“So we drove on towards death

In the cooling twilight.”

-the Great Gatsby

Emma

A small breeze is playing with my hair and somewhere at the edge of my consciousness there is an engine roaring.

A car.

We’re driving.

And that realization wakes up my other senses and the memories of earlier events.

I can’t see.

And someone is holding me.

My body stiffens and a panic sets in. What’s going on?

“You awake, squirky?” a deep voice says close to my ear.

I take a sharp breath. It’s not possible. It can’t be him.

But I heard his voice before, back in the cave.

“Blake?” my voice rasps.

“It’s gonna be fine, Ems. Don’t worry.”  He rubs my arm and suddenly I realize he is the one holding me. I’m sitting in his lap.

Heat rushes to my face. I turn my head to look at him, but I still can’t see a thing and I realize I’m blindfolded.

My hand moves to remove it, but Blake grabs my wrist.

“Don’t,” he says softly, “it’s just a precaution. You can take it off when we’re at the base.”

“Base?” I ask, but he doesn’t answer.

“Are you thirsty?” he asks instead and he holds a bottle against my lips.

I greedily gulps down the water. “Thanks.”

“Is your shoulder bothering you?” Blake asks, “I have to say, that alien stuff is amazing. The wound was gone in seconds.”

I flinch. “Burns?” I ask and I try to move around, but Blake tightens his grip.

“He’s fine,” Blake says, “don’t’ worry.”

“Where is he?” I demand.

“He’s in the other car with Nate and Rob. He’ll be fine. Nate is very knightly. If your friend really saved him, nothing’s gonna happen to him.”

But his words don’t comfort me and I struggle to escape his hold.

“Hey, keep her calm back there. The last thing we need is a car crash.”

I flinch at the sound of the voice, though I shouldn’t have been surprised. Blake was holding me, so someone had to be driving.

“Shut up Logan,” Blake says, “you’re freaking her out.”

“She’s the freak, “another voice says and I flinch again. Just how many people are here?

“She’s not  a freak,” Blake hisses with more venom than I expected. Is this really Blake? The same Blake that tormented me all throughout high school?

“She’s the one that befriended one of those parasite.”

“Leave her alone, Evan.”

“No Blake.  I don’t care if she’s your friend. She defended one of them. We can’t trust her.”

My breath comes out heavy. It’s terrifying not to be able to see anything, especially when everyone around me is so hostile.

“Could you two stop arguing?” Logan asks, “we’re nearly there.”

“Tch,” Evan says.

“Nate wanted us to bring the two,” Logan continues, “he’s the boss.”

“Don’t worry, squirky,” Blake says, “Evan isn’t always such a jerk.” I can almost feel him smirk. “How did you end up with that alien? You have to tell me that story one day.” He chuckles. “I didn’t picture him your type. Your mother would get a heart attack.”

“It didn’t take much to give her one,” I grumble.

Blake chuckles again.

“We’re here,” Logan interrupts. The car engine dies out and I bite my lip. What’s gong to happen now?

I hear the car door open and Blake urges me out of the vehicle while holding me. “Almost there,” he mutters and steers me ahead.

Involuntarily I struggle. I can’t see where we’re going.

“Trust me,” Blake says, “just a little longer.”

“Quiet now,” Evan says. His voice sounds tense.

“You wait here,” Logan orders, “I’ll go first. I’ll signal when it’s safe.”

We stand still for a moment.

“Come one,” I hear Evan say.

“Come Emma,” Blake says softly and again he guides me forward. “Stand here for  a moment,” he continues after a few steps and I hear a strange sound around me.

“Ready Blake?” Evan’s voice sounds hollow and far away and it seems to come from... below?

“Alright,” Blake says at my ear, “a small step forward. Watch out, there’s a ledge. Okay, there’s a small drop, about 8 foot. Evan will catch you.”

“What?” I rasp.

“You can trust him,” Blake continues, “I’ll be right behind you. Please Emma. We can’t stay here in the open for long.”

I swallow and nod stiffly.

“Okay,” Blake sighs in relief. He helps me to the edge of the drop. “You’re there. Just jump.”

I take a deep breath and do as he says. I gasp when two arms fold around my waist and catch my fall. Evan plants me on my feet and immediately lets go. Behind me, there is a faint thud, indicating that Blake is here too.

There’s a grating sound and then the blindfold is removed from my eyes.
I blink, but it’s not nearly as light as I expected.

