This is the next chapter. I don't think it would be fair to spoil it at all. And so we go.
When he opened his eyes, he thought he was imagining things. He saw Eva in his arms, and she was snuggling closer to him. Normally he wouldn't mind, but he had a problem. Eva was supposed to be in the hospital.
"What are you doing here?" ,Jordan whispered.
"I'm not going back there. I want to be with you." ,Eva stated.
Jordan tried to argue, but Eva wasn't budging.
"I don't want to be alone, if you haven't figured that out yet. That's what I have been trying to tell you." ,Eva finally said.
"What?" ,Jordan asked in surprise.
"I hate being in that hospital alone with needles being poked into my skin." ,Eva whispered. "Can I stay here, please?"
"Fine, but only for tonight. As soon as the sun breaks you're going to have to go back." ,Jordan said.
"But..." ,Eva started.
Jordan put his hand to her mouth.
"No buts." ,Jordan whispered.
Eva glared at him, but gave in. They fell asleep for the night.
Jordan woke up at the first grays of daylight. When he opened his eyes, he couldn't believe what he saw. Eva wasn't there. He walked around for a little bit, but couldn't find her anywhere. He thought that him seeing Eva was a dream, until he heard soft sobs up on the ledge. Cautiously, Jordan made his way up the stairs. What he saw was, Eva sitting with her knees pulled up to her chest, and her arms wrapped around her knees. Her head rested lightly on top of her knees. There were tears flowing down her cheeks. Jordan walked closer and sat down. Then, he put an arm around her shoulders. Eva looked up into Jordan's deep brown eyes.
"What's wrong?" ,Jordan asked in a soft voice.
Eva looked down and whispered, "It's the anniversary of my mother's death. Eleven years."
Jordan stared at Eva, waiting for her to say something else. She didn't say anything.
"I'm sorry." ,Jordan breathed.
"It's not your fault." ,Eva said while another tear streamed down her face. Jordan reached up and wiped the tear away.
"You got to stop living in the past and start living in the present." ,Jordan whispered.
"I can't just forget about my mother. You still have one." ,Eva shot back. "I can't believe you would say that."
"I didn't mean it that way. And you know that. I'm trying to help by making you feel better. I'm just not very good at it."
"No, I know that. I'm just upset. Thanks for trying, Jordan." ,Eva said.
They sat in silence for a while. Jordan broke the silence by saying, "We have to get you back to the hospital before the everyone here wakes up, and everyone working at that hospital to notice that you are gone."
"Did you figure out, if I'm aloud out of that hospital yet?" ,Eva asked.
"I was going to today." ,Jordan replied getting up. He held a hand out to Eva. She took it and he hauled her up to her feet. His face contorted from pain.
"Did you remember that you're supposed to lift things ten pounds and under?" ,Eva asked sarcastically.
"Did you remember that you're supposed to be in the hospital?" ,Jordan teased back. Eva crossed her arms.
"Let's go." ,Jordan took Eva's hand and pulled her towards the portal. They got to the ground and made their way back to the hospital. The teens slipped in the doors, and skulked down the corridors to Eva's hospital room. Entering the room cautiously, Eva peered in. No one was in there. She pushed the door open all of the way and went over to the bed. She lowered herself onto it and relaxed.
"At least they didn't notice I was gone." ,Eva said.
"Yeah." ,Jordan murmured. He went over to Eva's bed and saw her staring out the window. He bent over and kissed her cheek. She whipped her head around and looked at him.
"I'm going to talk to the doctor about getting you out of here. I'll be back soon." ,Jordan went out the door. Eva turned her attention back to the window. Outside, she saw the sun starting to break over the horizon. It was beautiful. Pulling the string next to her bed, the curtains shut. She rolled over and drifted into a dreamless slumber.
The door of Eva's room opened. Jordan stepped over the threshhold and crossed the room. He stood over Eva's bed.
She's so beautiful. Jordan thought to himself.
He placed a hand on her shoulder and shook her lightly. She stirred and slowly opened her eyes. Eva saw Jordan gazing at her intently. Trying to sit up, she grabbed for his hand. Seeing what she was doing, Jordan put one hand on Eva's back and the other in her hand. When she was sitting up fully, Eva looked around to see if anything was different.
"Thanks, Jordan, for everything." ,Eva gave Jordan a hug as best as she could. When he hugged back, she realized that there was still pain in her body. She moaned loudly, and Jordan was about to let go.
"Don't worry. It's a good kind of pain." ,Eva just hugged harder.
Jordan let go afterwards and pulled his chair over next to the bed and sat down. He was looking at Eva with caution. Eva was gazing out the window again. She was thinking about what Aikka had said to her. She was starting to believe that he would help her against the Crogs. Jordan was wondering what she was thinking about.
"What's on your mind?" ,Jordan asked. Eva snapped out of her thoughts.
