Within an hour, we had arrived at a small island, which I assumed was the safe place where plans against the Antipode were conversed. I climbed out of the submarine into the afternoon sunlight hitting my face, illuminating a forest in front of me. Quickly, our small party of no less than ten people was hurrying to the entrance of a small village, which surrounded a huge fire pit.

     People occupied every place I looked. The atmosphere was completely different than the one in the city. It was open, joyous. Voices filled the air with discussion, nobody seemed to feel threatened. Many turned to see us, some flocked to our little group, gawking at Eden and Seth particularly.

     "I should know what this, who they are," Seth mumbled, looking at the people. I squeezed his hand, overwhelmed by everything I was presented with.

     I began to understand that the camp wasn't only a place to fight Cassius, it was for refugees. It was meant to be secure.

     The people ranged from adults to young kids. I wondered how they all got there as I searched the faces for someone familiar with no luck. We were urged to enter a rectangular building, where the door was shut to an open room full of quieter people.

     As soon as we made an appearance, everything was stopped instantly.

     I sensed Seth's nerves, and I knew he felt my panic. He slipped his arm around my waist, holding me to his side gently as a comfort.

     The group was a mix of men and women, young and old. My eyes looked for recognition. I felt incredible small-- panicked even; where were Adria and Jonathan?

     I suddenly hoped that this was a genuine protection, that I could trust these people. Lincoln caught my attention from the other side of the room, his expression not only relieved, but incredibly emotional. I sighed.

     My siblings had to be safe. However, they weren't in sight.

     Our groups began to mix in chatter. Everyone seemed to have a job to do, hunched over tables, papers, or screens filled with data.

     Instead of going back to his work, Lincoln began weaving through the people, his eyes looking over me, not even on his brother. Missy brushed past me, going toward him.

     He swept her up in his arms, holding her tightly to his chest, talking into her ear, smiling with overwhelming solace in his expression. He pulled back and kissed her passionately.

     "They're back," Eden remarked from beside me. He turned to Seth, who bit his lip as he scanned the room with an uneasy glance. "I wish you remembered this," Eden said to him, almost sorrowfully.

     The statement made Seth's eyes go wide and his hand go to his forehead, fully realizing that he was supposed to understand what was going on. He became pale, and stared at me, lips trembling. I hugged him tightly, hoping I was helping him.

     I didn't want the city to change Seth. His innocence had caused me to fall in love with him. How could they break someone who was so necessary to another's existence?

     I ran my fingers through his hair, feeling his trembling frame leaning on my shoulder. In that moment, I decided I didn't care. If he was hurt, I would care for him. I wouldn't abandon him. He hadn't left me purposefully. It wasn't his fault; I couldn't blame him for the world's demise.

     "It's okay, I'm here, Seth," I whispered, pressing my cheek against his hair.

     "Rowin."

     I looked over to see Lincoln grinning at me. Seth stood up straight again, encircling my fingers with his. I could feel his hand shaking and his stare focused on me.

     "I'm glad you're okay, Lincoln," I said, the corners of my mouth turning up.

     "You made it. And you brought everyone with you, it seems," he teased. He looked at Missy, whom he was holding at his side, before softly saying, "Thank you."

     I wasn't sure if that was meant for her or myself. I didn't help anything (besides make matters more complicated), so I kept my mouth shut as Lincoln turned to Eden.

     "You're alive," he said, conflicted.

     Eden merely nodded, looking to the ground. We waited for him to say something, but he didn't. They hadn't been on great terms when he had left us. Eden's disappearance certainly didn't resolve the tension.

     Lincoln then locked his stare on Seth, who didn't return it, trying to hold in his outcry of bewilderment. He kept his gaze to the ground.

     Sure, there had been a time when he knew that Lincoln was his brother, but now? I bit my lip, worried for him. He remembered me, awesome, but family... That's irreplaceable. Pain pierced my heart as I thought of Jonathan's state, how our situation mirrored Seth and Lincoln's.

     "Do you remember me?" Lincoln asked gently.

     Seth's eyes finally met his brother's, unaware of how he should be reacting to the reunion. He swallowed hard, inching closer to me.

     "N-no," he stuttered. "Should I?"

     My heart shattered as I watched Lincoln's face fall and Seth's eyes fight back tears. The interaction was almost unbearable to witness; horrifying to watch unravel.

     "I'm Lincoln, your brother," he said slowly, stepping forward.

     Seth shook his head, taking a deep breath.

     "All I remember is... I remember being much younger with someone always around. And my parents..."

     I longed to look away. If I had used the compass one more time, during the six days we spent together-- he would've remembered. This could've been avoided. This was my fault. I was his only source of relief from amnesia, and I didn't bother fulfilling that role efficiently.

     "I was with you, that was me," Lincoln said, now desperate. "I grew up, just like you. Stefen, it's Lincoln."

Seth shook his head again as Lincoln took him by the shoulders, words tumbling out of his mouth.

     "Our parents traveled a lot, so we always had each other. It was you and me, taking on whatever adventure we made up. You were my best friend. You always followed me around, which was kind of annoying... But without you, I wouldn't have been able to do what it took to live. You showed me what real strength looked like, I admired you so much. Do you really, really, not remember me?"

     Lincoln's voice was thick with distress.

     Seth opened his mouth before Lincoln interrupted again.

     "Think hard, Stefen," he whispered, shaking him a little.

     Seth's eyes were wide, hopeless.

     "I have no idea who you are," he breathed. "I'm sorry, uh... I'm sorry, Lincoln," he replied so quietly that I had to strain to hear him.

     Lincoln's expression grasped for reassurance that his brother was still in Seth's head. Then, he backed away, hands dropping to his sides.

     Seth was frozen, horrified at his own limited memory.

     "Well, right. I'll talk to you later," Lincoln choked out.

     I watched him leave the building, Missy not far behind.

     Seth grabbed me, crushing me to his chest. His heart was pounding fast, breathing heavy, falling apart. Our oblivious nature to the rest of his world had finally caught up with us. I should've known this would happen eventually. I should've helped him.

     "Rowin, oh Rowin," he gasped, holding back violent tears. He rocked us back and forth, unable to hold still in his grief of not knowing his own brother.

     "I'm right here. Shhh," I whispered, rubbing his back. The next word that came to mind suddenly seemed like the only one that would help. "Pray."

     The words he mumbled in my ear broke me.

     "Dear Lord, please let me be his brother again."

<<<<<<<<<<

(a/n)

I was writing this & becoming emotional because of Seth & Lincoln and oH MY GOODNESS IT JUST HURT MY HEART.

Anyway... your thoughts?

Thanks for reading! Hope you all are doing great. Reminder: prayer is powerful (:

-Abigail

{April 9, 2017}

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