“You okay, squirky?”

I look at Blake. He’s exactly as I remember him, crooked smile and all, though his eyes have a  seriousness in them that wasn’t there before. I guess the end of the world does that to you.

“Welcome to our home,” he smiles.

 I look around now. We’re underground, that much is obvious. Rock walls, wooden panels and oil lamps. On the ground is a vague trace of an old train track and water is dripping down in small puddles.

A mine.

We’re in a mine.

My eyes land on the other two men now.

“Emma, meet Evan and Logan.”

Evan is a few years older than me. He has short brown hair and grey eyes. He’s a fair head taller than me and his eyes are looking at me grim.

He doesn’t seem to like it that I’m here.
He has a rough appearance, roughly shaven, brown jacket over a faded green sweater. A scarf is loosely tied around his neck and he has a rifle over his shoulder.

Logan has dirty blonde hair and a sturdy body. I can see the muscles on his arms through his shirt. At least he doesn’t looks so hostile. And he has no weapon.

“Hi,” I whisper.

Evan groans and turns his back on us. “Let’s go.”

Logan rolls his eyes and follows after him. I look at Blake.

He grins. “Let’s go,” he mimics Evan’s words.

…

The narrow hall ends in a crossroad of tunnels and  I know for sure I will never find my way around on my own.  I stick close to Blake, who seems completely fine in this maze.

“Is it safe here?” For some reason I feel the need to whisper.

Blake shrugs. “Safer than out there,” he answers.

I glance over my shoulder, but it’s too dark to see anything. “Shouldn’t we wait for the others?” I ask. I’m worried bout Burns.

“They’ll be fine,” Bake assures me, “It will just take them a while longer with Nate’s leg and all.” He glances at me. “Couldn’t your friend fix that too?”

Subconsciously, I rub my shoulder. You wouldn’t even know a bullet had pierced it. “We didn’t bring anything to heal broken bones,” I mutter.

Another face pops up around the corner. A woman in her fifties glances at us and then hurries back where she came from. “They’re back!” I hear her call. My eyes widen slightly. Just how many people are here?

Blake notices my confusion and leans towards me. “That’s Anna-May. She’s a bit of a spitfire sometimes, but she means well.”

“Just how many of you are here?” I ask. We round the corner.

It’s Logan who answers. “Twenty,” he says and we enter a wider and lighter part of a tunnel.
Faces stare back at me. Ten, twelve…

“Evan!” A young woman with red-brown hair detaches from the group and wraps her arms around his neck. He holds her close and kisses her. The hostile look has gone from his eyes.

“She’s Ellen,” Blake provides.

I nod distracted. I’m still in shock about the many human faces around me.

“Logan, did you find Nate?”

“Where’s Rob?”

“Who’s the girl?”

“This is Emma,” Blake places a hand on my shoulder, “We found her with Nate. He and Rob are not far behind us.”

“What happened?”

“Is he okay?”

A young woman approaches me. “Welcome Emma. I’m Kelsey. I’m glad the guys found you. Were you alone all this time?”

Before I can come up with some answer, there are noises behind us.

“Right around the corner, kid. Just stay behind me. You’re in for a surprise.”

And they step into the room.

All kinds of things happen at the same time.

The humans welcome back Rob and Nate, the latter being supported by the first. Evan and Logan are both tensing. Blake arm tightens around me, whether for comfort or to keep me from doing something stupid again, I don’t know.

But I escape his grip and run towards the three and into Burns’ surprised embrace.

“You’re safe,” I sigh.

The room falls silent and there is an uncomfortable atmosphere.

I hear weapons and gasp ant hen furious outbursts.

“What the hell, Nate?!”

“You brought one of those things to our hide-out? Why didn’t you kill it?!”

“Check for their eyes. They must have been taken!”

“Enough!” Nate bellows and even I flinch at the harshness in his voice.

The room is silent again, but no less hostile.

Nate takes a deep breath. “Here goes,” he mutters, only barely audible. Then more loudly, “this is Burns Living Flowers. I know he is not one of us, but he is here on my invitation. He saved my life.”

“So it could put one of its friends inside you no doubt,” someone says.

“I thought so too,” Nate says, “but he was on his own, with the girl who is still human. He is no threat to us.”

“You’re going to let it stay?”

“It is a discussion for tomorrow,” Nate answers, “I’m tired and hungry and he saved my life.”

