Second Life's Revenge

Chapter 75: Awake

"I...promise," Laura said and watched Erwin kiss the gem on the necklace.

Erwin released the necklace and stood up, dusting his pants. He couldn't express his happiness. He constrained himself from touching her because if not, he'll lose control over himself.

As Erwin was about to walk out of the cave, he heard a person murmuring. It wasn't Laura or the two other guys. When Erwin lowered his head to look at Zeke, he saw Zeke's eyes fluttering and immediately called for the others.

Hearing the soft mumble of Zeke, Erwin walked towards him and waited for another word to be spoken from him. It was a miracle that he awoke. They were just talking about him earlier, and now he's finally awake. 

"Where am I?" Zeke asked, with his vision still unstable.

"You're in a cave right now. Do you know who I am?" Erwin asked.

"I know you the guy with Angelo right?" Zeke answered, pushing himself up but was stopped midway when Erwin forced him to lay back down. "I'm fine, just feeling weak. What about the others?"

"They're alright," Laura said, calmly walking towards Zeke and sat on the ground.

Zeke's mouth was opened when he saw Laura. She seemed different. Instead, she looked thinner, and her face states she hasn't slept a good sleep. Then what about Zeke? He thought. He took a small look around the cave while lying down, but Erwin and Laura were the only ones he saw.

Not until footsteps entered the cave echoing, and J called Laura's name, and Zeke immediately knew the owner of the voice. His eyes averted as the footsteps came slower.

"J! Zeke's awake," Laura said in excitement.

The slow footsteps sounded like a hundred soldiers charging into their enemy, and J was rushed to see him. After all, they have a bond that not all people have. Erwin made way for J to talk to Zeke and signaled Laura to leave them both.

Laura understood and followed Erwin out of the cave, leaving them both alone. Though leaving them alone might have been a bad idea because the tension between them was high. Not until J decided to break it.

"How are you feeling?" J started as he slowly sat on the ground, crossing his legs.

Zeke left J unanswered, and it made J sad. He just wanted to build their relationship back like it used to be before. Though J understood that he would get a cold treatment from Zeke. It was his fault, after all.

"You don't have to answer, but I really am glad that you are finally awake," J slightly lowered his head.

Again Zeke did not answer and left J in the cold. But the truth was he wanted to talk to J, ask him how he is, and how they even survived in that nasty place? Even for him, it was a miracle that he's alive. 

"I just want to apologize for not being able to stay by your side. I was just scared," J said as his voice trembled, remembering his past horrors.

The trembling voice was like a pang to Zeke's chest he was still weak and his throat was dry is why he did not answer earlier. But to bring back the bond between the two Zeke finally decided to accept his apologies. 

"It's alright" Zeke muttered. "I understand that you were scared, but to the point, you left me, it wasn't acceptable."

After hearing Zeke's voice, J was ecstatic, as he hasn't heard for two years. Yes, Zeke and J are siblings. To be exact, they were fraternal twins. They kept it a secret to themselves and never told anyone except Angelo, who knew about it since the beginning.

Angelo took care of the two when they were a kid; however, he brought them to another person as he doubts himself in caring for two mischievous children. That was not the only reason, but it was around that time when Angelo join the organization.

"But because of your actions, you're cursed now," J reminded while Zeke cursed under his breath.

"I would rather be free than to be constrained," Zeke said and added. "Ang those people who saved my life I trust them because they can bring me out of this misery."

"I know that is why this time, I am going with you," J said as his eyes finally met with Zeke's, who looked speechless.

"You're not going to leave me?" Zeke asked as his eyes softened.

"I won't. We're a family after all," J smiled, grabbing the cold hands of Zeke.

Taken aback, Zeke was flustered with the last sentence J said. J didn't want to burden Zeke any longer because the more he did, he felt guilty. After all, there is a saying that goes blood between brothers are inseparable. And J applied that in his life.

The two brothers were abandoned by their parents; however, as they grew up, not once they felt alone. That's because they had each other. Soon later, in their early teens, they were forced to join the organization group Silence. 

Instead, it was a requirement for those who grew up in the underground market, and not one can avoid it. They had to choose their life or work for them. Still, in their early teens, they both didn't know how cruel the world is, and since then, their world turned.

It was just two years ago when Zeke left the organization with a curse, and J continued to work for Silence as an informant. Each day passed, and every single day J regretted not staying by Zeke's side.

"I half forgive you," Zeke said with a smile. 

"Thank you, Zeke. That's enough for me," J softly laughed.

Outside the cave, the three people prepared for supper, and because they were lucky to catch a rabbit, it was going to be a festive night, especially when Zeke is finally awakened. 

While Laura was being worried about nothing. She thought that the two were on bad terms because Zeke did not like it when he saw J. 

"Do you think they're alright?" Laura asked while she crouched.

"For sure they are," Angelo answered, removing the skin of the rabbit. 

Within a minute, J walked out of the cave, and beside him, he walked Zeke, who greeted them with a smile. He paused when he just noticed the color of Laura's hair because she never had her hood, and it was beautiful for him. Somehow he wished to see her hair earlier. 

Black pearl.

Zeke nervously spoke, "I think this might be the first time I'm talking to you without your hood on."

Laura touched her hair and flashed a smile, "I think so too, but this is who I really am."

"I think it's beautiful," Zeke said as his hands reached for the tip of Laura's hair but were stopped by a hand. 

It was nonetheless Erwin Ferguson. Deep down, something boiled in him. He didn't like it when Zeke's hand was about to touch Laura's hair. It was his possession to touch, and none others can touch it. Don't touch her was written all over his face.

"I don't think she'll like it," Erwin said, putting on a fake a smile.

"I don't mind?" Laura cluelessly answered.

"But I do. Here take this," Erwin grumbled and got a number of logs onto Laura's arms. "We need this for the night."

Laura hissed, carrying the heavy logs into the cave. But not did she know that Erwin was just jealous of Zeke. How can she casually talk to another guy like that while she talks to him in a different manner? It was unfair.

Erwin passed Zeke and placed an arm on his shoulder while he said, "Don't touch her how you like."

Zeke shuddered and gave a nervous laugh after Erwin went ahead to what he was doing. He slightly turned his back, looking at Erwin and told himself not to do that again. She's already claimed, and no one else can touch her except for him.

"This is why you shouldn't mess with other people's lover," J sighed as he shook his head.

"I knew they were together but never have I thought he would be so protective about her," Zeke said.

"Just be careful," J reminded as he went to help Angelo for supper.

Holding the heavy logs on her arms, she struggled to see the road ahead of her. Finally, entering the cave, she placed the logs down and was contemplating why Erwin would ask her to do this heavy task while he could do it in her stead.

Her lips slightly raised being relieved that Zeke was awake and for now that is enough.

Now that Zeke's awake, she needs to start thinking about what to do about him. The plan to call Gusion was invalid because for sure he wouldn't be allowed despite knowing how to disguise himself.

Calling Septus is the best choice but how?