"When you make a god bleed," they said,
"People cease to believe, hearts filled with dread."The realization dawns, their faith undone,For what is a deity when their invincibility's gone?

*****************

Emma's POV

A relentless hammering reverberated through my head; a pounding headache had been raging within my brain cells since I got knocked down on that boat, maybe I was suffering from a damn concussion, but I shook it away and tried to focus on the road as I drove back home.

My fingers anxiously tightened over the steering wheel, unable to shake the feeling that something was just not right. It was easy, way too easy. For a guy who stayed silent and put all these years just to show up now and unleash his revenge on us; well, it shouldn't be this effortless to catch said guy. He's planning something else, I am almost too sure, and I need to figure out his motives, sooner better than later.

My gaze flickered to him beside me, still knocked out from the impact of my hit. His head is tilted toward the window in an uncomfortable position. Dry blood covered the side of his face from when I mercilessly slammed his head into the concrete wall. The longer I gazed at him, the harder it became to comprehend all of this. He looked so damn young and innocent; you'd never expect him to be able to inflect such madness. But, well, Isaac was the one to raise him and influence his brain after all, so I shouldn't be that surprised.

After he passed out, I looked all around the place he had kept me in, searching for any tangible clue that could assist us further, but I came out empty-handed. So, instead of wasting my time, I grabbed his keys, pushed him into his car, tied him up, and started driving back home. I needed to see my husband and son first, and the rest of this craziness can come later.

Last we talked, Nikolas and the rest were at Alex's house, so I headed there first, figuring they all would be gathered in one place. It was way too late already, but the house was fully lit up; sleepless nights were just one of our usuals when danger lurked so close. I parked the car by the entrance, and the sound of it was enough to bring them outside.

The second I stepped out of the car, the house's main door got opened. My eyes first spotted Roman, and within a second only, he was in my face, breathless as his arms wrapped around me and pulled me into his tight warm embrace. A low satisfied sigh parted my lips, and I sank into his hold, relaxing into his familiar scent as I wrapped my arms around his back. A small smile pulled my lips up, and I felt my heartbeats take on a steady note as I pressed my cheek against his chest, hearing his own heart kicking it up a notch, "I am sorry I didn't say a thing," I mumbled.

He edged back slightly and held my face between his hands, a wave of relief washing over his expression as he gazed back at me. Worried lines etched beside his eyebrows as his thumb gently rubbed at the dry blood over my temple, "I figured it out at the last moment; I didn't have the time to tell you what I was planning to do-" I added, and he shook his head, a heavy breath pushing out of his lungs as he said, "I knew you were gonna come back," He whispered, believing in me always, "But still, that doesn't mean I wasn't worried as hell."

I smiled and tiptoed, pecking his lips and assuring him that I was all fine before my gaze flickered behind him and fell onto my little boy. Lines etched my forehead as I noticed his anguished face, so I left Roman's side and immediately walked closer to him, "Hey," I whispered, and before I could catch my next breath, he threw himself into my embrace, his arms clutching into me like he was clinging to life itself and I felt my heart shatter almost instantly. My eyelids fell down, my chest so tight as I protectively wrapped him between my arms, my hand cradling the back of his head and running through his hair.

I dipped my head down, dropping a kiss and two over his hair and the side of his head, my mouth beside his ear as I said, "I am so sorry, my baby," He sniffled and edged backward, looking at me, and I smiled sombrely, brushing his hair away from his forehead, "I was so scared," He said, and I wiped the few tears from over his cheek, "I thought something happened to you."

I shook my head and caressed his beautiful face, "Nothing happened to me, don't worry," My eyebrow raised, "You think I would ever leave you alone with your father," I addressed it playfully, "He will drive you crazy, I won't ever do that to my favorite boy in the world."

A small smile pulled up Wyatt's lips, and he pushed himself back into my hold. I kept him tucked close to my side, "I love you so much," I whispered to him and heard him mumble the same words into my embrace. God, it was almost insane how much I loved him; he was my little troublemaker and the best part of me. I always made sure our messy lifestyle didn't affect him in any way; I always made sure he was never scared of anything, not of getting hurt nor of losing us. Even with the life we lead, I was able to maintain that; well, maintain it only till fucking Nathan showed up...

