Rosalyn

The drive felt long.

While they were nearing towards hour three, Rosalyn couldn't help but think it's been much longer. It took a few hours for the adrenaline to cool off of everyone, while it took Malakai a few hours to gain an ounce of energy back. At the moment, everyone seemed calm, but no doubt very alert for more chasers.

Everyone was oddly quiet, even Sebastian, who hadn't pitched in a joke since they left. Rosalyn spent her time looking out the window, feeling safer with the tinted windows as she stared at passing cars. She checked in on Ingrid every once in a while, who seemed to be driving with no problem.

Finally, Rosalyn managed to turn her head back and look at the subjects. Sebastian had his body nearly sideways, staring out the window with awe. Of course, the subjects had barely seen the outdoors for years, and Sebastian was soaking it all in.

Hyemi, on the other hand, twiddled with her thumbs as she nervously looked back and forth. She was always the collected one, but control was out of her reach and it was shown across her pinched face.

Rosalyn craned her neck and watched as Malakai wrapped his arm around her. He placed his chin against her temple as he kissed her head, burying his face in her thick hair. Her lips pulled into a thin grin as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

It was clear that Hyemi was not pleased with Malakai's heroic act; she was panicked and uneasy as Malakai used his power to throw the chasers off. Rosalyn could see the worry on Hyemi's face, and she could finally read her mind on this one. The subjects cared for one another, deeply.

Memories flooded back into Rosalyn's mind. Sebastian, and how he comforted Malakai during his anxiety attack. Hyemi, and how she was so angry at Malakai, but it was solely because she didn't want him getting hurt. Malakai, and how he constantly asked Rosalyn and her father if the others were alright. The bond was inseparable, and Rosalyn saw it firsthand.

Rosalyn furrowed her eyebrows as she turned around and looked straight again. Hadn't Malakai shown the same care for her? Her mother was about to sedate her until Malakai jumped in and prevented it. He could've let it go; hell, he could've never even came back to the greenhouse.

He even saved my father.

Her racing thoughts faded as Ingrid took an exit off the freeway. Everyone perked up.

Seb sighed. "Ah, we're here!"

"We're halfway," Ingrid said. "I thought we could use a small break. Get some gas, use the restroom."

Ingrid pulled into an old gas station, pulling the car into one of the end pumps, farthest from other cars. Rosalyn looked around for any more chasers; she was surprised they hadn't ran into more trouble yet. Then again, they would constantly be chased during this journey.

Ingrid turned around. "Alright, lets make this stop quick. Nobody knows what you guys look like—yet. Just try to hide your faces. There's some snacks in the trunk."

Rosalyn dug into the glove box and snatched a pair of sunglasses. She handed them to Sebastian. "Just in case."

"Right," Sebastian replied. "Orange glowing eyes. Kind of a standout."

Sebastian was the first to open the door and stretch. He motioned for the others to come, and Malakai nudged Hyemi. With a sigh, she crawled out, and Sebastian gripped her shoulder with his large hand. Rosalyn saw the act and it almost brought a smile to her lips. Sebastian and Malakai were like brothers to Hyemi; it was shown in their subtle touches, their small actions. While Hyemi could hold her own, she seemed to enjoy the touches of encouragement and comfort. Rosalyn could not relate; she was never a big physical touch person.

Rosalyn turned back forward as her body kept her frozen in place. Tears threatened to strike, but she held them in. As car doors slammed shut and voices faded, she exhaled.

Suddenly, her passenger door opened slowly. Malakai peeked in.

"Are you alright?" he asked. He left her door open as he bent down, his weight on his heels. He looked up at her with sorrowful eyes.

She pushed her feelings away. "Are you okay?"

Malakai nodded. "Yes. Now will you answer?"

Rosalyn could see the tentativeness in him. First, he was on the run; his eyes were constantly glancing behind his back. Second, he could possibly still be afraid of Rosalyn, and if not, most of her family. She watched as he shifted on his heels, trying to make his uncomfortable position more bearable.

Rosalyn nodded. "I'm alright."

"I'm sorry what your mother—tried, to do to you." Malakai hesitated. "I've been thinking about for the majority of the ride, and I know this must be hard for you—"

"You've been thinking about that for the majority of the ride?" Rosalyn asked, a tease in her tone.

