Nameless

Chapter 11 - Mystery behind a hoodie

Quite a while had passed since the kidnapping of Alexis. Up in his room, Constantine was trying, and indeed succeeding in ignoring the two men that were now changing the shattered door. It wasn't hard for him to do so; all he really had to do was remember what his father, the family head, said twenty minutes ago. Remembering those simple words, yet so sharp they pierced right through his heart was making him steam, boil in anger. Vladimir, who was looking over some papers at the table in the room, also trying his best, but he was more focused on deciphering the confusing handwriting that made up the reports gathered after the surprise fight. Reading the sentences written in haste, his main goal was not to understand them, but do his best in avoiding Constantine's gaze. It wasn't his desire to stick around his friend right now but he was left with no choice when Constantine himself ordered Vladimir to accompany him and stand by his side. The young noble was pacing left to right and back again, deep in thought. Arms crossed he tried to find a small opening in his fathers orders. The Elder had forbidden him to initiate a search and rescue in order to get his precious Alexis back. Instead he received the order of attending a ball the very next day. It was the last thing he wanted, to conform and go to an aristocratic party. However one thought didn't leave him alone. Why was it that his father so desperately wanted his son to go to a ball set up for no known reason. It was strange or so he thought.

And indeed, seeing himself and his friends in the majestic hall the thought his father was up to something still made him wonder. But his attention was still on Alexis' situation and on the fact there was a vacant spot in the team of five he grew up with.

Back with Arlena, the room gave off a new rather warm feeling for Alexis. Without all the men there she felt more at ease. A sense of quiet and serene embraced her as both girls stood there, each reading their own dusty books. Page by page Alexis fell more into the story, one about vampires and werewolves, one of betrayal and secrets.

“Do you like the story so far?” the golden haired girl inquiered.

Alexis nodded.

“It's something else. I can't remember ever reading something similar, but then again I can't remember much anyway” she said with a sorrowful smile on her young tender lips.

The two were soon after this interrupted but the cracking on a door opening. Arlena's eyes shot to the door. Slowly the door opened wide to reveal a figure wearing a black hoodie which covered the down leaning face and a pair of dark grayish-blue jeans. Long black hair rested on the chest falling from behind the hood, with strands of all sizes, the longest being all the way to knee. By the constitution of the body Alexis could easily tell it was a man. That thought alone startled her at first making her withdraw into a ball like position on the couch close to Arlena. She wondered what the face was behind those broad shoulders and considerable height. Arlena turned and placed her hand on the girls thigh.

“He's a friend Alexis. Fear not.”

All that was needed were those words spoken on exactly that warm tone and free of all bad intentions. In an instant, Alexis smiled back and relaxed, but only a little bit. What followed was an exchange of words between the two: Arlena and the unknown man.
  
“I was sent to check up on the two of you.” a raspy masculine voice spoke from the shading of the hood. Alexis could still not see his face, not even his eyes. The voice made her feel so secure and there was something about it that drew her in. She found herself not wondering but wanting to know the identity of the man.

“We're fine as you can see. Just reading. Is there any change in Damian's mood?”

“Nope.”

After that a weird moment of silence followed but Alexis didn't really mind it as she was lost in her own thoughts about how the man could look and who he was. It was soon broken by the man speaking once more.

“Arlena...thank you...for the boxes. I go through them rather quickly and you always have spares for me.”

Once his words reached the blond girl she averted her eyes feeling the blood rush to her cheeks, making her blush.

“You're...welcome” she said looking down in her book. Seeing all this a weird sentiment took over Alexis. She shook it off the moment the man said he would take his leave. As soon as the door behind him closed Alexis looked up at her new found friend as a lot of questions rushed through her mind.

“All in due time.” Arlena said as the blush on her face was still visible. It was like she knew Alexis would started questioning her. Considering the girls words there was no way she could start asking questions now. Instead she buried her face into the pages of the old book once again.

–

Leaving the two girls alone and walking down a narrow corridor the hooded man was heading towards the room where everyone else was. As soon as he entered everyone set eyes on him, except for one, and it was that one person that asked.

“How are they?”

The man retreated to a dark corner and shoved his hands into his hoods pockets looking towards the ground. He was indeed a mysterious one.

“They're fine.” he started. “Arlena doesn't seem thrilled about her having to babysit, but then again they were both reading so I guess she is content being able to bury herself in her books. Alexis is alright as well. They seem to get along, but I don't think “your girl” likes having men around her. The sight of me as I am now made her skip a beat in a bad way.” he said on a calm voice.

“I see...” the other said while turning to the window. “Thank you.”

“Yeah...No problem.”