30 Rejoining the Gammas (1/2)
NATE AND I ALONG with Isabella and Riley are all seated on the floor of the jeep, the boxes hiding us from view in case the warriors in the gates, inspect. Juliana, as well as the other four, are inside the jeep in front of us, because if anything happened, Jules would be there to alert us. And Nate with us to swipe anyone their powers.
The jeep shakes a bit as it moves on an uneven road. Neither one of us is speaking throughout our ride, but our hearts speak for ourselves. We can hear them beating inside us, nervousness, and excitement interweave with each other. The jeep stops and we all hold our breaths, afraid that even by doing so, they'll hear us from the outside. ”We are by the gates,” Juliana said through our links. I forgot to tell you the part where Juliana can speak through our minds because since she can sense our powers, it's like we have a connection with her too. ”They are checking us. Brace yourselves, someone is heading there too.” We all look at each other and nod, readying ourselves for the worst part.
We all hear the door unlocking and creaking as it was being opened. I squinted and duck down when light passed us. My breathing turned labor and my heart is pounding so hard in my chest. Sweat breaks in my back while I keep my stare on the floor. Then the locking of the door made us all sigh in relief and the jeep started moving again.
Soon we are being hugged by darkness as we move inside the dark tunnel I precisely remember. Then the jeep halts and we sneak out through the side of the jeep, as the boxes were moved out. We quietly make our way out and to the small cave-like opening. Carefully avoiding being seen by the warriors, we move in the shadows of their tents. Although I pretend that their numbers don't bother me, it does. They're so many and they are scattered even though I am sure that we could take them all down, they are not worth the risk.
Thankfully, we didn't meet any hindrances in the way because when I see what's waiting for us on the other side, I know that crossing the borders is one hell of a challenge.
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*NATHANIEL'S POV*
”We aren't in the north yet.” I turn to see Juliana emerge from the opening. ”This is still part of the South.” Gradually, my friends are coming out of the opening. I return my attention to the vast ocean of sand in front of me.
The things I've encountered when I was on my journey to the South came running back in my head. The sand storms, the thirst, finding an oasis, and every other thing I've encountered.
A hand encloses in mine and I turn my head slightly to the side to find Rebecca smiling up at me. Her smile shows nothing but determination and her eyes mirror the fire in her soul. Her energy is contagious and I find myself returning her smile. I snake my arm around her waist to pull her closer and I press a soft kiss on her lips.
I feel her lips smile against mine as she puts her hands on both sides of my cheeks. ”I love you,” she whispers at my lips and her eyes find mine. A smile blossoms in my lips and my heart got filled with joy at her confession.
”I love you too,” I replied, inhaling and memorizing her scent through her head. I miss her so much it makes my heartaches. The time we spent apart, when I was in the North and she's here battling for her life, I've always felt empty like something was missing all along. That moment in the woods where I found her, everything felt right all of a sudden. Though there was still missing inside me that day that I found her, now I know what it was. With my memories back and her in my arms, I am complete. And I won't let go, ever again.
”Hey!” She jumps a little then laugh when she hears me groan. ”Get your asses here and change your clothes. We've got a lot of walks to do. We cannot idle all day.” Sneakers and laughs broke out. Right now, there's nothing I hate more than Avery's voice.
”Right. Right.” Becca said, moving away from my arms and to the other. ”We're coming.” She shouts. And I shake my head while following. A small smile playing on my lips.
Then all the playfulness died in our group when we heard a swishing noise in a distance and we all look at the direction to find a sandstorm forming. We all look at each other, one thought in our minds. Crossing the borders was never easy.
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*STEWART'S POV*
Clain and I patrol the borders as ordered. I thought that we were going to have complications in my identity or maybe I was sorry about a problem that would arise but nothing happened. It was so easy as eating cake. We were nervous coming from the house to the border just for the warriors to nod and go on their other way. But of course, we continue to be attentive. It was the first rule when we were training as kids. You do not let your guard down no matter how easy the situation is. Something might always come in the way.
