Chapter 27

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She woke alone.

Greeted by the grey gloom of daybreak she sat up, glancing round the room, but there was no sign of Bane. His vest and brace already gone.

Throwing back the covers, her thoughts returned to the previous night. Remembering the relief as his hand had closed around hers. They'd stayed like that until her lids became heavy. Exhausted from stress, she didn't resist as he took her in his arms and laid her down upon the bed. Covering her with the heavy Tibetan throw that now lay bunched at her ankles. She remembered the mumbling of words before a flash of warmth. The gentle brush of fingertips against her skin before she fell into deep slumber. Had that happened or was she imagining it?

A sharp rap on the door caused her to jump as Barsad appeared in the doorway, seeming unsurprised at the sight of her alone in Bane's bed. She knew what it must look like, but she was too nauseous to defend herself as her eyes took in his black clad armour. The distinctive red bandana of Bane's rebellion tied around his neck.

"It's time."

She nodded. Not trusting her voice enough to speak.

"Pack a bag. I'll wait for you out here."

She waited until he was gone before gathering what little she had. Stuffing it into a rucksack before changing into an all black outfit, unsure of what she was dressing for, before joining him in the living room.

"Do you have everything?" he asked.

"I think so- ?"

He heard the confusion in her voice. Realising she obviously no idea what was going on.

"Okay. Come on."

She paused. Suddenly anxious and glanced round at the apartment that had been her home for the last few months. So much had happened here. But as she took her first nervous step into the hall she realised that she was probably not coming back.

Bundled into the back of a black jeep, they drove in silence. With just Barsad accompanying her, she was allowed to remain uncovered and unbound, though the doors remained locked. She didn't mind. she was grateful for the view as the jeep rolled away from the now deserted compound.

She expected Barsad to say something, to try put her mind at ease but he remained silent. Seeming on edge himself. She wanted to ask him where they were going. About what was going to happen but she knew she probably didn't want to hear the answer. She knew too much. Even if she were to live, there would be no good outcome from this. Not for her.

XXX

They arrived at a large building in the centre of town, its dome visible for miles around. Barsad led her inside. A hand on the small of her back as he guided her through the foyer which was overflowing with armed soldiers. All of them donning the same distinctive red bandana, turning her blood cold.

Carrying on upstairs she was led to a brightly lit room which she recognised as the dome. Its circular walls made entirely of glass allowing her to look out over the city. With instructions to stay put, she looked down onto the street below. It was eerily quiet, calm almost. Strange to think that in only a few short hours it would be rife with the sound of war. How many lives would be lost? What good would come of this feud? She didn't know how long she stood there but eventually the sun began to rise. Grey cloud giving way to the early morning light, casting the room into a golden glow when the door finally opened. The sound of heavy boots coming up behind her.

He said nothing as he came to stand beside her. The rasp of his mask filling the silence as sunlight rippled across their faces.

"I thought you may like to see it" he said finally "one last time."

One last time.

The words rang clear in her ears. This was it. This was the end.

She turned to face him. A lump forming in her throat. He looked formidable in all black. His leather armour causing him to look even bigger as he towered above her. A thick cargo jacket covering his armoured vest but it was his eyes that held her. His expression unreadable as they bored into hers.

"Barsad."

He appeared in the doorway. His expression sombre.

"Take Lauren's things to the car."

Car?

"Whats going on?" she asked nervously "where are you taking me?"

"Home."

Her heart faltered. Unsure she had heard him right.

"W-what?"

"You were brought here to aid my recovery. Evidently you have succeeded therefore, you are free to go. You can go home."

Home.

The word brought forward remnants of a former life. The faces of her family clear in her mind. She longed to see them, to hold them once more but she no idea where they were or if they were okay. Separated during Bane's rebellion, he'd taken her before she was able to track them down. Where would she even begin to look? Were they looking for her?

"My family…I don't know if-"

"They're alive."

Her eyes found his. Unable to mask her shock as she awaited an explanation.

"All of them?"

Bane nodded.

"Go with Barsad. There's a car waiting for you downstairs. The driver will take you anywhere you wish."

