David was being selfish and he knew it. He didn't want to lie to her in any way, but if he didn't, well, it would be just like before. David felt stupid for believing he was actually going to get a happy ending. For believing Tally actually wanted to be with him. Realization hit him now that she had had no other option. But now she did. If they hadn't left the Smoke when they did, she would have left him just like before, and the past five years together would have meant nothing. Just like before Tally would go skipping off into the sunset with her little Zane-la while David would sit there wondering how he had let her slip through his fingers yet again. Because right now, while Tally sat there eagerly awaiting the answer to his question, Zane was at the Smoke, just as alive as David's father, probably just waiting for a chance to go find Tally.
"David?" She asked him again. He had no idea whether he should tell her or just make something up to stop the questioning. Well, there was only one option there. He wasn't going to let Tally go that easy this time. So, if at all possible, he would NOT tell her what was really going on.
"Um….." David stalled. "Most of the Smokies were out digging up what's left of the metal. They need larger hoverboard paths since the Smoke has grown quite a bit. The Mind-Rain brought out the Rusty in a lot of us. And, well, you saw how they reacted to you before. With the Smoke just coming back, the last thing that we need is a political squabble there." David had mumbled through most of it, trying to make it sound half-way convincing. He had always been a terrible liar anyway.
"Okay, well, that's it then?" Asked Tally.
"What do you mean?"
She stared at him for a moment, confusion evident on her face. "You saw your dad today for the first time in five years. They you leave suddenly. A few squabbling Smokies doesn't seem like a very likely reason."
Tally had a point. But, luckily for him, he had reasoning other than Zane for taking Tally away so suddenly.
"Tally, do you realize that that arrow could've killed you?" She stared at David with her mouth gaping at what he had just said. For nearly a fourth of her life she had found herself indestructible. How could something as simple, and primitive, and Rusty as an arrow possibly have an effect on her?
"You were unconscious for three days. We've been camped here for all that time." He said. "When my father came back, the Mind-Rain hadn't been entirely put into place yet. So, he did his research, and came up with the venom that was on the tip of the arrow they shot you with. It was designed specifically for Specials. The venom breaks down the outer shell of your body. Therefore dulling your reflexes, toning down your muscles, and weakening you all together. The venom then reaches your blood stream and spreads rapidly through your body, causing a haziness to drape over you. That's why you blacked out. My dad said though that the part of your mind that has motor skill and what not was the last part to wake up. That's the reason why you could think but not move for awhile." Tally was going to ask him how he knew about her not being able to move, but he continued before she had the chance.
"If my father hadn't given you the antidote when he did, it is very likely that you would have died. Or at the very best ended up like….." His voice trailed off. David had a feeling he had just made a very bad decision. David never brought up Zane because it put Tally into this depression that would last several hours if not longer. Of course, now that it was official that he was alive Tally didn't need to be sad.
"Oh." Was all she said. Now he had done it. He'd gone and said something about Zane. For the next two or three hours he'd probably be looking at nothing but her sad, mopey eyes. He hated to see her like that so much. He knew he could just tell her the truth, but, he was selfish. If awhile of watching her be sad meant he got to keep her, than so be it. He still thought he should apologize anyway.
"I'm sorry Tally. I shouldn't have said anything."
"No, it's okay." She said back. "I'm glad you told me. I, well, I wouldn't want that to happen. I'll just have to stay clear of Smokies and arrows from now on." She said with a sad smile, trying to cheer herself up. Tally turned her head away and after a long silence finally spoke.
"I love you David." She said softly. He was completely shocked. It was obvious that they loved each other, but neither had ever actually said it. Hearing it out loud though made him scream with joy inside.
"I love you too Tally." He did love her, and for just a fraction of a second, all his problems seemed to vanish. The feeling was short lived though. Their had been other times that he had thought they were in love and was proven wrong very harshly….
"Well isn't that sweet, Tally-wa. It looks like I came in at just the right moment."
"Shay?"
