“I know everyone’s been asking you stuff like this. And . . . and I wasn’t going to at first. But I have to know. I can’t just . . . not know anymore. Do you know what happened to my family?” She asked, moving a few strands of her matted almond hair from her face.

Cayson knew her. The second she had tapped his shoulder and forced him to whirl around to face her, he knew.

Her name was Odette Mackson. She had been missing for three years. Her disappearance had rocked the nation and had been broadcasted every day on nearly every news channel. She had been volunteering at a nursing home. When she had gone outside to answer a quick phone call, she had never returned.

They found her cell phone outside, smashed to pieces against the gravel.

“I do. I had heard something about your family still searching for you a few weeks ago,” Cayson lied through his teeth. He didn’t have the heart to tell Odette the truth. He couldn’t find it in him to tell her that her father had committed suicide a year ago. Odette smiled widely, hope in her eyes.

“Thank you,” she grinned, engulfing Cayson into a tight hug. Cayson could feel the knot in his stomach twisting, feeling disgusted by his lies.

But he couldn’t tell her.

Emery sauntered by, catching Cayson’s eye as she strolled around the camp. Emery found herself admiring the feeling of the sun against her skin. It made her think to all the days she spent at the beach with friends, enjoying herself.

God, she would give anything to have that back.

“Emery!” Someone shouted from a distance, their voice barely traveling all the way to her. However, it had. Glancing over her shoulder, she spotted Cayson saying goodbye to some girl, jogging towards her.

She sent him a kind smile as she stopped, waiting for him. Emery hadn’t talked to Cayson since he had blown up on her. He hadn’t tried to talk to her since then either. She, however, realized what Cayson had said was true. He had almost died for her, and she had never even said thank you.

“Hey, how’s the leg?” Cayson wondered, finally catching up to her.

“Getting better. It’s basically just a big cut, so as long as I walk and take pain killers, I should be fine,” Emery started to step forward, Cayson matching her step for step as the two began to circle around the camp.

“How do they even have pain killers?” Cayson asked.

“They don’t have the over the counter pill pain killers. It’s more this weird soupy thing. But, the doctor knows how to make them and they work.” Cayson nodded, impressed with the people here. Even on such low resources, they seemed to know how to function. “What about you? A little birdy told me you found your calling; security,” Emery laughed when she said this.

“What’s so funny about that?”

“To be on security I think it’s a rule that you have to be Mason’s size . . . or even Sean’s. But you? You’re more . . . my size,” Cayson stopped in his tracks, mouth open wide in shock. Emery was smiling, giggling at her comment, as she spun around to gaze at him.

“Well ouch, tell me how you really feel why don’t you?”

“I just did,” Cayson couldn’t help but smile and start to laugh himself. God, she’s so beautiful when she smiles.

When their laughing slowly faded away, Emery found herself peering at her feet before pulling some hair behind her ear and daring to look into Cayson’s enthralling chocolate brown eyes.  

“You know, I never got to thank you,” she began.

“For?”

“For saving me,” Cayson bobbed his head, unsure of what to say at first.

“It was no big deal,” he replied casually.

“No, it was. You risked everything for me. Thank you.” Cayson could only smile. He was glad she was speaking to him, and not only giving him short responses. “If you don’t mind me asking, why did you?”

“I . . .” Cayson began, choking on his words. How does he describe that something inside of him drove him to her?

“Emery!” Someone else yelled. Both Cayson and Emery turned their heads in that direction, watching as Finley made his way over to them. Emery waved in response, causing Cayson to cross his arms over his chest in anger.

We were having such a nice conversation.

Finley had been staring at Emery the entire time, admiring her from a fare as he walked to them. However, when his eyes landed on Cayson, he started to jog. It was obvious to Finley that Cayson liked Emery. So, messing with Cayson was to perfect.

“Hey Casey,” he smiled as he reached them.

“Fin,” Cayson immediately replied.

“You two are so immature,” Emery mumbled under her breath.

