Chapter 5: Plans

Back in Zara's POV

"Okay, we're ready. Lead the way Gene," I say. Gene starts his car and starts driving. I start my car and follow. My brothers, Asteria, Aphmau, Max, and Nana are in the car with me.

"Everybody know the plan?" Max asks.

They nod, and I keep following Gene.

After about an hour, Gene stops. I stop behind him and we all get out.

"We ready?" I ask.

Asteria nods and closes her eyes.

"I can't see much," she says. "Zane's looking down at the floor."

I sigh.

"Wait!" she says suddenly. "He's looking up. It's...a basement...someone's talking upstairs..." She holds her hand out, and I understand.

I take her hand and guide her inside, following the group. I see two people- Ivy and Xenix.

I look at Gene. Since nobody knows that Gene's not following Tristan anymore, he was in charge of getting rid of guards.

Gene nods and walks over.

"Brother wants you both right away," he says. The girls nod and walk off.

We all run down the stairs silently. Then I see him.

Zane's tied to a chair, and he's still gagged. he's crying quietly.

I almost call out to him, but then I see someone else. We duck behind some boxes.

Tristan Grimace.

He walks around, messing with buttons and levers. He walks over to Zane and plugs something into the chair. Zane tries to say something, but its incredibly muffled.

"Shut up Ro'maeve!" Tristan shouts. "Your family isn't coming for you! You're worthless!"

Zane starts crying again.

"He's...He believes we don't care," Max whispers.

"What?" I whisper back.

"Long story short, I can read minds," Max whispers quickly. "Zane has one thing going through his head." she closes her eyes.

"Nobody's worried about me. They aren't coming for me. Nobody cares."

I stifle a gasp.

"Now, lets drain your talents," Tristan says. He moves to push a button. Zane cries harder.

I feel my eyes change, and my hand shoots out.

The machine sparks. Tristan jumps back, and the machine turns off.

"What the-" he turns toward Zane. "You did this!"

Zane looks up, shaking his head. Fear is prominent in his eyes.

"Don't lie to me!" Tristan grabs a baseball bat sitting on the floor.

Zane tenses, trying to yell.

"I'll end you here Ro'maeve!" He raises the baseball bat high over Zane's head.

I stand up and come out. I move my hand to the side, and the baseball bat flies away.

Tristan turns, blocking Zane's view.

"You!" He shouts. quickly, he turns and blindfolds Zane.

"Oh, I get it," I say calmly. "It's important that Zane doesn't know I'm here. You want him thinking he's already defeated. You want him vulnerable, so it'll be easier to kill him."

Tristan steps back and unties my brother. Then, he ties Zane's hands behind his back, and holds him still with one hand.

"Let him go!" Garroth shouts. I motion to keep quiet and keep hidden.

<>

In Tristan's free hand, he grabs a gun and presses it against Zane's temple.

"Move towards me, and he gets a bullet through the head. He already had one in his leg, this one'll be deadly."

I move my hand, taking the blindfold off my brother.

Zane doesn't look up. He stares at the floor, defeated.

"Okay Tristan," I say calmly. "Shoot my brother, I don't care."

Zane looks up and sees me. his eyes fill with more tears.

Tristan hesitates.

"You...want me to kill him?" he asks.

"Sure. It's like you said, he's worthless," I say, making a hand gesture.

Tristan smiles.

"Very well," Tristan says. "Would you like to say anything before I shoot him?"

I nod.

I  step forward and stare into Zane's eyes. his blind eye, and his beautiful blue eye.

"Now you know how I really feel, little brother," I say.

Zane cries harder than ever. Tristan smiles.

And pulls the trigger.

Hello my Wolf Pups! Hope you enjoy the cliffhanger. You play detective. From the <> down, there's a clue on whether or not Zane is dedd. Figure it out, and leave your guess in the comments!