(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 421

Chapter 421: I’m not going back there

Kellen practically heard his parents fumbling through the Medical Bay. It was a bit surreal of an experience, and he didn’t tell Rhys about it. Mainly because he wasn’t sure if that was just him expecting that to happen, not that it was something that he ’saw’ through whatever the hell was going on.

The door flung open, no knocking, and it was his Dad at the front. He looked panicked, frazzled, with large, exhausted eyes. He was still in pajamas, his hair was all over the place as if he hadn’t even run his hands through it after getting the phone call.

His Mom, who he had kind of expected would be in that condition, was a bit calmer. Kellen hoped it was because his Dad was in such a state. Kellen wouldn’t know until they spoke.

Both of their eyes were glowing, the purple and blue haze casting the room in their glow slightly. Mixed with Rhys’ yellow gaze, it felt like they were in a weird underwater scene. Taylor’s eyes were back to their normal, tired blue hue. _{ƒreewebɳovel.com}

Kellen offered a weak wave from where he’d been propped up in the bed. In the moments that they hadn’t arrived, Kellen was able to convince Rhys, with Taylor’s help, that he could sit up. Rhys was glued to his side, holding his hand nervously as Kellen’s parents came in. Rhys had gone to the further side for two reasons that Kellen could understand.

The first was to let his parents have direct access to Kellen without having to run around the bed. The second? It would be harder to pull him away. Kellen hoped that he was wrong with his prediction, but he could feel how stiff Rhys was as soon as his parents entered the room. The man had turned into a slab of marble, and Kellen was pretty sure this was the same way he had been when he’d guided him for his test.

"Hey Mom. Hey Dad." Kellen’s voice sounded much better. Rhys had run to get him something better than water, like a juice or something and had then come back super quickly. The man didn’t want to be away from Kellen and he looked damn near shell shocked. Kellen couldn’t blame him. It hadn’t really hit Kellen what had happened to him. He just knew that he needed to make sure Rhys’ worst fears didn’t come to pass.

"Oh my god. Are you okay? You said it was only a minor situation, but this doesn’t-Taylor? Is my boy okay?" Kellen was surprised, but not overly by his Dad’s reaction. His Dad and his Mom had both gone through something traumatic. Hell, the whole family had, but it had hit his Dad the hardest. The fact that Kellen was a Guide was going to make anything that happened to him right now extra traumatic. There was nothing Kellen could do about it. Just brace for his reactions.

"He’s physically okay." Taylor told him and his Dad looked ill.

"Is this related to your powers again? Did something happen?" Kellen watched as his Dad slid his gaze to Rhys and Rhys practically stopped breathing. He looked so fucking guilty that Kellen needed to stop this in its tracks.

"We weren’t even touching initially when it happened, so everyone, stop accusing Rhys. That includes you, Rhys." Kellen’s tone was sharp. No nonsense. He wasn’t letting this continue if he didn’t have to, and fuck it, it was his body. He was the one who knew it best, and he was so angry at Rhys that he was trying to take the burden again. He was doing his best to contain it, but from the way he spoke, it was clear it was right below the surface.

"Kellen, I-"

"Shut up, Rhys." Kellen barked and Kellen looked over to find that Rhys had closed his lips, but his gaze was downcast. Damn it. That wasn’t what he wanted, but he’d try to smooth it over with him.

Kellen’s Mom took over, sensing that there was some tension in the room.

"How about someone just explains what happened so that we have an understanding? As far as you know, Taylor, Kellen is okay? He’s not injured?" Kellen’s Mom’s voice was softer, warmer, and helped bring some of the tension in the room down. They had moved as a couple towards Kellen’s bedside and it was his Dad who was holding his other hand. Taylor nodded.

"From my perspective, Kellen is fine. What happened could have an impact in a mental way, and I’m not trained that way so..." Taylor shrugged. "I’m sorry. I’m barely awake right now. I need to go crash. I believe Kellen and Captain can explain everything." Kellen’s Dad nodded as Taylor’s words were accented by a yawn. He reached out, squeezing her arm where he grabbed.

"Get some sleep, sweetie. You look dead on your feet. We’re sure Kellen can answer our questions, and if not, we can wait until you’re awake. You’ve already checked him and said he’s fine and I trust you. We both do." His Dad’s words were tired, but meaningful. Taylor nodded, moving his hand to hers and she gave it a squeeze.

"Thank you. Kellen’s strong and honestly, I can’t say Rhys is overreacting but...he’s okay." Taylor confirmed before she left.

Then, it was just the four of them.

Kellen’s Mom swallowed and his Dad let out a shuddering breath.

"Okay. Tell me what happened." His Dad said, as if he was bracing himself. Kellen couldn’t say that he didn’t need to. This was insane. This was crazy, but Kellen was kind of used to crazy? This was strange, but he’d lived for 7 years on the front lines. That was a lot of time to see crazier shit.

Maybe not to him personally, but anyone could get what he was trying to say. He had hardened himself on experiences like this. It was probably why he wasn’t freaking out like Rhys. Kellen was giving him a pass because he cared a lot about Kellen and thought that anything that happened to him was Rhys’ fault. It wasn’t, most times, and Kellen wasn’t exactly sure that this time could be equated either.