Hi everyone hope everyone has been having an amazing week so far, i know I haven't but that's a whole nother and that's not why you're here. So lets just jump right into the 7th chapter! Disclaimers are still the same and Enjoy!

PREVIOUSLY

Her eyes are clenched shut, her mouth is pulled as tight as her fist. I don't know how she'll react to my touch now that we're alone but seeing as she hasn't told me to leave her i'm going to take the chance.

I reach my hand out laying it down flat on her back and move it in slow circular motions. Immediately a whimper leaves her lips but that's all, she doesn't say anything and neither do I.

I continue to comfort her as she cries not caring much for the drama that is now occurring in the living room between my mother and Travis.

Elyza needs me now. I have no idea how to explain my feelings for this girl but for some strange reason I feel this need to protect her and I think she feels the same. We're connected. It's almost as if we're old friends, as if we met before. Maybe we did in our past lives or in some alternate universe.

Chapter 7: No Place Like Home

I trace my pointer finger over the dark ink of Elyza's tattoo, she had long ago stopped her cries and now we just sit in silence on the dining room tables. I can feel her lean in to my touch. I don't know why I have this urge for skin to skin contact or why she is allowing me, a complete stranger, to comfort her.

"Your tat, what does it mean?"

"Why are you looking to get one, sweetheart?" She turns her head to me and the smile on her face doesn't fool me. It's not as bright as it was before.

"Maybe."

"The band. There's three of them, aka: Me, and my parents. The trees represent my life, it's rooted the ground like my feet. The branches are the different paths I can possibly take in life," Elyza gently grips my hand running it along each piece she is describing, " The birds are the parts of me that are willing to fly into the skies, the parts of me that craves freedom and acceptance."

My hand lies on shoulder over the sun design that lays there, her hand is still on mine and somehow during the ascent our fingers had become intertwined. I don't pull away though I know that I should, but the side look she gives me assures me that whatever is happening I should just go with it. We're both turning in our seats till our chairs are mirroring one another.

We're facing each other, our heads gravitating closer and closer to one another. We stop all movement as soon as our foreheads are but centimeters apart, her eyes are so dark and probably as dark as my own green ones. Her breath is pulling me in but still we don't move.

"And the bird that's tied down?" My words come out softer and more like a whisper as I start to grip on to her, pulling her body closer to mine.

"It represent the part of me that is still being held back...watching as I lose more and more of myself. Have you ever felt like you can have everything, be happy, be free and yet you can't. Like there is something missing? Something holding you back from letting go completely."

Recently. Yes. I don't say a word, instead I scoot forward in my seat placing my legs beside Elyza's. Our thigh press together and I allow her to pull both of my hands down onto her lap, her thumbs caress my wrist and palm.

My breath catches as I see nothing but desire staring back at, my eyes slowly closing as we move to close the gap between our lips. I want this more than I have wanted anything before.

Her nose nudges mine as our lips seem to avoid one another, we breath each other in.

Her fingers have moved up to my forearm tracing a symbol onto my skin and the spot burns up from her touch. I try to focus on the image she draws for me, it's so familiar. It's a heart.

I jerk away from Elyza, clutching onto my arm and standing from my seat. I can see the look of confusion settle upon her face and I fight to push off the urge to sit back down and continue. I look away and down to the spot that still burns. The ink from Matt's sharpie is still there, staring back at me and a heavy swig of guilt settles in my gut.

"I'm sorry. Did I do something wrong?"

Before I can answer, mom is stepping into the room and without a glance to either blonde I take my leave. I bypass Nick and Travis in the living room and head straight into what used to be Nick's bedroom, right across from my own.

The room is filled with both mom's old craft supplies and Travis' workout gear, I almost trip over a few boxes of material as I make my way to the queen bed. As soon as I'm close to the bare bed I throw myself onto it, bouncing slightly from the drop. I still hold onto my forearm, covering the ink from my guilty gaze.

What the hell did I almost do? Why did I even let this go so far? I just lost Matt no too long ago and I'm already throwing myself at this stranger.

