(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 325

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.

At this point, Kellen just knew that it was a matter of time. The way that the other S Classes spoke to him? Yeah, Uncle Tom was on his way out, and Lieutenant Fisher looked like the next man for the job. Kellen was appreciative that he was doing this for them, but he was still nervous. What if someone who had been mean to him was working as well? What if they were mean to Charlie?

Charlie was innocent. He hadn’t done anything, and if anything, was a victim of several serious crimes. He did not want him to have the same experience that Kellen had had, even once. He knew it was wrong that they had treated him that way, but for some reason, Kellen didn’t think it was that wrong that it happened to him. He’d tried his best to work through this in therapy, but parts of it still stuck when he was faced with situations like this.

He just didn’t want Charlie to go through the same treatment.

It was why he was here in the first place. To make sure that didn’t happen, but he couldn’t do that if he was trembling like a leaf. No one would take him seriously,

"We can leave. Hill will make sure nothing happens to Charlie." Rhys whispered and Kellen swallowed. It was tempting. Very tempting. Kellen had finished his classes for the day, they had also finished their guiding session with Taylor and she had smirked at Kellen when she’d scanned him, but hadn’t said anything about his bruised bottom.

Kellen would have found it funny, or been embarrassed if he hadn’t been so focused on the fact that they were going to the Center today.

"I don’t want to leave him alone here." Kellen told him. "He hasn’t been to a Center before, to this Center before. I want him to have a good experience." Kellen insisted, and Rhys gave him a squeeze.

"Babe, you’re shaking like a leaf. What if he notices?" Kellen frowned while Rhys stared at him, his yellow eyes scanning him thoughtfully. "It’s going to take them a minute to get registered, since I am sure Charlie has nothing to his name. Do you want to go make out in the bathroom to take your mind off of things?" Kellen jerked, nearly stumbling as the words just casually left his mouth. Kellen turned to him, flustered.

"We can’t do that!" He whispered tersely, glancing towards Hill and Charlie. Neither of them appeared to hear them, and he was sure that they would know if Hill did. She wasn’t exactly known for being subtle when it came to those kinds of things. Rhys grinned.

"Hill!" He raised his voice slightly, and Hill turned glancing back at them.

"Yeah Captain?" She replied. Rhys jerked his head towards the bathrooms.

"Kellen and I are just going to take a small break. You’ll be okay on your own for a minute?" He asked and Hill glanced at Kellen, taking in how pale he was, how his eyes were darting around nervously, and the colour of his lips, and nodded.