Nightmares from the Future

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They shouted. You're nothing but a freebirth! You're nothing! You're not worthy! Go be a technician like your parents! You'll never be a warrior! Freebirth!

I'm not! I'm not! I am a warrior, and I'll beat you all!

they shouted, taunting her, poking her, laughing at her, hemming her in until she couldn't breathe.

Leave me alone! Akilah screamed, and woke up.

Quatre came running in. Kilah! Are you all right? What's wrong?

They called me a freebirth, she said, and started crying.

Quatre hesitated, unsure of what to do, then knelt beside her, and took her into his arms. He petted her hair as she sobbed into her soldier. It's okay, Kilah. You're not a freebirth. You're not! he whispered fiercely, over and over. You're not a freebirth.

But I am.

Shh-shh-shh. Calm down. It's okay. It's okay. She hiccuped, looked up at him, and tried to smile. He dug out a handkerchief, and tried her tears. He looked a bit perplexed. What's a freebirth?

A freebirth is someone who had a live birth. She hung her head. I'm a freebirth. My genes aren't pure.

I wish I could have been a freebirth. I have twenty-nine older sisters, and we're all test-tube babies.

But don't you see? Test-tube babies have the best genes. Where I come from, all the warriors are test-tube babies, and we need warriors so much that they've become the elite class. Sometimes a freebirth can join them, and I want so much to help. The older ones, they say that I might even get one of the Bloodnames, but the othersthey go around calling me the Freebirth, and treating me as if I were worthless.

You're not worthless.

She smiled a little. Thanks, Quatre, but I am to them, and in the end, they're the ones that count.

And I'm not. His mouth twisted.

Even if you come back with me, I don't think they'd listen to you. You're too nice for them.

His heart clenched, and his arms involuntarily tightened. You're leaving?

I have to.

I He let her go, stood, and walked towards the tent flap.

Where are you going? she asked, alarmed.

He stopped, and looked back over his shoulder. If I'm going to forget you, I'd better start now.

Tears formed in her eyes. Quatre, please. They spilled over, and her voice dropped to a whisper. Please, don't leave me.

Quatre turned to see her kneeling in the middle of the floor, her arms wrapped around herself, shivering. She was still wearing her shorts and tee-shirt. She had been so tired that she hadn't even changed. He came back, and knelt beside her again. I won't. Not yet, at least.

Her wolf-eyes stared sightlessly into his. Don't leave me, she said again.

I won't. She continued to stare at him, not seeing anything. Kilah, wake up!

she whispered.

I promise.

Slowly, her eyes focused, and she sagged against him. Her eyes closed, and her arms crept around his neck. You're not leaving. Thank God. And Allah. And everyone else out there. She sighed, and burrowed against him. I don't know what I'd do if you left me.

Exactly what I'm going to do.



He gave a little, embarrassed laugh. I don't know either. Please don't leave.

I won't. Not until you're not needed any more. Then you can come with me. It's not like they'll even notice.

Just as long as we're together.

She tilted her head up, and looked at him so sweetly that he gave in and kissed her. Love you, Quatre, she said against his lips.

I love you too.