Studying Us

Your birthday was coming up and I had been working on your surprise gift for a while now. You knew I played the guitar but you didn't know I could also play the piano. I couldn't wait to show you your song but I would have to sneak you out of your room to show you.

The day of the Christmas show came and you were sore from Vance's workout which would've been considered a warm up for us, the guardians. I carried you to your room on my back.

When we first got to Earth, we spoke a different language. It took a while for us to learn English and couple of other languages but we had learned it. When Abe built the school, he wanted everyone to know about Earth's holidays and traditions so if we decided to leave we wouldn't be totally clueless but he had still wanted us to know about our home planet. He didn't want us to truly forget where we came from.

The ships we came in were in a secret location, hidden by the government. They didn't want anyone to know about the "aliens" who harbored them. Abe let them take the ships without any problems.

So, the Christmas show was something Abe wanted to do every year because we didn't celebrate it on our planet.

After the show was over with, I carried you back to your room and prepared myself for the day, your birthday. Ramadi still hadn't said anything. He was silent and that was never a good thing.

I was walking around the school, on duty, when I had this feeling something was happening. I glanced at my watch and realized it was midnight. I didn't waste a second after that. I ran to your balcony and climbed it.

I saw you on your hands and knees, struggling to breathe. I got down beside you and brought you to me. There was much I could do for you. I told you it would be alright and it would pass soon. When it did, you coughed and sucked in air.

You looked at me and asked why had happened. I explained the transformation to you. It unleashed your full powers.

"Did everyone go through this?" You asked.

"More or less."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"It means not everyone went through it. Jarlyn and Zarana it didn't happen to them but it went on to the next seer and siren."

"So it pretty much skips around."

I nodded. "Pretty much." I studied you, carefully. "Are you going to be alright?"

"Yeah I will be." You told me, standing up. I did the same.

I frowned when James' voice filled my earpiece.

"Hayes, I think I saw something. Guardian Lynn said not to approach it but-"

"Okay. I'm on my way."

I hoped he stayed where he was. James graduated this year. He could hold his own fairly well but he still was a rookie and I didn't want him to hurt himself.

I looked at you. "I can't stay I have to go."

"It's fine. Go."

You were about to crawl into your bed when I spun you around. There was hardly any space between us. I smirked, slightly.

I pulled you into a kiss. "Happy Birthday, Boo." I muttered against your lips.

You smiled.

Just as I was about to say something, James asked if I was coming or not. I rolled my eyes and groaned.

"I'm coming!" I told him.

"You better get going before I get you trouble."

"If you're the reason why I'm getting in trouble, I don't care."

I kissed you one last time before leaving. I walked over to where James was to help him. I turned out to nothing but an animal.

Some hours later, I arrived to your room dorm. I couldn't stop the smiling from appearing on my face. I was excited to show you your song.

"What?" You asked, noticing my smile.

I shook my head. "Nothing."

"Oh there's something. What did you do?"

"You're going to have to wait and find out." I grinned.

You pouted. "No fair."

You saw Lily up ahead and you ran up to her. You told her 'Happy Birthday' and asked her about her transformation. She told you it was hell and she felt like she was burning alive.

Throughout the day, everyone wished you and Lily a 'Happy Birthday'. Except Vance. He gave you two birthday swats. On the way to your room, you kept pestering me.

"Are you going to tell me what you did now?"

I grinned. "Nope. Not yet."

"Then when?"

"Soon." I promised.

"Why look at you." Lou said when I came back to pick you up. "It feels like I haven't seen you in ages."

"Hi Lou." I said giving her hug.

I looked at you and I didn't stop looking. You grinned. You had on this red dress and your hair was straightened. You looked better. Well better than this morning.

"You look beautiful, Millie."

"Don't I always?" You joked.

"I wouldn't say always..." I said, smiling.

You punched me on his arm and I chuckled.

"Do you have my present?" You asked.

"Be patient."

"You should know by now I don't have patience."

"Then I guess you're going to start right now." I told you and you narrowed your eyes.

"Jerk."

Lou laughed. "Just like old times."

She was right. It was just like old times. You didn't remember them but I planned on telling you about them one day.

"Relax." I told you when we walked outside. "We're not walking."

I remembered when you told me to bring the car next time. So I brought the car. Lily and Reid were already inside the car.

I drove to the gym and parked. We walked inside and it was nicely decorated with blue and yellow. There were already people inside, having fun.

I was standing closer by you just for safety reasons. I scanned the room and noticed Sophie surrounded by a group of guys. No doubt because what she was wearing. I narrowed my eyes at her.

