***Please take a moment to listen to the song on the side. I think it really fits in with Clayton& Ellie, especially at the end.***

“How do you feel?” I asked. Sofia sat on the ground, clutching her head. Her knees were pulled up against her chest. Her face was far too pale.

                She groaned softly.

                I stood up, chuckling, “Rough trip?”

                She groaned again.

                I put my hands on my hips, taking in a deep breath. Everything looked exactly the way I had left it. The air was stagnant, warm against my skin. The basement was bare, just like we had left it. My ears perked up for any noise above.

                It was still Blasé’s house.

                I wasn’t sure what time it was. The basement was dark with only a little light leaking in from the windows. It had to be somewhere around sun rise or sunset. I wasn’t sure which though.

                “Sofia, are you ok?” I asked, crouching down on the ground next to her.

                She was silent for a moment before taking in a deep breath and looking up at me. She smiled weakly, “Yeah, I think so.”

                “I’ve never known someone to get sick on the Speed. Then again, I’ve never known someone come back from the Speed.”

                She nodded, breathing in through her mouth, “I’ve never ridden the Speed before. It scared me.”

                I smirked, holding out a hand. She curled her fingers around mine, pulling herself up. I pulled back, meeting her halfway. Sofia stood on shaky legs, taking deep breathes.

                “It’s alright, Sofe.” I smiled encouragingly.

                She took in a deep breath, releasing it slowly, “I think I’m good now. Thanks, Clay.” She smiled kindly at me.

                I returned the smile.

                Sofia stepped forward, looking around the basement, “Is this where you lived? It’s not much different from mine…”

                “This is only the basement. This isn’t my entire house.” I chuckled.

                She bit her lip, looking away, “I knew that…”

                “Sure.”

                “Can…Is…Do you think it’s safe to go above to see the rest of your house?” She asked softly, “I’ve always been curious to see what the Boys’ Side is like.”

                I scratched the back of my head nervously, “Well…it’s not really different from yours. But yeah, I think we’re ok. Blasé isn’t really a mean person.”

                Sofia faltered, staring at me cautiously, “Repeat that?”

                “I think we’re ok?” I frowned.

                “After that.”

                “Blasé isn’t really a mean person?”

                Sofia bit her lip, eyes wide, “You forgot to mention a Blasé.”

                I waved it off, breathing a sigh of relief. I thought something serious was bugging her. “Blasé is the man who took me and E-Ellie in when she was still…alive.”

                “He won’t mind having me?” She asked disbelievingly.

                “Not at all. He’s like us. He thinks this war is absolutely redundant.”

                She hesitantly took a step towards me, “I trust you. If I end up dead, though, just keep in mind it’s all on you.”

                I chuckled, “You won’t end up dead. If anyone, it’ll be me for being so foolish as to use the Speed.”

                She didn’t laugh at the joke.

                I wrapped an arm around her, hugging her tightly. My lips found the area just above her ear, pressing into her hair, “Don’t worry, Sofe. I would never bring you somewhere it wasn’t safe if I had a choice.”

                She nodded against my shoulder, pulling away. She still seemed to doubt it though. Maybe I should have warned her about Blasé beforehand…

                I placed a hand on either of her shoulders, looking her in the eyes. In the darkness, I could faintly see them shinning slightly. “Sofia?”

                “Yeah?”

                “Do you trust me?”

                Her lips pulled into a smile. “You’re stealing my lines, Clay.”

                I ignored her comment, keeping a straight face as I repeated the question, “Do you trust me, Sofia?”

                “Of course I do.”

                “Then trust me when I say you’ll be fine.”

                She smiled gently, pulling away, “I do.”

                “Let’s go find Blasé.” I said, loving the sound of it. In the four years I had spent with him and Ellie, we had formed a strong bond. I hadn’t realized how much I had missed his company until I was only moments away from it again.

                I led the way up the stairs and into the living room.

                My mind flew by the memories as we went up. I could remember distinctly chasing John through the house in fury once I came across Ellie’s body. I bit my lip, wondering if I could even go into the room where she had been.

                Turning down the hallway, I could remember just how many times Ellie and I had walked through it. How many times Blasé dragged me out to the kitchen to warn me about how dangerous having Ellie around was. How many times the three of us stood chatting in the late hours of the evening, none of us wanting to sleep.

                I swallowed what little water was in my mouth.

                This was going to be a lot harder than I originally had thought it would be. To walk down the same places I had a million times. This time alone.

                Sofia’s fingers slipped into mine, squeezing gently.

                I licked my lips, taking in a deep breath. I smiled down at her, but the smile was forced. Her eyes told me that she could tell.

                I led her towards the kitchen first. Whatever time it was, Blasé was usually in the kitchen if we hadn’t managed to drag him somewhere else in the house. That would be my first guess for his current location.

                Peering in, I was met with an empty room. Turning the lights on, I stared at the familiar surroundings. So many times had Blasé and I chatted away about nothing. So many times had the three of us sat down to the table for a wonderful home cooked meal.

