said holding her stomach.

I nodded, helping her to the door, “Was it something you ate?”

She shrugged, “Probably.”

I yelled for Berlin and she immediately arrived with a look of worry, “Did something happen?” she wondered.

“I'm not sure.”

McKenzie tapped my arm, “I'll be fine. It's just a minor hiccup. By tomorrow I'll be myself, ok?”

I didn't want to leave McKenzie in the hands of someone who wasn't me, but I ultimately knew if it was something serious, I couldn't help her from a jail cell.

Berlin stripped McKenzie from my arms and I stood blankly staring ahead wishing I wasn't down here.

I needed to help her because this was all my fault and right now, I was the least helpful person here.

“I'll take care of her. Please get some rest.” Berlin reassured.

I nodded once and quickly wiped my eyes, “Ya, Ok.”

I watched silently as the two walked back up the stairs, but not before McKenzie tried to give me a smile to inform me that she indeed would be okay.

I guess the only ticket out of here was to play by the rules and if that meant tolerating my father, I was willing to oblige.

So as I was getting ready for bed, I heard my cellmate speak, “She will be fine, trust me.”

I side glanced at her as I got comfortable in my “bed, “And why should I?”

“Because she knows who I am.”

I was rudely woken up to Thor licking my face and some seriously unpleasant noises to my side.

When I groggily moved Thor away from my face, I turned to see Stacy sleeping with her mouth open.

I cringed, whispering, “So gross.” And pushed myself out of bed.

Sitting up, I spoke, “Not how I wanted to start my day … thanks Stacy,” I groaned as I shuffled across the floor to freshen up for the day. Sometimes I wished I didn't have a strict attire to wear because it was much harder to impress Amora wearing a pantsuit every day.

Although, if Ellen DeGeneres could do it, so could I.

As soon as I dressed myself accordingly, I addressed Stacy, “I'm going to the shelter. I'll see your lazy ass in a bit.”

Stacy replied, “Whatev’s, b*tch.”

With that said, I headed towards the main corridors to help Berlin at the shelter. As I was leaving, Amora's mom called for me, so I shut the door I once opened and backtracked to the kitchen.

I peeked around the wall, “Yes, ma’am?”

The petite brunette had her back to me as she was fixing something at the counter. When she turned around, I noticed her facial features and couldn't help but note where Amora got her good looks from. Her mom seriously didn't look a day over thirty and come to think of it, as much as I hate to say it, her dad too. It was like a family straight from the gods that had people like me looking like a ham.

She smiled, “Please, take a seat.”

Of course, I obliged and found myself a seat, “Have I overstepped my boundaries here, Mrs. Vixen?”

She waved me off, “Don't be silly. And please call me Celestia.”

I nodded once, “Ok, Celestia. What is this all about?”

I watched as Celestia graciously walked over to the table with a plate of gelatin, or so I thought. As soon as she rounded the center island, she hit her hip on the countertop and sent her and the plate crashing to the floor.

I immediately got up to help her. I knelt next to her and made damn sure I didn't step anywhere near that slippery gelatin, I learned my lesson.

As I was sitting her up, I questioned, “Are you okay?”

She nodded, “Now I know what it feels like to be shot.”

Celestia hummed, “Well she is my daughter.”

We laughed as I recalled the day Amora was in my tree, how she fell backwards or any day she caught me in my room half-naked as she failed to exit. Amora's mom, Celestia, it makes me feel a lot better knowing Amora had more of her traits than her father.

“Oh my God, Celestia!” Stacy said running up to us with Thor in her arms, “What happened?” She asked.

“I'm fine, thanks to this young lady … uh … Oh I do apologize, what did you say your name was, dear?” she looked at me sorrowfully.

I smiled, “McKenzie.”

“What a lovely name.” She smiled back.

Stacy set Thor down and helped me lift Celestia to her feet then Stacy spoke, “As much as I'd like to stay and help with breakfast, McKenzie and I volunteered to help Berlin at the shelter until Fayette and Perry got back.”

I started to pick up the broken plate pieces as Stacy spoke with Celestia. I felt bad leaving her alone again, but since my newfound daughter, Willow and Fayette have been targeted, I knew I had to do whatever I could to help.

I finished picking up the mess from the plate because Thor had my back and his daily intake of food since he ate everything that fell, which was a lot.

Maybe even too much for a dachshund.

But he was happy and so was I.

As we were leaving, Celestia called out, “Ladies?”

Stacy and I turned around, I asked, “Yes Celestia?”

“My daughter is lucky to have you in her life as well as mine.” She looked down, “Please keep her on the right path for she is troubled.”

I looked at Stacy as she glanced at me, then back to Celestia. We nodded, “Absolutely.”