My gaze went to Nikolas, who had his arms crossed over his chest, glaring at me like he wanted to bury me ten feet under. I gave him a wink and threw him a flying kiss. His glare hardened, and his jaw ticked, still salty that I went and acted upon this without him, "Come on," I said, and he grumbled, refusing to reflect his worry, "Shut up, I feel like I want to kill you now". I chuckled at his thick-headed self; after all these years and he is still not used to being kept out.

My eyes went to Alex beside him, and I couldn't help but say, "Out of everyone, I am sure you were the only one who was happy," I joked, and he nodded his head, fully agreeing. He stepped closer, "I was about to throw a party the second you disappeared, but Nik didn't let me," He joked back, and I playfully narrowed my eyes at him. A warm smile broke over his lips, and he wrapped an arm around my back, giving me a quick hug, "I am glad you are okay," He said, his voice soft, a total contradiction to how he usually speaks with me.

I gave him an adorable smile when he pulled back, "Ah, you love me!" I said teasingly, and he rolled his eyes, turning to Nikolas, "Nik, take her, she is all yours," He said in annoyance, stepping away as he reached his affection limit toward me.

Cara and Natalie checked on me as well, but mid-conversation, my eyes couldn't help but drift to Lilly. She stood at a close distance, right next to Ashton's kid. She had her arms wrapped around herself, shielding her body from the cold breeze. Her eyes were on me only and full of tears that didn't cross the threshold yet. The area below them was pure red and just tired. She just looked so exhausted, and I knew it wasn't anything physical. I don't know what it is about this girl that pulls at my heartstrings.

She finally left Chase's side and inched closer toward me, pausing when she was a few feet away only. My head tilted slightly as I gazed at her, worried lines etched on my forehead as it felt like I could say one word only, and she will break into tears. So I kept silent, waiting for her to speak. Instead of talking, though, she edged closer and threw her arms around me. Usually, I hate being hugged this much, but these people were my only family, and I was just so damn thankful to each one of them.

"I am so glad you are okay," Lilly mumbled hoarsely into my shoulder, sniffling lowly, and I wrapped my arms around her body, wishing to whisk away the fear eating at her young self. I edged backward and brought my hand to her face, brushing the tears away and giving her my word, "It's all gonna be over soon, I promise."

She nodded, somberly smiling, and she tried to kick away those tears. She was the one between us who was fully immersed in this madness, so I can imagine the kind of toll it must've taken over her. I mean, we are used to this by now, but her...all of them, they are not, and they shouldn't be.

"I mean, this is all so heartwarming, and I am literally tearing up," I almost forgot about him, "But can someone let me out of here, so I can join this beautiful moment as well?"

I turned my head to see Nathan popping his head out of the car's window, looking at us. It wasn't till then that everyone else registered his presence as well. My eyes met his, and he smiled ever so sheepishly; he showed me his tied-up hands, "Please," He requested.

My jaw tightened and I felt like I could lose all of my cool if I heard him speak one more word. I rushed a hand over my face, desperately trying to keep my control, "Can someone please take care of him, because I literally can't handle to hear another word coming out of his mouth," I grumbled out, "If I am to go near him again, I will kill him on the spot."

Ronald was the first to take a step forward, but I raised my hand up, stopping him instantly. My eyebrow raised, "Anyone but you," I pointed out, "We all saw what happened that last time we left him with you," I added, not so subtly accusing him of being soft when it comes to Nathan.

He huffed out a low breath and stayed still in his spot. His jaw ticked, and he looked away, not fighting me on this because he knew better. I turned to Nikolas, silently asking him to deal with this. His hard gaze left Nathan and fell on me. He shook his head, "Not me," He said, "If he makes one little comment, I will dismantle him, and knowing him, he won't shut up, so he will be dead before I get him out of that car."

Both Nik and I turned to Alex next, asking him to be the one to deal with this madness. He looked between us, and his eyes widened, "Why is it always me?!" He shot out, raising his arms up in bewilderment.

Nikolas shrugged, "You talk a lot, he talks a lot, you two have something to bound over," He said and Alex shot him one hell of a glare.

"Uhm, I am kind of offended that no one wants to deal with me," Nathan had to speak again and I felt Roman edge closer to me, his hand moving and resting over my lower back, his warm touch trying to ease me down before I blow the guy's head off. I leaned into my husband and rested my arm over Wyatt's shoulders, keeping him tucked so close to us and secured.

