Author's Note.
Hey guys, been around a while, reading lots. Decided to take a hand at writing, go easy on me please, but I would love your comments and suggestions. Help for a newbie and all that.
Disclaimer: I do not own Revolution. Trust me, it would go a lot different.
Starts right after Jason's death in Austin.
Charlie POV
Just keep walking. Head down. Wrap your arms around your stomach. Hide the blood. You're doing great Charlie. Breathe. Breathe. Don't let the damn tears fall. He was activated. You didn't have a choice. You're not the same girl who loved him. He's not the same. You can do this Charlie. Breathe.
In all my inner dialogue I hardly noticed the chaos around me. People screaming, running from gunshots no longer ringing in the air; people on the ground, trampled in the panic. Rendezvous point Charlie, got to get to Bass and Miles. Walk faster. Almost there girl. You're doing great. Good job keeping those tears away. No more emotions. Don't let them see you like this.
Slipping behind the buildings, running now, fast enough for the slow burn to thrum in my legs, distractions at its best. Where is that damn building?! There straight ahead. Maybe I will be the first one back, and I can get some of this blood off. No such luck. I go to reach for the door and it opens before I make contact. My gun is out of my waistband before I could blink.
"Shit, easy Charlie."
Connor. Of course. It's dark outside now and pitch black in here, can't even see my feet, good, maybe they won't see the blood. Gun back in my waistband, "Miles? Bass?" He's still Monroe, but he is also Bass. Hell, been calling him that in my head for a while now and sometimes it comes out of my mouth, well, as long as Rachel isn't around, she would blow a fuse.
"We're here Charlotte." Bass answers ahead of me and to the right, his voice is gravely and he is panting like he has been running, probably arrived just ahead of me.
"You getting old there Monroe?" I smirk, going for nonchalant, even though my brain is begging to release pent up emotion. Shove it down Charlotte, it had to be done, keep it together.
Miles snorts. He must be next to Bass. Connor chuckles immediately to my left. A fleeting thought comes through that I am a little disturbed that my brain automatically takes stock of everyone around me and their current location. I don't really get a chance to process this though because Bass is talking again.
"Hell no!" He's insulted, I can hear it, and it makes me feel just a tiny bit better. "Just cause you are like a freaking marathon runner and are hardly ever out of breath does not make me old!"
"Would you two pipe down, you're gonna call attention to us." Miles, ever the voice of reason. I roll my eyes. Connor must have been thinking the same thing because he readily responds with a snort "We are in an abandoned building on the far outskirts of the city."
My eyes have completely adjusted now so I can make out the outlines of the men in the room. We are in the kitchen area, I remember there was an island in the room when we picked it, Bass and Miles on one said Connor and I on the other. Miles is leaned on his elbows on the counter, and Bass is leaning against the wall. Connor is standing a little too close for comfort, but my brain is too focused on keeping my emotions in check and acting normal, dreading the question I know is coming.
"Where the hell is Nipples?"
I flinch. I knew it was coming, but I just HAD to go and think it.
Monroe quickly suggests we've waited long enough, even though we haven't been here two minutes, I know he doesn't particularly care for him. Connor nods in agreement beside me. Miles looks to me then, "Did you see him? Think we should wait?" Of course he thinks I would care, he thinks I still have a thing for him. I mean yes I do care—did care—about him still, and it was hard to be around him… Keep it together girl! Bass and Connor are looking at me too now. I guess I should answer them. I clear my throat and take a deep breath, praying to whoever is listening my voice is clear.
"No need to wait. He's dead. Let's go."
Score one for me, no shake, not even a crack in my voice. You can do this Charlie. I swear it's gonna be my new motto. I turn towards the door then. Connor reaches out and grabs my arm, I think he was starting to say something, but I don't hear it. My body is still wired from my fight with Jason, and I react to his touch. My elbow comes up and catches him in the throat and I swing his arm behind him as he doubles over coughing and sputtering.
"What the hell Charlie?!" He barely manages to choke it out.
Then Bass his hands on my ribs pulling me off and I wince. Hard. I know my ribs and abdomen are bruised to hell from my tumble with Jason. I hope he didn't notice, but Bass looks at me and I can tell he caught my wince. He starts to ask, plus he's in my space now and I know he sees the blood. Miles is occupied helping Connor up since Bass got to me first. I put a hand on his mouth silencing him. He raises his eyebrows and I look him right in the eye. I know he wants to know what's up, and I tell him with my eyes what I can't say out loud. "Later I promise" He nods his head and I release my hand. This takes seconds.
"Sorry Connor." It's mumbled, barely there. The tears are coming again, I squish them down with a smart ass remark. "Guess that'll teach you not to touch me huh?" Miles chuckles and opens up the back door of the kitchen. "Are we getting out of here or what?"
Our camp spot where we left the guys isn't too far, but I was afraid with the moonlight that the blood would show, not to mention what I was sure would be purple handprints on my throat. As my luck would have it, if you could call it that, clouds had taken over the sky as we walked out. Connor hadn't yet shut the door behind him when the skies opened and rain came down in a pour, the way it only could on a hot summer night in Texas.
"You have got to be freaking kidding me!" Miles. I almost want to laugh. Connor is bitching as he takes off at a run after Miles. Bass starts after him, though when he notices my hesitation he starts jogging backwards. He silently gestures to my face and arms, then my shirt, pretending to wipe blood off of himself. He turns around then, before he gets the chance to see the small smile on my face. You're gonna be okay Charlie. I take off at a jog now. Miles and Connor running ahead Bass right behind them. I scrub my arms and face in the rain then rub my shirt together, pulling it away from my body as I run. I know I am probably gonna trip. But it would be worth it. As I scrub, I remember just whose blood I am washing from my body and I stop and turn back towards Austin.
"Goodbye Jason." This has to be it, my last thought.
I laugh at myself in my head; I know the questions will come with the light of day. Monroe isn't going to let this go. He isn't easily dissuaded and I should know considering how much time I spent hunting him, then fighting with him. We live in a strange world.
Suddenly there is a hand on my shoulder. "Charlotte we have to keep moving."
I easily mask my surprise at him being there, no need for him to know I was lost in my head space and didn't hear him approach. I gesture forward and he takes off running again, this time I go at his side. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. May as well hurry up and get there so we can get it over with.