Page 71 of The Lost Ones

“Erm thanks.” I say sensing she wants acknowledgement for her help.

To my utter surprise she nods.

“What’s happening?” Erin asks her eyes wide.

“I have no fucking idea, she’s not a normal fox.” I reply not taking my eyes of the little creature. “Did you guys learn anything about this at the academy?” I ask.

They all seem to think about it for a moment before, Jett answers.

“I don’t remember anything but we’re only first years, so we haven’t got nearly all the knowledge that the upper years have.”

I raise my eyebrow in question, what are first years doing mixed up in this? Sensing my questions Damon speaks up.

“Like we said before it was only supposed to be a surveillance mission with a very low threat level.” He shrugs, “it would normally be sixth years or graduated agents that would get a case like this. All the students are eighteen and above so all legal adults, they make us sign a waiver before we’re allowed to attend.”

I nod in understanding before concentrating back on twisting the hair grip in a way that means I’ll be able to unlock the cuffs. I’ve just gotten it twisted into the right configuration when Erin speaks up.

“Why are you so . . .” She struggles to find the right word, “blank.”

“I buried my emotions. Created a kind of barrier around them when I realised there would be no way to get out of the torture they planned. I buried them so deep and with a barrier so thick, that I can’t seem to bring them back like I usually can.” I state simply.

“Tortured you?” Jett questions an underlying fury in his tone.

“What did they do Sage?” Erin asks softly.

“Whipped me with a metal tipped whip. Nothing they haven’t done before.” I state.

Erin gasps in shock as several curses ring out around us.

“You seem fine though?” Dash questions and Damon smacks him on the back of the head.

“I locked the pain in with my emotions, I know it hurts like a bitch but it’s not distracting enough that it will stop me from fighting or moving properly.”

I focus back on working the hair pin into the lock and twist it exactly right. Finally, it clicks, and I gently pull my arms in front of me. Ever so gently I roll my shoulders grimacing at the slight pain that manages to break through the barrier. Hopefully, that means I’ll be able to get the barrier down soon, I’m not sure it’s healthy to be disconnected from my emotions for this length of time.

Before I can stand up to help the others the fox climbs up onto my lap and puts her front paws on my chest, bringing her head eye level with me, she looks into my eyes. I have the overwhelming feeling that she sees far more than she should be able to. I feel a nudge at the barrier surrounding my emotions and the fox pulls a face that can only be described as a foxy frown then nuzzles my cheek and steps off of my lap.

Shaking of the weird moment and the certainty, that the nudge I felt to the barrier, was from the fox, I get up and go over to the others unlocking them one by one. Each of them brings their arms forward, rolling their shoulders that are sure to be stiff after having their arms behind their backs for so long.

“Thanks Sage.” Dash says quietly, contrasting his usual booming demeanour.

“No problem.”

“So, what’s the plan?” Erin asks getting up and stretching out her muscles.

“There are stairs that lead up to the main warehouse, there’s some cover but not much. I didn’t see any guards but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. There should be some kind of vehicle outside that I can hotwire.” I inform them.

I pace the length of the small room we’re trapped in, trying to think of the best course of action.

“She’s following you.” Jett points out.

I look down and sure enough the little fox is following me up and down as I pace.

“Whatever she is, she seems to be connected to you,” he points out before changing the subject to the more pressing concern, “solid plan, we knew we were going to have to fight our way out, are youup to that?” he asks me.

“I can’t really feel it, so yeah I’ll be fine.” I don’t tell them that although I can’t feel it, it doesn’t mean that blood loss won’t be an issue.

“Can you contact your guys and let them know what’s happening?” Erin suggests.