Chapter 5

My lips responded immediately to his and his arms wrapped around my back tightening his grip on me. I bunched up his hair in my hands and his lips left mine. They trailed down my jaw line and I pulled them back to my lips. “Maya,” he whispered and felt his hand against my leg.

“Dare,” I said and he pushed me down onto the cot. He got on top and we made out until both of us were too short on breath. “I missed you,” I said lying my head against the pillow.

“I missed you too,” he kept his arms around me, “Will you please stay, Garnet?”

“I couldn't imagine leaving,” I said quietly, “I am sorry I caused you so much pain Darren.”

“I am sorry I didn't come and get you myself,” he said seriously, “If I'd have known it was you, I would have been there in a heartbeat.”

“You couldn't leave Nora alone and you couldn't take her with you,” I reminded him, “They got me back.”

“We'll find you some new clothes, I promise,” he looked down at my dress then looked at my arms, “Maya, how many needles did they stick in your arms?”

“I lost count,” I saw all of the little blood spots, “They hurt a lot.” “They did five injections about six times and they had to keep me constantly sedated or drugged,” I shuddered.

“I am never letting you near any of them again,” he informed me.

“I wasn't planning on being around any of those doctors again,” I commented, “Or my brother.”

 

“What is this?” he grabbed my wrist and I winced.

“Tracker,” I said as he uncovered the wound.

“Who cut it out?” he demanded, “No one had the right to cut you up like this.”

“I cut it out,” I said and he looked at me in disbelief, “They would have used it to find the camp and take us out, I had to.”

 

“Jamieson could have gotten it out with a small incision,” he told me, “You act more rashly than I do, Garnet.”

“I was rushed, I couldn't risk them finding Eva she cannot handle herself around Seth,” I explained, “Especially now.”

 

“Why is it different now?” he questioned.

“Eva should probably tell you,” I bit my lip.

“Is it about the weight she's gained?” he raised an eyebrow.

“You noticed,” I frowned.

“She's a good friend now, I am not completely blind,” he remarked, “Did Adams sleep with her? Is the kid his?”

“Yeah, it's definitely Seth's,” I sat up, “I have to get him back, Darren I know how upset I was when they grabbed you and this is ten times worse now.”

“I'll do what I can to help,” he said.

“That means no more drinking,” I warned him.

“I'll keep it down to the bare minimum,” he replied, “You must be tired now, I should let you sleep.”

 

“Don't leave me okay,” I turned and kissed him again.

“Not ever,” he kissed my head then I closed my eyes. He hummed a melody I'd heard him use on Nora until I passed out completely. I had good dreams about the first time I met Darren and Seth then my dreams drifted into a nightmarish vision.

 

“Eva,” Seth called, “Where are you?”

“Daddy,” a baby girl called and I saw Seth's eyes were back to themselves.

“Where is your mother?” Seth inquired.

“She's gone,” the baby said.

 

“Eva,” I called out and Seth shouted as well. “Eva, come back,” I looked around, but there was no sign of her.

“More will be lost,” Kiara's shadow appeared, “You have to save everyone you can.”

 

“I will,” I agreed then I saw Eva's hand go limp, “No.”

“Sorry, sis,” Cass covered Darren's body with a sheet.

 

“You have your warning,” Kiara said, “Protect them, do not let this be your future.”

“How do I prevent it?” I asked.

 

“You'll know when the time comes,” the shadow touched me then I saw Seth and a team of soldiers setting fire to our tents. There were screams and I saw Rogers get cut down. There was still time, but I saw a flash of machines and needles I woke up gasping for air.

 

“Maya,” I felt Darren get up and I brushed tears out of my face, “Did you have another vision?”

“I...” I covered my head with my hands as I got a vision of blackness taking over the city. “Morrison wants to turn everyone in the city,” I could feel the hope vanish and see blank eyes of every colour and shape.

“Hey,” Darren gripped my shoulders, “Come on, you're here with me, you need to stop before you push yourself too far.”

“My head,” I rested my head against his chest and after a few deep breaths, I had control of myself again. “I can't control them sometimes, I need to learn how to focus it or I'll go crazy.”

“We'll figure it out,” he said then Eva came walking into the tent.

“Could you announce yourself before you enter?” Darren separated himself from me and I wiped my face clear of tears.

“Are you alright?” she came to my side, “Did you have one of those intense visions? How are they now? Are they harder to handle?”

“They're more direct now,” I rubbed my temples, “Can I borrow some clothes, Eva?”