Alex huffed out loudly when he knew he couldn't over-vote us, he gave up and walked toward the car, all while mumbling a couple of colorful curses under his breath. He opened the door and not so gently pulled Nathan out.

"Oww," Nathan mumbled when Alex's pull almost made him stumble and fall headfirst into the ground. Alex fisted his hand over Nathan's sweatshirt from the back, pulling him up and forcefully pushing him forward, "God, be gentle, I am kind of bleeding as you can see," He added, using his tied-up hands to point at the blood on his head.

Alex used his grip to harshly punch him in the back, "Shut up, will you," He grated out and Nathan's eyebrows pulled closer, "I was under the impression that you were the nicer brother," He mumbled, still not knowing how to shut up.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is my father's prodigy...

I felt myself sink further into Roman's embrace, so damn energyless for some reason. He tipped his head down and pressed a soft kiss to the side of my forehead, his lips lingered there for a second too long, "Hey, you feel a bit hot," He commented, a bit of worry surged into his tone and I looked up at him as he asked, "Do you feel okay?"

I nodded my head, "Yeah, yeah, just so fed up with all of this," I mumbled.

Alex paused when he reached us, still holding Nathan close, "What am I supposed to do with him now?" He asked with a dissatisfied tone.

"He is planning something so he should be under our vision for the time being," I said, my hand involuntarily tightening over Wyatt's shoulder. Nathan turned to me, his lips lifting up into a smile at my comment. He pointed his tied hands at me, "You're so smart, I really like you."

Alex kicked his leg from behind to shut him up, "Ahh, god, will you stop with that!" Nathan whined, turning his head to glare at Alex.

Alex gave him a disgusted look, "Every time you open your mouth, I am going to kick you," He stated.

"Let's get inside," I said, "Him too," I added, "I will arrange for them to take him somewhere else, I just," I brought my hand up and rubbed tiredly at my forehead, the ache felt like it could rip my skull into two, sure as hell is a concussion, "I just need to sit down for a bit," I added, my voice dropping lower.

Wyatt asked if I am okay, I gave him a smile and assured him that I was all well while Roman tightened his arm around me and led my way inside. Everyone else got back into the house as well and I couldn't think straight as I lowered myself into the couch, needing a second or two to get back to myself.

I asked Wyatt to go and stay in any of the other rooms, go see where Max is and stay with him. He refused at first but Cara understood how I wanted all the kids away from this Nathan, she gave me a knowing nod and bribed Wyatt to go to Max's room, she finally succeeded as she took him out and walked out of the room.

Just as they left, Alex got inside, he pushed Nathan into the room, almost making him stumble forward, "Not very cool man," Nathan grumbled, his eyes leaving Alex and falling on Nikolas as he straightened his body up. He decided against directly triggering him and his gaze went to Natalie instead. He tried to pull his hands up and wave, "Hey sis, missed me?" He said with a smile that you'd think is genuine, "Where is my little cute niece?"

Natalie's expression shifted into a very uncomfortable one and she backed herself into Nikolas. She mumbled something to him and he nodded his head before he wrapped his arm around her back, pulling her along as they walked out of the room, purposely building distance away from this psycho.

"Hey, I came all the way here for you guys, you are just gonna turn around and walk away-" his words were interrupted by another kick from Alex.

"You really weren't kidding about the kicking, huh," Nathan said with a low groan and he knew exactly how to trigger Alex next. His eyes fell on Max, who had just paused by the room's entrance, shocked by our new guest, "Oh, it's Maxie, hey," He said with an enthusiastic tone, "How's the kidney?"

Alex seemed to have reached his limit, he let go of Nathan's sweater and reached for his hair, wrapping his hand around it from the back and harshly pulling his head, "You don't as much breath his side, you get that," He hissed at him through gritted teeth, ready to be the one to kill end his life now.

"And here comes the protective adoptive father-"

"Nathan, enough!" Ronald grated out, trying to get him to shut up, scared one of us might lose it and shoot his brother on the spot.

Nathan only gave his brother a wink, totally not affected. Even though he was surrounded by all of us, unarmed and with all of us armed, he still didn't know how or when to shut up. Alex harshly let go of him but Nathan wasn't done at all. God, I needed to arrange for them to take him instantly, and just lock him a hundred miles away from us till we figure out exactly what we will do with him...but this fogginess wrapping around my head is making it harder to do or plan anything.

