by Cameo Renae
“We all should take a lesson from you, Abi dear.” Dr. Banks smiled as he hovered over me. He inserted the needle, pushing the last vile of serum into my arm. As he pulled it out, he applied a small gauze pad to the tiny puncture wound.
“So, that’s it?” I asked, pressing the bandage down with my fingers.
“That’s it,” he replied. “I’m not entirely sure what it will do, but you’ve just been given the full treatment. Have you felt any side effects?”
I shook my head. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
He rummaged through his bag. “I’d like to check your vitals if that’s okay?”
“Check away.”
The doctor bustled around, listening to my heart, taking my temperature and blood pressure, and looking into my ears, nose, and throat. Milton and I waited for his diagnosis.
“You’re healthy, but need to rest,” he said. “Your heart rate is a little elevated, but that was expected with the serum. Are you experiencing pain anywhere?”
In my heart, I wanted to say. But that was a different kind of pain.
“Nope,” I replied.
“You’ve got dark circles under your eyes,” he said raising my head and shining his light into them. By the look on his face, I could tell they’d become iridescent from the serum.
I shut my eyes and willed them to return to their normal color, and when I opened them again, Dr. Banks blinked a few times and then shook his head.
“I don’t know what to make of that.”
“I don’t think anyone on this planet would either.” I giggled, trying to make light of my anomaly.
“How have you been feeling?” he asked, putting his instruments back into his bag.
“Tired. I’ve had some trouble sleeping.” I didn’t want to lie. My sleepless nights were becoming a real concern.
Dr. Banks turned back to me and rested his hands on my shoulders. “I’ll give you something to take the edge off and help you relax. You should take it now. The effects will kick in after breakfast. The more you rest, the better you’ll feel.”
I didn’t want Dr. Banks to use any of his medication on me, especially when there were others who could benefit from it. I knew he had a limited supply, and I’d be on the run anyway.
“Nah, I'll be all right.”
“I am the doctor here, and I’ll stay close by to make sure you take it,” he said in a fatherly tone with one brow raised.
I sighed deeply. “Fine.” I could use some sleep for the upcoming journey ahead.
Moments later, my parents entered. They knew today was my last injection, and by the furrowed lines in their brows, it was easy to see they were concerned.
Mom rushed over and wrapped me in one of her motherly bear hugs. “How are you feeling sweetheart? You look tired.”
I knew the dark circles under my eyes were a dead giveaway. “I'm all right,” I replied, producing my best smile.
“Have you been getting enough sleep?” my dad asked.
“As much as my brain allows.”
“You’re a true survivor.” Dad kissed my forehead, and I wrapped my arms around his midsection.
“How is she?” He turned to Dr. Banks for reaffirmation.
“She’s healthy, but I gave her orders to rest.” He pulled out a container from his medical bag, shook out a small pill, then handed it to me. “You’ll want to take this with some food.”
My mom wrapped her arm around my shoulder. “Breakfast is ready. I think we should all get something to eat.”
“Sounds good to me,” I said, wrapping my arms around my parent’s waists as they guided me out to breakfast.
It felt like old times. My parents were smiling and chatting away, and there seemed to be no cares or worries. I took a mental picture and tucked it away in my heart for safe keeping, a reminder of what could be if I ended this nightmare.
BREAKFAST WAS EVENTFUL. EVERYONE SEEMED happy to be alive another day, and their positive energy put a smile on my face. A few men from Billy’s group entertained us with some music, which was an added plus.
Uncle Frank and his family were sitting at a table adjacent to us, with Tom and Mae Hatch. Lily and Charlie were sitting off to the side, laughing.
My grandparents were directly across from us, with a few of the elders from Billy’s group. They were sharing about their duties and responsibilities, exchanging ideas on how they’d kept their hives running smoothly.
It was obvious Dr. Banks and Martheus were thrilled to be back together. The smiles on their faces were wide, as they continued to catch up on the years they spent apart.