Her head whirled. This was all happening so fast. She thought she was here to fight a war and now she was learning her family were safe and well. He was letting her go. It was everything she had longed for but now it was within arm's reach, she was suddenly terrified.

"Miss Conlon?"

She was aware of Barsad saying her name. She knew she should go with him, but she couldn't move. Her eyes locked on Bane's. She couldn't leave. Not yet. Not like this.

"Can I talk to you?" she asked, her voice barley a whisper "Alone?"

A flicker of uncertainty crossed his features.

"Please"

He debated for a long second before turning to Barsad; "Wait for her outside."

She waited for the slam of the door. Suddenly afraid as she turned to face him. Her heart pounding hard in her chest as her eyes found his.

"So this is it" she whispered "this is goodbye?"

His silence answered her question, but she felt no relief. Her veins filling with dread as they stood staring at one another. Their relationship had been complimented to say the least. Forged by time but strengthen by suffering. She had hated him. Cared for him. Fought with him. Laughed with him and somewhere in the middle of all that, he had become everything to her. He had become home. A place of safe and security. A place she felt whole. How was she supposed to carry on without him? How was she supposed to go back home like nothing had happened? How was she supposed to be alone?

"Why?" She breathed "after everything we've been through – why now?"

He watched for a moment before exhaling heavily. His hard exterior momentarily broken.

"When I arrived in Pena Dura prison, there used to be guards who liked to play a game. They'd choose one of us and bury us alive. Taking bets on if you could dig your way out. But then they'd dig you deeper – and play again. To survive that, to survive that place…I had to become more. If the world is full of monsters, then the only way to defeat them is to become one yourself. I tried to do that to you, in beginning. I tried to push you into becoming like me. To prove that there was no good left in this world but you…I won't make you a monster too. That is why you have to go."

Tears pricked at her eyes. Her heart tearing open at his pain. No one should ever have to go through what he had. He deserved more, a life free of this pain.

"You don't have to do this you know. It's not too late-"

"Don't. Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Try to convince me not to go through with it. You know why I'm here."

"But it doesn't have to be this way. Not anymore."

"Yes. It does."

"But why?" she protested.

"You know what will happen. I don't have a choice" he said firmly "besides, it's the only thing I know how to do."

The words left her mouth before she was able to stop herself.

"Then come with me."

A gasp escaped the mask. Shock clear in his face. For a moment she saw it. A glimmer of hope in his eyes as he saw what could be. He saw it because she did too. He saw them hiding out in the desert somewhere. Their faces bronzed from the sun. It was by no means normal. But they were free and they were together.

"I -I-"

"Come with me" she begged "We can go anywhere you want. Just don't do this. Please"

She could see him warring with himself. Before his features hardened. His mind made up.

"I can't" he breathed"though I wish I could."

She knew then that she had lost him. And there was nothing she could do to stop it.

With unsteady legs she took a step forward, closing the gap between. She could see the fear in his eyes as she reached out with a trembling hand. Barely daring to breathe as her fingertips pressed against his mask. The valves thrumming gently against her skin. She could feel uncertainty rolling off him, his body stiff and tense like a caged animal, but he didn't pull away. His eyes burning with an emotion she couldn't place as she gently caressed where his lips should have been.

"Don't die for nothing Bane. Live for something."

Feeling as though her heart would shatter, she turned away, unable to bare the pain any longer when his hand suddenly shot out. Grabbing her by the wrist and spinning her into him. He said nothing. His eyes never leaving hers as a hand found her face. Cupping her cheek as he pulling her head to his.

In another life this may have been the moment their lips met. But this was far more intimate than any kiss she'd had. It was heat and longing and loss all rolled into one. Tears rolled down her cheeks as he held her. Knowing what she needed to do but not wanting too. Squeezing her eyes shut she basked in his heat, pressing her cheek into his palm, savouring the moment before she tore herself from him. Tears forming in her eyes as she ran from the room.

Hi guys!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and that you are all enjoying the journey. I cant believe it's all coming to an end!
I 'd just like to thank you all for your ongoing support. Knowing that there is someone out there, taking the time to read my little story - it honestly makes my day. So thank you. I hope you are all doing okay and staying safe.
Until next time!
xxxxx