Chapter 20

A Chapter by Amy Skye

Cress and Kit talk as tensions between them grow.

The overwhelming sense that I had done something wrong hung over my head as I walked back into the room and threw myself onto the bed. I knew it was my choice, and my choice alone, to agree to help Marshall, but what would Kit and Will say? Because although I was angry with him, I still cared what Kit thought. I owe him nothing, I thought to myself in anger, not a single thing. With a sigh, I shoved the pillow into my face, I shouldn’t be mad, I thought, he doesn’t owe me a single thing either. Besides, I’m sure my internal struggles are one sided.

“Cress?” Kit said suddenly peeking through the now open door. I peered out from under my pillow, and quickly sat up. The apologetic gaze in his eyes threw me back. “May I came in?” he inched furthering into the room, his hand still tight on the handle. I nodded and he entered, closing the door behind him, he leaned his back against the wooden frame and sighed. “Look, I just wanted to apologize for what I said earlier.” He began, but my eyes focused on his lips. “What I said was uncalled for and wrong of me,” he paused and looked over to me, “and I’m sorry.”

I stood up and threw the pillow back onto the bed, trying to focus myself on anything other then his lips. “It’s no biggie.” Was all I managed to get out. He straightened himself and walked over to me, my heart began to race.

“It wasn’t,” he began but paused to touch my hair, “why is your hair wet?” he questioned, “Are you wearing new clothes?” I quickly ran my fingers through my wet locks and said,

“Um, Marshall let me have a shower in his house and gave me some new clothes too.” As the words left my lips I felt like a fool. Kit blinked in frustration and confusing.

“You look nice.” He said finally, then backed away from me. “What did he want from you anyway?” his tone had shifted now.

“He wants my help,” I said, “his mother is ill and he thinks I can help her.”

“So he knows about you?” he said, “or did you tell him?”

“No I didn’t tell him,” I snapped back, “he guessed.” Confusion swept over Kits face.

“He guessed?” he questioned,

“Yeah, he said that my bounty card showed,” I stopped, realizing I couldn’t tell him that my card showed a one hundred and fifty year younger version of myself. “My card showed that I had a large bounty, and he thought that was odd so he asked around. I guess he has some incite into Anifa ranks.” I stopped, thinking nothing I was saying seemed believable, “He said they talked about the first successful Project R experiment and he put two and two together.” Kit’s eyes traced my face, doubt in his expression.

“He guessed that you were immortal based on the idea that you were the first successful candidate, without even knowing what Anifa was doing to people?” I blinked, because I knew it that wasn’t all, “I don’t believe him.” Kit said finally, he walked over and began scanning me, first he pushed my hair from my face, his hand now gently sliding around my neck sending chills skyrocketing down my spine.

“What are you doing?” I said, as he continued to search me, his hand now inside my jacket brushing my hips and waist, my hand shot quickly down and grabbed his wrists, his face so close to mine I could see his freckled cheeks. “What are you doing?” I said again, his eyes met mine.

“I’m looking for the bug.” He said pulling away from my grasp, his hands now on my hips ever so gently. His fingers just slightly finding their way to my skin just under my shirt, when he stopped suddenly, blinking at the touch. His hands still resting on my belt loops, the tips of his fingers paused as they pushed up the hem of my shirt. My heart rate was through the roof, my breathing was heavy. Kit’s mouth fell open as he watched my hips resting under his touch. His eagerness to find the bug dissipated and his face turned soft.

“Kit.” I mustered through my internal chaos, “we are literally in one of his homes.” I continued, taking in short breaths, trying to manage my breathing, “Don’t you think if there was a bug, he would have other places to put it?” I questioned him. He looked to me, his eyebrows rose slightly, and for a moment I felt the world stand still. His eyes gazing into my soul, his finger tips still lingering on my skin. Why isn’t he saying anything? His eyes now scanned my face, finally resting on my lips, his jaw clenched, and for a long moment we didn’t move. Gravity was weighing on me like truck, when I finally placed my hands on his, whispering “Kit.” He blinked again, snapping out of it slightly, he shook his head and pulled his arms back.

“I’m sorry,” he said finally breaking the silence between us, “You’re right, I just,” he began but stopped again, his eyes locked on mine, “want to make sure you’re safe.” I shook off the chills and butterflies forming in my stomach.

“That’s not your job,” I finally said, in almost a whisper, he chuckled a little.

“Some bodies got to, you have a tendency to get yourself into trouble.” He laughed trying to break the tension.

“It’s not like anything could happen to me.” I said, my face sank to the floor, remembering our last conversation.

“Why are you so hell bent on this ‘I cant die so let me die’ s**t? I’m sorry I ever insinuated that I was willing to test that theory.” He said, his hand now on my shoulder, “You’re a part of our team now. That means I’m going to take the same precautions, regardless. You got it?” He lifted my chin up with his hand.

“Got it.” I said finally, and he nodded with a grin.

“Now about that shower,” he said, “Where does a guy get one of those?”

prev chapter