I snap my head up when I heard a small susurrus din came from the woods just across the border. Clain heard it too because I saw his hand making it's way to the hilt of his gun. Our eyes darting everywhere, our breathing slogging. We wait and wait and wait but nothing came out and we start to loosen up but then we heard an ”oww” not far away now.
Our stance change all at once, our guns pointed in the way where we heard it. ”Whoever you are or wherever you are, put your hands up behind your head and slowly make your way to us. You have crossed the borders, you violated the code...code...code number 315,” I turn to him with a questioning look. He just shrugs as if to say, better than nothing, to which I rolled my eyes. ”You are allowed to--”
”Really? Clain?” A familiar voice said. ”Code number 315? We both know that that code only exists in your imagination.” His expression is priceless as he tries to look everywhere but found no one.
”Who are you? And where are you? I mean, come out now!” I shake my head at his attempt to sound authoritative.
”We both know that I can take down both of you, Clainy.” Snickers filled the open space. Clainy? Why does it feel like I've heard that nickname before? And why does it feel like we are missing something here? Then the voice of Roderick echoes in my head. He had said that our friends will come on this side of the border wearing their invisible powers. That means...
I lower my gun and Clain whirls his head to me. ”What are you doing?” Seriously? He can't tell who that voice belongs to? Can't he remember the nickname? Right, I forgot to tell you, Clain has the lowest IQ among all of us. I rolled my eyes once again and put my hand at the barrel of his gun.
”Lower this Clain,” I told him. ”You don't want to mess with her.”
”Really? No. They wouldn't want to mess with me. If there's” I was already shaking my head at him when a piece of paper flew between us but we both dodge it easily. ”What the---Isabella?” I look again at the field before us that is now bearing our grinning friend before us. And he is right, Isabella stands there, hand on her hips with an eyebrow raise.
I look around and found all of our friends here with three new others. ”They're our friends. We met them in the South.” Becca said and I nod in acknowledgment.
”Still the investigative type, Stew?” I smirk at the familiar voice.
”Hardly ever change,” I said, turning to look at Avery. ”Erm, why do you look that?” I motion for their head and clothes. Because only then that I realized that they look like they've been in a battle and just got out from it. Wait, did they?
”We kind of went to a battle,” Juliana sheepishly said. We all groan, just recalling that she can read our minds. But we can never read hers, well except for Becca because for the reason that I don't know. ”What? If you don't want me hearing your thoughts, block me out people.” And the shift of her attitude is a wonder too.
”What? We just going to stand here and talk or do you have any idea on how we are going to survive the night without Sarah's minions behind our backs.” Isabella said. Clain and I grin at each other. He reaches inside his pocket and presses the button on the ”remote” Roderick gave us.
”Come on, let's get walking. Someone wants to see us.” I said and we all head to Clain's house.
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*REBECCA'S POV*
”Settle down, settle down people,” Clain said and he pushed the door close.
”This is your house?” Aimee said, mesmerized by the insides.
”No, it's my friend's and we're only staying here until they got here and turn us to Sarah.” Sarcasm is dripping on his voice in every word. ”Of course it's mine.” He scoffs and I rolled my eyes.
”Be nice with my mates,” I told him.
”Sarah? Who's Sarah?” Aimee asked, startling us all and reminding us that the three of them do not know what's happening. We all glare at Clain and his stupidity.
He holds his hand up and said, ”I didn't know you haven't told them.” I sigh heavily and told them to take a sit.
While they are choosing where to sit I rake my eyes over the house. It's like any normal house but with less furniture. And the wall is parched with different colored wallpapers. The stairs face the front door and there is a doorway on the wall before it, which probably leads to the dining area.
I took my seat beside Nate and his arm went around me almost instantly. I wonder my eyes and see Juliana and Riley sitting next to each other mimicking our position. Stewart and Avery sit awkwardly with each other while Clain and Isabella are leaning on each other's shoulder but other than that, no other body parts are touching. We let Aimee, Dani, and Lia take the small couch of Clain's.
”So, who's Sarah?” Aimee persistently asks. All at once, we all shift uncomfortably, not knowing where to start. I open my mouth, but the sound of the door opening stops me.
We all look at the door to find a man standing there, looking as regal as Sarah and he said, ”She's who you called the Head.”