Draw a Blank

4. Nobody

A week after Nick had prepared everything, he brought Allen back to Luken's Glourham Mansion.

The room on the first floor of the mansion, which was previously just a guest room, was now transformed into a private hospital room. Allen is still unconscious from his long coma, he has had more than five surgeries, and according to doctors, this is his most stable condition.

"I'm not sure when he'll wake up, but he's gone through a critical period." Nick explained, glancing at Luken who stood expressionlessly watching Allen's body swing through the air before being transferred to the big bed.

When Nick went to check on his medical equipment, Luken didn't even move from where he was standing.

Taking this child in the care of the Black Dragon, was practically Nick's idea. He had a reason that Allen was the victim who suffered losses, Luken deserved to be responsible. To make Luken sure, Nick also said that if this child was proven innocent, he would be responsible for all the care. So if Allen is found guilty, Luken is free to give him any punishment.

As they had breakfast together the next morning, Luken said, "How sure are you that he's innocent?"

"When he attacked you, he was injured. Maybe he did it in self-defense," Nick said a little nervously.

The plan to bring Allen here actually made Nick hesitate, because Luken didn't comment, it meant he was in a difficult position. The guy really didn't make any comments. Regardless of who Allen really is, it's weird to let strangers be herded into your house just like that. However, it seemed Luken had a mind of his own.

Moreover, they did not know whether they had brought a lion or a rabbit into this house.

Unfortunately, Damian was in charge of negotiating with the loser group in that night's auction, so he had to go out of town and couldn't help Nick here.

"He's not conscious yet. I put a few guards at the door just in case. Even if he intends to escape, he won't be able to."

Luken's frowned. "You know his identity, don't you?"

Nick has received information regarding Allen which Damian shared directly. The three of them were indeed close friends, but Luken was a man who was very wary of anything in the organization. She must not be happy if Nick found out about this.

But Nick didn't want to lie either. "I know. Then why?"

"I don't want to have any relationship with him."

"It still hasn't been proven that he was involved. In the past, he was only a twelve-year-old child. Even if you had problems with his parents, would you also blame an ignorant little kid?" Nick tried to speak logically.

But Luken didn't think so. Instead, according to information, Allen worked as a bartender at a coffee shop far from where the auction was being held. How could she suddenly become a hotel bell boy at an auction that had nothing to do with the shop where he worked? This is worth investigating.

And the two people who were with him in the hotel warehouse. The hotel also does not admit that they are part of its employees.

"Don't worry, I'll take a look and watch over it."

"Are you just going to take care of him alone?" Luken asked.

Hearing Luken's calm tone again, there was relief in Nick's chest. He again cut the meat saying, "It has to be me, I can't trust any strangers."

'And you believe in the boy.' Luken's eyes pierced straight through, but he couldn't find any ill will in Nick.

Just as he was about to say something more, there was a loud crashing sound coming from Allen's room. The dining room was very close to the room, so all sounds could be heard clearly. Then a female nurse that Nick had hired approached him in a panic.

"What is it?" Luken asked the nurse.

"He woke up and went berserk. He smashed things." The nurse explained, glancing at Nick. "Doc, he looks like he's in a lot of pain, but I can't get close to him."

"Impossible."

Nick reacted quickly and went to the room immediately. If Allen came to his senses this quickly, maybe something was wrong with his body. When Nick arrived in the room, he saw some things had been crushed on the floor. In the corner of the bookshelf, the person in question was standing there, panting. One hand clutched the wound in his stomach, the other wielded the broken table lamp. There were many traces of wet blood on his clothes and hands. That looks pretty bad.

"W-Who are you guys?" Allen tried to scream, but his throat was hoarse and dry from not touching the water for so long.

There was fear in his watery eyes. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead and his entire face was as pale as paper. From his frail expression, he seemed to be in pain, but he was trying to stand still because he was cornered.

Two bodyguards tried to get closer again, pounced on him, and both of his hands were finally caught.

"L-Let go! Let go of me, you bastard!" This time Allen struggled hard in the grip of the two bigger men, so the wound opened again.

Nick panicked. "Let him go!"

The bodyguard looked overwhelmed as Allen continued to rebel, but backed out in the end.

Seeing Allen getting more and more scared, Nick tried to move forward more slowly. "Allen, it's ok. You're safe here. No one's going to hurt you, ok? Put that light down."

"D-Don't come any closer!" Allen tried to back away, but remembered that he had been cornered.

Nick kept going. "Calm down. I'm not a bad person. I'll help you check your wound. You're bleeding again."

"Who are you? What do you want?!"

"You don't remember me? I helped you when you were hurt," Nick said quietly. "My name is Nicky, you're Allen Walker, right?"

Allen held his head which suddenly hurt. "I ..."

Nick didn't force him. "No problem. Your head hurts, it's fine not to remember a few things. Now, I want you to calm down and let me come closer, okay?"

There was a trace of blood that caught Nick's eye, and he wasn't happy about it.

In his refusal, Allen must have torn his own skin because his IV tube had fallen to the floor. Blood was still dripping on his torn skin. His small, wistful eyes seemed to be closing at any moment. This kid must be trying to stay conscious within his limits.