“You can’t be serious!”

“Nate!”

“Tomorrow!” Nate shouts. He turns around and wobbles out of the room, motioning for Burns and me to follow him.

A few seconds later, Blake is at our side, shielding our exit from the other humans. For once I’m grateful for his presence.

Burns quickly walks up to Nate and supports him while we make our way down the tunnel.

“There isn’t much room,” Nate says to us, “I hope you don’t mind bunking with me for the night.”

“You’re very kind,” Burns says. I wonder if he realized the same thing I have, that Nate is protecting us. I have no doubt the others want to kill Burns.

Nate turns to Blake now. “Go find some food and meet me in my room.”

Blake nods and disappears into another tunnel.

Nate’s room is a small space, somewhere in a side tunnel. A curtain functions as a door, a mattress is on the floor against the far wall and an oil lamp stands next to it.

Nate lights it ands sits down with a groan. “Sit,” he invites us, “it’s not much, but we have to make do.”

Burns sits sown on the hard floor, but I hesitate and glance at the door. Nate may be trying to protect us, but what is he going to do if the others decide to come in?

From the corner of my eye I can see Nate watching me. He holds out his hand. “There is nothing to worry about, Emma is it? They’re a  bit shaken now, but they won’t come here.”

I bite my lip but remain standing. I feel oddly out of place.

The curtain moves aside and I flinch, but it’s only Blake with our food. He winks at me and puts the tray on the floor. After taking a plate for himself, he moves back to the doorway and eats standing.

I let out a sigh and sit down next to Burns. I didn’t realize how hungry I was.

Only after a few forks I realize something and look at Nate. “Where did the food come from?” I ask. Were in a mine, not exactly a place for grocery shopping.

“Some we grow,” Nate answers, most we raid. And sometimes we exchange with other groups.”

I freeze. “Other groups?”

Nate smirks at me. “All in good time,” he says.

So he doesn’t completely trust us yet.

When Burns stars rubbing his eyes, Nate nods at Blake. “Go get their gear the boys brought in from the car.”

Blake nods and with one last glance towards me, he disappears down the tunnel.

He is back in no time with our sleeping bags.

“Thanks,” I mutter. It’s still strange to see him here, alive and human.

“Sweet dreams, squirky,” he smiles and looks at Nate., “I’ll go check what the others are up to.”

And then there’s only the three of us.

“You should try and get some rest,” Nate says, “it’s gonna be tough tomorrow, with the others. I’ll keep watch. No one will hurt either of you.”

“Thank you,” Burns says, “you are most kind.” He unrolls his sleeping bag and crawls into it. He’s been silent this whole time. Is he afraid of what might happen to him? Does he feel like I did when I first met him?

“Good night, Emma,” he whispers.

“Night,” I answer softly. I feel like crying though I’m not sure why.

“You should get some sleep too, girl,” Nate says kindly.

I shake my head. “I’m not tired,” I lie.

He’s not fooled. “It must be hard,” he says, “to trust others after being alone for so long.”

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, though I’m not sure what I’m apologizing for.

“Nothing’s gonna happen,” Nate says again, “I promise. Your friend saved my life. I keep my promises.” He pauses. “How did you survive for so long?”

“By hiding in plain sight,” I answer, “sleeping in abandoned buildings.”

“How did you end up with him?” He motions at Burns.

I close my eyes. “I was on the run from Seekers. They were chasing me in the forest. I hurt my ankle.” I swallow. “Burns found me. He didn’t know I was human. I was wearing contacts so I wouldn’t be suspicious. He wanted to help me. I was afraid of the Seekers, so I went with him, planning to escape underway, but he  found out what I was..”

“And he didn’t turn you in?” there’s disbelieve in his voice.

I stare at my hands. “He is a Researcher. He wanted to learn about human behavior. I didn’t trust him, but I was afraid of what he would do if I said no. So I stayed, looking for  way to escape when opportunity would present itself. And after a while… every reason to leave… just disappeared.”

“When did you start to trust him?” Nate’s voice sounds curious, but I realize the danger of my answer. If I tell him the truth, I will sign Burns’ death sentence.

So I lie.

“I don’t know,” I say, “it just happened.”

I know he doesn’t believe me, but he doesn’t press on it. He just nods. “Go to sleep girl. You have my word I will protect him, as long as he proves we can rust him.”

I nod. It will be enough.

I fall asleep.