Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Duality

Eve opened her eyes to the afternoon sun beaming into her face. Hard to believe three days have already passed. Gasping for fresh air she rolled out of bed sliding the van door open. The air-filled her lungs with the refreshing smell of wood and grass. Turning around, David was gone. Eve found a piece of paper on the countertop, a note left behind from David. A mixture of symbols and numbers, “He really left a code for me to decipher.” She rolled her eyes and grabbed the pen inside one of the drawers, doodling on the paper he had left behind so she can figure out where he went. Eve yawned deeply. Her phone began to ring in her pocket, pulling it out swiftly. It was Jasmine, why was she calling her?

“Hello?” Eve asked.

“Where’s David?” Jasmine asked swiftly, sparring the formalities.

“I’m currently trying to figure that out right now,” Eve said still working on the code.

“He left you unguarded?” Jasmine was annoyed by the sound of it.

“I’m a big girl, I can handle myself.”

“It’s not that,” Jasmine paused, sighing to herself. “When you see him can you tell him to call me?”

“You can tell me and I’ll deliver the message to him,” Eve told her. Hoping that she can trust her.

Jasmine hesitated, “Eve, darling,” She sighed, “The force that is after you is more than forty strong. Promise me, you and David will run. Do not stop, even with the two of you together can take that many.”

Eve was frozen, “Forty?” That is all she could mutter. “Maybe we should bring you guys off the mission, fortify at the sanctuary.”

“No,” Jasmine said, “You guys need to keep moving. If we can cut the head off the snake here then they’ll stop following. I hope.”

“Be safe,” Eve told Jasmine with sincerity in her heart.

“I should be telling you that,” Jasmine said, “Stay low, blue.” Jasmine hung up the phone.

Eve placed the phone down on the counter. Taking in a deep breath. Having finished the cipher without noticing. It read, ‘Going to River.’ Eve rolled her eyes, why couldn’t he have said that, to begin with? Eve grabbed a water bottle from the case, along with her toothbrush to clean your mouth of the morning dragon’s breath. Sitting down at the side door of the van, she felt at peace. Growing accustomed to the way of life of these people. Feeling accepted, unlike at the Sanctuary where she always felt like she had to prove something to the others. David wouldn’t budge, not wanting to leave the Order.

She couldn’t blame him, it’s all he knows. It’s all he has ever lived. If only he could see how it tears him apart. David has given everything to the world and has lost more than he has gained. If only there was some way to convince him of it. Starting to believe that he may be addicted to the trauma.

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Gabriel sat in the grass, meditating around a ring of candles. All flames burning high around him. His mind was calm, more so than ever in his life. No longer caring hearing other’s thoughts, falling in love with the quiet. Allison sat on the steps with the other Watchers. Ethan walked over, taking a seat next to Richard. “How are you doing bug guy?” He asked Richard who still maintained his sick composure.

“I want to leave already,” Richard said. “Or find out what it is here that’s making me sick.”

“Aiden said it’s warp sickness,” Chris chimed in.

“I don’t trust a thing that man says,” Richard coughed. “I haven’t felt this sick since Eleazar had tested a vile of corruption on us.”

“Think it has to do with whatever he said about not going past the forest?”

“We are not going past the forest,” Allison said, “Aiden has been nothing but hospitable with us. Maybe if you keep taking your medication like I’ve been telling you, then you would be better by now.”

“I don’t like that crap,” Richard countered, “anyways, how long has Gabriel been at it?”

“Since nine in the morning,” Allison answered.

“That’s not too bad,” Richard looked at him.

“Yesterday,” Allison said, “He’s making insane progress.” They watched as Gabriel lifted the ring of fire from the candles. The flame spun around him without a source of burn. Concentrating, the flame raised to the sky. Standing up slowly, he raised his hand. Moving it around in figure eight. The flame moved like a kite in the sky. Gabriel smiled, he learned how to control a larger flame. Now all he had to learn was to create it from thin air, rather than rely on a source.