This time Allen, who even knew he couldn't escape, started to soften. When he realized that Nick had no ill intentions, he relaxed his anger. Immediately his legs lost strength and he slumped down. Silence soon fell in the room. But the footprints always had a sharp sound in the silence and Allen noticed that heavy loafers had entered the room. Unlike the others, the voice carried a hot and heavy air, tapping Allen's chest and making him nervous.

When he looked up, he saw the man in white who he knew to be Nick, and behind him stood another man, taller and dangerous-looking. Just by seeing the man walk in, there was a sharp feeling pressing against his chest, and he felt a strange trembling. His instincts immediately flared up.

"Back off!" Allen stood up again with his weak legs brandishing the lamp as if it were a weapon that would save his life. "Who are you? Back off! Don't come near me!"

Nick was surprised that Allen shouted again. "Allen, it's ok. I told you I wouldn't hurt you. Trust me."

Before he could approach Allen, someone had passed him first, and it was Luken. Nick sees Allen very panicked by this action and intends to run away throwing the lamppost. Too bad his hand was immediately caught by Luken.

Allen was surprised. Due to the oppressive pressure of the opponent in front of him, he was speechless. Even he couldn't pull himself away. His whole body seemed to be suppressed by a great force.

"Don't move."

With just those two words, Allen's entire body was completely stiff. The voice of the man in front of him was deep and had a sharp resonance. Like a cold sword frozen with ice and hitting the valve of his heart. His entire body was numb, like he had been electrocuted.

For a long time seeing the two facing each other, no one knew what would happen next.

Luken himself didn't move. Apart from the firm grip of his hand, his eyes were extremely sharp at how feminine facial features were. Allen has peach eyes with deep pupils. Just by looking at his pure white face, everyone would know how smooth his skin was. With a frail appearance, this man seemed to be pulling someone to protect him. And Luken had a feeling of nostalgia in it.

It really reminded him of the past.

To the people he hates.

After a while, Allen was surprised when Luken's hand moved to grab the lamp, and pulled it easily. With a loud bang, the lamp was thrown against the window. Surprise everyone.

"Maybe you don't understand why you're here, but I'll tell you." Luken's gaze was very indifferent. "Stop."

Like absolute magic. Allen's whole body relaxed, his eyes no longer rounded like eggs, a sudden bout of dizziness overcame his brain and his body staggered. The next second he fell into Luken's hands.

Everyone, "..."

Nick came to his senses the first time and was nearby instantly.

"Hey, can you hear me? Allen? Allen, open your eyes." Nick immediately cursed, "s**t! He's passed out again. Hey y'all hurry get him to his bed."

Before the bodyguards moved, Luken had already lifted Allen's body, and was surprised to find that he was so light. As Luken placed him carefully on the bed, Nick unpacked his medical kit and looked for some needed equipment.

"He's so cold," Luken muttered subconsciously.

Nick heard it and made no comment. He prepared a pain reliever injection because Allen was constantly in pain in his sleep. While the nurse reattached the IV, he injected the medicine he had prepared into the IV line. Move to see the wound on his stomach.

"Please get out of here," Nick pleaded.

Everyone left the room except Luken and one nurse. Nick was too busy to think of a reason why Luken had stayed, so he didn't kick him out.

"I'm guessing he'll throw a tantrum again when he wakes up. Should we tie him up?" Nick muttered to himself.

As it turned out, Luken replied, "No need."

A sign of suspicion, Nick secretly laughed, he held it in well so Luken wouldn't know. Nick knew even though Luken didn't seem to care, he still wanted to think about this kid.

"I think it's better to tie it up to prevent the previous things from happening." Nick cleared his throat.

Luken, on the other hand, didn't answer. And Nick's job of repacking Allen's wound was done. Luckily, the wound didn't get worse and the stitches didn't open, they bleed again just from the pressure he received. The thing to worry about is Allen's cold body temperature.

"I'll turn on the heating." Nick walked to the corner of the room, dragging the portable heater closer to the bed.

It's early summer, it's very strange to put on a heater in this season. However, Allen's condition still hadn't improved, the slightest cold air could cause his condition to worsen.

Nick was about to check the bandage on Allen's head, but he stopped when he saw Luken's hand was touching the young man's cheek. Not a vigorous touch, but a gentle touch like a dragonfly clinging to water. Nick glanced at Luken, it wasn't clear what he was thinking from his expression. It's just that it's good enough.

Maybe bringing the kid here, isn't such a bad thing.

The following month, Allen was in a complete coma. Nick was quite worried. Unlike before, he would go in and out several times, right now he was actually sleeping soundly.

"I'm going back home to take care of a few things," Nick said as he packed his briefcase. "If anything happens, call me."

And just like that, Nick left. He didn't bother waiting for Luken's answer.

At night, when Luken casually entered the room, he only stood for a moment in front of the door, but he saw that Allen's eyes had opened. This was quite surprising, so Luken walked slowly closer.

Allen's face was still as pale as before, there wasn't any color on it. His expression was also dazed. The furrows between his brows confirmed that he was in deep thought about what had happened, and where he was. Unlike last time, he didn't scream and throw a tantrum. His hands were still tied and he didn't try to pull away.

When the gazes of the two met, neither of them blinked for a moment.

Luken looked at this innocent weak face and couldn't help but think of the pet he had raised before, beautiful and obedient.

"Who are you?"

Luken's brow furrowed and he narrowed his eyes to see the frail expression more clearly. "I am a nobody."

tbc.