Luke

Imogen

Something was going on with Danika and Luke. It had been months since the incident in the restaurant. We moved past it, but not without it happening again days later. I soon learned we were being hunted by someone, which was why I disliked Luke being integrated into our little group. However, Danika insisted we trust him.

The petrol station was empty apart from us. Any corpses were dragged away towards the bushes and trees the night before. Apparently, they cramped the style of the dilapidated monstrosity of a building. Thankfully, it seemed to be abandoned long before the outbreak, the owners long gone. The dead bodies hidden away were the zombies we had to kill to make this place safe for us. My clothes still reeked of their stale blood and rotten flesh.

Outside, I could spot the long bright red hair belonging to Luke. Beside him, talking in a low enough voice I couldn't hear, Danika met his gaze. How they were together made it look like they knew each other.

Whatever they said, the next thing I saw was Luke resting his forehead against Danika's.

I bristled. Thank goodness I was inside so they couldn't hear me.

"Don't like our new crew member?" Sacha asked from behind me.

When I turned around I took in the stack of food in his arms. I narrowed my eyes.

He shrugged. "Snacks for later."

"Okay," I said slowly. "It's not that I don't like him."

He wandered over to me, a little hop in his step as he stopped at my side where he could have a better view of Danika. "Hm, her emotions are all muddled when she's with him."

I nudged him in the side, almost forcing him to drop the packets of snacks. "I hate it when you do that," I muttered, unable to keep the smile from my face.

He smirked. "It fascinates you, really."

Sacha was right. I was fascinated by their powers. Even more so where they came from. Neither of them knew and they were still learning to control them. Where Sacha could bend his at will, Danika easily lost control. In fairness, her power was less precise and calming. Instead, it was meant to defend the wielder and attack any threats. They were both strange anomalies, but what made it all worse was Luke also had strange powers that he knew truly little about.

What if I'm the only one without any powers? I tried to push the thought away from me.

"Your powers or Dani and Luke?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He chuckled. "You and her may have more in common than you'd like to admit."

_____

Danika

I fiddled with the clouds of smoke wrapping around my fingers. They were darker than when I was in the facility. I wondered whether they could see into the gaping hole within my soul, emulating that on the outside. Within them was a sharpness I could never share.

"You can share each sharp edge with me," Luke murmured, peering down at me. His finger was hooked under my chin as I allowed myself to remember the mental institute, even though it hadn't been that long ago since we were there together.

My secret.

I knew Imogen had her own secrets that she wasn't telling. Well, I also had one. In another life, I would have taken it to the grave, but there he was. How could I keep it now?

"I know," I whispered. My eyes watered as a stray tear ran down my cheek. I caught it before he could—and before anyone else saw.

How I longed for some sign that he was alive out there. But there was nothing. The spark of life was dwindling to embers, and we were some of the last remaining people. We hardly saw anyone except those who wanted to kill us. Luke's face in the fray was a welcome change.

The more he looked at me, the more I wanted to brush my lips gently against his. However, it was too soon. It hasn't been long since we found each other again and there's a newness to this territory. It doesn't feel explored yet.

"What's on your mind, Dani?" he probed, his other hand coming to rest on my cheek as his fingers grazed my brow.

I inhaled, my breath hitching. "I didn't know if you were dead or alive." I bit back my sob, biting down hard on my tongue until the copper taste ran down my throat.

"I'm sorry," he began. "I ran to your room, but you weren't there."

A stab of ice entered my heart.

Of course not. Sacha and I ran down those pristine halls whistling and hooting like the maniacs they wanted us to be. Our doors were open. We were finally free. I spared no thoughts for Luke or the other prisoners in that place. All I could think about was finally being able to get away and rebuild what was taken from us. I didn't think about him until later. Much later.

There was no good apology for leaving him. All I had was empty promises and a few jokes of poor taste up my sleeve. I could only stand there and play dumb. It was the safest option, even if the act was a lie.

"At least we're together now," he finally said, bowing his head against my forehead.

I was in pure bliss. My heart thumped against my chest, slightly accelerating against my eardrums. Butterflies raced around my stomach as I silently wished for more than this. All I wanted was a kiss, however small and short. Yet, I would always settle for less. Less was more with Luke anyway.

"I've missed you," I said, wrapping my arms around his neck to give him a hug.

He laughed, his breath tickling my ear. "I've missed you, too, my little nightmare!"

Word Count = 973