Allison began to clap and cheer with the others joining her. Gabriel’s heart filled with a glowing warmth. Unknowing if it was from the fire or actually feeling like they were proud of him for once. Moving his palm shut, the fire dissipated into a plume of smoke. Watching the embers flicker into the sky, he came up with an idea. Reaching his palm out to the embers. Concentrating deeply. Taking in a deep breath. The embers exploded into small plumes of fire before extinguishing themselves. Like fireworks.

“Alright, that was cool,” Chris jumped from the stairs. Running over to Gabriel, “Dude, that was awesome.” He grabbed Gabe’s opened hand to bring him into a hug.

“Damn,” Gabriel shoved him away.

“You good?” Chris asked.

“Yeah,” Gabriel sucked in air from his clenched teeth. Showing Chris his palms, heavy burning, and scarring.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know,” Chris apologized, “That’s why you always see me wearing gloves. I knew you could learn the fire element though.” Chris seemed the most excited, probably because he was the only other person who knew an element in the team.

“It’s fine,” Gabriel waved his hands back, “I was meaning to ask you something. How do you use electricity without a source?”

Chris looked confused, “From what I understood is that you can’t use an element without a source,” he reached into his back pocket. It was a portable charger. “I’ve gone through a million of these things.”

Gabriel grabbed it and looked down at it, “So you always use this?”

“Not always, I can use the electrons in the air when there’s a storm or even static electricity,” Chris went to poke Gabriel’s shoulder. Zapping him from the tip of his finger. Gabriel’s body jumped.

“Bruh,” Gabriel said annoyed, “Stop.”

“Right, I don’t know. Candles can get heavy, maybe it’s time to invest into a bunch of lighters.” Chris suggested.

“Aiden can turn his shadow weapons into flames, when there is no flame for him to use,” Gabriel looked down at his palms. “Even I can summon a plume of smoke from my palms.”

“I would advise against that,” Chris told him looking up at the sky, “An explosion that close to you could blow off your arm.”

“I heard an explosion,” Aiden said walking up to the two. “I’m assuming you have the technique down?”

“I do,” Gabriel answered. “How do you summon the flame from thin air?”

“I don’t,” Aiden told him, “My shadow ability was enhanced from this ring.” Aiden showed it to the two of them. “It goes by the name of Michael’s Fire. But you my young Gabriel, won’t need any artifacts.”

“How did you get that?” Gabriel asked captivated by the ring.

“I found it,” Aiden smiled, “Curious, it just stumbled upon me on a mission.”

“What did you mean I don’t need artifacts?” Gabriel asked.

“You will soon discover in time,” Aiden said, “Get some sleep, you have completed this training.” Gabriel nodded, “I need some sleep as well.” He laughed.

Aiden walked away past the steps, Allison jumped to her feet. “Aiden?”

“Yes?” Aiden asked turning around slowly to the small girl.

“I’ve been wondering,” She continued, “What happened for you to leave the Watchers?”

Aiden lowered his head and chuckled, “My brother was not as good as a man as you all were led to believe.”

“What did he do?” Richard asked from the steps.

“Did he experiment corruption on you all when you were kids?” Aiden asked.

“He gave it to us to help us build an immunity to it, just in case we have ever fought a sin,” Allison answered.

“What about David and Liam?” Aiden asked. Eyes peering at Allison, she stayed quiet. “What happened to them?”

“Liam started to rely on it, but he had his own problems,” Allison muttered, “But David, he was fine. His body or mind always rejected it.”

“Did it?” Aiden asked. They remained in silence. “Maybe one of you should call and check up on him? He’s always busy solving everyone’s problems but has any of you actually checked to make sure the Locklear brothers are, okay?”

