A/N: Hello everyone! Just want to let you all know that I am working on a new project for here on wattpad! (Don't worry, I will still write and update for this book as normal) It's a fantasy novel this time! The first fantasy story I've written on Wattpad that is my own original idea :D So anyways, I'd appreciate it if any of you check it out when I publish it. That's it for now. Have a lovely day :)

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02 - 09 - 2089

Cade and I are safe. For now.

Enzo convinced Gunner that I don't deserve to be given back to Doctor Acosta and the others, much to my relief. Several days have passed since they found us, and I still haven't been allowed to see Cade, but at least Enzo tells me he's okay.

I've been stuck in the same room since they separated Cade and I, and Enzo is the only one I've seen recently. He brings me meals several times a day and stays to talk for a little while. It's nice, but it doesn't fill the hole that being away from Cade has created. I can tell Enzo cares, or at least I think I can, but I've been wrong before.

As I sit in the dark, covered in a purple blanket Enzo brought me last night, my thoughts drift to the next room. I hope Cade isn't worrying. I hope Enzo has told him that we're safe. I hope... oh, what's the use? Hoping doesn't get me anywhere. No matter how sour that sounds, it's the truth.

I hear the scratch beneath the door that signals Enzo coming. The door pops open and he steps inside, bringing a candle with him. He told me yesterday that the electricity in this place doesn't always work, and it isn't trustworthy.

The small flame flickers in his hand, casting a warm, amber glow around the damp room. He smiles and comes to sit down next to me. I straighten and pull the blanket tighter around my arms.

Enzo sets the candle down and hands me a plate of food, but my attention is drawn to the fire. I watch as it dances to an invisible melody. It has no care, no worries. I long to be that way. If only life could be that simple.

"Are you okay?" Enzo asks, noticing that my food is untouched. I know I should eat, but that doesn't mean I will.

"Fine," I mumble vaguely. Slowly, I uncover my hand and draw it near the flames. I feel the soft, comforting touch of the heat as my hand draws closer, and closer. I pause before I touch it, relishing the warmth from something so small.

Enzo rests a tentative hand on my back, and I resist the urge to flinch. Not Cade.

"Can I see Cade?" I pull my hand back into the hidden shadows created by my blanket. I glance over at Enzo to see him shake his head, his face solemn.

"I'm sorry, Gis. Gunner won't allow it. I've convinced him not to give you up, but he's still insistent we find another way to make money from you both."

"So why can't I see Cade?"

Enzo sighs. "Because Gunner is afraid you'll try to..."

"Escape?" I finish, the word bitter on my tongue. I swallow and shake it off, setting the plate of food on the floor.

Enzo doesn't move, but one look at him tells me I'm right. Cade and I are still prisoners here.

"What if I promise not to leave?" I suggest.

Enzo looks at me strangely, tilting his head. He stares at me in a soft way, curious but innocent. I don't mind, although I can't figure what he is thinking. He brushes a strand of hair behind my ear and I shiver, tightening my grip on the blanket. I tuck my toes further against me.

"I'm afraid not," Enzo says at last.

"I miss him," I admit, waiting to see if Enzo laughs. He doesn't. In fact, I think I see sadness in his eyes for a moment, but then a casual expression takes its place.

"I'm sorry. But you can talk to me." Enzo smiles but it doesn't meet his eyes this time. The smile is hollow.

"I really want to see him. I just want to make sure he's okay. Please, Enzo?" I finally use his name, and he seems to consider my words for a moment.

"I don't know..."

"Just for a minute. Then I'll come back in here. I promise," I plead, clasping my hands together, my blanket forgotten as it slips down my shoulders.

Enzo gazes at my shoulders, and I glance down, wondering what he is staring at. The jacket and boots Cade gave me when we left the facility are who knows where. When I woke up after Gunner knocked me out, I wasn't wearing them. All I had on was my white pants and thin white shirt. My bare arms stick out, white against the dark room. I'm so pale, sometimes I wonder if my skin glows.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're beautiful?" Enzo whispers, drawing his gaze up to meet my eyes. I stare at him, confused.

"I... I don't believe so."

Enzo clears his throat, shaking his head. "Okay, well, you can see him for just a minute. Then you need to come back in here. Gunner isn't here right now, but he'll be coming back soon enough."

I nod, a smile blooming on my face despite the circumstances. "Thank you," I say, taking his hand as he offers it. Enzo leads me to the door, holding onto my arm as we enter the hallway and walk the two steps to the next room.

I pause at the door while Enzo unlocks it, excited now. It feels like I haven't seen Cade in forever, even though I know it hasn't been that long.

"One minute," Enzo reminds me as he opens the door and steps aside. I immediately step inside, blinking to readjust my eyes. My room is dark as well, but the hallway has light filtering in from the front of the building.

I see the figure hunched against the back wall, and rush over to him. "Cade," I say, my voice betraying my joy. But it vanishes as I kneel in front of him.

A large, ugly bruise covers the left side of his jaw and cheek, purple and swollen even in this dim light. His eyes are closed and my hand flies to his face, gingerly touching the bruise.

"What--what happened?" I ask, fearing the answer. "Is he okay?"

"He's fine, I promise," Enzo says. "Gunner gave him that before he... left for the day. He tried to get out."

I don't have to look at Enzo to hear the shame in his voice and know he didn't mean for this to happen. But that doesn't change the fact that it did, and Cade is hurting.

"Cade..." I run my thumb over his jaw and into his hair, my touch feather light. He stirs, moaning something unintelligible. I shake his shoulder once, hoping to rouse him better. It seems to work, and he cracks his eyes open.

"Gis?" Recognition filters in his blue irises and he straightens, blinking furiously. "Gis, you're here. Are you okay? What happened? Did they hurt you?" He rushes, sitting up and pressing firm hands to my shoulders. I relax into his touch, even though his hands are noticeably colder than normal. But it's Cade, and that doesn't matter.

"I'm fine." I smile to encourage him. "Enzo has been taking care of me. But I was worried about you."

Confusion flickers across Cade's face, and he glances towards the door, his eyes turning stormy when he sees Enzo standing in the doorway.

"Does it hurt?" I ask, hoping to distract him from Enzo before he does something stupid. When did I start thinking like this? I have no idea, but I feel the need to stop anyone from ever hurting him again.

Cade's gaze softens on me, and I fall into a million pieces in his arms. He pulls me close and wraps his strong, always comforting arms around me. I breathe in his scent, anxious and calm at the same time. I know my minute is almost up, but I have to take advantage of what I can.

Cade strokes my hair. "I'm glad you're okay," he says in my ear, his breath warm. "And I promise I'll get us out of here.

"Time to go," Enzo calls from the door. He's impatient, and I pull away from Cade, worried we'll get in trouble. I cast Cade one more glance before following Enzo back to my room. And when he leaves, taking the candle with him, I'm left to try and sort through the mess that has become my life.

It used to be so simple, structured, and clear. Everything I had to do was right in front of me. But now? Now nothing makes sense.

I can only hope that Cade will always be there to help me through it.

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