A/N: Hi all! Welcome back to the second chapter! In case it wasn't clear, the headings of each chapter will indicate who the chapters point of view is being told from :) In this instance, you all will have another glimpse into Cade's mind! I hope you enjoy, and please let me know what you think!

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05 - 28 - 2089

C A D E

I'm unsurprised that my search for Gis ends outside. She frequents the Tate's backyard and forest, often disappearing for hours at a time, much to my discomfort. Nevertheless, the fresh air and freedom have almost entirely changed her. Gone is the small, unsure girl with pale skin and paper thin arms. She's been replaced by someone who's tasted life and is drunk on it.

Gis' raven hair has grown back in the months since she cut it when we were on the run. The locks hang loose down her back, framing a face filled with radiance. I swear, every time I see her she has a look of utter wonder and delight on her face. And when she turns those silver-lined eyes on me, I can feel myself breaking apart from how much I love her. 

Gis is sprawled on a patch of grass nearby a large oak, a large pad of sketch paper and various charcoal tools spread around her. Her face is tense with concentration as I make my way across the backyard towards her. Her fingers drift across the page, making smooth strokes with charcoal. Her fingers are smeared with the same substance, as they usually are. Most days she is unable to wash the stains off. I've gotten used to finding smudges of the dark color on my clothes and other surfaces about the house.

"What are you working on?" I call out, stopping a few feet away to catch my breath. I lean against a tree, taking a moment to slow my breathing. Gis draws a final stroke before looking up, her expression transforming into excitement.

"It's such a beautiful day," she says, smiling freely. She stands, straightening her pale blue dress. "I had to draw it."

"Draw what?" I push off from the tree and close the distance, peering down at the pad of paper now covered in dark smudges and marks. Gis leans into me as I study the art for a moment. When I look up, it's to compare the art from the real thing. And once again, she's captured another moment in time with such clarity.

The sun shines through the trees beyond us, creating spectacular beams of light wherever they touch. And somehow, Gis has captured it with mere charcoal. I turn to face her, opening my mouth to tell her what a genius she is. 

She kisses me before I have a chance. Her arms wrap around my waist as she leans up, and I bend forward to connect our bodies, one hand in her hair and the other around her back. "It's beautiful," I mumble, my lips still touching hers. She laughs and kisses me again, freely and without restraint.

When we break apart to catch our breath, she points to the forest. "During my morning walk I saw the dew lit up by the morning sunbeams and I knew I had to draw this forest again. I feel like it's different every time I come out here. How is that possible?" 

"Maybe it's magic?" I say, teasing.

Gis frowns, considering. "Magic?" 

I laugh and pull her against me again. "I was kidding."

"Of course you were." She huffs, but grins after a moment, unable to pretend she's angry. It's another thing I've noticed about her personality since she's been free. She's learned so much in these past weeks, drinking up everything anyone will tell her. 

And now she loves to try and use the information she learns on me. I'm guessing Mrs. Tate was trying to explain the concept of sarcasm to Gis, as evidenced by her attempt at anger. I can't help but find it adorable, and I say as much to her.

"So you find me adorable?" Gis says.

I slowly sink to the grass, pulling her down with me. "No, not really."

Gis looks at me, a question in her eyes. "But you've said before-"

"And I lied. I actually find you beautiful. It's much better than adorable."

Gis rolls her eyes, but I can see how red her cheeks become. When she realizes the same thing, Gis covers her face with her hands and shakes her head. "Stop. You always tease me like this, Cade! You know I can't tell the difference."

I sober up immediately, and reach over to pry her fingers away. "I'm sorry. I know I said I'd stop, and I need to try harder." I want to say, but it's just so easy to tease you! But I know that won't help. I'm an idiot for not doing better in the first place.

"It's fine," Gis says after a moment. "But one of these days, I'm going to do something drastic, and you'll regret ever teasing me."

"Oh yeah? Like what?" I ask, amused. 

Gis considers, then lifts her hand and proceeds to shove me. 

I fall back, caught off guard by her actions. I certainly did not expect her to do that. My back lands in the grass, and something hard rams against my right side. Pain flares bright in response, and I suck in a breath, shutting my eyes as I try to catch my breath. 

"Cade? Oh skies, are you okay?" Gis cries, and I feel her presence move next to me.

The pain lessens after a moment, and I open my eyes, nodding to let her know I'm alright. "It's fine," I say, then grit my teeth. Must've just hit a stick or something." I pull up the edge of my shirt, confirming that the wound hasn't opened. It's been weeks since the stitches were taken out, and it hardly causes pain anymore. Apparently, I landed perfectly on the stick for it to cause flare up now. 

Gis helps me into a sitting position, her face still conveying worry and guilt. I lean forward and kiss her cheek, trying to dissolve those expressions. "I'm okay, I promise. It's not your fault." The pain fades, bit by bit. I take a steadying breath and smile, trying to reassure her. 