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Eve walked atop the grass barefooted. Past the camp of the free people towards the river. After just a few days of being there with David. She had grown comfortable, knowing where the rocks that hurt were. And which ones hurt to step on. Comfortable with the people’s culture. Feeling relaxed and at peace. The Sanctuary still felt like her home, but it was rare that she had a moment to breathe. The Watchers weren’t just physically taxing, they were more mentally stressful than anything.

Stepping past a group of trees, finding herself at the river. Clean and pure, the waters drifted slowly towards the ocean on the coast. Rocks spread out for the water to pass through. Looking around to see if she can find David. Near the crest where the water met the dirt, a pile of folded clothes rested carefully placed. Next to it was David’s backpack. He must still be washing. She noticed a stream of viridian light flowing with the water. Coming from a single spot in the river.

David’s head rose from the water. He stood up, his back facing in Eve’s direction. She went to turn away for his privacy, she hesitated. Something caught her eyes upon further inspection of his scarred back. Heavy black cracks fractured like a windowpane. The last time she had seen anything like this was when David had dueled with Liam. She frowned; David had promised her that he got the corruption removed. Did he lie?

Her blood started to boil, thinking that he was honest. Why would he continue to use it if his body was decaying because of it? Eve grew enraged at the thought, crossing her arms. She wanted to scream at him. Turning around she stood looking at the ground. David turned around, wiping the water from his face. Seeing Eve facing away from him at the horizon of the hill. “If you were waiting for your turn. You could’ve just said something,” David laughed. Expecting a reply, instead, Eve remained in silence. Stuttering in her steps, Eve walked away until he couldn’t see her anymore.

Maybe she couldn’t hear him, David thought. Climbing out of the river, he quickly grabbed his clothes and began dressing. He planned to leave today, having spent too much time sitting in one place. He was growing more anxious. Though he had thought of staying there to be safe. Realistically, none of them were trustworthy to keep her safe. David sighed, running his hands through his hair to give it the normal form and shape. He packed up his stuff and started up the hill back to camp. Hoping to catch up with Eve.

Eve entered Kanen’s tent. Kanen sat meditating in front of the fire in the center of the room. “I have a problem,” Eve paced back and forth near the entrance.

“So, it appears,” Kanen said.

“Actually, I have a question. I don’t know, something happened,” Eve hesitated unsure what to say or convey her feelings to a stranger.

“Sit,” Kanen told her. Eve stopped in her tracks, turning a sharp right to the open cushion on the floor. Eve went to speak but he cut her off, “Breathe before you speak, relax.”

Eve did what he said, taking in a deep breath for fifteen seconds and releasing it from her nose. She felt calm and wished to cry at the same time. “I’ve been having visions,” Eve said, “I don’t know but every time I lie next to David and he’s still asleep. I’m standing in a building, made of stone. There’s a version of David wearing glasses and dressed in green robes.”

“Is that it?” Kanen asked opening his eyes to her. She reeked of distraught and anger.

“No,” Eve continued, “He tells me that he doesn’t want me there and I fall out of my dream or vision thing.”

“Interesting,” Kanen said, “Are you two physically touching when you wake up?”

“Yeah,” Eve said quickly as if she was doing something forbidden.

“What appears to be happening is that you’re unintentionally hijacking David’s consciousness through his energy aura.”

“I can do that?” Eve wasn’t sure if she were too excited or worried. Mostly excited.

“Some can. Though the reason you are being kicked out is that David is still conscious when he sleeps.” Kanen said.

“How is that even possible?”

“It is a discipline some use to allow themselves to awaken when a disturbance is near,” Kanen looked at her, “Have you ever awoken from a dream when you felt you were in danger? Whatever it may be?”

“I think so, nothing I can recall exactly.”

“The only way to hijack a disciplined mind is to knock them out completely,” Kanen said.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

“What will I find inside someone’s conscious?”

“Anything and everything that person knows or have done,” Kanen continued, “Now, that’s not why you came to see me is it?”

Eve looked down at her crossed legs, sighing. “No, no it’s not.”