Nathan's eyes fell on Lilly next and his smile was taunting this time, "Lil, what's up," He said, "Did you enjoy the little shower I gave you earlier?"

Lilly's eyes grew slightly wide, shocked that he addressed that fact. I blinked through the haziness that was enveloping my eyesight and confusingly mumbled, "What do you mean?"

Nathan feigned shock, "Oh, Lilly, you didn't tell them about how I almost drowned yo-" Before any of us could register his words, Chase was the one to lose it first. Seconds only and he was in his face, pulling him away from Alex and slamming his body into the nearest wall, "Shut your fucking mouth!" He grated out, his fingers tight around his clothes, holding him up and crowding his space.

"Hmm, I don't really know you," Nathan squinted his eyes at Chase, "But you're the boyfriend, right?" He added, "I mean, I don't have a bone to pick up with you, you are more like Christian's problem," He said, another psychotic smile pulled up at his lips as he looked behind Chase's shoulders at Lilly, "But since I am enjoying playing on everyone's nerves, why not do my old friend a favor and play on yours as well?"

Alex inched closer to them, ready to interfere if anything goes south and I couldn't get myself up onto my feet. I watched as one of Chase's hands left Nathan's sweater and wrapped around his neck, edging his face closer and hissing at his face, warning him one more time, "If I were you, I'd be wise for what I'll say next."

"But why?" Nathan struggled slightly under his tight grip but he didn't let it reflect over his face yet, "I knew almost everything about their relationship, actually I was their biggest shipper-"

"Chase, let him go," Alex said, edging closer to them, understanding the bad places this conversation could turn into.

"Do you know that I had a hand in the whole her getting pregnant thing, I mean not the actual thing because eww," He resumed and I really wanted to get up and kill him, his gaze flickered to Lilly whose eyes were wide as she tried to register his words, "I replaced your birth control pills, Lil. Christian was falling in too deep, I had to pull him out somehow-" His words were interrupted as Chase rammed his fist into his face, not once but twice, and it had the back of his head slamming hard against the wall. The impact even though looked brutal, it didn't erase the psychotic smile from Nathan's face.

I balanced myself on two feet and moved forward, needing to interfere. My gaze fell on Max, who rushed away to somewhere. I looked back at Nathan while Roman beside me asked me to sit down but I shook my head, refusing. Blood dripped from the asshole's mouth but he didn't shut up, "Although I can't really blame Christian," His eyes were on Chase only, taunting him back, "I heard she is really wild in bed, he told me all about it, but you'd know that better than me anyway-"

A groan rumbled from Chase's throat, he was about to attack again but Alex's hand wrapped over his shoulder, harshly pulling him back before he grabbed Nathan in one hand and used his other one to press the gun he had just pulled under his chin, "Give me one fucking reason why I shouldn't kill you right now!" Alex grated out, his voice bellowing into the four walls, the vein on his neck popping out, enraged as he pinned Nathan, ready to rip him apart at the seams.

My eyes went to the door, watching as Max returned with Nikolas. My brother stepped in, his wary eyes on Alex, "What happened?" He asked.

I looked back at Alex but the dizziness swarming my vision made me see three of him now, "Alex-" I tried to say and stop him.

"Oh no, please, please can I answer that," Nathan said, his tone excited as his eyes flickered between the three of us, not once threatened by the gun pointed at him, "Can I please answer why he shouldn't kill me-" His hazel eyes focused on me and I pressed my hand to my forehead, my knees weakened and I felt like I could just lose my balance, Roman wrapped his arm around my waist, sensing my disoriented state. He said something...but I couldn't hear him properly.

Nathan only smiled at me in return, "You look pale, Emma, are you okay?" He asked with fake worry, his eyebrows pulling closer as he tilted his head.

My jaw ticked and the dizziness intensified, blackness swarmed my vision and I felt myself flailing within. Roman's hold on me was the only thing that protected me from crashing head-first into the ground, so I went down slowly and on my knees, unable to keep myself up, "Emma!" I heard Roman's panicked voice as he went down with me but I couldn't say a thing. I felt something wet drip over my lips, I brought my shaking hand up and wiped the area under my nose, my gaze flickered down to my shaky fingers, watching the blood that dripped down my nose and covered them now.

My gaze flickered to Nathan and I managed to speak, my voice breathless and weak, "What the hell did you do to me?"

