A/N: Hey! I know this chapter is a little shorter than usual but I wanted to leave you guys on a cliffhanger! (I'm a sucker for a cliffhanger)
Hope you guys enjoy, lots of love!
Chapter Ten
Melanie's P.O.V
Jamie was showing me some old history text books when Jared came rushing back into the tiny, underwhelming classroom. We had managed to find his brother but not Wanderer; Jared went back out to find her while Jamie filled me in on our species history. Both Jamie and I could tell something was seriously wrong by the look on Jared's face. The small boy jumped out of his seat, "What is wrong?" he asked. Jared reached out for my hand.
"You need to come with me." Before I had a chance to question him, Jamie took Jared's hand and mine causing Jared to scowl. But, he gave in and dragged the both us back through the cave. The atmosphere grew tense; the residents stared at me with utter hatred in their eyes. What am I, the plague?
Slowly figuring out where we were heading, I raised an eyebrow. "Why are we going back to the prison cell?" Jared was too involved in his own thoughts to hear me. Or he just didn't want to answer me. Jamie looked up at me and smiled his innocence on display. "I'm sure it will be fine, Mel." I smiled softly; his sweet and gentle nature reminded me of Wanderer. I wonder if they've given her a nickname too.
As we reached the corner just by the caves home-made prison, Jared came to an abrupt stop. He turned to look at me as he placed both hands on the tops of my arms.
"Whatever happens now, just know that I'm here. I can protect you." The tone in Jared's voice frightened me. "What's wrong?"
"You should see for yourself." Jared stepped aside, pulling Jamie along with him. I heard them bickering as turned the corner.
Wanderer must have gotten herself in trouble. As I entered the cell, I saw Wanderer, as expected. But I could never have expected to see her curled up into our mother's arms.
Wanderer's P.O.V
Jeb's words sent me into a trance. I'm unsure of how I was even able to speak or to run. "Where are they?" I demanded.
"After Kyle brought them in, we took them to the cell. There's a lot of anger out there." Instinctively, I barged past Jeb and darted through the cave. I wasn't sure I was heading in the right direction until I arrived at the kitchen area. Then I was stuck. There were three different paths I could go down. Which one will lead me to my parents?
The sound of feet slamming against the ground shook me out of my own thoughts. Ian came speeding round the corner, Jeb following further behind. Ian didn't even stop; he grabbed my hand and pulled me along with him. Jeb called out for us but Ian showed no signs of stopping. Thankfully. By the time we reached the cell, Jeb wasn't following us. A tall, blond and quite intimidating man was guarding the entrance.
"What are you doing here, Ian?" the man asked curiously.
"I need to see my parents. Now." I said before Ian had the chance to answer. I tried to push past the guy with no luck. He was quicker and stronger.
"Move out her way Kyle." They two boys stared at each other, as if they were having a stand-off. Growing impatient, I managed to slip past Kyle. He and Ian were too busy playing "Who has the biggest ego?" to notice I'd got past till it was too late. My mother greeted me with open arms which I happily folded into. My father wrapped his arms around the both of us before placing a kiss on my forehead.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Mother asked over and over again with a sense of panic I've never seen before, not from my parents.
"I'm okay, they haven't hurt me." Tears begin to fall from my eyes as I grasp onto my mother. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again." I blurted out in between sobs. "You should have known we'd find you girls." I pulled away from the hug to look at my father. He was smiling more than humanly possible.
"How did you even know where to find us?"
"That's what I want to know." The three of us turned to find Melanie standing in the archway. Ian was just behind her, and behind him was Jeb. With a shotgun.