Gis nods, although she doesn't appear convinced. "I thought I'd somehow managed to rupture the wound. I thought... I don't know, for a split second I was back there, in that vehicle and watching as you bled out." She shakes her head, clearly fighting her own demons.

For a moment, I consider telling her about the demons that consume my own mind. But then she laughs forcefully and scoots back over to her art supplies, the conversation over before it began. I see my nerve floating away on the cool breeze. Thanks for nothing.

Gis clears her throat and reaches forward to grab the paper pad. She begins pulling pages together in an attempt to close it. Images etched in charcoal fly past my vision until she pauses, hesitating on one in particular. When she reaches to shut the pad entirely, I grab her wrist.

"Wait. Can I see it?"

"It's not very good," she says, tilting her head as she considers my request. She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, and I can tell something else is bothering her. It's almost as if alarms go off in my head, telling me to fight, to destroy whatever it is that would dare to bother her in such a way.

But I give her space and time to consider my request. After a minute, she relents, handing over the pad. I fold the pad back, revealing the art entirely. Rendered in hazy shades of black and gray is an outstretched hand, reaching for a needle-like device. 

I glance over at Gis in confusion. Silently, she tilts the pad so the hand is now reaching upwards, and the needle is pointing down towards it. I stare closer, and then I see it. The needle is attached to a syringe, and the hand is reaching up, almost as in a plea of defense. At first, I think Gis drew her own hand. But no, this hand isn't slender and graceful as hers is. This hand is more angular and bigger, too. 

"Who's hand is this?" I ask, suddenly wondering what all this pad of paper holds.

Gis takes the pad from my hands and shuts it, avoiding my gaze. "It's yours."

"Another nightmare?"

She nods.

"Do you want to tell me about it?"

Gis starts to shake her head, then hesitates. "I can't get it out of my head." Finally, she meets my eyes, her expression one of frustration. "I keep seeing you die. And... and it's my fault. Every time. Somehow, in the... the dream, I know I have the power to save you. And all I can do is stand there and watch you die." Tears well in her eyes before spilling down her cheeks.

Unsure of what to say, I pull her against me and give her several minutes. She clings to me, crying almost silently except for the heavy rise and fall of her chest. It isn't until her breathing slows that she speaks again.

"People are dying, Cade. And it's my fault."

"No," I say firmly. "No, it's not. You didn't create these diseases. You weren't even born when the collapse occurred. None of this is your fault." Despite my words of encouragement to her, some feeling of unease causes my stomach to clench.

Gis pulls away and faces me. "If you had some special ability to save everyone, and then you locked it up and tossed away the key, doesn't that make you responsible when those bad things continue to occur?" She squeezed her eyes shut, as if her words caused her physical pain. "How can I do nothing when I know so many people are suffering around me?"

"You didn't choose to be made in a lab. In fact, you had no choice in the matter when they were prepared to lead you to your death. You are a person, Gis, and as a person you have the same rights that anyone else does. You have the right to choose."

"How can I live with myself, though? What kind of horrible person can run from all that suffering and still live with themself? It's easier to ignore it during the day or when I'm drawing, but at night..." She trails off, her expression thoughtful. "I need to do something."

I clasp her hands firmly in mine. "You don't need to do anything. You have the freedom to live, finally, after having no control for so long."

"I can't," she protests, pulling her hands away. "I just... can't. Please try to understand."

"So, what?" I say, unable to keep the frustration from creeping into my voice. Despite my attempts to make her see reason, she can't get this idea of self-sacrifice out of her head. "You're just going to march back to them and give yourself up? After everything?"

"No, I... I don't know. But I can't just stay here and ignore what's going on, Cade."

"Yes, you can. You've been doing it for three weeks!" I gesture to the mess of art supplies and the forest beyond. "You draw, you take walks. You live, and you keep on living."

"But-"

"Stop," I all but yell. "Just, stop." I stand, forcing myself to take several large breaths. I can feel my vision tunneling, my mind focused on the image of Gis prepared to die for people who don't deserve it. Don't deserve her. My heart thuds, my chest constricting to the point of pain.

The forest is gone and all I can see are white walls. Gis is there, restrained to that awful table, her small body so pale against the dark metal. Doctors surround her, preparing to dissect her brain and body for answers. They hold scalpels, their faces impassive. Uncaring. Unfeeling. 

And there I am, restrained by ropes or chains or arms, forced to watch as the life fades from her eyes. Forced to watch as they cut her open and mutilate her body. And I can do nothing to stop it. Not. One. Thing.

A hand touches my shoulder, and I shove it away, stumbling backwards and ending up on the ground again. The image disappears, but the panic remains. Gis is standing back, clutching her hand, her eyes wide. I'm heaving, unable to catch my breath, panic and anger mingling in tandem. 

"Cade, I'm sorry," she starts, but I raise a hand to silence her, shaking my head. I force myself to stand and turn away, my vision blurring slightly. I take a step, then another, and then I'm walking away, back towards the house.

I don't look back.

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