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Chapter 3
I wandered aimlessly through the caverns, trying to gain what little independence I could. It was my third day here and I was already tired of having to be escorted everywhere. But, I didn't mind that much when it was Jamie. He totally understood me. Even more than Garrett.
My brother was one of the puzzles I had to put together. Where was he? Why wasn't he here? I couldn't think of any reason to not want to see your long-lost sister. That didn't make any sense to me.
The other puzzle was Wanda. She kept avoiding me like the plague. I didn't understand why. She seemed friendly enough. And, she shied away from the light like she was some kind of vampire. That kinda weirded me out.
After following a few winding passages, my mental map was totally misplaced. I sighed and sat against a wall, completely lost.
I tucked my legs into my chest, resting my forehead on my knees. I didn't know how long I sat like that before I heard footsteps coming toward me.
I lifted my head warily. Wanda stood a few feet away. Her face held a worried look. "You okay?" she asked.
I nodded, wondering what she was doing here. Where ever here was. "Yeah, just frustrated."
She came over and sat next to me. "About what?"
It surprised me that she was suddenly interested in me. I sighed. "I'm tired of being a slave to confusion." I said, getting out several of my problems with one sentence.
She giggled. "You'd make a great storyteller. My life as a See Weed would've been easier if you were there."
I stared at her, my heart accelerating. "What?" I asked, inching away from her. I'd only heard worms say phrases like that.
A few of the sun's slowly fading rays hit her face, glinting brilliantly off her eyes.
I leaped to my feet. "You're one of them!" I yelled, outraged.
She stood, reaching for me. "You have to underst-"
I jerked backward, away from her- it. "Understand? I understand perfectly. Does everyone else know? How long have you been lying to them?" I demanded. How could anyone live with a monster?
She shook her head. "I never lied."
I huffed a hot breath. "Ha! You're lying right now! Are you planning to turn us in? Erase us? Destroy us?"
"No. I'm as human as you are, Regan."
I wanted so badly to punch out her every last breath, but something about her seemed so fragile...... I just couldn't bring myself to do it. "You're far from human, parasite." I grumbled, before sprinting away.
--
I didn't realize where I was going until I reached the quilt. Jamie was leaning against the wall beside the entrance. His eyes held concern when he took in my expression.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Fine." I didn't look into his eyes as I walked past him, shoving the quilt aside and stepping in.
He followed, standing directly behind me. My neck tingled when his breath reached it. "What happened?" He pressed.
"Nothing." I said shortly. If I told him now, my anger would get the best of me. I didn't want to hurt him.
He groaned in frustration and turned me around to face him against my will. "Regan, I hate seeing you like this. What's bothering you? You can tell me anything."
The back of my neck prickled when I realized how close we were. He held me to him almost like a hug but, in the present situation, it seemed the most awkward position to be in. Our faces were inches away, noses almost touching. I swallowed nervously, unable to break away from his gaze.
"I....." I trailed off, failing to find the words.
"You what?" He looked at me expectantly.
I rested my head on his shoulder, in need for comfort. He tensed at first, then relaxed. "Why would you do it?" I asked quietly.
"Do what?"
"Wanda." I murmured, closing my eyes.
Being him, he knew exactly what I was talking about. "It's.....complicated."
"Tell me." His warmth ebbed my anger away. I was sure that I'd be okay with whatever he said.
"It's a long story."
"We have time."
He sighed. "Okay. But I think you should lie down, you look exhausted."
The day's work finally caught up to me. I groaned. "Do you know how hot it is in the fields?"
He laughed. "Yeah. It's like the desert, isn't it?"
I smiled, opening my eyes. I lifted my head to look at him. "Not fair." I complained jokingly. "I was going to say that."
He shrugged, leading me toward the mattress. "Great minds think alike."
I sighed as the mattress formed to fit my body. I scooted over to one side, leaving the other half empty. I patted the empty space, smiling up at him. "Come on."
Hesitantly, he laid down next to me. I kicked off my shoes, flexing my toes.
He smiled. My heart raced. I'd never felt that way before. I could stare at him for centuries and never get bored.
He placed his hand on my arm. Warmth blossomed around it. I relished in the feeling.
He frowned. "You cold?"
I looked down at my arm. Goosebumps peppered my skin. I shook my head, looking up at him. "Not really."
He smiled. "Nervous?"
I rolled my eyes. "Just tell me the story, would you?"
He sighed. "Well....Mel was taken and Wanda was put inside her. Then they came here...." We talked the rest of the night. I was perfectly comfortable laying next to Jamie. I could've stayed there, by his side, forever.
"Aw.....How cute. My little sister found a snuggle buddy."
I groaned, nestling deeper into Jamie's chest. "Go away, Garrett." I mumbled, trying to fall back into a blissful sleep.
A laugh. "Let them sleep. I'm trying to capture the moment."
"With what, Mel?" Jamie muttered. "You suck at drawing."
"Burn." I said into his chest.
Garrett chuckled. "I forgot how well they work together."
Exasperated, I rolled onto my back and opened my eyes. Sunlight streamed through the cracks in the ceiling. Garrett and Melanie were sitting close to the entrance. I sat up, stretching and yawning.
"What are you doing here, bro?" I asked. I wasn't ready to accept the fact that my brother was actually here. It was too good to believe.
"This is my room." He said simply.
"Your room? Where were you the past few days, then?" I raised an eyebrow incredulously.
Melanie answered my question. "Garrett supplies our medicine. He's our direct line to the souls' world."
I frowned. "That's what you call them?"
Jamie sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Yeah. That's what Wanda told us."
I sighed and jumped to my feet, rushing over to hug my brother.
He laughed and returned the hug. "Miss me?"
I smiled widely. "Definitely."
Sorry, for the abruptness again. But I'm having a little writer's block. Please review! I'm dying to know what you think! (And you get more story faster *wink, wink*)
