Chapter 7

Gabriel narrowed his eyes and brushed the scene away. He could hear the sounds of sirens echoing in his mind, even though the incident had completely disappeared. For some reason, a part of him was swelling with pride. The incident was gruesome, he couldn't deny that, and yet, disgust wasn't the first thing on his mind.

"Sir?"

He turned. His attendant stood by the door. Her shoulders were stiff, her back straight, and her face completely blank as she waited for his response.

"Yes, Nathalie?"

"We have received word that your son has-"

"Yes, I am aware of what happened."

She paused, looking at him with a questioning gaze. "What shall we do about it?"

When he didn't answer, Nathalie took a step forward. "Sir, I realize how much you care about your son, but I think it's time to test his true strength."

He raised an eyebrow and met her gaze. "What makes you say that?"

Nathalie flinched and swallowed as if taken aback by the sudden eye contact. "W-well, he's grown so much in such a short amount of time. You may want to watch your back, especially with Adrien on your trail."

He suddenly sprung to his feet and his desk chair crashed to the floor. "Are you telling me that I can't protect myself from my own son?!"

Nathalie remained still, though her eyes resembled a deer in the headlights. "N-no, Gabriel, sir. Absolutely not."

"Then why are you so concerned about it?" He took a step closer to her, his face barely an inch away from hers. From such a close distance, Gabriel could practically smell the fear lodged in Nathalie's throat.

"Because," she wobbled, "he is getting closer to finding out where-"

"He is doing no such thing," he said firmly, cutting her off. "Adrien has chosen his own path. He left my side a long time ago. He has no reason to track me down."

"But the Chamach's-"

"Are none of my concern."

"But, sir-"

"Nathalie, I order you to get back to your position. We will continue with the plan. Make sure Sabine doesn't go anywhere. Are we clear?"

She nodded. Gabriel took a step back and turned his head back toward his desk. The chair he had toppled over had knocked some files off of his desk, but other than that, no harm had been done to his belongings. After putting everything back in order, he looked over at Nathalie. She had not moved.

"Was there something else you wanted to tell me, Nathalie?"

After a moment of gathering her courage, she looked up to meet his eyes. "Why are we keeping her ransom, sir?"

"Who, Sabine?"

She nodded.

The corner of his mouth lifted. "That is a very complicated answer, Nathalie, but I'll give you the simplified version." He sat in his desk chair and swiveled to face her. His evil smirk only grew when Nathalie shifted her feet uncomfortably as she waited. The shadows from the window cast elegantly across his face. After a long, thoughtful pause, Gabriel finally spoke.

"She's the perfect bait."

* * *

Marinette's experience so far had been one of torture, intrigue, and all around confusion. She had stumbled around like a lost, drunk homeless man. Figuring out the layout of the Institute on top of getting used to seeing Chloe around almost every corner was starting to pull on her patience. Not to mention the tall, gorgeous blonde boy guiding her through the hallways.

Adrien had been stone cold since leaving Master Fu in the library. He stared straight ahead, spoke only when needed, and rarely pulled his hands out of his jean's pockets.

It was starting to grate on her nerves. She had tried to engage with him a couple times, but never once did he answer her unnecessary questions. It was like he had completely shut himself away from the world. Was it his way of protecting himself? Was he hurting?

Finally, as they were climbing up another stairway, Marinette stopped on the second step and folded her arms.

"Okay, that's enough brooding. What's wrong, Adrien?"

He stopped a few steps above her. Slowly, he turned and gave her a narrow glare down his nose.

"Why would you care?"

"Because. Isn't this what friends do for each other?"

His eyebrows knit together. "Friends?"

Marinette raised her eyebrows and opened her hand like 'Duh?'.

Adrien let out a long breath, shaking his head and turning his back to her. "We aren't friends, Princess."

Now it was Marinette's turn to narrow her eyes. "Okay then, what do you call this between us?"

"Is there anything to you?"

Marinette dropped her arms and looked him up and down. Was there anything? She had only met him a couple days prior, after all. He had murdered someone in front of her very eyes. Was that the type of friend she wanted to have?

"First off," she said, her voice hard, "you're not making the process any easier, and second, yes. I think of you as a friend. Or would you prefer the term 'buddy'?" When she only got a glare in response, she sighed. "You need a friend. Everyone does."

He scoffed. "So, what? Are Chloe and Juleka not friends?"

"That's not what I'm saying." Marinette let out a frustrated huff. "Fine, maybe you're right. Maybe there isn't anything between us. But I hope you know that I won't stop until I find my mom."

Adrien rolled his eyes and turned away from her. "Oh please. Is there anything else that you talk about?"

Marinette's jaw dropped. Then, from the very root of her being, she flared in anger. She climbed the stairs and forcibly turned Adrien around. He met her gaze just as she punched him in the face. He stumbled back, his foot missing the stair. With wide, panicked eyes, he tumbled all the way to the bottom of the stairs.

CRASH!