You noticed where I was looking and you, along with everyone else, were surprised by Sophie.

Sophie came over to us, smiling.

"Hey guys!" She said cheerfully.

"What the hell do you have on?"

She looked down at her outfit. "Oh this. Nothing." She waved it off.

"It sure as hell doesn't look like nothing." I said.

Sophie grinned. "Hayes you have nothing to worry about. I know you're trying to be a big brother but there's no need for it."

I opened my mouth to say something but you gestured for me not to so I didn't and she walked away. I kept my eyes on her as she danced and guy after guy tried to get her attention.

Abe showed up and you were happy he did. I knew you were sad when he didn't show up to either of your performances but Abe was a busy person. Of course he would had loved to came he just didn't have the time.

You waited a few more minutes before heading to the stage. You got everyone's attention and told them that this song was dedicated to Lily. As you were singing, Lily pointed behind you. She had made a slideshow about you two.

After you finished the song, you and Lily went over to Abe. I was standing in the same spot, still watching Sophie.

You joined me a few minutes later and I saw the necklace.

"He finally gave it to you."

"Yeah. He said it'd make him feel better knowing we have it."

"I can see where he's coming from."

"Where's that?"

"Ever since the day you arrived on this planet, Abe wore the necklaces every single day to make sure you two were okay. And when it lights up, then he'd something is wrong." I told you."For years, nothing happened until the day of the car crash. At first we thought it truly was an accident because the necklaces didn't light up but then we figured it out. It only lights up when the other is in danger also."

"That night in L.A. when the necklaces lit up, Abe said they found us."

"Yeah that's because you and Lily were together again after so many years of being apart. Your scents were getting used to one other. So the necklace immediately lit up because it sense danger. Ramadi's men were coming."

"I get it. They'll get used to being together again, won't they?"

I nodded. "Eventually but for now it might lit up at random times because it's trying get use to its new surrounding. But if that's happens, you can easily control it."

"How?"

I explained how the necklace worked. You controlled it and the brighter it glowed, the more danger you were in.

I smirked. "I don't think you have to worry about it."

I walked closer to you and your necklace glowed, a little bit. You grinned as you stared up at me.

"Guardian Cipriano, are you putting me in harm's way?"

"Never." I said, stepping closer to you. "It's because your heart is racing."

I glanced around us before wrapping my arms around your waist and spun you into a place that concealed us from everyone else.

My lips immediately went to your neck and you let out a soft moan that was hot as hell. You arched your neck up higher as I moved up.

"You don't know I'm much I want to see what's underneath your dress." I whispered, huskily, in you ear.

"What are you waiting for?"

"An invitation."

"Hey! I offered a long time ago and you said you weren't ready." You reminded me.

I rested my forehead against your shoulder as I groaned.

"I know don't remind me. I was ready for you but you didn't know what you know now back then. I didn't know how you would react if I took your virginity that night and you didn't know you were a princess and I was guardian, someone less than you."

"Why does that matter?" You asked.

"It matters because you deserve the best."

You leaned back and stared into my grey eyes. "You are the best. It can't get any better than you."

"You think too high of me."

"You don't think high enough of youself." You kissed me. "I love you for who you are and that will never change."

"I love you." I told you before capturing your lips again with mine.

We moved in sync and it's not a rush kiss but a slow one. It said everything I wanted to say. It was our happy place.

You began to pout when I slowly pulled away from you.

"Why the pout, Boo."

"I wasn't done kissing you." You confessed.

"Don't worry, there's more where that comes from." I said, stepping back. "But we have to go, they're looking for you."

You reluctantly followed me back to the party and once they saw you, everyone began to sing 'Happy Birthday'.

Sophie handed you this drink and said it was spiked. I wasn't going to let you drink it but it was your birthday so I didn't stop you. But, I should've. If I did, the rest that followed wouldn't had happened.

You only had one cup but your were drunk. I helped you to you room. I opened the door and gently laid you on your bed. I took your heels off and kissed your forehead before leaving.

I was hoping later that night you would be sober enough to hear your song. But little did I know, you would be gone.

Around one, I made my way to your room. You were probably still asleep but I was pretty sure you would wake up when you heard, you could finally see what I've been up to.

I made it to you room in less than ten minutes. I didn't bother to tell James that I was climbing up the wall because he should be use to it now. I pulled myself over the ledge and opened the door.

I frowned when I didn't see you laying in your bed. I glanced at the bathroom but the lights were off. You weren't here.

Where could you be?

I didn't worry because you had to be with Lily. You always did sneak into your twin's room. But you hadn't done that in awhile now.