Nikolas rushed to my side, "See, this is exactly why you shouldn't kill me," Nathan said to Alex, and on instinct, Alex's gun-wielding hand dropped away from him, "Because I am the only one who can actually fix this."

He brought his tied hands up, "So, which one of you is going to untie me now," He said, a little smirk pulling up the corner of his mouth as he looked between us all, "These ropes are starting to hurt me, because."

********************

Nikolas's POV

I've been trying to keep my calm since he got here, trying to not feed into his sick need to trigger me. But this...this has got to be my breaking point.

I left Emma's side, a growl rumbled from my chest as I rushed into his face. He stumbled backward and away from me, sensing my hostility, "Oh no, you as much try to hurt me, and I will never cooperate and help her," He said, making me slightly rethink my decision to just kill him on the spot, "Believe me, no doctor will figure out what she has," He said, his eyebrow raising in mockery, "And even if they do, it might be too late for her then anyway."

He nodded toward his hands, "So, untie me first and I will explain it all to you," His eyes met mine, a challenging devil in them, asking me to make the right choice and not mess this up.

I couldn't form a single thought and we all stayed silent for a second too long. My eyes went to Emma, watching as Roman gathered her in his arms and let her rest on the couch, using a cloth to wipe away the blood that dripped from her nose. He caressed her very pale face, trying to figure out what was ailing her and Lilly rushed to her other side as well, all trying to figure out what to do next. My gaze flickered to Alex, who looked just as hesitant as me, his fingers tight over the gun in his grip, rethinking the whole thing as his gaze went back and forth between Emma and Nathan.

"Anyone?" Nathan asked again, referring still to his tied-up hands.

I rushed a frustrated hand over my face and turned to Ronald. I nodded my head, asking him to just fucking do it. He inched closer to Nathan and helped untie the rope from over his hands, "Thanks, bro," Nathan said with a genuine smile.

Ronald glared at him, "What the hell are you doing?" He hissed at him and Nathan's smile only grew wider as his eyes flickered to me and he muttered, "Winning."

When his hands were free, he rubbed at his now red-marked wrist, "Phew, thanks," He said before he walked toward the couch and casually sat down on it, like he was the owner of the fucking house and we were the unwelcomed visitors, "So, my little broken family," He looked between all of us, "Shall I start?"

"Just fucking talk already!" Roman shot out, unable to keep his temper in, "What the hell did you do to her?" He seemed ready to get up but Emma's hand on his arm stopped him.

"Oh, that-" He started, comfortably leaning back into his seat like it was nothing, just a minor inconvenience. I fisted and unfisted my hand, internally urging myself to stay calm, to figure out what he has to say before I bury him ten feet under the ground, "Do you all know what I do for a living?" He asked, out of the blue, "I mean all of this is just a hobby," He pointed around at the madness surrounding him, "But, I do have a normal job actually," He smiled, looking at Lilly, "Right Lil? You know what I do."

He looked at me, "I work in an uh...medical company, if you wanna put it that way," He said, his eyebrow arching, "Well, I actually do own the company, I mean Dad left me so much money, I didn't know how to spend it exactly-" He carried on, "And the thing is, human anatomy was always of a big interest of mine, you know, the biology, the molecularity, and the DNA," He added with a wink as he looked between me and Max, "And well-"

"Can you not tell us your fucking life story-" I grated out, failing to keep my calm when he was doing all he can to trigger us on purpose.

His eyebrow raised, "Look, you either let me speak what I want or you will have to sit and watch your sister die within the next five hours or so," He stated and my jaw clenched, imaging how sweet it would be to cut that tongue of his and shove it down his throat.

"As I was saying," He resumed, "In my company, well, let me phrase this in a simple way so you can understand it," Patience, Nikolas, keep your patience for the next ten minutes only, "We try to make vaccines or medications for any new disease or virus, and for that, we have to thoroughly study that virus or pathogen first, right?" He turned his head to Emma, "It is so mindblowing actually, it's amazing how something as small as influenza could mutate and become...so lethal," His smile was wicked, just like Isaac before him, "You see, what you have now is like the flu," He shrugged ever so innocently, "But just a hundred times worse."

