The Unthinkable

Leon's POV

It's as if for once hope is on my side. My brother is standing before me and god have I missed him. He is different now than what a remember but I can't blame him considering the treatment we get in this hell hole. His skin is swollen in places and he is more muscular and built. He still has the same dirty blonde locks and brown eyes but it all seems more dull and lifeless.

'Care to explain?' Cole asks staring dead at me with confusion.

I look away from my big brother and scan my group. Maddyson has dropped her spear and is smiling slightly that I am happily speaking, Celena has one hand on her hip the other playing with a pocket knife and she doesn't look impressed but more pissed off. Finally, Jak stands by Cole, arms crossed and emotionless as he waits for my response.

It's weird speaking once again. My group has never heard my voice and it is awfully raspy and sore from its lack of use. I clear my throat slightly and maintain a strong composure before I go out and say the truth.

'He's my brother'

Cole nods.

'But why is he here? Doesn't he have a group?'

I look down at Xander only just realising that he has come alone. Was he a spy? Or maybe he is all by himself but surely he can't last long without his group.

Xander just stands up on his feet brushing the dust from his clothes and looking down at Cole. He says nothing at all but it doesn't phase Cole. Cole is a good leader I must admit. He is witty, kind and calm in these situations but he comes across as one of the scariest 8-year-olds I've ever seen.

'Well?! Do you have a group?' Celena bursts out. She is boiling up with anger and now clenching the pocket knife with extreme rage. And that's why she isn't the leader.

'Yes and No' Xander asks smirking at Celena.

Oh no he didn't.

Celena should never be messed with. She doesn't know how to answer or solve these situations without stabbing someone or beating them to death. Her face boils darker and she shakes slightly as she holds back her anger.

I grab my brother arm shaking my head no. And he looks down at me nodding and wiping away his smirk. Xander would mess around but he wasn't stupid. Anyone could see Celena was on the last straw.

'My group is split up around the arena because we all have targets on our heads. So yes I have a group but I walk alone'

Xanders words hit me hard and I feel anger burn slowly inside of me as I have the urge to find the idiot who is hunting him and Anna. Wait...Anna!

'Where is Anna?'

I ask quickly and Xander quickly turns away. He sits down on the floor clutching his head in his hands.

'Brother, where is she?'

I ask again sitting by his side, hovering over the seat so I can see his face between his hands.

'She has been found, Leon. They have her!'

He shouted the last part and my group huddle around in alarm.

'Who is hunting you?' Maddyson asks laying a comforting hand on my shoulder and that's when I realise I am crying. But not completely in sadness. In pure rage.

'Who else? The Venatores. Tanya and Aurick have her!' Xander screams pounding his fists against the floor.

'Hey! quieten down we don't want any other visitors' Jak said patting Xands shoulder but Xand still sits in pure rage.

I can't believe Anna has been taken from me once again. My big sister who would teach me how to read and write. Read me bedtime stories every night. Cook me the best biscuits for my birthday. Kiss me goodbye before I went out junking with Xander and Dad.

'Who and where are your other group members?' Cole asks Xander who is slightly calmer now that he has broken some of our wooden chairs.

'Bess is up in the mountains, for now, Josh is constantly moving but I was meant to see him tomorrow by the pine woods and Lilie has only just been placed inside. She's the main target so I and Josh were going to find her before the Venatores do.'

Xander finishes speaking and I get confused. Where is his last member?

'And where is the last member?' Celena asks rudely as she glares at my brother.

He glares back with a look that could make a man run miles before he had the guts to speak again. It was deadly.

'Freddie is dead and Charly we suspect isn't apart of the game since we haven't seen him but who knows? His crazy mother could just place him hear for a laugh'

Everyone stares at Xander confused as his words make no sense whatsoever. What did he mean by crazy mother? How is Charly's mother apart of this anyway and who even is Charly?

I have so many questions to ask Xand and I'm sure the rest of us do as well. My brother paces around looking up into the sky and scratching his head in frustration whilst we watch him in confusion.

It's all silent and I look into the distance and see the sun slowly setting. Birds slowly calm down in the treetops settling in for the night and I take the time to listen to them. To clear my head.

Cole steps forward from the group, waking up from a couple of minutes of silence. He pats my brother's shoulder and proceeds to speak on behalf of all of us.

'We won't ask questions, because there are too many to ask. But we will invite you to stay as long as you need. Fox is a loyal friend and doing this is nowhere near the favours I owe him.'

I smile lightly at Cole nodding to him and he smiles back.

'I'll start some food' Maddyson says walking off into the small wooden shack followed by Celena and Jak.

Cole sits in the eating area sharpening his spears and I walk over to Xand. He embraces me in a huge hug and I let out some tears when I hear his sobs.

'We will find her brother. I promise you. I can't lose her as well.'

I bury my head in his shirt pulling him closer and patting his back. When we pull back I look up at his red eyes and wipe away my tears.

'Both of us will.'

He smiles letting another tear fall.

'As Brothers', he whispers

'As Brothers' I reply