I saw the same box laying on the floor beside your bed and I picked it up. I twisted it in my hand. Something's telling me to open it but I didn't.

Shrugging the unsettling feeling away, I walked out to the balcony and jumped down. I was heading back to my room when I saw a figure.

I made the figure out, easily. "Lucas?" He stopped and turned around slowly. "What are doing?"

"I uh..I was...just walking." He lied.

I rose an eyebrow. "Around the girls' building."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah..." He glanced up. "Okay fine." He gave in. "You caught me. I went to go see Lily. What are you doing? What do you have in your hands?"

"It doesn't matter." I told him. "Was Millie in there?"

"No. Was she suppose to be?" He asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"She's not in her room." I stated.

His eyes widened. "Neither is Lily. I thought she was in Millie's room."

Something was wrong. Really wrong. I scanned the area and that's when I notice there's no guardians on watch. My immediate thought was someone got in and they took you and Lily.

"I need to get to Reid."

Lucas began to panic. "Why? What's going on?"

I ignored him and sprinted to Reid's room. I banged on the door, repeatedly.

"Reid!" I yelled. "Get up!"

A minute later Reid opened the door, rubbing his eye. "What?" He asked in a sleepy tone.

In one sentence, Reid jumped straight into guardian mode as his eyes turned cold and hard.

"The girls are missing."

Reid quickly got dressed and followed me out the door. I rapidly filled him in and he listened carefully.

"You think it's Ramadi?" He asked once I was done.

"I don't know what to think." I said, honestly. "If it is him, then we're in trouble."

As we're walking to the car, I saw Lucas heading our way.

"What are you doing?" I asked him, opening the car door.

"I'm coming with you guys." He said.

"No you're not." I said, firmly. "It's too dangerous."

"I don't care." He told me. "She's my girlfriend." He pulled the door handle and hopped in.

"Where are we going?" Reid asked.

"We need to see how they manage to get in." I informed them.

I drove to the girls' dorm building. Putting the car in park, I climbed out and they followed. I pointed to where the gate was.

"There. The guardians on patrol should've been there."

They followed my gaze and noticed it at the same time. There's nobody there. It's empty.

"Where are they then?" Lucas said, still looking at the gate.

"That's a good question." I replied. I checked my watch. "A new shift should've began an hour ago."

"Meaning..." Lucas trailed.

"Meaning that whoever took them, knows our patrol schedule." Reid said. "They've been watching us for a while now. Every two hours, they switch post. It takes five minutes to get to the spot."

"We need to find them." I said. "Reid head to the east and see if someone is there. Lucas go west."

I walked to the gate and as I got closer, I could see two figures laying in the snow.

I ran to the one closest to me and checked for a pulse. James. His heartbeat was steady. I checked the other one, Lance, and he's the same way. Whoever did this to them, must've took them by surprise. James had a bruise neck and Lance had a broken nose and a bruise jaw.

From the looks of it, they've been out here for over an hour. I picked James and threw him over my back and gripped Lance by the back of his coat and began to drag him through the snow to the car.

Once I reached the car, I placed the guardians inside. I climbed into the driver's seat and headed to Lucas. I got to Lucas and he had the two guardians with him.

"They're up but they can't keep their eyes open." Lucas informed me, placing the guys inside of the car.

"Whoever this is, is trained but not highly." I said, driving to the other post.

"Why's that?"

"Because only rookies would leave this much evidence in their place." I told him. "Experienced guardians knows how to take out their opponent without leaving so many bruise and mistakes."

I put the car in park and Lucas and I hopped out the car to recieve the guardians. They're awake but by the looks on their faces they're in pain.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"That son of a bitch, broke both of my legs and my earpiece." Dan grunted.

"He broke my arm before knocking me out." Stewart informed me.

"Okay, I'm not going to lie, when we move you, it's going to hurt." I told them and they nodded their heads.

I grabbed Dan and Lucas grabbed Stewart. They cried out in pain as we moved them. I tried to walk carefully so I wouldn't hurt Dan anymore but we needed to get them medical attention immediately.

Lucas opened the very back of the car and we placed them inside. I drove to the last post but Reid was no where in sight. He must've took the other guardians to Olivia already.

I headed to the medical station and I ordered Lucas to go get help. He rushed off and not long enough, two guys were racing to the car.

They put Dan on one of the beds and Stewart on the other. They're in need of major surgery. They rushed them inside and I grabbed James and headed inside.

"Where do I put him?" I asked Olivia.

"Right over there." She said, pointing to an open bed.