“Speak when you are ready,” Kanen told her.

“You know what corruption is right?” Eve asked, Kanen nodded, “I guess Eleazar used it for a study to see the potential in activating David’s special ability or something. David told me he got cured and promised he would never use it again. Just now, his back looked like something out of a horror movie. I just don’t get why he would lie to me.”

“Evelyn, you have the ability to discover what is truth and what is not,” He looked at her through the flames in the center.

“I don’t want to,” Eve said, “I don’t want to know anymore. I hate it.”

“What you saw the other day was the truth,” Kanen tried to reason with her, “You are denying yourself an incredible power. Not just to yourself, but to humanity as well. Everything new is scary, but without a leap, we would still be nothing more than men banging rocks against other rocks.” Eve remained silent, looking at her open palms. “How did you feel after you leaped into the Watchers?”

“It was the best thing to happen to me. But this. This is terrifying. What if I can’t control myself and get people hurt again?” Eve asked. Her lips mumbling.

“If you can learn to perfect these abilities, I know you will never hurt another person on accident again,” Kanen put his hand out to her. Eve hesitated, shaking her head back and forth.

“This is your life Eve, you choose what to do with it,” Eve remembered when David told her those words. The words that she had waited for her entire life. Someone to give her a choice. To give her purpose. Eve reached out taking Kanen’s hand. Closing her eyes to focus on the spirits around her.

Eve and Kanen stood in the emptiness of space and time. “Now when did David tell you this?” Kanen asked.

“It was the day before Christmas Eve, last year,” Eve had a strong memory. Especially when it came to special moments for her. Eve focused on that date; time flowed in an instant to that moment.

Now at the sanctuary, early in the morning. The sun had yet kissed the horizon. David stood at the elevator, sword at his hip. Dressed in his formal attire. Cloak over his arm, silver pauldron holding it all together. “Carlos, since you’re the only one I’ve seen awake. Make sure everyone is at the Order for Eve’s trial.”

Carlos came running over to him, “Say that again, sorry I had one head bud in.” David repeated himself.

Eve gasped, “I miss that kid. Other than David, he was the nicest one to me when I arrived.”

“What happened to him?” Kanen asked.

“He had a good heart. He sacrificed himself to save his sister,” Eve’s words began to break. “I wish I could speak to him.”

“You can,” Kanen said. “There will be no consequences.”

As the elevator doors shut behind David. Eve rushed over to Carlos, grabbing his arm. Carlos jumped away, “Eve! You scared the hell out of me!” Carlos panted, “Where’d you get that sword?” He asked. Eve said no words and embraced him. “You alright? Fall asleep under the tree again?”

“I’ve missed you,” Eve said.

“I just saw you like five hours ago,” Carlos said, “What’s wrong with you?”

“I don’t have a lot of time,” Eve explained remembering why she came in the first place. “There’s going to be a battle here, you’re going to sacrifice yourself for Jasmine. You need to do everything you can not get taken hostage with her.”

Carlos looked confused, estranged from her words. He smiled, “Are you a future Eve or something?”

“Yes, exactly. Look,” Eve lifted her shirt over her stomach. Revealing the scar, she got from the assassination attempt. “The Eve you know doesn’t have this.”

“How am I supposed to stop us from getting captured?” Carlos asked.

“Stay closer to the main defense forces, promise me,” Eve grabbed his big arms. “Please.”

“I’ll try to not die,” Carlos laughed. That smile on his face tore into her heart. He had always been kind. He didn’t deserve to die. “Anything else you want to tell me?”

“I’ll talk to you afterward,” Eve smiled. “Stay strong dude.” Carlos nodded; Eve released his arm. Embracing him one last time deeply, he returned the affection. She released him, disappearing from his sight. She watched as he sat down with his back against the wall, tearing up. Eve looked over at Kanen, “I didn’t know I can speak with the past. I can’t wait to see him again.”