Finn arrived fashionably late, escorting his mom to the table. He looked as handsome as ever in a fitted black tank top and denim jeans. His eyes looked tired as he leaned over and kissed me.
“Hey,” Finn whispered, taking the seat next to me.
“Hey,” I breathed. I glanced over to his mom. “Hi, Anya.” I waved.
“Hi, darling.” She smiled and waved back, then took a seat next to Mae.
I took notice of an elaborate tattoo on Finn’s left arm. “When did you get this?” I asked, tracing the design with my fingers.
“A few days before we escaped,” he remarked. “I was chosen to be a part of a special task force, and each of us was given this tattoo.”
“Really?” I said proudly. Finn was probably at the top of their list, and it wouldn’t have surprised me if he was their number one soldier.
I ran my fingers over his soft skin, tracing the outlines of the design.
There was a skull in the middle of a circle. Sprouting from the skull were a pair of wings, outspread to its sides. Behind the skull was a biohazard symbol, which looked like horns extending from the skull. Around the circle were the words, ARVY OUTBREAK TASK FORCE. At the bottom were two guns aimed upward, and in between those guns was a banner with the phrase—Only the strong survive.
“Yeah, it hurt like a bitch though.” He chuckled, taking a bite of food.
“How many were chosen for the team?” I asked.
“Fifty,” he said shoving a bite into his mouth. “We went through rigorous training exercises, and were going to be sent out in teams to eliminate the Arvies surrounding the bunker.”
“They lost their best.” I grinned, nudging him.
He threw his arm over my shoulder and pulled me close, whispering in my ear. “Yes, they did. And I’m glad I made it out to protect you.” He kissed my temple, then turned his attention back to his plate.
I shook my head. “Not me.”
“Yes, you. You are their top soldier, Abi. They were going to feed me to the Arvies, remember? They wanted to show your gifts to the leadership, but instead, you wiped out the entire room in seconds, using a weapon they could never replicate.”
The flashback made negative emotions flare inside me, and I found my chest rising and falling heavily. “I’ll never forgive them for that.”
The thought of them putting him in a cage with Arvies started to wake the sleeping rage. I grasped Finn’s hand and closed my eyes, trying to calm the waking demon inside. Its intensity terrified me. What would happen if it was accidentally unleashed around my loved ones?
That was another reason I had to leave. I would never forgive myself if any one of them were hurt. The power was there, but so was the growing rage used to unleash it.
I felt Finn’s arms wrap around me. “Abi, are you all right?”
“I'm fine,” I exhaled, still trying to quench the heat.
As I opened my eyes, the entire room was quiet, giving me quizzical stares. I felt like an outsider.
“What’s wrong?” my dad asked.
Dr. Banks stood from his seat and headed toward me, but I held up my hand.
“I'm all right,” I announced. “It’s the sleeping pill kicking in. I’m a little dizzy, that’s all.”
“Then you should lie down and let it work its magic,” Dr. Banks noted.
“I’ll take her,” Finn offered, rising from his seat.
I didn’t argue, but as I stood my legs almost buckled. Finn caught my waist, steadying me.
“You should get some sleep, Abi,” my dad said.
“I’ll come and check on you in a bit, honey,” my mom added taking a sip of her coffee.
“Hopefully, my mind will shut down.”
“It should,” Dr. Banks replied. “That pill packs quite a punch.”
“Good,” I smiled, allowing Finn to lead me out.
When we arrived at my room, sadness overcame me. My serum injections were complete, and the sand in my hourglass was slipping away, opening new fissures along my already fragile heart with each falling grain.
A tear trickled down the side of my cheek. I was unable to hold back the rush of emotion, always brimming, ready to burst at any given moment. I could feel the constant humming inside, and it was making my emotions go haywire. I hated not being in complete control.