                “Hello?” I called softly, pausing.

                We listened intently for any sound.

                We were met with silence.

                I took a few steps in, brushing my free hand along the metal edge of the table. It was cold against my fingers. My eyes moved over to the counter. It was spotless. Just how it was the day Ellie had been killed.

                “Are you sure he’s home?” Sofia asked softly.

                I frowned, “I don’t know what time it is. Maybe he’s just asleep. Blasé is an old man, he likes to sleep a lot.”

                She nodded, understanding.

                My eyes moved over to the side where the entrance to the living room was. I sucked in a deep breath, finding air suddenly difficult to inhale. My fingers involuntarily tightened around Sofia’s hand as the image replayed in my mind again and again.

                Ellie, face down, a pool of red spilling out from her. Her eyes were open and empty, lacking the beautiful life they once held. I could remember the angle of her limbs, an unnatural position that shouldn’t have been possible. The trail of red bleeding out from her lips.

                I could remember the way her hair had been, plastered to her face. It was wet with warm, sticky blood. The texture was one that I would never forget.

                “Clayton?” Sofia asked softly, her voice breaking through the silence. I closed my eyes, taking a moment before I responded.

                “I’m fine.”

                “What’s in there?”

                “N-nothing. Nothing is in there.” I turned sharply around, heading back the opposite way of the hallway. The bedrooms were that way. I wouldn’t be able to go into my former bedroom, I knew that. Coming back to this side had been a bad idea.

                But where else could we go?

                “Is that where…”

                “Nothing is in there.” I growled, pulling my hand out of hers. I didn’t need her support. I was a man. I was braver than this. I could manage. Time had passed. I was going to be ok as long as I avoided certain areas of the house.

                Could I for the rest of my life?

                I would have to.

                Sofia didn’t say anything else about the room, settling for silence instead. I felt guilty for snapping at her, but I kept that feeling to myself.

                “Where are we going?” She asked after a moment of silence passed again.

                “Blasé’s bedroom.” I mumbled.

                “Can I see yours?”          

                “No.” It came out much harsher than I intended to.

                I was surprised again when she accepted it.

                Pressing a palm against the metal door, I pushed it open forcefully. Turning the lights on once more, I was once again met with an empty room. My eyebrows furrowed together. Had he been at work at this hour?

                The house had gotten much darker in the few minutes we had been here, leaving me to believe it was sunset.

                “Blasé?” I called out loudly.

                No answer.

                I bit my lip, taking a step into his room. Even though we shared the same house, I was rarely in his room. This was his personal sanctuary. While he never said anything, I had given him the respect and privacy he deserved.

                His room was bare. I searched everywhere. His bed had been made neatly, not looking disturbed at all.

                I didn’t know if that was usual or not.

                Stepping out, I led Sofia down the hallway to my bedroom.

                I needed to go in it. For closure.

                “Is this your room?” She asked.

                I nodded, standing in front of it.

                No one said anything.

                “Go in.” I whispered.

                “Are you sure you want—”

                “Please.” I tagged on, barely audible.

                Sofia heard. She nodded, opening the door. I watched as she turned on the light, taking a step in. I was overwhelmed by the sight.

                It was the mess that Ellie and I had left it in.

                I could feel my eyes watering slightly. I blinked furiously, trying to rid myself of the accursed tears.

                “Wow.” Sofia breathed, taking it in.

                “Just how we left it.” I whispered quietly.

                She turned back to me, sympathy in her eyes. My eyes didn’t have to see to know she had been looking at the picture of Ellie and I that Blasé had made for Christmas one year. It was the two of us holding each other, grinning. In the picture, I kissed her cheek once.

                “Can you take that down?” I asked.

                Sofia nodded, pulling it off the wall. She rolled it up, dropping it onto the dirty ground gently so as not to disturb it.

                “Clay…”

                “I’m fine. I promise.” I couldn’t pull my eyes from the rolled up picture of Ellie and myself lying on the ground.

                “No, there’s something else.”

                I frowned slightly, looking at her, “What is it?”

                She pointed with one finger towards a note on the bed. It appeared to have been mildly abused by folds, staining a disgusting color of yellow. I frowned, not having seen one of these since the first few years of Ellie living with us.

                I took a few steps into my room, walking over to the letter.        

                “What is it?”

                “A letter.”

                “That’s how you have letters over here?” Sofia seemed surprised and partly disgusted by it. I ignored that.

                “No, that’s how they used to be written a long, long time ago.”

                Gently, I picked up the delicate piece of paper.

                “What’s on it?”

                I licked my lips, “Can you read it? I don’t know if I’ll be able to. It’s from… it’s from Blasé. Dated the day after she…”

                Sofia nodded, understanding. She took the note from me, opening her mouth as she began to read it aloud.

                “To my closest friend.” She looked up at me. I nodded, letting her continue. I sat down on the bed, unable to keep standing.