"It multiplies so rapidly, attacking the host at a fascinating speed, it shocks your body and your immune system doesn't really know how to fight it back at the same speed," He added, "I mean if you are body is strong enough, maybe it could fight the disease on its own but judging by the way you look now," His eyebrows pulled closer, "How long has it been, three hours maybe and I am sure by now you are finding it really hard to catch your next breath, right? And if my calculations are right, in an hour or two you will not be able to breathe at all on your own..."

My heart clenched so tight as I gazed at Emma's very apparent weakened state, her face getting paler and paler each second, her body apparently shivering as Roman wrapped her tighter between his arms, his hand cradling her head as he let it rest against his chest, "And let me guess, you have the cure?" Roman grated out while glaring at him, like me, so desperately trying to keep him calm and focus on his wife instead of ripping the responsible guy into pieces.

Nathan nodded, "Yes, it's in my pocket actually," He tapped his hand over his pant's front pocket before he pulled out a small vile. He showed it to us, "You give her this, and maximum in an hour, she will start getting back to herself."

My jaw ticked, "And what's the guarantee that this isn't just another trap," I grated out while nodding my head at the vile resting in his palm, one I can easily snatch from him now and he knows that but what is the damn guarantee?

Nathan shrugged, "Well, I guess you will just have to take my word for it."

A very tense silence enveloped the room and he broke it with a low chuckle, "Don't y'all see it," He carried on, "I don't need power or weapons to defeat you all, I am winning and I will only keep on winning because I know each one of you so very well," He shook his head with an amused smile, "I can almost predict every move you are going to make, I mean-"

He pointed at Max, "I knew that taking out his kidneys is going to get you out of the shadows so fast," He looked at me, "I knew you were going to come to the rescue immediately and I knew your presence alone is gonna cause chaos all around, because well, that's what you always do."

He looked at Emma, "I knew if I threw clues at you, you were gonna follow them, and if I made them a bit too obvious, you will know it is a trap," He added, and if Emma was in her right state of health, she would've jumped on him by now, "I knew your impulsive nature and the way you follow your instincts will make you follow up on every lead, even if you figured it was a trap, you will pretend to fall into it just so you can easily catch me, and well, look at where we are."

Pleasure reflected all over his eyes, content with his accomplishment, "It's almost too funny just how easy it is to play with your lives," He said, "Maybe I am not physically strong to take on all of you in a fight but the thing is, with how well I know you all and with the brain that I have, you'll need more than this, more than just an army to defeat me."

"I mean, I don't own an army of soldiers like you all, but I do have some men, those who were loyal to Dad and those who are so against you," He looked at Emma, "Those who can't stand the fact that a woman is leading them, which I am in no way supporting by the way," He added, ever so seriously, "I am all in for woman's power and all," God, is he for real? "I am a feminist at heart and I still believe that you are awesome, and like I said, you and me, we can do wonders together."

His eyes left Emma and went to me, he leaned forward in his seat, his hand tightening over the vile in his hand, "So Nikolas, tell me, what will we do now?"

"Because I am willing to give you this for nothing in return," He added, referring to the cure.

"I've had enough of this bullshit," Roman shot out, angrily, and he got up to his feet, one arm going to Emma's back, the other under her legs as he scooped her failing body up into his arms, "I am taking Emma to the hospital, I don't believe a fucking word that comes out of his mouth!"

Nathan shrugged, "It's up to you, I am not gonna lose anything, anyway," He said, "You wanna take her to a hospital, go ahead, until they figure out what the problem is, she'd be dead, so better prepare for a funeral too on your way out."

I turned to Roman, "Just wait-" I grumbled, my eyes falling back on Nathan, "So, you are just giving this up for nothing in return?" I questioned the absurdity of his deal.

He simply nodded his head.

"Seriously, not even asking for your freedom?" I asked and he shook his head, "Are you kidding, I am lovin' it here!" He added as he looked around the house.

"So, what the hell do you gain from doing all of this?" I shot out. We've established he is not an idiot, so there is a motive for sure.

"Oh, I gain quite a lot, you see; the second you take this from me, is the exact moment that I win."

"Because by this I've proved to you all that I don't need muscles, weapons, or an army to bring you all down," He added, "So when you take this, she gets her health back," He nodded toward Emma, "But I am the one who will actually win this fight."

"And why is winning so important to you?" I asked, inching closer to him, my fingers tightened into a fist on my side, "You keep dealing with all of this like it's a child's game to you."