My eyes were heavy as Finn helped me to bed. He grabbed the blanket and pulled it over me, then leaned over and kissed my forehead.
“What’s wrong?” I could hear the concern in his voice.
“The lack of sleep and medication are making me emotional. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“Nothing’s wrong with you. You just need to sleep.” He stood above me. “What can I do?”
“Can you stay with me until I fall asleep?” I selfishly wanted him to stay with me, but I didn’t want him to feel obligated. I knew he had things to do.
He sat behind me and pulled me up between his legs until my head rested against his chest.
“I’m here for you, and I always will be,” he said, wrapping his arms around me.
“Thank you,” I breathed, fading into sleep.
PEACE SETTLED OVER ME AS I walked down the familiar pathway lined with green, breathing in the beautiful floral and fruity fragrances around me. I smiled, looking out over my Garden of Eden.
I hadn’t talked to Dr. Simon since I’d been knocked out at the old barn, or my Grammy since the bunker, and wondered if I was still able to make contact with them. I had to use this time to try.
I continued down the path, the grass lining the sides looked soft and inviting. Too inviting. Smiling, I fell backward onto the green carpet. It molded against me, caressing my back as I stared into the blue sky. The sun was bright and warmed my face; a gentle breeze blew through my hair, tousling it up and tickling my face. This seemed too real to be a dream.
It was as close to heaven as I could get, except it was missing one crucial thing—my best friend. Finn was still on the outside, holding my sleeping body, but it wasn’t the same. His soft touches, his smile, the sound of his voice, his laughter…it made me complete. And no matter how perfect this dream seemed, it would always remain imperfect as long as he wasn’t in it.
I took in a deep breath and sat up. I needed to make contact with Grammy and let her know the plan. I was going to make my way toward her. I had to try, even though there were thousands of miles between us. If anything happened to me, at least someone would know. My chances were slim, but I did have an advantage with the new gift. It was the only thing giving me any hope of survival.
“Grammy,” I shouted. “Grammy, can you hear me? Are you out there?” I waited for a few minutes and tried again.
I was about to give up when I finally heard a faint voice call my name.
“Abigail? Abigail, are you there?” My insides bubbled with joy and relief. Hearing her voice was like being wrapped in a warm blanket on a cold day.
Right now, she was the only one I could confide in, besides Dr. Simon. But I wasn’t sure how safe it was to talk to him anymore. He was still a prisoner inside the bunker, and who knew what they would do to him if they found out he made contact with me.
“Grammy,” I called. “I need to talk to you.”
There was so much I wanted to tell her. So much that had been bottled up inside.
I made my way down the path toward her voice, and as I continued, a bright light headed toward me. As it neared, I knew it was her. I could feel her. Twenty feet away, the bright light dissipated. Grammy stood there with a beaming smile, raising her arms to welcome me.
“Grammy,” I cried, running and throwing my arms around her.
“How are you, my sweetheart? I’ve been so worried.” Her arms enclosed around me, holding me tight. “Have you escaped? Are you safe?”
“Yes,” I sniffled, backing away from her. “For now. But they’re after me.”
“Who?” Her eyes narrowed on mine.
“The leaders of the government bunker,” I said.
“What happened?”
I knew I’d have to explain, and every time I did, I became too emotional. I sucked in a deep breath and went into detail about our stay at the bunker. When I got to the part where I’d killed the whole room of people, I broke down crying. “I couldn’t stop it, Grammy. The rage inside was too strong. I killed them. Every single one of them.”
She grabbed my shoulders and steadied me. “It’s not your fault. They injected something that could have killed you and ended up creating something that could destroy them. They got what they deserved. When Karma’s unleashed, it can be quite the bitch. Excuse my language.”
I tried to smile through my pain. “The new leaders have threatened to kill my family and anyone hiding me. That’s why I have to leave them behind. To keep them safe.”
She breathed in deeply, worry rumpled her brow. “You need to find me. You’ll be safe here.”