“No matter what you do to interact with those from the past, will not change their destiny,” Kanen told her.

“What?” Eve asked, looking back at Carlos, “He’s going to die no matter what I do?”

“Yes,” Kanen answered, “He will remember what you had told him, regardless he will still save his sister. Carlos has already made his decision on protecting those dear to him no matter the cost.”

“What if I go to the moment he died and save him?” Eve was searching for any chance she could to make things perfect for her.

Kanen shook his head, “Death is owed a debt. Someone will have to die in that exact second for it to matter. It is best not to try to save the dead, you will only destroy yourself. Let him rest, Carlos is at peace.” Eve closed her eyes, tightening them. What good was speaking with the past if their destinies were locked in? “Let’s catch up to David.” Eve nodded silently and went into the elevator, passing through the walls and going into the cavern. Following David to the unground tram.

“What’s the point of speaking with the past?” Eve asked.

“Every decision you have made with this power has already been done by the future you,” Kanen told her, “If you wished to go back in time to duel with whoever to improve your skill, you have already done it.”

“Have I interacted with David in the past?” Eve asked.

“That is for you to decide,” Kanen walked by her side. Following David inside of the tram and taking a seat in the back.

“This is getting too confusing for me,” Eve said, “I guess I’ll figure it out when I get there.”

“That is for the best,” Kanen sat back.

Eve watched as David threw his phone onto the radio. Sitting back as he put in the commands to start the tram moving. She couldn’t help but feel angry with him. Even if he did put on a good song by Paramore on the speaker. Eve decided to forward time to when they were in the lab with Master Ruiz.

David sat down on the lab table, removing his shirt. Eve watched; his black veins were exposed. “Looks just like when I saw him at the river.” Eve frowned, “I’ve seen enough to prove it.”

“Jumping to conclusions so swiftly?” Kanen said as David laid down on his stomach.

Master Ruiz walked over, “This procedure is going to make your body weaker; you’ll be in constant pain for the next two weeks. Don’t expect to be in any fights?”

David placed his arms crossed under his head as a pillow. “Can’t promise anything. How much weaker?” He asked.

“Hard to say, but you won’t be at your full potential,” Ruiz began placing a numbing agent on his back. “But you will be considerably weaker, maybe at your sixty percent at the most.”

“Makes sense, he didn’t accept it because he was able to help forge my sword, beat Gabriel, and kill Liam.” Eve crossed her arms, “I don’t knock him for it, I just wish he didn’t lie to me-“

David sighed, “Hit me with it, I made a promise I plan to keep it.” Eve’s lips froze. “Guess if anything happens, I’ll just have to rely on willpower.”

“Just try to take it, easy son,” Ruiz then took out a pack of needles. Filled with purity water, “Now tell me if you feel this?” He dragged his hand across David’s back.

“Nope,” David said in reaction.

“Then we’ll begin,” Master Ruiz took out the needles and began injecting them into different parts of his back where the corruption was visible.

“Appears he did not lie,” Kanen told the confused girl. “You said he fought Liam later on and kill him?”

“Yeah…”

“Sounds like David was far better than Liam.”

Eve watched as the corruption was cleansed from his body. His knuckles were white in pain. She couldn’t watch anymore. She quickly forwarded time and headed for David and Liam’s battle in the snow. She remembered this like it were yesterday, sprinting over to watch the duel between the two friends. Now that she was closer, she could tell, Liam was holding back. Almost as if he wanted David to win. Liam charged at David before his sword fell on David’s head. Liam hesitated, dropping his offense against David. He closed his eyes, smiling. David then leaped up stabbing his friend.

“Liam let him win,” Eve said, “Why?” She asked Kanen.

“I spoke with Liam once in my life. That was after he had left the Watchers. I told him that there was no bringing back the dead. Maybe it was at that moment he knew he had no chance to bring back Kaitlyn. David was wounded from Liam, that is probably where he got the corruption that you saw at the river,” Kanen told her.

