Leave The Monster Alone

"Finally, home sweet home. I'm so glad to be back here" Jess exclaimed for the whole group. Her excitement could be felt in her bones and her smile which was stretched wide across her face at that moment.

As for Mark? It was not such a happy moment for someone like him who knew what was going to happen in the future. 

"Hey Rika, I remember that you were not supposed to come with us at the start? How did you convince the other person to back down?" Had Mark asked this question before? Or had he taken it all for granted at the moment?

Mark would not be surprised even if he did since he had a habit of pushing things back. It was extremely useful in situations he wanted to avoid things but not so good in the longer run.

The rest of the party was celebrating but Mark's focus shifted to the image of white at the corner of the site. Zeno subordinate, Shiro was there. She was keeping an eye on him as soon as he came back.

"Oh, talking about Zeno? He's generally a quiet kid even if he is mostly out of it and talks funny. Anyway, I just mixed something in his food which made him physically unable to wake up on time'' this was not what she told him last time.

What happened to 'we just had a small talk?' Did Rika even have the other's consent in all this?

Since Shiro was here Mark knew he had to prioritise the rebellion party or it would get suspicious.

"Let's go and report inside right now" Jess was the one who took charge. She was not the leader but it was in her nature to take charge like this and she felt good when she did so. Still, it was not until she was in the foreign company did this happen.

It was her defence mechanism, to appear cheerful and not to let the others see her real self. She was hiding but if it helped her then no one would say anything.

"You all go, I'm beat so I'll go back to my room. Kuro, you want to come with me or go with them all?" Mark asked, faking a yawn to show just how tired he was. The one that came out was real enough that even he was surprised.

His body was telling him that he was tired and should get some rest. Mark should follow his own advice. Just after he had contacted Zeno and the resistance. After all, he needed to have something for Liam as well.

"I'm tired as well. Can I join you?" Alan asked which was another surprise. But maybe it should not have been because Alan gave the barest of glances at Shiro's direction before turning back to Mark.

The girl had decided to hide as soon as Mark and the company had come closer but Mark could make out what Alan was asking of him. Should he be mean then?

"If you have to go then go but don't make us late. Alan, I expect you in my room in the evening" and Alan was not the only one who caught onto it. Even Luna had caught into the fact that it was a rebellion thing.

He messaged a small 'Rebellion?' to Mark who nodded. The lines on Luna's face got tense and his face looked not happy but he did not protest.

It was as close to an agreement Mark was going to get from Luna in front of the company.

"Let's go, Alan. I'm beat" the teen followed after him in Shiro's direction. They ducked behind the wall as soon as they were far enough and Mark took a light look at his situation.

"It's all clear. There is no one who followed us" Alan informed Mark who already knew. He could not feel anyone particularly well except Shiro who looked a little annoyed at him. She was not used to waiting.

"You can come out now Shiro, we both saw you. He's a possible ally to our rebellion, someone like you and Zeno" Mark tried reassuring her but she did not appear. It was likely she did not believe him at all.

Well, too bad for her, Mark could feel her mind and her confusion. He gestured to Kuro and she jumped into the hiding space.

A shadow dashed away from her, leaving behind a small glowing cocoon that exploded as soon as Kuro made contact. There was no smoke and Kuro looked generally unhurt, just annoyed.

Her loud growl cut through the air and she was after the shadow.

Shiro ducked the paw reaching for her, her small and flexible body keeping itself out of its reach. Kuro was plying with the other and so was Shiro. It was a game of a deadline tango.

"It's getting ridiculous. Alan, do something" generally Mark would have found this chase to be fun and engaging but he was tired and he had to put up with idiots and it was just too much for him alone.

"Why me?" Alan asked but he got to work. His bow was drawn and he shot the female who had a difficult time dodging. Alan had also not shot seriously at her since they did not want to harm her.

It was both - a warning as well as a sign to show her that Alan was in the same boat as her. 

As soon as the arrow flew past her, Shiro stopped being stubborn. Her hair were still in perfect alignment and her purple eyes were shining with curiosity.

"So it is like this. I understand now. He can follow us inside" she was calm on the outside but she was seething on the inside. She was not sure what Mark did to gain this person's trust but it must have been manipulation.

She might have looked all well and good on the surface but she was setting on the inside. That kitten of his was already a problem for Shiro but this new ally was an even bigger problem in her road to give Mark a painful end.

He was likely stronger than her right now and she could feel the oppressing aura that was starting to build up inside the teen. She was sure that he was just another victim of Mark as well, just like her family.

But unlike her who had seen the reality, the other was still kept painfully oblivious to everything. Mark was a cunning person who had merely learned how to use the situation to his advantage.

But Rika had started her plan already and she knew she could get the teen to get another side. Zeno had already started doubting Mark already based on her subtle hinting. Then the other had left Zeno behind which presented a perfect opportunity for her to sow the seed.

Now the other was distrusting Mark but had agreed to not outright say anything but he would not jump if Mark said it now. He was still a child at heart but he was learning that scars hurt and it was better to avoid them.

"I'm glad that you do. How is Zeno and everyone else doing?" Mark could not help but ask this question because that was the only way he could think of to break the ice that had descended over them. 

"Planning. We are very near to the ned of our suffering so everyone is really excited. Not that you would know anyway, with being out and all" that was a personal jab at him but Mark did not mind. It was not sharp at all.

Still, he felt as if the female was indicating it not at them but at Alan which was weird. Did she want to tell him something? Then why not come out and say it aloud? Why play such tricks at all?

"You guys really work fast, don't you? Do you plan this all yourself or is there an external force behind all this?" the female's eyes sharpened all of a sudden and the air around her tensed.

She was suspicious of this teen Mark had brought but she did not want to say anything. 

This teen was like her and Zeno in a way but also different, more complete and more dangerous. He was someone she wanted to bow to and that was not what she wanted herself.

Her instincts did not want to mess with him, releasing that this was someone superior to her in nature.

"Can we just go inside? I have things to ask Zeno right now and I also need to get Alan introduced" Alan? She vaguely recognised that name. Someone's brother who was important.

So this was a big shot which was very good for their plan. He could get them the final piece of information that Mark might not be able to. She would also get time to start working at him.

Hopefully.

"Let's go then. Zeno has had enough of waiting" now she had even more workload.