Malakai paused. He took in the question with thought, but Rosalyn thought of her comment as a joke. He opened his mouth. "Well—yeah, I think so. At least half of the drive."

Rosalyn laughed, and it nearly startled the two. Malakai furrowed his eyebrows; he didn't know whether she was laughing with him or at him, or maybe it was none of those options. He soon relaxed his shoulders as he smiled back.

"I just wanted to know if you're alright. Truly alright."

Rosalyn shrugged. "I never imagined my mother acting in such a way. She's never been that—rough, before."

He nodded aggressively, and Rosalyn couldn't help but admire the way he listened; his eyes would move to each of her own eyes, and he nodded consistently without noticing it. Rosalyn almost chuckled to herself. The fact that she had imagined Subject Zero to be some bulky, emotionless bad guy was almost funny now. However, she also felt saddened. How did a selfless person like him get caught up in this mess? She thought of Sebastian and Hyemi as well. They were just regular teenagers, stripped from their lives.

What else has Benedict done to you? What is your story? She wanted to ask him so badly, but refrained from doing so. Maybe, soon enough, she would ask and he would share. About how he got captured, what it was truly like with the psychotic man for three years, and how he survived it. Maybe one day, he could share it all.

"Well," Malakai began. She barely realized she had stopped talking out loud and instead inside her head. "She's in no pain. I made sure of it."

"I believe you," Rosalyn said. "Thank you for—saving me."

"Shouldn't I be the one thanking you for that?" Malakai smiled before standing up. "I'm going to run inside quick."

Rosalyn swatted with her hand, motioning him to leave as she smiled. She didn't need a thank you. She almost felt as if she didn't deserve one. And even if she did, she could see the gratefulness in Malakai's eyes and actions. That alone was more than enough for her.

As he stood up, he dropped back down again, bones in his legs cracking as he went back down to her level. He rested a hand under his chin. "And I mean that. I should be thanking you."

Rosalyn didn't know why she found his actions comical. His quick actions were quirky, and nerves were always shown as he hesitated. She smiled at him, but things shifted as Malakai gave her a serious look.

"Do you know the story of Paul? Paul in the Bible, I mean."

Rosalyn paused for a moment. "Ingrid has shared many stories from the Bible, but I can't say I know."

Malakai nodded. "Well, there was a period in time when he was thrown into prison, along with a man named Silas." He paused, as if to check if Rosalyn really cared for the story or not. In fact, she was intrigued, mostly because this was the most she's ever heard him talk before. He was usually quiet, self-reserved, but for once he was pushing for a conversation. She nodded for him to go on.

"They were beaten so badly, ridiculed and humiliated, but even in prison, even in their pain, they were praying and singing hymns." Malakai's emerald eyes were bright, excited. This was obviously a story he loved. "The other prisoners were listening to them sing, and then the ground shook and the foundations of the prisons walls were shaken. Everyone's chains went loose, and their cell doors opened—"

"Is this a real story?" Rosalyn chimed in.

"I believe it's real. Ingrid does, too. That is all up to you and your beliefs," Malakai said.

She knew that. She knew about Ingrid and her faith, and it seemed Malakai had similar beliefs. She nodded at him to continue.

"Even the jailer changed his faith that day, because of Paul. Then Paul and Silas were released."

Roslyn could see where he was getting at. "Do you feel like Paul, sometimes?"

Malakai exhaled a breath of laughter. "I don't come close to being like Paul, but I admire the story because—it feels similar. They were thrown into captivity but they kept the faith. And they were rewarded, eventually."

"Maybe you were rewarded by escaping Benedict," Rosalyn said. "But then you were still held captive at the Capitol."

She had realized her comment came out harsh, blunt. She opened her mouth to utter an apology, but Malakai only smiled.

"Well, Paul went to jail numerous times, I guess."

They both smiled at that. While Rosalyn tended to be abrupt, it wasn't anything Malakai wasn't used to.

He cleared his throat. "I don't know why I mentioned that, but I know you left your family. You left your safe space, and now things are unknown. I guess I'm just hoping you'll have faith with us."

