SO SORRY THIS IS LATE!I've been so busy, and kind of came to a dead end with ideas for this book for a while(that's why this is so short) but i have tons for the future chapters. Also, really gratefulfor all the views I'm getting! THANK YOU SO FLIPPIN' MUCH!

Kai

We turned to leave and something caught my eye. I continued forwards though, Nine's hand in mine. I didn't want her to be concerned so I didn't tell her about the person watching us further down the railing. I could only see their silhouette but I knew they were watching us. Shivers dances along my skin and I reached behind me to make sure my gun was still in my waistband. I felt a bit of relief when my fingers found it. Nine hadn't seen the person and I led her away before she had a chance too. We turned left, onto the road we'd taken here. It was the one that had all the murals. We passed them, neither of us speaking. When we reached the end of that road I had a vague sense of where we were in relation to our apartment. We turned right ad found our way to the main road. I looked behind me but didn't see anything abnormal; there wasn't even a flickering light. I kept my pace even, still unsure what to make of the situation.

Nine's hand was warm and comforting in mine and I knew she hadn't seen the person. We kept going up the street but my eyes were wandering everywhere. I scanned the shops lining the street, the rooftops and alleyways. The apartment came into sight and I felt a small rush of relief. It was crushed though, the sound stung my eardrums. I heard Nine scream, I pushed her in front of me and we were both running. I didn't know where the shooter was but I knew they were aiming for us. Another shot was fired but missed; instead it went through a street lamp and glass sprayed all over us. I pulled my gun into my hand, I felt better with its smooth surface against my skin.

We were a few yards away from the apartment and I let Nine run ahead. I turned with me gun held in front of me, surveying the streets. I couldn't' see anyone, the night was eerily dark. There was no moon to give the night sky a warm glow; the streetlamp closest to me was shattered. There was only a few left to light the street but I still couldn't find anyone. I fired my gun none the less; maybe I could scare the attacker away. After I'd fired a few rounds I stopped, listening. It was silent. I waited a few moments, expecting more gunshots, but the only sound was my heavy breathing. I turned and was relieved that Nine wasn't behind me, she was probably already inside. I went inside and took the stairs two at a time. I went to our room and found the door still locked. I went up two more flights of stairs and knew Nine was here. I could hear her crying form down the hall.

I headed towards my parents door and threw in open. Nine was on the floor with my mom kneeling next to her. Pua stood to the side, not quite comprehending the situation. Dad was at Nines other side, Nine had tears streaming down her face and mom was asking her what happened. Dad's eyes lifted to my face when I walked in. I kicked the door closed with my foot as I strode to Nine. She turned to face me before I sunk down beside her. I pulled her into my arms; we'd been having all sorts of bad luck recently.

"It's okay." I told her.

"What happened?" Mom asked, "We heard gunshots but…" She trailed off and her eyes darted back to Nine in concern.

"Someone was shooting at us. Thankfully neither of us was hit," I remembered how close one of the bullets had come, flying over my head. But instead shattering the streetlamp. I looked down and saw cuts along Nine's arms and I even saw some on mine, "Though a streetlamp was shattered."

Mom stood abruptly and went to the kitchen. She came back with a wet rag for Nine's arms. I peeled Nine off me and wiped her face of all the moisture, "Nine, you have to calm down," Mom told her, she cupped Nine's chin and pulled her to face her, "You need to calm down, or…" She looked at me, then to Nine's stomach. I knew what her meaning was. I placed my hand on her back and nodded briskly at mom.

"Or what?" Nine spoke softly; she looked to me with the question in her eyes.

"You need to calm down for your baby," Miri told her, Nine's hand whipped to her stomach and her eyes widened, "It'll be okay, you just need to calm down." She nodded and took in a big breath. She leaned into me; I knew this was stressful for her. It was as though she had a flag on her that told everyone to bully her. She'd had the worst luck of anyone I knew: she crashed into the ocean, she was an experiment, and almost everyone knew her, for bad reasons.

Nine's breathing had evened out after a few moments and Ara stood to get her some water from the kitchen. The door burst open and all of our heads turned in unison. Theron stood in the doorway, surveying the scene before him. He took in Nine and rushed forwards.

"What happened? Was she shot?" His eyes darted between everyone in the room; I shook my head when his eyes reached mine. He let out a breath and dropped to his knees beside Nine, who was sitting in my lap, trying to breathe evenly. Theron put a hand on her back and Nine seemed to relax slightly beneath his touch. Nine's head fell to my chest and her breath was warm against my neck. Dad returned from the kitchen and handed Nine the glass of water. She took small sips before handing in back to him.

"So what happened then?" Theron asked. He looked up from Nine to me, expecting an answer.

"We were just out walking then someone started shooting at us. I didn't see anyone though," I still didn't know if the same person I saw on the balcony was the same person who was shooting at us, "Nine's just scared, she got some cuts on her arms but they're not bad" I turn my attention to her.

She nods and sits up her hand resting protectively on her stomach. I rest a hand on her back as she breathes and tries to get her bearings. Nine looks as though she wants to get up and Theron is one step ahead of me. He offers her a hand and she takes it, allowing him to help her up. As soon as she's up I stand too, she's still for a few seconds before turning to me.

"I'm okay; I was just worried about you, and scared you'd gotten shot or something," She speaks softly, "Why haven't we ever been left alone?" Her eyes fill with a new set of tears and I pull her to me. I decide that we really don't need everyone else to be around for this. I nod a thank you to my parents and Theron before gently pealing Nine off me and leading her to the door.

When we got to our door I got my key out and unlocked it. I took her inside, closed and locked the door behind me. Nine made a beeline for our bedroom and I followed on her heels. She opened the door and switched the lights on. I sat on the bed and looked at the wall, processing everything. She went to the closet and pulled a shirt off my shelf. She switched her shirt, left her leggings on and crawled onto the bed. She laid on top of the blankets and her eyes were already closing.

"You never did answer my question," Her voice startles me, "Why haven't we ever been left alone? Eri's has always been obsessed with me. Pretty much all the rebels know me, now look what's happened." I flipped onto my back then rolled to face her.

"I don't know, I think you're just too famous," I tell her, "But when we get back to the island we'll be fine. You can make it until then."

"But when is 'when'?" She asks me and I know she really wants a legitimate answer. It's been tough her here, especially now that Baby's almost here. She's had so much put on her, so many people looking to her to find a cure to save them all.

"I don't know, but I know we'll get back there." I tell her. The island has always been a part of me and I'll never accept that we're never going to see it again. Even if all the buildings and homes have been destroyed by Seekers, it'll still be home. I lean forward and kiss her forehead before settling back into the bed. Nine let out a small sigh and she gave me a small nod before her eyes flutter shut.