The thought of what I almost did brings frustrated tears to my eyes, I bury my face into the pillow and will myself to try and sleep. I pray that this was all in my head. That there was no crazy virus going around, or some strange blonde wringing her hands around my heart.

Sleep eventually does find me after almost an hour of sobbing. I dream of Matt. I dream of his strong arms holding me to his body after a night of making love, our romantic first time in his home. I dream of the morning after where Matt had made me breakfast in bed and how he had spent the entire morning sketching me in his artbook. I dream of our goodbye kiss as he dropped me off at my home.

I dream of Elyza and our almost kiss, and of the strong pull I felt to keep the girl close to me.

The sun's morning beams burst into the room from the single window, wrapping me and the room in it's warm light. I didn't get too much sleep last night after the dreams and had been tossing and turning for the rest of the night.

I turn over onto my back and I find myself staring at another ceiling, I try to calm my thoughts. There are no breaks from the thoughts that run through my mind. I let out a rather loud groan when I think about how awkward this trip is going to be since Elyza and I had almost kissed last night. If she hadn't reminded me of Matts ink, would I have kissed her? Yes probably, that was just how strong the pull was.

I sit up a bit in the bed at the sound of the doorknob turning and I can feel a shiver go up my spine at the thought that Elyza is on the other side of the door. As soon as the door opens a dark mass rushes in and pounces on me.

"Fuck!"

Biscuits knocks me back down flat and his rough tongue assaults the side of my face as I attempt to push him off a little. His entire body is moving side to side, following the movement of his tail, as he attacks me over and over again.

"Biscuit, lay off the poor gal! You're gonna drown her in your slobber." The shivers are back at the sound of that silky voice that haunts me. I push against the german shepard but am surprised to not feel the knotted and fluffy fur beneath my hands but rather a soft cotton material.

Elyza joins me in the effort to rescue me from the cutest assault ever and with a single grunt she is lifting Biscuit off of me and holding him in her arms. With the dog not so close to my face I can finally take in his appearance.

"Elyza, why is Biscuit wearing an Aloha collar shirt?"

I cringe at the ridiculous amount of palm trees on the acid blue and green backdrop of the shirt. I feel sea sick just staring at this. Biscuit struggles in the strong arms and Elyza quickly, but gently lays him down on the floor. The feel of the hardwood ground against his paws signals Biscuit to his freedom and he is running out the door. I hear a girlish scream come from somewhere out in the living room area, seems like Biscuit found his next victim in Chris.

"Well imagine my surprise when I went out for a smoke last night and saw this little guy emerge from a hole below the fence." Oh no, I can't believe we all forgot about Biscuit. "He came toppling over to me with his doggy kisses and his eyes! Dear lord his eyes! They were just begging me to clean him of all the dirt and blood so I gave him a little bath."

She sits on the side of the bed and leans back on her left hand, its placement right beside my thigh.

"Then as I'm taking him to the garage to dry off this box topples over, it's all Nick's old clothes, and that delightful piece falls right out. It's like the gods themselves were telling me to put this on him and who am i, a single human being, to deny the gods will?!"

Elyza lays herself over my lap dramatically, draping her arm over her eyes. I laugh at the display and play along, fanning her with my hands.

"Oh yes we can not defy the gods my dear Alicia, plus I could hear Biscuit next to me he was saying," she drop her voice down low, "Elyza my human companion, the Gods have spoken. Lay this holy garment upon my strawberry scented fur- by the way we used all your shampoo- allow this cotton to rest against my chest!"

I'm laughing so hard I have to remind myself to breath every once and awhile. I'm stunned into silence when I hear a particularly loud snort breaks through my laughs. OH my God! Did I just snort?!

Now it's Elyza's turn to laugh, she still lays on her back over my legs but now her hands have moved down from their position on her head to clutch at her stomach. Embarrassment pushed aside, I join in. Every time we get close to stopping our laughter a snort from me pulls us back in.

Finally we both are just a mess of giggles, trying to catch our breath. I'm leaning over her, rubbing at my sore sides. We're once again staring into each other's eyes, smiles mimicking one another.