“What? We’re fighting for the same wonderful woman,” Finley began, throwing his arms around her shoulders. “Competition is rough.”

“Fighting?” Emery wondered, glancing at a nervous Cayson.

“What are you talking about?” Cayson lied, not being able to admit his feelings for Emery for reasons he didn’t know. Emery appeared upset.

“Maybe I’m mistaken,” Finely replied with mocking eyes.

“Stop teasing him,” Emery slapped Finley in the chest gently.

“I’m not. I was just curious as to what he felt for you. Like I said before, competition is rough.” Mason strolled over to them, joining the group.

“Hey guys,” he smiled. “I need to borrow Mr. Cayson here,” he set his hand on Cayson’s shoulder.

“No need to borrow him,” Finley smiled, his eyes sending a glare Cayson’s way, “no one wanted him anyway,” with that Finley dragged Emery off. Cayson held up his thumb and two fingers, making a gun with his right hand. Aiming at the back of Finley’s head, he pretended to shoot him.

“What? You don’t like Finley? He’s such a charmer . . . I think I’m already falling in love with him,” Mason teased.

“Oh shut up,” Cayson replied, setting his hand down at his side. “It wasn’t even a good insult.” Sean yawned, stretching his arm as he came over.

“You ready?” He questioned, cracking his neck.

“For what?” Cayson returned his gaze to the conversation, instead of angrily watching Finley walk off.

“For training? What, you didn’t tell him yet?” Sean asked Mason.

“I didn’t get the chance. Lover boy was too busy making small talk.”

“Hey, you shouldn’t have interrupted the conversation. I was ready to use sarcasm and my extremely harsh insults,” Cayson stood proud. He knew he would have had a shot to bring Finley down a peg.

“Come on Casey,” Sean mocked as they headed towards the woods.

“Have I ever told you I hated you?” Cayson sarcastically asked.

“Not yet, but I’m sure after today you’ll be saying it a lot,” Sean was excited for training. He had a feeling today would be the most amusing day of his bland and terrifying life. “Try to forget about Emery, maybe she’s not into the guys that’d save her life and risk theirs? Who knows, maybe she’s into the bad boy drug dealer type of guy.”

Sean had only been trying to comfort his friend, but Cayson found himself tensing. What if I already was that?

Mason observed him as he did so, taking note that the mention of drugs was a rough subject for him. He was getting closer to figuring about Cayson’s secret, hidden life.

*********

Cayson nervously eyed Sean as he cracked his neck.

“Okay, ready?” Sean wondered, jumping up and down as he shook his hands.

“Nope, I’ve actually changed my mind.” Spinning around on his heels, he took a step towards the camp before Mason shuffled forward and in his way.

“Nice try.” Mason smiled, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Oh come on guys! Why do I have to do this?” Cayson whined, facing Sean again. Mason shoved Cayson forward and closer towards him.

“Stop complaining and fight him.” Mason found himself holding back a laugh.

“Attack me,” Sean instructed. Cayson shut his eyes and took in a weary breath before throwing them open and charging toward Sean. Sean jumped out of the way, sticking out his foot. Cayson stumbled forward and Sean took his chance to kick him in the back. Cayson crashed to the ground, smashing his face into a pile of dirt.

“I lost, I quit. I’m just going to stay here.” Cayson found himself digging his head further into the ground. Latching onto his ankle, Sean dragged him backwards. Attempting to dig his nails into the ground, he was unsuccessful.

“Get up and fight!” Sean bellowed.

“Nope, I told you I quit. I’d rather spend the rest of my life right in this exact spot.” Sean sighed, seeing Cayson had already given up.

“Guess we’ll have to return to the camp with embarrassing stories of how Sean took you out in less than ten seconds. I wonder how Emery would like that story,” Mason said with a grin, him and Sean exchanging quiet laughs. Cayson turned onto his back, eyeing his two friends.

“You wouldn’t-”

“Oh I would,” Mason immediately shot back. With a heavy groan, Cayson rose to his feet and continued to get his ass kicked.