“You can have all of my old stuff,” she said, “Most of it isn't stretching.” “I mean...” she looked at Darren.

“He noticed the belly too,” I bit my lip.

 

“Well,” she pulled me up to my feet, “I better get you out of here before Price tries anything.”

“Like what?” I remarked then Darren cleared his throat.

“Keller, watch it,” Darren said and I turned around to see him looking at me.

 

“Come on, Eva we should go see Dr. Hunter he can confirm the pregnancy,” I took her hand.

“Come right back when you're done,” Darren ordered.

“I might need some food or something to drink, Price get a grip,” I rolled my eyes then we left the tent.

 

“You two were awfully insecure about the topic of sex,” Eva said casually, “You two haven't done anything, have you?”

“I am just waiting for him to figure out that I am bad for him,” I crossed my arms as we walked, “He's got to be with someone else, someone who wants children and believes in happy endings.” “He wants to do more than kisses, but I cannot offer him any of the stuff that normal couples have,” I rubbed my arms, “I came back to make things right, but he won't let me.”

“I know you love him,” she reminded me.

“I do, but I can never give him children, what if that kid got my ability,” I said then her face paled, “I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that, Eve.”

 

“It's okay, I just wish Seth was here, I had a really hard time leaving him there,” she looked down at the ground, “I don't think he meant to get me pregnant, May, but I need him back to himself and I need him to accept it.”

“How have you been sleeping?” I asked concerned.

“Probably better than you,” she nudged me, “They are having an announcement tomorrow saying you have returned.”

“I'll probably have to come up with some kind of speech,” I chewed on my lip, “Some people probably still don't trust me.”

“They don't know you well enough to have an opinion,” she countered, “You can do it and you know Darren will be by your side the whole time.”

“Eva,” I turned to her, “I am going to need your help through all of this and I will do what I can for you in return, we'll both have to be stronger now.”

“As Kiara would say, there's no way in hell I am leaving this party,” she laughed.

“I miss her too,” I hugged her, “How is your family? Did they side with the military?”

“My father did, but my older brothers decided the afflicted girls were hotter than the navy girls,” she sighed, “They keep trying to put me on a diet, but I just can't tell them that I am only going to get bigger.”

“Well you'll still have to look after yourself more and build up your strength,” I warned her.

“Yes, ma'am,” she saluted.

“And work on the salute, navy brat,” I teased.

 

“You are bossy,” she complained, “I guess we should go find Hunter, huh.”

“You don't have to go right this second, if you're not ready,” I told her.

“I know you aren't a big fan of blood, but he'll just be scanning my belly,” she promised, “I think.”

“Alright,” I let her lead me over to the medical tent.

 

“What did your visions tell you?” she asked.

“They are going to try and infect everyone in the city,” I said seriously, “We need to go collect allies soon.”

“Did you see anything about Seth?” she asked nervously.

“I know he'll come to the campsite in the next few weeks, if you hear he's anywhere nearby I need to promise you'll hide,” I stopped her, “I mean it.”

“Maybe if he knew I was pregnant it would trigger some kind of emotion,” she suggested.

“Seth would kill me if I risk your safety to test a theory,” I shook my head, “You just focus on nesting and relaxing some when you aren't exercising or keeping the rest of us sane.”

“I cannot relax, Maya I can't sleep,” she got choked up.

 

“We'll talk to Dr. Hunter and I'll try and find out if we have any more informants close to Morrison, they would see Seth the most often,” I offered.

“I guess it's the best that can be done,” she agreed then we went into the tent where Dr. Hunter was waiting.

“Miss. Garnet, Miss. Keller are you hurt?” he spotted us immediately.

 

“Dr. Hunter I'd like a second opinion about a test I was given,” Eva squeezed my hand.

“Miss. Keller, are you...with child?” Hunter came rushing over to us.

“There has to have been others,” I commented, but Eva shook her head.

 

“Afflicted people don't do this usually, the most common cause is rape by military men and they always end in abortions,” she muttered.

“Is that what you want, Eva,” Hunter sat her down on one of the beds.

“No,” she looked over at me, “I am going to keep the baby.”

 

“Well isn't this quaint?” a familiar girl stepped into the tent and my instincts told me to hit her then she saw me, “Hello Garnet, I hope you've been keeping my boyfriend busy for me.”

“Hello, Kelley,” I said coldly.

Author's Note

what do you think of Eva's secret?