We both jump as we're once again joined by Biscuit, he lands on the other side of the two of us and moves quickly over Elyza before she can sit up. He is laying his slobbery dog kisses along her face and I laugh at the sight of her struggling to get away. Biscuit eventually relents, sitting back on the bed, huffing and puffing from his spot.

"And what is he saying now?" I ask.

"Mmmmmm," Elyza "he's saying 'OH BEAUTIFUL ELYZA! I have now officially claimed you and Miss Clark as my faithful human companions!'"

"Yaasss my dream has finally come true!" We're both chuckling again. Elyza's face goes serious for a second.

"What is he saying now?"

" Biscuit is saying 'OH sweet Alicia, please forgive the dumb blonde over here, she didn't mean to upset you last night and she really wants to be your friend.'"

We're silent as we sit sit on the bed the only sound is coming from our furry friend, digging into the mattress. I don't really know what to say and yet I know I have to say something. I would love to be friends with this Aussie.

"There is nothing to forgive, Biscuit. Elyza did nothing wrong and I too would love to be her friend."

"Really?-I mean really?" I nod and the smile on Elyza's face catches me off guard, "thank god! I thought I would have to talk to dog brain over here for the rest of the trip! -hey I take offense to that- Oh pipe down, Biscuit."

"You're such a dork. So are you coming with us or-"

"I'm heading into the city. I need to see the Hospital for myself and maybe I can help out there."

I didn't like the idea of splitting up with Elyza, something was telling me to stick close to her. But I understand her situation, if it was my mom out there nothing and no one would be able to stop me.

"And after that?"

"Then I'm following your skinny white ass out into the desert. Someone has to be there to annoy the shit out of you," she rises from the bed and lifts her arms up high, her white tank rises a bit and gives me a hint of skin, "Now come on, I have two pieces of toast slathered with avocados with your name on it."

She reaches her hand out and I immediately take it and with a quick pull we're both out of bed and making our way into the kitchen. We're met by the rest of our group aside from Griselda, obviously and just like Elyza promised there are two slices of bread on a plate accompanied by a healthy globs of fresh avocados.

"Alicia, let's go!" If I hear that damn horn honk one more time or Travis' whiny voice I'm going to grab at one of the kitchen knives and end my mothers boyfriends fight where he stands.

Mom's mini coop and Travis' truck is packed up to the very top with our 'necessities' leaving hardly any room for the rest of us. Nick, Elyza and I probably should have organized the luggage a little better. Mom had repacked the bags I had made earlier even adding a few backpacks to the pile, and I had taken the task of packing a small travel bag for Elyza containing some extra food and some of my old clothes in case she didn't have time to stop at her apartment.

I'm a bit turned off from the fact that Elyza is leaving our little group but no pleading from Nick and I is able to change her mind. She's a stubborn one.

Another honk echoes through the bathroom window and I stop myself from adjusting the thick straps of my red tank on my shoulder. Leaving the bathroom and approaching the nearest couch in the living room, I make sure to grab my school bag, and my iphone. Ofelia stands near the kitchen doorway nursing a fifth cup of joe.

The Salazars will be staying here for a bit, until Daniel's brother comes by to pick them up in their own truck. The young woman gives me a small wave that I quickly return, I regret not getting to know the woman sooner. She seems really nice, especially compared to that father of hers.

I retrieve my red and blue flannel from the coat hanger near the door and tie it into a tight knot around my waist. I'm not even completely out the door when Travis begins to lecture me.

"Alicia, c'mon we don't have time for this. We needed to leave 20 minutes ago."

"Not all of us have a bladder of steel, Travis. I had to pee."

I can see him roll his eyes at me before turning back to his truck and hopping in beside Chris. I start to make my way over to mom's car where Nick and Biscuit are squeezed together in the back, but the sight of the blonde on her bike stops me.

Mom gives me a look but I ignore it and approach the girl.

"What no shotgun?" She stops from putting on her dark, tinted helmet.