He nodded, "It is, it is all just a game, and I am a bored child who has nothing but time to kill," He smiled, "And it's really fun, you know, because I've got nothing to lose in return but you all could lose a hell of a lot."

"Believe me, if I start with you, you will fucking lose a hell of a lot too," I grated out and he shook his head, getting up to his feet so he can fully face me.

"No, Nikolas, I've got nothing to lose," He said, "It's not the same as when you went against my father...He, yeah, he had things to lose," He added, "He had his power, his position, he had me to lose, but it's not the same this time."

"The only person I ever cared about is dead, so what will you do, bring him back to life and kill him again?" He said with an arched eyebrow, his voice lowering just for me to hear, "You can't make a man who has nothing lose, Nikolas, you know that better than anyone."

My jaw clenched and I edged closer, so close to him I could see every little detail on his young face, I could see the one drop of sweat that trickled down the side of his temple. I could see the dry bloodlines on the other side of his head and the fresh ones below his nose and at his chin. I could hear that little wheezing sound that came out after each breath he took, almost like breathing was a task he couldn't fully complete.

I saw the flash of uncertainty that surged through his eyes at how close I was and he didn't like that one bit because he instantly took a step backward, purposely building distance between us.

The corner of my lip lifted up just slightly as I played with his own rules, "But I could easily make you lose your life," I said, purposely taunting him.

My words had a very innocent somber smile pull up the corners of his lips, "I already am, so your threat holds no weight," He muttered, his voice so low still and I got the answer I wanted.

Trying to shift the subject away from him, he lifted the vial up, "Take it," He said, his smile slowly dissolving down, "Put your pride aside and help your sister."

I stared at his extended hand for a second or two, the decision was clear and I brought my hand forward, taking the vile from him. Accomplishment reigned in his unwavering gaze and I moved away, turning around and handing it to Roman, "Get her to the hospital, I will call our doctor," I said, "Let him check it before...you know."

Roman nodded his head, placing it in his pocket as he gathered Emma in his arms. She was passed out by now, her eyes resting as Roman carried her up. Sweat beaded up over her forehead, whatever he injected into her was obviously stealing every bit of liveness from her body. I leaned down and brushed her hair away from her forehead before I pressed a gentle kiss over her temple, mumbling to her that she will be all okay.

I looked back at Roman before he walked out, "I will take care of this and I will be right there."

I turned to Ronald and nodded my head outside, indirectly telling him to follow them and assist if needed till I get there. Without questioning, he went to Roman's side and they both exited the house.

I looked at Alex, grabbing his attention away from them and to me. The expression on his face proved that he was one second away from exploding but he held his ground for now. He tucked the gun away and understood my indirect message, which is to stay here and keep an eye on everyone.

He gave me a silent nod and I tuned to Nathan, my hand wrapping over his arm as I pulled him with me, "Oh, we are leaving," He realized as I pushed him forward. He looked back at them and waved his hand, "I guess I will see you around," He said, and I decided to ignore every word coming out of his psychotic mouth for my brain's health.

I pushed him outside of the house and into the car and as I expected, he did nothing to fight me back. He wanted to be captured and I was thinking of how good will it be if I threw him off a damn cliff on my way. I locked the car's doors and roared the engine to life, ready to pull the car out when he decided to speak again, "Oh, I forgot to mention something-"

I looked at him and he gave me a fake guilty smile, "Uh, that disease, well, it's kind of contagious," He stated, on purpose leaving that information till last, "I mean I am vaccinated against it but uhm, all of you are not, so-" He shrugged, "Just keep that fact in mind before you go killing me now."

"FYI, in case anyone starts showing symptoms, I have more of that vial back at home," He added, using that fact as a way to bargain for his life for the time being.

I let go of the steering wheel and I leaned back into my seat, unable to fathom a single thought. I brought my hands up and rushed them over my face before a low laugh rumbled from my chest. You know that feeling, when everything is just so fucked up and absurd that you are unable to come up with a normal reaction, that you do not know exactly how to respond so you just laugh because your brain is just not capable of doing anything else at the moment.

It is like detaching oneself from the present reality as a defense mechanism against those overwhelming emotions surging through your body. And yeah, well, that is me right now.

I turned to him and ever so calmly said, unable to muster up any other reaction, no anger, no rage, I just wanted to laugh at this messiness, "I should've just killed you when you were a kid, huh," I stated, "Saved everyone and myself the trouble."