“But you’re thousands of miles away,” I noted. “I’ll only have enough water and food for a few days.”
“I know, but you don’t have many options. There are towns and cities you’ll come across along the way. Get a map and compass, make sure to skirt around those areas. Hopefully, you’ll be able to find some food, water, and supplies along the way.”
My insides were twisting at the thought of entering any town or city alone. The ordeal at Sanctum brought back horrible memories. There’d been so many Arvies, hundreds of them, and so many beautiful lives taken by them. Pike’s face flashed before me, making my heart throb.
“I have faith in you, Abigail. You’re strong and resilient and have adapted well to your ever-changing environment. I knew you were special from the first day I laid eyes on you. I believe in you. I know you will find your way.”
I sighed, knowing I had no other options, especially with the sounds of helicopters outside. It was only a matter of time before they found Billy’s cave.
“You’re not alone,” Grammy said. “If you ever need me, I’ll be here. Just make sure you’re in a safe, secure place before you try and make contact with me. I don’t want the enemy attacking you while you’re away in your mind.”
“Right,” I exhaled. “What do you think I should do with the family? Should I leave them a note? I don’t want them to come after me. It’s way too dangerous for them out there.”
“A note would be the proper thing to do. Without one, your mother will panic. They’ll probably come to look regardless, but at least a note will let them know your intentions and that you’re alive. Your parents care deeply for you, and would do anything to save you.”
“I know, and that’s what scares me. That’s why I need to put as much distance between us as I can.”
“With or without a note, they’ll know why you left. They know the government’s intentions and the risks that come with it.”
I nodded. “I want them all to be safe.”
She ran her hand down the side of my cheek. “One day, we will all be together again. I’ve seen it in one of my recurring dreams. And look,” she lifted my chin, “you’re here. Not physically, but never in my wildest dreams would I have thought this to be possible. You’ve brought me so much joy and so much hope.”
“You’ve brought me hope, Grammy,” I said hugging her tight.
“Rest up child. You have a long journey ahead. I am looking forward to hugging you in person.”
I smiled. “I am too.”
She gave me a kiss on the forehead and stepped back. As she did, she raised her hand and waved goodbye. “I’ll be waiting for you, Abigail.”
I waved back and watched her body fade.
I felt a little encouraged that she knew I was coming, and she’d be expecting me. It was a crazy idea, one that no sane person would want to undertake on their own. I had no idea how, or where, I was going to replenish my food and water supply, or if I would find a safe place to sleep. Thirteen years of survival training would be put to the ultimate test.
I’d have to travel by night and sleep during the day because the heat of the sun would be the death of me.
I walked over to two tall trees and lay on the soft bed of grass between them. My mind was wide awake, obviously because I was experiencing everything in it, but I needed to find a way to shut it all down. Feeling entirely safe, I closed my eyes. Nothing could harm me here, and knowing I was wrapped in Finn’s arms made it all the better.
I don’t know how long I was asleep, but when I opened my eyes, the room was dark.
“Hey you,” Finn whispered.
“You’re still here?” I smiled, stretching my limbs.
“I made a promise.” He kissed my temple. “You hungry? They’re serving dinner.”
“Dinner?” I gasped, sitting up. “Did you miss lunch?”
“No, your mom brought me lunch.” He chuckled, then looked into my eyes. “How are you feeling? You were so tired you were snoring.”
“Are you serious?” My face scrunched, and cheeks warmed.
“Yep. It was cute though. Almost like you were purring.”
“That’s embarrassing.” I exhaled. “I slept better than I have in weeks.”
My stomach growled loudly.
“We better head to dinner and feed your inner beast.” Finn laughed, lifting me to my feet.
“WHAT’S WRONG?” FINN NUDGED ME in the side at the dinner table.
My head snapped up, realizing I was in deep thought and had barely eaten anything. My mind was spiraling, knowing I’d be leaving in a few hours.