"Nope, I gave it Travis. Though I did keep this little baby for myself." She lifts the flap of her blue leather jacket, revealing the familiar gleam of the standard handgun tucked into her jeans waist.

"So this is goodbye then?"

"Yea," I take her extended hand in a firm handshake. Neither of us willing to stop the contact, "may we meet again, Alicia Clark."

"May we meet again, Elyza Lex."

Mom stops the car right beside Elyza and I and that is all the reminder I need to end this. I slowly retract my hand, and already I miss the feeling of warmth on my palm. Elyza puts on her helmet and clicks the chin strap tight, nudging the kickstand up she brings her bike to life with a roar.

I step away and towards my own vehicle, sliding into the passenger side. My eyes never leave Elyza as I pull the seat belt securely around my body.

Elyza is the leads us out onto the main road and I sit back and slip my earphones into my ears, blasting a random song through the ears buds. I move my gaze from the leather clad back to the side window. I can't stand watching Elyza leave.

A black sudan passes by our cars and my eyes follow it as it turns down the street behind our own. There was something familiar about the car. Our group follows the path of the car and as we pass by the street it had turned down I find myself leaning forward in my seat, trying to catch the plates.

JNH 249. JNH 249

The car stops on the side of the road pulling up to an empty driveway. That's when it hits me and the event of last night when I was in the Chang's house flood back to me.

"Mom, stop the car!" Startled, mom slams her foot on the break coming to a violent stop. I'm out the door in seconds, not even registering the squeek of Travis' trucks break.

I'm running in the streets, yelling at the top of my lungs.

"Mr. Chang! Mr. Chang!"

The older man doesn't hear me, he is already halfway up the driveway with his grey suitcase swinging with each step he takes. I can hear the faint sound of footsteps following after me, one pair closer behind me than the rest.

When I make it to the driveway I'm almost completely out of breath but I ignore the pain in my lungs and walk over to the side of the house where I know there is a small gate entrance to the backyard. When I reach it, I can see it is already open.

A gut wrenching scream fills the air and I throw all hesitation behind me as I enter into the backyard.

Mr. Chang stands but a few feet away from me, hand pushing hard at his wife's chest, struggling to keep away from her bloodied jaw. How could I forget about Mrs. Chang?!

I'm about to jump in and help when the fence between the Chang's house and mine burst down, wooden pieces flying through the air. A group of men dressed in military styled outfits emerge from the hole. A hand on my wrist yanks me back as the menacing group rush to Mr. Chang's side and freeing him from his wife's assault.

Elyza holds me close and I watch as the soldiers shove down to the floor, holding her with their heavy feet. A darker skinned man raises his arm, aligning his rifle with the back of the fallen womans head and pulls the trigger.

I hide my face into Elyza's neck not wanting to see the bloody results. My heart breaks at the broken 'no' and sobs coming from the traumatized husband.

Opening my eyes I can't contain my tears. The small body of Mrs. Chang lies lifeless on the dirt covered ground, her fluffy pink robe stained with both dirt and blood. Her husband kneels beside her flipping her over and onto her back before gathering her into his arms, he cries over her body, clinging to his love.

A gasp from behind tells me that Elyza and I were'nt the only witnesses to this depressing moment. We don't much time to reflect though because all twelve gunman train their guns on us. The dark skinned man approaches Elyza and I, Elyza's grip tightens.

"Do you live near here?" I find myself at a loss of words. Thankfully Elyza isn't.

"The house of the yard you came from."

"Good. You and your...family regroup there," he makes a gesture with his hands and we no longer find guns pointing at us, "this neighborhood is officially under martial law. No one gets in and no one gets out. Try and leave and you will be shot on sight. Do I make myself clear?"

No answer from any of us. This can't be happening. This must be some sort of joke.

"I said 'Do I make myself clear?'"

All any of us can do is nod as four of the soldiers round us up and escorts us back to our vehicles. Five military helicopters fly above us as we slowly drive back home but the strong flight engines do nothing to hide the sounds of gunshots coming from every corner of our neighborhood.

TBC