She was new to the caves but she still thought she knew her way around. Nicole looked down another never ending tunnel. In the dark, it was unrecognizable. She groaned and leaned back on the cooled walls. "Need help finding your way around?" she turned to the shadowy figure, she cringed and the figure noticed. Light lit her face up and she squinted to make out the young man in front of her. Jamie.

"Excuse me?" she replied none too sweetly.

"Help- like finding what you're looking for" he shrugged

"I do not need help. What do I look like, some lost puppy?" She shoved him off and walked away trudging down the halls. Once in her room she landed square on her mattress and threw her arms over her head. She hated these caves. Her eyes tried to drift off but reality caught up to her. She couldn't sleep. Instead, her eyes prickled with unshed tears but she coughed and shook them away. Her feet danced along the halls again this time in the opposite direction as before. In the ten minutes it had taken her to calm down the men had started to play a game of soccer. Nicole sat next to Wanda, who had a distant look to her face. The young woman sighed then turned her gaze to Ian, watching his every move with wide eyes. "What does love feel like?" Wanda jumped but looked at the girl next to her.

"What?"

"What does love feel like?" She asked Wanda again. The soul whispered the question again to herself before explaining.

"For me or in general" The human stared at the soul before thinking of an answer.

"Both" she sighed. Wanda explained love a couple of times.

"Let's see. I think love is a mix of the smell in the air after it rains, the whistles of the trees, the pounding of thunder, the rushing of waves, sand beneath your feet, a good song, a long nights rest, a perfect bird tune, the feeling of being right, finding the exact pair of shoes to match your outfit, feeling safe in your house, fitting in, and being unique in one moment" Wanda took a big breath then sighed. "When I was Mel, her view of love is the same but add loyalty, devotion, need, want, thoughtfulness, etc" Nicole sat there for a moment thinking that over.

"I like your version better. More fairy tale themed" she beamed. Ian walked over then and brushed Wanda's cheek with the back of his hand. She caught Jamie's eye but looked away. Jared looked nervous. He was rocking back on his feet, looking around, calling people out, and studying his hands, before finally walked over to Nicole and Wanda.

"Have you seen Mel?" the room went quiet. The only people who had seen Mel after the raid were Wanda and Nicole. There goes Mel's secret. Wanda looked up at Jared.

"Of course" she said turning back to Ian.

"I mean after the raid" Jared grumbled

"Of course" Wanda said sweetly again.

"Well?"

"Well what?" she said turning her head

"WHERE?" Jared yelled. Ian dashed in front of Wanda enough to hide the tears from everyone's view. Nicole noticed them though. She watched silently the reaction of one blow up on the tiny soul. Before jumping up and pounding a finger into his chest.

"Did you say something?" she hissed

"Where is Mel?" he hissed back

"I didn't quite catch that. Want to yell it in my face?" she growled trying to stand up the large man. Jared realized his mistake and took a few steps back.

"Sorry Wanda" he whispered before walking slowly out of the room. Wanda jumped up and ran after him. After turning the corner she was already out of breath but kept running. Caught up to him she grabbed his sleeve with the energy she had left and stopped him. He gave her minute to catch her breath but nothing came. Wanda continued heaving bent over.

"Wanda!" Ian shouted. His frantic eyes sat on Jared. "What did you do?" he demanded

"Nothing" Jared said throwing his hands up. Even breaths over took the men.

"Mel. She's in her- your room… but she's… she wants to be alone" Wanda said

"Alone?" Jared said pulling out his hurt eyes

"Actually go check on her" Wanda said confidently. This may kill her, but he has to know.


I'm sure everyone has caught on to Mel's little secret. Just in case you haven't... next chapter readers :D