"You're Ellie, right?" A boy's voice asked. Carl and RJ were eating, I was reading a book. We were sitting on a bench.

I looked to my side and my jaw dropped very slightly. Stood before me was a boy... I don't want to sound like a romance novel but holy hell. I realised I'd been staring at his face for going on a really long five seconds. "Depends who's asking." Was all I managed to respond with. I forced myself to stand up but he still towered over me, he must've been the same height as my dad.

"I'm Finn." He introduced himself, holding out his hand for me to shake. His eyes never left mine. He had a polite smile on his face. A hopeful shimmer in his eyes. Blonde hair, big brown eyes, a scar on the left side of his cheek. He tried to look polite, but there was a concerned furrow to his brows.

"Like the fish?" I asked before I could stop myself.

He laughed a little. "That's a first."

I caught myself twirling the bottom of my hair, so I dropped it and cleared my throat. That was embarrassing. "What can I do for you, Finn?"

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Finn

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"I heard you're good." He stated.

"Good at what?" I asked, tilting my head to side slightly.

"Everything." Finn answered. "My big brother went out with your dad and the others. He forgot his asthma pump. I'm just a little worried is all. I wanna go after them... But, I was advised to only go with the best of the best." He held up a blue asthma pump. "All that walking... Possibly, running, you know how it is out there. I'm a little worried that it could trigger an attack and if he doesn't have his pump-" He cut himself off, biting his bottom lip and shaking his head.

I shouldn't have found a boy in the middle of a crisis attractive. I itched the back of my neck. "You want me to help you?"

"I wouldn't have recommended anyone but the best, Ellie." I heard Ezekiel's voice as he approached us. "I see you've met Finn. He's been with us going on two years now. One of the best soldiers that Kingdom has." Ezekiel put a hand on Finn's shoulder.

"I suppose we're only a couple hours behind them." I commented, looking at the watch on Ezekiel's wrist.

"You're not seriously thinking of going with him?" Carl asked, standing up.

"Why not? His brother needs his pump." I responded.

"Charlie. My brother's name is Charlie." Finn nodded. "Please. I really need to get this to him."

"I'll help you out. A friend of Ezekiel's is a friend of mine." I smiled.

"Thank you." A look of relief washed over him.

"What about the fair? The movie?" Carl questioned.

I sighed. "Carl, this could be life and death. I gotta help out. You got this." 

Carl picked up RJ, a pout forming on my big brother's lips. "It's not safe out there."

"When has it ever been safe?" I retorted.

"I assure you, young Carl. Ellie will be in excellent hands." Ezekiel smiled. 

I glanced down to Finn's hands before looking up to his eyes, to see him already looking into mine. "Meet me by the gate in twenty. I gotta grab my stuff. Ezekiel, can I count on you to arrange a couple horses?"

"Oh, I actually can't ride." Finn admitted sheepishly.

"Don't worry, I can." I smiled, breaking eye contact when I realise how dirty that sounded. "There any carriages going spare?"

"I'm afraid not." Ezekiel shook his head. "I do have one horse though, he could easily hold two people."

"Only if Ellie's comfortable with being that close." Finn responded. I glanced to him with furrowed eyebrows. "I don't want you to be uncomfortable." He explained.

"Oh." I couldn't help the smile off my face. "I'm cool. Let's get that pump to your brother."

"Ellie, let me walk you." Ezekiel pretty much pulled me away. He turned around before speaking. I'm assuming he was checking we were out of ear shot. "Finn is an excellent young man. He and his brother were raised by a single mother and five older sisters. Talk about men written by women. He's a gentlemen, only three months older than you-"

"Ezekiel, are you trying to set me up with Finn?" I asked.

"I would never do such a thing." Ezekiel defended, putting a hand over his heart. "Although, last time you were here? Finn mentioned he had seen the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. He had this genuine smile on his face. The same smile he had when he first laid eyes on you earlier today. You're the mystery girl!"

I laughed. "Okay, Ezekiel. Nobody's looking at me and swooning." I scoffed.

"You underestimate yourself, Ellie. Just... Get to know him a little more on this journey?" He tried.

"I'm only going to help his brother." I laughed.

Ezekiel chuckled. "There's a reason I called you dumbass Ellie."

"Hey, I-" I started.

"I better go sort that horse for you. Chow!" He smiled brightly before walking away.

"Ezekiel, wait, I-" I cut myself off when I realised he wouldn't turn. "Dickhead."

I was walking to the main gate, RJ on my hip and Carl blabbering in my ear. "Ellie, you don't even know this guy."

"His brother needs help, so that's what I'm gonna do." I said, tightening the black, leather, fingerless gloves on my hands. I wasn't taking a backpack with me. I knew Finn was taking a backpack filled with food and water so all I needed was myself and the weapons belt around my hips.

"But, he could be like the people who kidnapped you and Sophia." Carl argued.

"You don't have the right to bring that up, Carl." I shook my head.

He let out a sigh. "I know, I'm sorry. I just-"

"Yea, I know." I muttered.

"But, ever since them? Ever since Luca? All I want is to do is keep you safe. Our whole family, but I'm left babysitting. Again." Carl complained.

I stopped in my tracks, causing Carl too as well. I kissed RJ's forehead. "I'll see you soon, little one."

"Bye- bye, big one." RJ smiled before I passed him over to Carl.

"I'll see you when I get back. Enjoy the movie. Stop worrying." I patted his shoulder before walking away.

I found Ezekiel and Finn talking by the very large horse. "Ah, Ellie." Ezekiel clasped his hands together.

I rolled my eyes with a smile on my lips. I looked to the horse and it was safe to say that it was the biggest one I'd ever seen. "How the hell am I going to get on that thing? I'm like 5'4."

"Finn will help you on of course." Ezekiel took a step back. I narrowed my eyes at the king. 

"I got all different kinds of snacks because I'm not sure what you like." Finn told me.

"That's very kind of you." I nodded, trying to fight a smile. Finn cupped his hands together for me to put a foot in. "Thank you." I smiled at the boy, putting my right foot in his hands and he very easily pushed me to climb on. With a little struggle which made me laugh, he got on behind me. I grabbed the rains to the horse. "You gotta hold onto me so you don't fall off." I told him.

"Oh, thank you... Where?" He asked.

I laughed, reaching back to grab his hands and put them on my waist. He had a very firm grip which made me blush slightly as I saw Ezekiel smiling at me. I rolled my eyes. "You gonna open the gate or not?"

"Be safe out there, young ones." He told us as the gate began to open.

"Always am, king." I grinned, before making the horse start to trot.