10. Worried

Julia sat beside Cain in silence. Ambrose was pacing along the rocks in the lightened rain. Dg sat a few feet from his path alongside Raw and Jeb; she was saying something to Ambrose but Julia couldnt make out the words.

Hows your lip? Julia asked.

Fine, Cain answered. He looked at Julia out of the corner of his eye. A deep, thoughtful expression had set into her features. He did not have to ask what she was thinking about. Im not sorry. He stated defensively after a silence. I did what I thought I had to.

I know. Julia responded calmly, not turning to look at him. The expression remained.

Then what are you thinking? he asked trying to hide his annoyance at her calmness.

How could she Julia struggled for the words. she was so young How did she even survive that shot wound? She shouldve bled to death. She said in an unbelieving voice.

Shes definitely different.

Ambrose really seems to have fallen for her. Julia said watching the scientist. She paused but Cain was silent. You think shell come back with us? To the castle I mean.

I wouldnt blame her if she didnt. Even without Like she said, shes been out here for too long.

We could definitely use someone like her on our team though. I hate to admit it, but shes a great fighter. Ambrose could do worse. She fell silent, imagining life with Zylina back at castle. If not anything else, she would be entertaining.

After a moment Julia looked back to Cain and saw the pained expression on his face.

Are you sure youre ok?

I cant believe Zero was the man who killed my wife and took my son from me. He ruined my life. He answered mostly to himself. Julia had heard the story of how Dg and Ambrose then called Glitch had found him in a tin suit. He Zero will pay.

Julia fought a smile. A few hours ago, he was ready to shoot Zylina and leave her for dead. She wondered what had changed to make him want to act for her. She wondered if it was the fact of Zylinas fate wasnt much different than his own. The people she loved were dead; she was, for intensive purposes, alone. It struck Julia as odd that that was how he must feel a lot. True, his son lived, but how long had he thought him dead? And his wife the woman he loved more than anything had been taken from him because he was a good man and tried to fight the evil witch. She couldnt believe how strongly she wanted to stand by his side, to kill anyone that had hurt him. Suddenly, a nervous feeling shot into her stomach.

No, she thought to herself. Hes your partner. You cant even think about it But it was no use. She instantly knew the feeling and knew that with it, there was no chance of it being ignored.

Thats it! Ambrose yelled, snapping Julia from her thoughts. Im going to find her! he started to storm off in the direction of the trees.

Youre going to get lost. Julia said standing calmly. Its going to be dark soon.

Its been hours! Who knows if shes okay!? he yelled. Julia had never seen him like this.

Ambrose she began gently.

No, Cain stood and put a hand on her shoulder. I told him I would help him find her. Ambrose nodded; his jaw hard, trying not to show his worry.

Julia caught Cains arm as began to walk away.

Be careful; alright? she said, looking sincerely into his eyes. There was a lot she suddenly wanted tell him but she couldnt bring herself to say any of it. He smiled a crooked smiled and walked away with Ambrose at his side.

Ambrose stopped with Cain just outside the ruined border.

Go ahead Ambrose. Ill wait here. Cain insisted. Ambrose stepped through the thick brush and began to walk carefully among the wet, barren land, nearly tripping over a broken branch as he went.

Finally he found her lying, curled tightly into a ball in the center of the village.

Zylina was vaguely aware of footsteps slowly approaching her, but couldnt bring herself to open her eyes. She imagined that it was Zero, a mercy in this God-barren world. She it wasnt truly him, she was too numb to even hope, but the distant thought was there.

Zylina? Ambroses soft voice broke the numbness for a mere second. She quickly squeezed her eyes tighter and pushed her face harder against her knees. His hand came to rest gently on her shoulder. Suddenly, the bliss of lack of feeling shattered. She found herself longing to feel his touch.

She felt a fierce sting in her eyes, a pressure against her chest, and her body was trembling terribly. It took her a long moment to realize that the sting was caused by the tears, the pressure against her chest her own hands tightly hugging the doll, and the trembling was it part because of the cold, and in part because of her deep sobs. She was slightly surprised by the fact she was still crying.

Ambrose. she whispered his name into her knees. I she looked up at him.

Shhh, he said soothingly. He gently gripped her shoulders and pulled her into his chest. She cried silently into his shoulder.

Cain rested his back on a tree and let his mind wonder for a moment while he waited for Ambrose, hoping he wouldnt be a mess when he returned. The look in Julias eyes won against the other images and thoughts running through his mind. He had seen something in them but he couldnt place what it was exactly. He had an idea of what it was, and he smiled to himself.

He closed his eyes and pictured Julia in his mind. She was so strong and proud; it didnt really surprise him that she had turned away and ignored the kiss. He figured she just needed time to realize what she wanted. If that was all she needed he would give it to her. But he made a silent promise to himself that he wouldnt wait forever, no matter how much he wanted to.

He looked up and saw the sky was almost black. He pushed himself off the tree and through the thick brush in search of the two. Silently he hoped that for Ambroses sake, he had found her.