We were finally out of that small congested room. I looked at Lina in a different way after that. Maybe Doon was my love, but I can't hate Lina for something she can't control. I had to talk to her. I just had to.
"L—lina, we need to talk."
"Keagan, you are a hero no matter what you say!"
"No, about not about that, about Doon."
"What about him?"
"Well, I like him, but he likes you."
"Doon, like me, nah. Make a move on him. Trust me, he doesn't like me."
"That's what you think."
"Really?"
"Yes."
I looked around. This world was so different. There was a huge light source that lit the sky. It was yellow and blinding. For some reason the space around it was blue. Just like one of Lina's drawings I saw. She was right, there was a world outside of Ember, and it was amazing. Lina said it was called "day." She did mention that "day" was the equivalent to the time when Ember had its lights on. Except when "night" fell it wasn't completely dark. A dimmer light lit the sky. This light was beautiful, white, and you could look at it.
We found some fruit to eat for dinner. It wasn't a lot, but it kept the young ones from crying. I rocked little Paisley to sleep. Once she was sleeping, I laid her on some clothes I threw into my bag of stuff. They were damp from the river journey, but they were decently soft.
I walked over to Doon. I came off a little awkward I think, but we soon started chatting! His voice was soft yet firm. For some reason he seemed like he would be a good father. Lina joined us and we talked about serious things. How are we going to get food? Where are we going to get shelter? It wasn't like houses and cans of food were going to appear out of thin air. Are there even cans of food in this place? We will have to find out.
Lina fell asleep.
"Doon, will you show me to a bathroom?"
"Well I am guessing they don't have indoor plumbing here like they did in Ember. I'm not sure try going to the bathroom in the woods."
"Will you at least walk with me?"
"That sounds very inviting…"
"You know what I meant" I laughed
"Okay."
We started on a path into the woods. It was an eerie place, but I really had to pee. Finally me and Doon found a suitable place to go to the bathroom. I jumped behind a tree to give myself some privacy.
"Doon, I know you are in love with Lina."
"What? No, I am not in love with Lina Mayfleet."
"Everyone knows you are, Doon. The only reason I am bringing this up is well bes—"
"Okay, so I'm in love with her?"
"Like I was saying, I'm in love with you Doon. Please, I know, you aren't in love with me, but I need you."
I finished going to the bathroom and ran away from the tree. Doon just looked at me in awe. Was this bad? Was this good? I am so confused. I'm not sure why I am being swept up into the world of love, but I can't bear to be away from Doon.
"Keagan…I didn't know."
"No one knew. Just me and well I told Lina. She doesn't think you're in love with her. Why can't you just love me?"
"I am not in love with you though. Keagan I can't love you. I like you as a friend, but my heart doesn't want me to love you."
One single cold tear fell from my eye. Doon came closer to me. He gave me an innocent look and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. Maybe we weren't meant to fall in love, but I could tell we were going to be good friends. Very good friends!