Chapter 325: The center can’t be everyone’s nightmare
Kellen was doing his best to remain calm.
It had nothing to do with what he was about to do after he finished his classes. It had nothing to do with the fact that he’d been shot outside of this building, twice, and it had nothing to do with the fact that his Dad had bled almost to death a few steps from the door.
He’d also been in the building since, but he’d been able to convince himself he wasn’t actually ’in that part’ of the building. But now, he was coming here willingly, and it wasn’t for his benefit this time. It was for Charlie.
It didn’t seem to matter, as Kellen’s hands were sweaty, he knew his pulse was racing, and he was glancing around nervously.
He normally would have complained that the Rhys had come along after he’d asked for Hill specifically, but this time? He was very grateful that the man had come. He might have even known that Kellen was going to have this kind of reaction.
He’d even used the excuse that he could be the getaway driver, when they hadn’t even driven here and instead had done that jumping thing that they had done last time to get to the Center.
Charlie was excited, his gaze big and wondering. He reminded Kellen of the children he had seen getting tested the first time he’d come in for a retest with the Guild. The first time since he’d been in the building since he’d had his last retest before he went to the front lines.
Kellen could feel how damp his skin had grown all over his body as they walked under the giant chandelier, and Rhys, smiling still, tossed his arm around Kellen’s shoulder, pulling him close. Hill had a close eye on Charlie, and after all, they were just here to witness everything that happened.
"How are you doing?" Rhys whispered into Kellen’s ear as they watched over Charlie chatting away to Hill. Hill, knowing Kellen’s history with the Center, was doing a great job distracting the younger Guide.
"I’m fine." Kellen told him, his body tense, his hands so sweaty he was begging that Rhys didn’t even think about grabbing them. He couldn’t even see who was at the front desk waiting for them clearly.
Rhys had called in a favour, and Lieutenant Fisher had waved it off, saying that a test for a Guide was nothing compared to the dangers that Kellen and the Saturn Guild had gone through for the D.E.C. His response alone told them about the differences that would happen when he took over for Uncle Tom.