A/N: Hey guys! Thank you so much for the lovely reviews! I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! Lots of love!
Chapter Eight
Melanie's P.O.V
Anger radiated from Jeb. His fists were clenched with frustration while his face turned a bright shade of red. Jared stared at Wanderer in disgust. The animosity towards my sister made me feel uncomfortable. Only I am allowed to hate my sister.
"Can I talk to Wanderer alone? Please." Jeb nodded his head and left the room, the others followed him as if he was their pack leader. They way Wanderer looked at me broke my heart. She looked at me with those big brown eyes and she was no longer eighteen and all grown up, I saw the small baby our parents – the aliens- brought home from the hospital. I saw my baby sister. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around her. "I'm sorry. My only job is to protect you and I can't even do that properly." I sighed heavily, balancing my head on top of Wanderer's. A quite murmur escaped from her lips, "I miss them."
How? I bit my tongue to avoid causing her anymore pain. "I know. But, they aren't our real parents. They are imposters. Our real parents died a long time ago." I could feel her tears falling onto my t-shirt. "You have to let them go, Wanderer. They're dangerous."
Wanderer's P.O.V
I managed to escape from Melanie's arms. "How could you say that?" Shaking my head in utter despair, I hold myself up with my arms. Melanie sighed, the same way she sighed when I was seven and I accidently broke her rollerblades. She was disappointed in me. The feeling was mutual. "I don't understand how you can still see them as our parents."
"Because they are our parents!" My voice became sterner. "They raised us. They loved us. They taught us how to love and how to be kind. They made us happy. I'm sorry if I cannot just forget that." Unable to look at my sister and a desire to escape the conversation caused me to flee the small box room we were in. Jared, Jeb, Maggie and Ian were standing by the entrance. By the look on their faces I could tell they had overheard the conversation. Ian was the only one who didn't look at me like I was the devil.
"Ian, would you mind showing me where I could get a glass of water?" He smiled lopsidedly and offered me his arm.
"I'd be happy to."
He guided me through the winding paths of the cave, pointing out important places as we went. Where they planted crops, where they washed, where they played games and held meetings. Secretly, I was impressed by the community that had been created in such a dark and depressing place. Ian smiled proudly while giving me the tour, he was proud of his home. Home. I miss home.
"Do you think I'm a bad person?" I asked, afraid of the answer. Ian halted and stood in front of me, looking me directly in the eye. "No." He shook his head passionately, as if he was disgusted with my question. "Wanderer, I've never met anyone who has so much compassion as you do. You show nothing but love and loyalty to the aliens inside of your parents. At first, I thought that made you absolutely insane. But, now I see it's because you have the biggest heart of anyone I've ever met." The mixture of Ian's blue eyes starring into mine and the kind things he said about me compelled me to lean up and kiss him. Placing my hand on his cheek, I pressed my lips against his as he wrapped his arms around me so there was no space in between our bodies.
"I should probably stop kissing you like this." I mumbled against his lips however I didn't pull away from his hold. I felt safe in his arms.
"I'd very much appreciate it if you never stop kissing me like that." His lips formed a boyish grin as a soft giggle emitted from my lips.
"Let's go and get you some water" He released me but only for a second. His long fingers intertwined with my small dainty ones as we made our way towards the kitchen. Everything was so basic.
"It's not much but we survive." He retrieves a jug of clean water and a mug. "I'm sorry it's not as fancy as you're used to." The smirk returned to his lips. I will never get enough of that smirk.
"Things are definitely different down here." I perched myself on a stool next to Ian. The water, although warm, was a welcomed relief. "That's an understatement. God, I miss civilisation." Ian chuckled to hide the seriousness of his statement. I contemplated reaching out to hold his hand, to comfort him. "What do you miss the most?" I asked as I took a risk and held Ian's hand in mine. His eyes averted down to our interlocking hands before looking up at me. He smiled warmly, "Besides my family, poptarts." We both laughed together.
"I thought you guys took some from my house?"
"Howe ate them all." He scowled playfully. "Are you missing your home?" I nodded timidly. Although I strangely felt comfortable with Ian, I didn't want him to know that all I long for is to see my parents again. He would hate me.
"What are they like? Your parents?" I raised an eyebrow as I looked at Ian. Does he really want to know?
"Well, my Mother is named Knits Fire and my Father is named Faces Sunward. They are both professors at the university." Ian chuckled quietly. "What is it?" I asked curiously.
"With names like 'Knits Fire' and 'Faces Sunward' how did you not guess that they were aliens?" Ian continued to chuckle however I was completely oblivious to what was so funny. "My name's Wanderer, is that a strange name?"
"For a human, yes." Ian stood up from his stool and placed both his hands on my cheeks. Softly, he tilted my head so I was looking up at him. "But, it's unique. As are you." Then he leaned down and brushed his lips against mine. Sparks flew across my body as we touched. Something inside of, something I've never felt before craved for something more. For something more intense. But Ian was soft and gentle. His kisses were feather light and left me craving more.
"However, my dear Wanderer, your name suggests you don't stay in one place very long and I cannot have that. I need you here with me."