                “I cannot find you. Nor can I find Ellie’s killer. I do not know what happened to you, and I worry. I won’t use your name in this for it’s very likely that the authorities will find it. I do not want to hurt you in anyway. Because I do not know where you are…I must break the news to you over letter. Ellie…has passed on.”

                She looked up at me, watching my reaction. I kept my face impassive as she read, trying to bury away any emotions.

                “She had been shot. I know this is a very hard time for you. I do not know if you have run away because you have seen this, or if you simply disappeared. I have absolutely no idea how this happened, my friend, but I cannot begin to express the pain that I am feeling. I cannot even begin to imagine what you must be going through, especially if you have to read it this way.

                “I’m leaving—I must. It isn’t safe for me to stay at a crime scene. Especially one such as this. For my own safety, I am leaving far away. I will not write down my destination, nor any clues at all as to how to get there.  I’ll miss you eternally, my friend, and I hope someday to reunite with you. I understand that it is not likely as my location is far away and shall change very soon.

                “If you do find this, I suggest you do as I am. Anywhere. I wish I could leave you with instructions on where to go, but for the safety of myself and my friends, I cannot. I will not risk the chance that the authorities will actually read what is written on this. I’m assuming if you are reading this that they have not.”

                Her eyes flickered to me once more. I stared at the ground intently, waiting for her to finish the letter.

                “My friend, it has only been one day and I miss you so. I miss Ellie so. I am an old man; I am too fragile for this. I pray that you avenge her killer, for I know that I will not have the strength to. I pray will all my heart that you do. Hoping you led a better life somewhere in the future, yours truly.”

                She frowned slightly, looking up, “It’s not signed.”

                I smiled gently, “He couldn’t risk them finding out who he is. He’s a good man. Dammit, Sofia, he’s gone.”

                She moved her hand on top of mine, rubbing her thumb in small, soothing circles, “He’s right, you know. We need to get away from the crime scene.”

                “It’s been a few months.”

                “Clay…”

                I nodded, swallowing hard, “Alright. Let’s head out.”

                Sofia pressed her lips against my cheek softly, “We’ll start a good future somewhere. Somewhere else.”

                I leaned my head on her shoulder, staring at the ground again, “Sofia…You can’t leave me. I…I can’t go through this again.”

                Carefully, she wrapped an arm around me, leaning her cheek against the top of my head, “I would never, Clayton.”

                “Thank you.” I felt my words crack up at the end. “I need to ask you something else, though, Sofe.”

                “Yeah?”

                “How did you know I killed Zee?”

                “I know you didn’t kill her, Clayton.”

                “But…how did you know?”

                “John.” She whispered, “He told me. While you were sleeping one night. I went to check on you and he was awake. All he said was that the three of you killed Zee.”

                “And you believed him?”

                “I had a feeling she was dead, remember?” Sofia laughed softly, “As weird as it was, it made sense. I knew he killed her.”

                “How?”

                “Gut feeling.”

                “I’m glad you’re not angry with me.”

                She laughed once, “Why would I be angry with you? I didn’t know Zee as well as my sister did. And you didn’t kill her. I’m sure whatever reason you had for doing it was worth it.”

                “Yeah..”

                Sofia was silent for a moment before asking, “What was the reason, if you don’t mind me asking?”

                “We had been taken by the government, she freed us, but she only wanted to free Ellie.” I mumbled into her shoulder, “She was going to killed me and John. John killed her first. We escaped with our lives that day. Back when I thought John was still my friend.”

                “I’m sorry.”

                “Don’t be. What’s done is done. We need to start a new life.”

                “We will.” She smiled gently, turning her head so that I could see her eyes. “We’ll go find that island.”

                “Island?”

                “Where people like us are welcomed. Where the war isn’t. That’s going to be our new life, Clay.” She smiled.

                I returned it, “That sounds alright for me.”

                Sofia pressed her lips against mine quickly. She pulled away too soon, holding my gaze once again.

                “Sofe…” I whispered.

                “Yeah?”

                “Do you trust me?”

                “Of course I do.”

                I pressed my lips against hers, taking her cheek with one hand. She smiled slightly, moving her lips with mine. We fell into a rhythm. It was slow, but passionate. Sofia’s lips were soft and moist against mine. It felt wonderful.

                And when we finally pulled away, I felt ready to begin the new life.

                I stood up, holding out a hand.

                Sofia curled her fingers around it.

                “Let’s go find our island.”

**************

I'm not sure how i feel about this. It's not as upsetting as the other one, right?

I'm debating between something with zombies or something with aliens. Leaning towards aliens. Either way, if you're interested, please leave a comment saying so. Thank you to everyone who stuck with this.

It was hard to write. I didn't want to write a sequel at first and i had plenty of downs with this story, but you know what? I don't care what you guys say. I really like how this turned out. [: I'm proud of it. It's my first sequel I completed that's actually a sequel.

Anyways, thank you so much for those of you that stuck with it. I know it wasn't as interesting as the other one... but I can't begin to explain how grateful I am for you guys. 

Thank you.