“I thought David got the better of him,” Eve said softly, “But Liam was better than him?”

“I think it was the opposite, David getting cured is what weakened him,” Kanen explained, “Perhaps David chose not to get cured already is to protect you. He didn’t want to allow himself to become vulnerable again.” Eve looked down at David holding Liam.

“I think I get it now,” Eve thought about it. Thinking of a way to cure him without making him vulnerable once again. “Does the corruption reside inside his consciousness?”

“You can always try,” Kanen said, “Good luck trying to get him to drop his guard.”

Eve ended the time travel, returning back to her physical body. She began panting heavily, trying to catch her lungs up with her breathing style. “I’m never going to get used to it.”

“Where did your adventures take you?” David asked sitting at the desk in the corner.

Eve bit her lip, and looked over at him, “How long have you been sitting there?” She asked.

“Probably five minutes,” David answered, “Where’d you go?”

“Kanen was teaching me how to speak with people from the past,” Eve answered, “And that I can’t change their destinies.” She didn’t lie to him but didn’t speak the whole truth.

“How was Carlos?” David asked, staring at the ground. Rubbing his hands together.

“How did you know I spoke with Carlos?”

“He told me,” David said, “He said you were acting crazy after your trial. I spent the next hour with him telling him that whatever was going to happen he couldn’t change. And that he should keep fighting as if he didn’t know.”

“So you knew about my power?” Eve asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You weren’t ready to know,” David told her, “You met with me before I met you at school.”

“What did I say to you?” Eve asked.

“You’re going to go back to tell me not to kill you,” David said.

“What else are you hiding from me?” Eve asked, her voice rising in anger. Walking over to him, grabbed his collar. David’s eyes widened in surprise from her assertiveness. “You have all these secrets that you hide from me. While we’re at it, what more do you want to tell me? What are you hiding from me?!” Eve yelled at him.

David remained silent, grabbing her wrist removing her hand from his collar. Eve snatched her hand back, and down to her side. “I’m not a little girl, you don’t have to protect me from secrets,” Eve spoke. “You don’t have to protect me from anything.” Eve began to walk away. “Thank you, Kanen. I just want to leave this place; I will be back.” Kanen bowed to her.

He looked at David, “Keep her safe. For all our sakes,” Kanen said as he bowed to David. He returned the gesture. David followed her to out the tent, and back to the van.

Eve was tired of this place, every moment that she knew of the past she grew angrier. Eve turned around to see David following her. “Give me one good reason why I should talk to you right now?” David remained silent. “One reason why I shouldn’t just leave you here and I can go be alone. Obviously, I can’t trust you to not hide anything from me!” Tears welled up in her eyes, but she refused to allow herself to cry.

“I’m sick,” David told her. “I’m tired and I have thought about dying every moment I wake up in the morning. My dreams are filled with nothing but horrific images of everything I’ve been through.” Eve dropped dead in silence; he was telling her everything. All his emotions, she could see his every wall and safeguard drop that he had placed against her. “I can’t get out of my head every battle, every death, life that I have taken.” Eve didn’t know what to say. “Is that what you wanted to hear? That I make myself appear strong so I can protect the weak? To lead people that are depending on my leadership? Now I have this corruption growing within me. And the only way to get rid of it is to make myself weak? Too many depend on me. You depend on me.”

“I… “Eve mumbled, “I’m tired of all the secrets, I want you to rely on me. To… to trust me,” Eve pleaded, “If you can’t show me how you feel, or or or… or fucking talk to me. Why are you hiding? I want to help you, David, let me help you.” She put her back to the van. “If you can’t, I don’t see how we can keep going on like this. “

“You want me to show you how I feel?” David looked away, gnashing his teeth tightly together.

