Natalia whacked Nate over the back of the head.He yelped, then rubbed the back of his head.
“We’re not here for that.You know how Nate is.He’s an idiot,” she said.
Zane smirked while Nate gave his sister a hurt look that was ignored.
“You have to know what’s happening.Mutants are disappearing daily.Where do you think they’re going?”Natalia asked the question that Zane refused to even acknowledge.“Villains are attacking in numbers the world hasn’t seen since Rebirth and we all know it’s them.They’re back.”
Nate looked like he was ready to explode with rage.Natalia was clearly on edge, her senses on full alert, while Zane, well, he obviously wasn’t any better.
“They’re going after everyone.Nate and I have already been attacked,” she added.
Zane bit into his lip.His fingers dug into his arms so that his nails made crescent shapes in the skin.The thought that they had already been attacked put him on edge.He hadn’t even heard about it.More importantly, he wasn’t there to help.Not that they really needed it, but part of Zane wanted to make up for the past.
Natalia stepped forward hesitantly, slowly.Zane didn’t make any move to back away.Natalia pressed her hand against Zane’s arm, squeezing comfortingly as she said, “They are going to do whatever it takes to get you, too.You know they will and your friend outside…”
Zane froze, his heart jumping into his throat.
“They will go after him to hurt you,” she continued.“They’ll go after Chris.Anyone in your life of value, they’ll use them against you.Rebirth has always played dirty.They’re pissed that their plans were put on hold for so long that you know they are going to hit far harder than they ever had before.”
“You’re in more danger than the rest of us,” Nate said, earning the gaze of his sister and Zane.He wasn’t being snarky, for once, simply speaking with actual concern.“Law won’t waste his resources on us.He’ll give up in time, but he’ll never stop hunting you.”
“I know.”Zane desperately wished for his mediocre life back.Maybe it was never there to begin with.Merely a lie he told himself.
Natalia backed away, frowning.“What do you plan to do, then?”
“Nothing,” Zane responded, which seemed to bug the twins, who gave him a disbelieving look.“There’s no use hiding or running.Rebirth has eyes everywhere.”
“But that doesn’t mean you sit around and wait for them to attack.There are civilians all around you,” Nate hissed, gesturing to the door.“And what about that boyfriend of yours?”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Sure, whatever, he’s a friend, at least.He’s in danger because he’s associated with you.Are you going to put his life at risk because you’re too lazy to do anything?”
Natalia glared at her brother.Nate fixated on Zane with a fire in his eyes.“For once in your life, stand up for something.Come with us.You could honestly help if you got off your ass.”
Natalia spoke calmly, “You can’t do this on your own, even you can be taken down with enough force.For your sake and those around you, let us take them into custody until this blows over.Come with us, help us find and defeat Rebirth once and for all.”
“No.”Zane didn’t even consider it.The thought sent a shiver down his spine as his mind replayed every event of his past that proved… “I’m not a hero.”
“No argument there,” Nate spat.“Whatever, that kid’s life is yet another death on your hands.Let’s go, Natalia, he’s a waste of time.We shouldn’t have even bothered.”
“Nate,” she huffed, glancing between him and Zane.He kept his solemn expression on the floor, shoulders slumped forward and brows furrowed.
“If you need us, please don’t hesitate to call.”Digging into her pocket, she offered Zane their number.He wouldn’t take it, so she shoved the paper in his pocket, then patted his arm and headed for the door.
However, Nate didn’t leave.He faced Zane, lips pressed into a thin line and brows knitted.He spoke in a chilled whisper, “There was a time you wouldn’t hesitate to help those who needed it.I was far more than proud to call you a friend, my brother even, but what a disappointment you’ve become, Fear.”
With that, they left.The name rang in Zane’s head.A constant reminder that no matter what he did, he would never escape his past or the nightmares.
CHAPTER 15
NataliaandNatesteppedout of Zane’s apartment.Bailey perked up.They weren’t as long as he suspected, although that was equally worrisome.
Nate frowned.Natalia rubbed her tired eyes.Their expressions worsened his concern.Nate took notice of Bailey and scowled.He may have been a tad shorter than Bailey but was built beneath that hoodie.It made him appear intimidating.Then again, to Bailey most people were intimidating.He wasn’t exactly a fighter, more like a tall punching bag.
“Do yourself a favor and stay away from Zane,” Nate said.
“Why would I do that?”Bailey asked, wondering when he arrived in a cheesy sitcom.