He shrugged and nodded, "Yeah probably, it's your fault you didn't."

I hefted out a low breath before I focused my attention ahead and pulled the car into the street, driving toward my destination. By a weird power of nature, Nathan kept silent all through the drive. Through my peripheral vision, I watched him and inspected his body language for any clues. For most of the drive, he was looking outside of the window, his silence wasn't on purpose, it was almost like attempting to talk now was going to take more of his energy.

I watched how he brought his hand to his chest and rubbed it at, trying to be discrete and thinking that I wasn't paying attention to him. I noticed how he allowed his eyelids to rest down for a second or two before he'd pry them on again. It was as if he was fighting some inner pain and trying to take control of it. I had actually figured it out by now, the fact that he was suffering from some type of sickness, it was getting clearer now.

I don't need to be a genius to figure out something was not right with him.

Maybe he is even dying, who knows; Would probably save me the effort and guilt of killing my wife's little brother...

When we reached our destination, I went down and opened his door, pulling him out and his gaze curiously flickered around our surroundings. I got into the old building, reaching the elevator and allowing it to take us downstairs. Nathan was just silent, observing where I was going and where I was taking him.

We stepped out of the elevator and I typed the code over the side of the walls, allowing the metal door to slide open, "Ohhh," Nathan mumbled in realization as his gaze wondered all around the bunker, "You rebuilt this place," He noticed, "Wow, I remember that my dad burned this place to the ground."

My jaw tightened at the memory and I instantly kicked it to the back of my head and tightened my grip over his arm, pushing him forward into one of the rooms that contained a cell I can keep him in for the time being. He understood that and looked around the small space, one that almost resembled a prison cell.

He didn't say a word at first, instead, he tapped his hands over the mattress of the bed positioned by the room's corner before he sat down on it, "Uh, can I ask for a favor?"

He is just so weird...

"Can I have like...empty papers and a pen," He requested, like a little kid I swear, "When I get bored, I like to write and I have a feeling I will get really bored in here," He said the last part as his gaze flickered around the four walls of the room.

My eyebrows pulled closer, "Write?"

He nodded, "Yeah, well; words, there is a lot of them in my head," He explained, "It helps me relax when I write them down."

Lines tightened at my brows as I stared at him, confused. He sensed my curious gaze and he questioned, "What?"

"You're just so damn weird," I mumbled, unable to figure him out, no matter how hard I try.

His eyebrows pulled closer, "Is that an insult or a compliment?"

I shook my head and took a step closer, "Why do you want to be here?" And by here, I didn't mean this place in exact. I had to ask because he was acting so casually about being caught, and about being surrounded by us.

He shrugged, "Maybe I just want to spend more time with you, who knows," He threw me a wink before he backed his whole body into the bed, pressing his back against the wall and crossing his legs in front of him.

"Now, about the pen and papers?" He asked, just like a kid who is asking for crayons and a coloring book. Seriously, what did my father do to this kid?

Curious about what he is going to write, I went on with his little game. I grabbed a random notebook from one of the drawers and picked up a pen before I walked closer to him. I dropped them over the bed's edge and he smiled, ever so appreciative, "Thanks."

I don't know when did the urge to only end him flip into wanting to study him, but I just can't help it when he is...the way that he is.

He placed the notebook on his lap and held the pen, tapping it over the page as he seemed to be thinking of something. I decided to ignore him for now and go check on Emma but just as I turned around to walk, he talked, "The medicine really works," His tone was serious this time around and I turned back to look at him.

His gaze lifted up from his lap and to me, "I promise," He added, and I must be crazy but I believed him for some reason.

"I do like Emma to a certain level, I am not gonna kill her."

God, he is...he is just...I can't even find the fucking word for it.

"Then why did you fucking hurt her in the first place?!" I shot out in bewilderment.

An idea seemed to click into his head and he started to scribble down something on the paper, his attention now occupied there as he mumbled, "Because when you make a god bleed, people cease to believe in him."

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Howdy there!

Shorter chapter I know, but I decided to make my chapters always within this length, it makes it easier to update faster.

Hope you liked the chapter anyway. It was mainly about Nathan but well, our little villain should get the spotlight from time to time xD

Don't forget to vote and comment your thoughts!
See ya soon ;)