I did. I'm heading back outside when Olivia stops me.

"Who the hell did this to them?"

I didn't look at her as I answered. "I don't know but I intent to find out."

After I put the last guardian on his bed, I headed back to the north post with Reid and Lucas. I stopped just before I reached the gate.

"Do you see that?" I asked, nodding my head towards an opening in the gate.

"Yeah." Reid said.

Kyle used a cute through the metal gate.

"This isn't a good thing, right?" Lucas said.

"No." I replied "It isn't."

"We probably should inform Selena." Reid suggested.

I pressed on my earpiece. "Mark, get Selena on the phone, right now."

"Okay, calling her now." He said.

There's a beep before I heard Selena's worried voice.

"Guardian Cipriano, what is it?"

"The princesses are gone." I informed her.

"What!" She exclaimed. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. We checked everywhere?"

"How long have they been missing?"

"I don't know maybe two hours or so."

"Why am I just being informed about this now?"

"We had another issuse to deal with." I said. "And that's not the only problem."

She sighed, heavily. "Alright I'll meet you in the surveillance room in five minutes."

She hung up and I turned around. "We need to go."

"What's the other problem?" Lucas asked as we jogged to the car.

"It's not safe here." I told him. "The gate is no longer enhanced with life. Morches can already be heading this way."

I reversed the car and drove to the surveillance building. Selena was already there when we pulled up. She didn't hesitate to ask questions.

"What do you know?"

"We know that this guy is slightly trained and he's smart." Reid said.

"He's observant." Lucas adds.

"And he's working on the inside." I finished.

"How do you know that?" She asked as she opened the door to the surveillance room.

"Because he used one of the guardian's weapon to cut through the gate." I said.

She stopped and looked at me. "The gate is broken."

We nodded our heads.

"This isn't good. We need to evacuate everyone immediately." She said, heading to the phone and pressing a button. "Oscar this is Selena Kovok and I'm approving of Code Red 101." She told him. "Yes you heard me right. Now get moving. I want all the buses loaded in ten minutes. Do you understand?"

She hung the phone up and walked to the wall where all the TVs were.

"Quinn I need you to rewind every camera back two hours from now."

"Yes, ma'am." He began to rewind the cameras and I walked closer to them.

My eyes jumped from camera to camera and I noticed.the same thing happening.

"There's no point of rewinding them." I said. "This guy hacked into the system. We're watching the same thing over and over again."

"So what now?" Reid asked.

Selena rubbed her temples. "Go back to the north gate and see if there's any tracks. If there's not, meet us at the headquarters. We'll go from there."

We nodded once and followed her orders. When we got to the gate, I went through the opening.

"Which way do you think they went?" Reid asked, looking around the woods.

"There's only one way they can really go." I told him, getting out my flashlight. "And that's to the road."

We walked straight for little bit before we made it to the deserted road. I shined my light on the street.

"There." Lucas pointed. "Do you see that?"

On the road was a dark spot and only one thing could make that.

"It's oil." Reid said.

"Now we have another thing. We know how they got away." I replied. "Now let's see which way they went."

I stepped onto the street and continued to shine the light on the ground as I walked. The corner of my lips tugged up when I found what I wanted. Tire marks.

"They went this way." I told them pointing with my head.

"Good. Let's go before they get farther away." Reid said, heading back into the woods.

We went through the gates and the buses were starting to leave. Abe was going to have one full house. Thinking of Abe, he didn't know anything. But once he did, he's going to have mine and Reid's heads.

We climbed into the SUV and past the buses as we drove away from Arsyn High. I followed the direction of the tire marks and I was glad it's a straight away.

The nearest civilization was two hours away and I hoped Kyle wasn't as clever as I thought he was and stayed there.

Hang on, Boo. I'm coming for you. I thought to myself, hoping in some way you could hear me.

I stepped on the brake hard and the car comes to a screeching halt. Lily had ran across the street and stopped right in the middle of it.

Her hair was wild and her dress was torn. She's bare foot and her leggings were ripped. She had her arms out in front her in a please stop and help me gesture.

Her face was covered in dirt and her make up ran down her face. She's breathing hard and by the looks of it she's going to pass out any second now.

Her eyes were widened. They were filled with terror and relief. Reid quickly pushed the door opened and hurried to her. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her. He muttered something to her and she nodded her head. She walked slowly to the car but she didn't make it.

Before I knew it, she's falling. Reid caught her before she hits the ground and picked her body up. He walked to the car and opened the back door. He passed her to Lucas and he placed her head on his lap.

If Lily was here, then where were you?