Rosalyn nodded. She understood the connection. The subjects have been fighting and surviving for so long, she was surprised they kept their positive thoughts. Maybe Rosalyn and Ingrid were a new asset to their crew. Maybe they could bring in a new spark, a new encouragement.

Malakai smiled as he stood up. Rosalyn got out of the car and stretched her arms, taking in the warm sun. Malakai walked quickly into the store while Sebastian and Hyemi exited. Sebastian looked excited to see Malakai, like they hadn't been in a car together for hours. 

"Tag team!" Sebastian said, grabbing Malakai's forearm and giving him a forced high-five. Rosalyn smiled at the interaction.

"I think the shades boosted up some confidence." Ingrid was grinning as well as she pumped the gas. She soon nodded at Rosalyn. "Go to the restroom. Buy something if you want. Also, at least take off the jacket. It's warm, and it shows your whole uniform. We don't want you to look like a soldier."

Rosalyn nodded, slipping off her jacket. She was left in her charcoal cargo pants, boots, and a white short sleeve shirt. She started to walk past Sebastian, and he paused. She could see him thinking deeply, see all the scenarios in his head, and soon after, he lifted his hand high.

"Don't leave me hanging like that lame guy tried to do back there," Sebastian said.

Rosalyn hesitated, but soon enough their hands connected. She smiled.

-

Once everyone settled, they were on the road again.

Sebastian was a lot more talkative now. Rosalyn took the time to listen to the subjects' interactions. She tried to imagine Malakai and Sebastian in the same cell—Sebastian was quick to tend to Malakai, while also throwing in a joke to make him comfortable. Malakai seemed to bring Sebastian into a state of peace and awareness. Hyemi was too serious for the jokes, but she could tolerate it. While those two bickered often, it was playful. Malakai only barged in if he felt the bickering was turning into something more.

She tried to add the other subject, Miriam, into the mix. Their interaction was brief, but memorable. Still, Rosalyn tried to imagine her with the others. She assumed Sebastian annoyed her, while Hyemi could fall on either side. She could only picture Miriam and Malakai because she witnessed them together. They seemed like total opposites, but Malakai could handle her attitude, her mere presence. And while his calmness seemed to piss her off, she received it anyhow. She recalled their interactions with more detail. Malakai was ecstatic to see Miriam, but she barely reacted at the sight of him. But when she said her goodbye, she lingered, like she didn't want to leave him. Rosalyn did not know them enough to conclude anything, but she may be seeing Miriam soon enough anyways. She would likely meet all the subjects soon.

For a slight moment, Rosalyn wondered how she fell into the mix. The thought subsided; she was not a subject. She could still be seen as an enemy for all she knew.

"Traffic?"

Ingrid pressed on the brakes as heads perked up, staring at the many cars around them.

Rosalyn glanced at the time. "At this hour?"

Ingrid shrugged. "Doesn't make much sense. Maybe just a crash."

Sebastian cleared his throat. "Are there usually people walking around holding signs while shouting during traffic? If so, times have changed."

"Yeah," Hyemi shook her head. "It's loud."

Rosalyn had almost forgotten Sebastian could see from afar. She turned towards him. "What else do you see?"

Sebastian took off his shades as his eyes glowed orange and yellow. He stared forward. "They're lined up across the freeway. I see police there, too."

Instantly, Rosalyn and Ingrid's eyes met. While Rosalyn was utterly shocked, Ingrid started to laugh. She winked as she gently slapped Rosalyn's arm. "See! I knew this would happen! Hallelujah!"

"What—is happening?" Malakai raised his voice, a tone of urgency in his words.

"Protesters," Ingrid spoke.

Hyemi scoffed. "Protesters? For what?"

Rosalyn turned her head and glanced at the three of them. "For you."

•••

Chapter song: Sleepsong // Bastille

Hi everyone!

Y'all, I have so much fun writing dialogue with these characters. I realize I may be writing TOO much dialogue, but at the same time,,,oh well.

ALSO odd enough, but I had the protesters scene in my mind before all this stuff happened around the world—I am sorry if this maybe startled you in some way. I promise the scene in the next chapter is very short.

Thoughts? Is there anything you guys want to see more of? Any predictions? Let me know!

Vote, comment, share—these things make me cry with happiness.

Until Next Time,
Grace