Marinette folded her arms, smugly smiling down at the blonde lump that was sprawled at the bottom of the stairs.

"For the record," she called out, "I can throw a mean punch."

After gaining his bearings, Adrien pulled himself up into a sitting position. He looked up at Marinette. Instead of fury, she had been expecting, she saw fear. Pure, unwavering fear. His green eyes were almost laced with tears as he stared up at her.

All of the smugness drained out of Marinette. She watched as he tore his gaze away from her. The moment was gone.

For as hard as he was, she was always taken aback by how much emotion his green orbs revealed. While the rest of his body was tense as he pulled himself to his feet, Marinette knew he wouldn't look her in the eye again. He must have known his facade had cracked, right?

"For the record," Adrien said, his voice tight, "I don't think I deserved it."

Marinette was stunned. He kept his head down as he climbed the stairs. His shoulders were slumped, his hands stuffed in his pockets. He walked past her without any acknowledgment of her existence other than mumbling "Let's go".

Standing frozen, she watched as Adrien reached the top of the stairs and walked down the hallway. She blinked a couple times before, reluctantly, she followed him.

He showed her a couple more locations, but if she were to look back, she'd realize that she wouldn't remember a single one of them. All she would remember were the scared eyes of a blonde-haired, green-eyed boy. And realize it was her fault.

She had been the one who had broken the shell.

* * *

"Have you talked to the boy yet?"

Mrs. Chamach huffed and tossed her keys onto the kitchen counter. They slid through the sparkling moonlight and hit the backwash. "Of course not." She looked at the old man sitting cross-legged in the center of the kitchen island.

Master Fu nodded and took a small sip of his tea. "I am glad to hear it."

Nadja folded her arms. "Are you trying to tell me that he's locked himself in his room again?"

The corner of Master Fu's lips quirked, like he wanted to smile, but was holding back. "Why, yes actually. How did you guess?"

Nadja let out an exasperated sigh. "What happened this time?"

He shrugged. "I am in the dark just as much as you."

"Have you talked to him?"

Master Fu shook his head.

"Are you trying to tell me that I need to talk to him?"

This time, his smile blossomed from corner to corner. "Why, yes. You are quite good at this game, aren't you?"

Nadja's shoulders dropped. "I don't think this would be the best time to talk to him. Besides, I've received word from the Council."

At this, Master Fu's eyebrows peaked. He set down his tea. "What are they concerned about this time?"

"Turns out the Akumas have rallied together and are starting to attack safehouses. They want us to send out our best hunters on a scouting mission in the morning."

Master Fu's lips pressed together as he concentrated. "That is a valid concern."

Nadja headed for the door. "I'm going to take Juleka and Adrien on the mission. Chloe can stay here with the new girl."

"That reminds me." Master Fu turned on the counter and caught Nadja's eye. "Have you met Marinette?"

"The new girl?" She shook her head. "No, I haven't."

"You should. I'm sure you'll be surprised by what you see." Master Fu took a long sip of his tea.

Nadja scrunched her nose and was about to say something, but thought better of it. She gave a single nod as a response instead. She left the kitchen, the door swinging shut behind her.

Master Fu let out a long breath. He set his down on the counter and closed his eyes. Silence filled the room until the only thing Master Fu heard was the ringing in his own ears.

"Wayzz."

A whooshing brushed past his ear.

"Yes, Master?"

"The darkness is descending. Has any progress been made?"

"Yes, Master. Tikki has finally chosen."

"Good... That bodes well for us."

The old man opened his eyes to look at the small, green turtle kwami that was floating in front of him. Wayzz ducked his head.

"I want to apologize for her slow choosing, Master."

Master Fu shook his head. "No, such an important choice should take time. She has been deactivated for many years, laying in wait until the proper holder could arise."

Wayzz bowed. "With all due respect, Master, I want to express my worries. What if it is too late?"

The old man sighed, his shoulders drooping. "For now, all we can hope for is that Tikki's choice is willing to accept their role."

The kwami rested on Master Fu's knee. The old man brushed a finger down the back of Wayzz's head. The two of them sat in the cold, moonlit kitchen, listening to the night's silence.

A peaceful ending to a chaotic day.

---

Mmm, yes... Trouble is a-brewing.

First off, I want to thank you for being patient with me. I know that I haven't posted a lot recently and I also know that my excuses just aren't going to cut it anymore. So, I am trying to write more and finish up these awesome fanfictions!

Also, side note, it's so weird to think that I've been on Wattpad for almost 5 years now. That's, like, legitimately insane. I only have a couple more months left until that truly is the case (May 22nd is the magical day!).

Thanks again for sticking with me, and let's get to the interesting stuff of my end cards.

Favorite Comment: keylearner8001

I seriously couldn't stop reading this story it's just sooooo good! I can't wait for more!

Aw, thanks! Thanks for reading, and, PS, your comment helped inspire this chapter! So thank YOU!

And, as always, have a Miraculous day!