Perfection

“Worried? I do not feel worry.”

The doctor, the first person who had ever showed her kindness, the first person she had ever considered a friend, placed a finger under her chin. Ellyssa met his light brown eyes, and her stoic barricade melted.

“I’m not blind. I can see how you feel,” Mathew said.

“And how is that?”

The corners of his lips tugged into a small smile. “You like him.”

“I do not deny that. I like you, too.”

“I know, but your feelings for him are more than friendship.”

What an alien notion. She’d never liked anyone before, but to like them as more than a friend was incomprehensible. To form bonds brought disadvantage, her father would say.

Ellyssa thought about what the doctor had said. Was that why she had felt electricity at Rein’s touch? Why he had warmed her? Maybe she did like him as more than a friend, but he didn’t hold the same feelings for her.

“I might not be very familiar with emotions, but I know hatred. I thrived on it for years. He holds hatred for me.”

Mathew brushed a piece of her hair back behind her ear. The gesture was reassuring.

“He doesn’t hate you, dear. Far from it.”

“I disagree.”

“If you must, but you’re wrong. Anyway, Rein and I have some business to attend to for the next couple of days. Jordan will be in to check on you, and different guards will be posted at the door.”

Ellyssa held no doubt Jason would be amongst them.

Mathew frowned. “I don’t see why we still have to go through the formalities. I’m guessing if you intended to hurt people, you would have no problem doing so.”

No problem, whatsoever. She nodded.

“As I thought.” He picked up the book. “What do you think?”

“I am not so sure about this one. Like I said earlier, the story strikes close to home.”

“You know, the thing about Frankenstein is that many people portrayed the creature as the monster. But the creature isn’t the monster at all.” He stood and handed the book back to her. “It is his creator.”

Anger carried Rein all the way back to his holey. He climbed into the cramped space with the scratchy blankets, lantern, and one of Mathew’s beloved books, and lay across the pallet. His home.

He was annoyed at how Ellyssa dominated his thoughts, no matter how hard he tried to push her out. He wondered if she could read his thoughts, right now. If she could, she’d see how much she’d hurt him by her betrayal. But why should he be hurt?

An aggravated sigh escaped his lips.

Against his judgment, he’d trusted her. And she’d withheld information.

What would the community do? Where would they go?

It was entirely his fault. He should’ve left her there to die, like Candy and Woody had wanted.

Rein couldn’t, though. Ellyssa’s body had lain among the decaying rags, her breath ragged and uneven, her skin a sickly color, and the dirt-covered, sweaty hair clumped around her face. She seemed so frail, even after she’d attacked them in her feverish state.

Even then she’d been the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

What bothered Rein the most was that, if he had to do it all over again, he still would’ve saved her. No matter the evidence stacked against her, a deep, nagging sensation pulled at his heart, an unnatural draw he couldn’t shake.

It was irritating.

Better to think of her lying, conniving ways, squelching his attraction, or whatever it was.

Better not to think of her at all.

Rein flipped to his knees and grabbed the knapsack he used on short excursions. He rummaged around his little space, arranging things to take—an extra shirt, a box of ammunition, a flashlight, and a first aid kit.

He was shoving the items into his bag when he heard Jordan’s soft, shuffling footsteps. He’d heard them for so long, there was no mistaking the brush of the worn leather of the leader’s shoes against the rocky floor. Jordan stopped outside his drape and a wrinkled hand appeared at the edge of his tattered curtain.

“Rein,” said Jordan, his voice staggering breathlessly.

The way the old man’s age had seemed to sneak up on him within the last couple of months worried Rein. He’d tried to ask Jordan about it on several occasions, but the old man had always led the conversation away in different directions.

Rein pulled the curtain back and popped out, so his elder wouldn’t have to exert the energy to crawl into the hole. Jordan sighed with gratitude, his full lips stretching apart in relief. The old man’s face looked haggard and sunken.

“I’m just about ready to go.”

“Good. I believe Doc is waiting for you.”

Rein yanked his bag out and draped it over his shoulder. “We should be back in less than two days.” He paused for a moment, leaning closer to Jordan’s ear. “I’m really sorry for bringing her here. It was a mistake. I think it’s best if we remove her from the cave as soon as I return. I’ll blindfold her or something. Take her far away.”

“You didn’t make a mistake, son,” the old man replied, patting Rein’s upper arm. “I believe Jeremy sent her.”

Rein blinked. “What?”

“He must have seen inside her, like she can see inside us. Maybe he saw good.”

“You didn’t see her that day in town. She’s dangerous.”

Jordan’s gaze settled on Rein, life and amusement still dancing within the dark depths of his eyes, even as tiredness pulled the edges of his lids and sagged his cheeks. “I’ve seen her strength, her will. She’s a great addition to the family.”

Rein couldn’t believe it. “Her…special abilities put us all at risk. Even if her intentions are harmless, she is too valuable to them.”

Jordan cast a look over his shoulder before he whispered, “That might be true. And maybe they’ll find her.”

“Then we’re done.”

Jordan shrugged his frail shoulders. “With everything that had happened in the past. The war. Our struggle to survive. I never was sure if there was a higher power or not, delegating the randomness of life on delicate strings. But I believe—believe without a doubt—Jeremy sent her to us. Maybe, to let us know what was cooking in the labs of The Center, to give us a heads-up.

“There are very few things I know in this world, Rein. Very few. But I know a good person when I see them. And she is good. Jeremy saw it. And I think you see it, too.”

The older man staggered and Rein clutched his upper arm, holding him steady.

“Are you okay?”

Jordan patted the hand grasping his shoulder. “Fine, son. Just fine. Nothing a nap won’t take care of. Help me to my holey.”

Rein stepped to Jordan’s side and steadied him as they walked down the tunnel. Much to Rein’s relief, they passed no one on the trek. The last thing they needed was gossip and panic. When they reached Jordan’s holey, Rein helped him inside.

“You mind what I said, Rein,” said Jordan as he lay down. “I know you’re thinking she was dishonest. Take into consideration how her truth might have come out in bits and pieces, but she got around to it. How much have we shared with her? How can we expect something we haven’t freely given?”

The corner of Rein’s mouth drew back. “I’ll talk to her when I get back,” he said.

“That’s a good boy. Now go. Doc is waiting.” Jordan rolled to his side, ending any further conversation.