Aaren's POV
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After Jane had walked off, I joined Éloïse. She had migrated over towards where Lucas rests, having Jake, Olivia and Eric by his side. I'm mainly just listening to their conversation, only pitching in when I'm spoken to.

Olivia keeps mentioning how handsome Veo is and what she's going to do to make him hers, and I find myself getting mildly irritated.

Doesn't she have anything else she can blabber on about? This is getting annoying.

Éloïse bites the inside of her cheek, looking as if she wants to blurt out something as she gives icy looks to Olivia. She refrains herself, though.

Before I could say anything to her, Veo and Daiki rush back over to us. Only one shows his worry: The ginger-haired one.

"We spotted another group as we went on lookout on the roof," Daiki explains.

"They're breaking in through one of the side doors," Veo adds. "We're asking for a few of you to come with us while the rest hide out in the back. So, who will go with us?"

I raise my hand without hesitation, and I see both Jane's and Éloïse's do the same. Leon lifts his up as well, and so does Olivia.

Jake and Eric want to stay behind to protect Lucas in case anything goes wrong, as well as Mister Harvey, Abigail, and Miss Ramirez.

Our group moves to go and confront the intruders while the rest scramble for the back room. They're instructed to not open the door unless they're given the secret password.

It's a bit childish, but quite effective.

I tighten my fingers around my crowbar, taking my place next to Jane, Éloïse on her other side.

Veo and Daiki stand a bit in front of us all, Olivia and Leon covering isn't from behind.

The group outside manages to get the door open right as we get there. They halt in the doorway, then come closer and close the doors behind them, watching us closely.

"Who are you and what is your business here?" Daiki demands, aiming at them with his pistol and finger hovering near the trigger.

"We could ask the same thing for you," one of the men retorts.

"This is our base," Veo states, readying a steel pipe used for—well, plumbing. "-and you're invading it."

"I don't see your name on these walls," another sneers.

I roll my eyes impatiently, resting my crowbar on my shoulder, still tense as I watch them argue.

"Sweetcheeks, why don't you give us a hand here?" the first male purrs creepily, eyeing my sister.

She cringes, "One: Don't call me that. Two: Get the hell out of here."

"Aw, come on," the second adds with a devilish smirk, "I'm sure Princess over here will lend us a hand."

Éloïse scoffs, nose scrunching up in disgust. "In your dreams, asshole."

Leon steps up closer between Jane and me, him and Daiki both giving off slightly protective auras. Daiki glances at El briefly before glaring daggers at these guys.

I can feel my blood boil as I spit out at our rude guests, "Speak like that to them again and I'll rip your tongue out, then shove it up your ass so you can get a taste for all of the shit you're letting loose. Maybe then you'll clean up all of your acts."

One of the guys snickers at my bold statement, "Who do you think you're talking to, boy?"

"A perverted group of bastards," I deadpan, speaking matter-of-factly.

Minutes later after more arguing, a guy charges at Veo, who's to my left. He didn't have time to react, but I did.

I block the hit with my crowbar, holding each end of it as his blade makes contact with my weapon. I use a good majority of my strength to shove him away, and I take a step back.

And so the battle begins.

•-•-•-•-•
•- Éloïse's POV -•
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I yelp as I duck to dodge an attack, then swipe his feet out from under him using my leg. He falls and I stand, gripping the handle of my bat tightly as I hurl it at his face, hoping to just knock him out.

He rolls out of the way, my bat colliding with the concrete floor. I stumble from the shock of it, and he catches me off guard by knocking me down to the ground.

I accidentally release my bat when I hit the floor, it rolling out of my reach.

Before the man could do anything to me, a blur swiftly moves to block it.

"Jane!" I gasp, both thankful and worried  about her save.

Another guy runs at me, and I scramble to grab my bat. I block the attack this time, only for the guy to be kicked off to the side by Daiki.

"Thanks," I breathe out, knowing I'll have to say the same to Jane once this is over.

"Don't mention it," he replies, nudging me before we continue with the brawl, this time back-to-back.

I try to ignore the burning sensation brought upon my face from his actions, but ultimately stay focused on the fight.

•-•-•-•-•
•- Jane's POV -•
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After helping Éloïse by stopping the hit, he grunted at me and started to jump up platforms. I know he expects me to follow me, and I start moving before I could think things through.

These platforms each have levels to them for storage, and we're currently three levels high. Boxes are stacked up on each one, certain ledges having more of them than others.

We're in the heat of battle, when I suddenly get a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I slash my knife at him, but he dodges and punches me. Stunned momentarily, he shoves me backwards.

Time seems to slow as I feel myself trip over a box behind me, then my back slams into a few other boxes stacked on top of each other. We all tumble to the ground, and I'm writhing in pain seconds later as time feels normal again.

My throat produces pained noises that I've never heard it create before, my already injured arm having been the one I landed on.

The crack from my arm when I hit the floor was so loud that I'm sure all of China heard it. Well, that's what it sounded like to me, at least.

"Oh my god!" I hear Aaren shout, his voice sounding distant through all of my blinding agony. He slides to my side and adds, "Jane!"

I can't being myself to muster up any words, my mind screaming at me about my arm, that is now most definitely broken.

As more of our group turn to look our way, bad guys attempt to take their shot to defeat us. I have none of it when I force myself to yell, "Fight, you idiots! I'm fine!"

Aaren stays with me until the battle is over, protecting me as best as he can all while beating the absolute crap out of whoever dared to challenge his wrath and come near us.

•-•-•-•-•
•- Aaren's POV -•
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Once the fight is over, I toss my crowbar aside and move with swift feet back to my sister as she somehow manages to sit up.

I bark out the order to get me something I could use as a sling, bandages, and pain medication if there is any.

I try to keep myself calm and collected on the outside, but I don't think it's working all too well. I'm definitely freaking out more on the inside than out, however.

Veo returns with the items, the rest of our group joining us. Daiki, Jake and Eric dispose of the unconscious invaders. I don't know where they bring them, but I don't care.

As long as they're far away from my family and me.

After wrapping up Jane's arm and tying the sling on her, I give her some pills to combat the intensive pain she's feeling.

I don't leave her side for the rest of the night, doing anything she needs or wants me to so I can make sure she's as comfortable as possible.

•-•-•-•-•

-CastrarWolf & Taegikook224