"I didn't tell you something that might help us win this race." ,Eva said quietly.
"What is it?" ,Jordan asked eagerly.
"You may not like it, but Aikka came in this room yesterday." ,Eva started.
Jordan's face contorted.
"Did he do anything to you? If he hurt you, he's going to be in a whole bunch more pain, than Rick punching him like a bag." ,Jordan rambled on. He was standing up and was about to a shout.
Eva reached up with her right arm and grabbed his hand. Jordan stopped and looked down at her. Her eyes sparkled. Jordan lowered himself into the chair and apologized. Eva started to laugh at him.
"What's with you?" ,Jordan asked, starting to laugh at her laughing.
She has a real beautiful laugh. Jordan thought to himself.
"I laugh when I can get the chance. It's not like I don't have any cares in the world. The fate of the world rests on our shoulders, if you didn't notice. I'm surprised you don't laugh as much." ,Eva explained.
Jordan looked at her in a thinking sort of way.
"You always seem to surprise me. You look at everything in a different way of perspective. That's what makes you...you. Personally, I like you." ,Jordan thought aloud.
"Thanks."
They sat in silence for a few moments.
"So, what did Aikka say to you?" ,Jordan broke the silence.
"He said that he had made some bad choices in the past, but he was going to start picking the right ones. He's going to help us, Jordan, and I believe him." ,Eva said in a dreamy sort of voice.
They sat in silence for aother few moments. The teens' eyes met, and they turned away, blushing.
"How long will it be until I can get out of here?" ,Eva asked eagerly.
"The doctors said you can leave this hospital whenever you want. They think you will be stiff, but you will heal very quickly." ,Jordan said quickly.
"Then, let's get out of here." ,Eva swung her legs out of the bed and let them fall to the floor. Jordan stood up and went to her aid. She wrapped her arms around Jordan's neck and pulled herself up. Leaning into his chest, Eva took a deep breath.
"I hate feeling so sleepy." ,Eva complained.
She let her arms fall from Jordan's neck. Turning towards the door, Eva walked foward. She was stiff and slow, but other than that, she felt great. They walked all the way back to the Module (with a few rest stops). They went through the portal and landed safely on their feet. They didn't realize that Don came running up the stairs. Eva was embraced by her father. She moaned and hugged him back.
"Are you back for good?" ,Don whispered in her ear.
Eva nodded. Don's body melted with relief. He let go of Eva to get a good look at her. She had a few bruises that were very light in color. She looked great.
"Thank goodness. I thought I was going to lose you again for a few days." ,Don said with a relief.
"I wasn't going to let you go through with that. You kind of did that to me you know." ,Eva pointed out.
Don's body lowered in shame. Eva went up to him and said, "Trust me. Mom would want us to stop dwelling on the past. I know I'm going to miss her, but I have moved on from that state of shock."
Tears slid down each of their faces. Jordan was standing there feeling awkward about Don and Eva being father and daughter. He loved Eva and felt that Don wouldn't let him and Eva go out on a date. They may not even get to race anymore.
"Eva, I think we should stay out of the race from now on." ,Don said calmly.
"No way! I want to race. It's what I can do best. Do you really want to take that away from me?" ,Eva was starting to get loud.
Jordan tugged Don away from Eva before he could say anything else. When Eva was out of earshot, Jordan stopped walking. Letting him go, Jordan turned to face him.
"Sir, Eva is good at racing. You know that. I don't see why you won't let her race. It's what she really likes to do." ,Jordan explained.
"Are you crazy? She could get hurt again."
"That was just an accident. I'm willing to die for her. Your daughter will be safe. I promise." ,Jordan said solemly.
Don glared at Jordan for a moment. He was mulling over what Jordan had said in his mind and trying to figure out what he should do.
"You would die for her safety?" ,Don asked.
"Yes. I would go to the ends of the universe to make her happy." ,Jordan said quickly.
Don sighed. He only had one option left.
"Alright."
They walked back over towards Eva. She had her arms crossed. She was waiting on the answer from her father. Don looked up into her crimson eyes. She was determined to beat this competition.
"You may race, but be extremely careful. I love you, Eva." ,Don whispered these last words.
Eva let her arms fall from her chest and go around Don's neck. She thanked him. Letting her arms fall, Eva slipped her hand into Jordan's and pulled him out of the control room. They made their way to the hanger and strolled out of the hallway. Entering the spacious room, they made their way to the Whizzing Arrow. They went to their stations. Each were preparing for the drop. Jordan was kissing his chains, while Eva was adjusting her settings on her rocket seat. The avatar sybol glowed, and the couple dropped. Eva push the thrusters to their limits. They took off in search of the gates.
This is the end of the second chapter. The next chapter is going to be a surprise. I'll give you a hint: Aikka has something to do with it. Well, please review. I hope you like it. Oh yeah, please try to guess on what will happen with the hint.