“Yes! Over and over again, yes! That’s all I ever wanted with y-” Eve’s words were cut off from David’s lips pressed against hers. Her eyes widened in shock as soon as his hands touched hers. Eve’s eyes fell shut. Embracing him, putting her hands in the back of his head. Gripping his head tightly. David placed his hands at the small of her back. Pulling her to the point where no atoms could fit between them. Eve’s heart filled with the flames to burn away all the doubt and anger in her body. Every negative thought left in her mind from how her parents have treated her. Gone. David’s pain remained, but the heaviest weight was lifted off of his heart. Someone he knew that he could depend on.

He pulled his head away from her, releasing her. “I’m sorry,” David said.

“Shut up,” Eve said grabbing him and kissing him again. David gave in. “As soon as I figure this out. You aren’t going to fight alone anymore.” Eve wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “I’m with you.” David remained silent, unsure how to react to any of this. His oath didn’t matter to him anymore.

“I won’t keep anything hidden from you anymore,” David told her.

“Good,” Eve said biting her lip. Kissing him again. “Let’s get out of here. We have a party to get to, plus driving is going to help me think about how I’m going to help you.”

“I don’t want to be alone anymore,” David said. Under his breath, it was difficult to. He never admitted to any of his struggles to anyone before. Not like this.

“Me neither,” Eve wrapped her arms around him tightly. He held her in return, “So let’s not leave each other alone then?”

“Deal,” David said softly.

“Show me your back,” Eve said lifting up his shirt. David grabbed her wrists stopping them from raising an inch higher.

“It’s gross,” David said. Insecure about the wounds.

Eve looked up at his bright green eyes, “It’s okay.” Her words of affirmation were enough for him to turn around to show her. The veins were black, but there stood a more prominent feature. Two large holes sat on top of his shoulder blades. As if they were clipped wings and filled with a void where no light could escape. Eve swallowed. Lowering her shirt.

“So?”

“You’re right, it is disgusting,” Eve smiled hoping to cheer him up. It didn’t, “We’re going to figure this out. Let’s get out of here.” David nodded in agreement.

“Do you want to come back here when we head back home?”

“Yes,” Eve said, “When the wars are over, do you think we can come back here. Permanently? Just you and I?”

“Let me think about that one,” David said.

“As long as I’m with you is all that matters,” Eve admitted. She just grew comfortable with the life of the free people. Not wanting any responsibility, just to live happily. They both climbed into the van. Securing everything in the cabinets to ensure they didn’t fall out on the trip. Eve looked over at David, smiling. He returned a smirk in her direction. “Where did you learn to kiss like that?”

David shrugged, “History wasn’t the only thing the angels taught me.” He joked. In reality, he had no clue what he even did. “I could ask the same for you,” David countered.

“I’ve had plenty of boyfriends before you,” Eve said.

“Right,” David felt himself get annoyed. Insecure even. “How far have you gone with a boy?”

“Dude, I’m still a virgin,” Eve said, “remember I broke that one dude’s hand? Yeah, trust me when I say this. You are the first person I genuinely loved.”

“I forgot you told me that,” David said. “Is that everything?”

“Everything is packed and you have nothing to worry about,” Eve smiled. “Since we’re being insecure, am I the first person you ever loved?”

“Dumb question,” David said.

“Exactly,” Eve climbed into the driver’s seat. David followed her and sat down in the passenger seat. She started the van and looked over at him, blushing.

“What?”

“Can I get another one?”

“You’re an addict, aren’t you?” David asked. Leaning towards her before putting on his belt.

She shook her head furiously before his lips met hers once more. “Yesss!” She rapidly stomped against the bottom of her foot well. David shook his head laughing. Taking in a deep breath and released, calming herself down. “Okay, I’m good. Let’s go.” Eve put on her seat belt and drove off from the forest. Kanen smiled, watching the van disappear in the distance. Praying they stay on the right path. David prayed to himself, that he didn’t make a mistake kissing her. Wondering how long he could keep this a secret from the Order and maybe even the Watchers. Thinking of what would happen if he told them in his head.