Ellyssa ignored him, just as the council had ignored her protests. No matter what she’d said, she couldn’t get the members to see things her way. She’d be staying behind, while Rein and Woody risked their lives.
Frustrated, Ellyssa shoved a package of bandages into the metal trunk and slammed the lid. She pushed the container to the doorway, where it would be taken to the evacuation cavern.
“Candy is doing much better today,” Woody said, apparently not wanting to talk about the meeting either. “She’s helping with kitchen chores.”
“I am glad,” said Ellyssa, shoving a six-pack of ointment into the last container.
“She wants to talk to you, but…it’s hard on her.”
“I understand.”
Woody nodded. “Jason’s trial will be tomorrow.”
At the mention of his name, fury blazed. Ellyssa glanced over her shoulder at the bloodstained ground, a constant reminder of what he had almost cost her. She shoved down an urge to finish him off, a lingering instinct from an old life. She wasn’t that person anymore.
Her eyes moved to the cot that Jason had occupied. A couple of days ago, before he had been relocated down the hall to a smaller room with a low ceiling, Jason had developed a low-grade fever. So far with the aid of cool baths and lots of liquids, Mathew had been able to control it, but the wound was not healing, and remained red and irritated.
Shaking her head, Ellyssa faced Woody. “Why hold the trial now? You and Rein will be gone,” she said, her tone harsh.
Woody’s grey eyes locked with hers, swirling clouds before the storm. He lifted his hand as if to touch her, but at the last second, he shifted and picked up a tube of ointment that had fallen to the ground.
“I know you’re angry, but I promise, he will be fine.” He handed her the medicine.
“I just do not understand why I cannot go. I am much better trained for such encounters.”
“There aren’t going to be any encounters. We’re going to grab the truck and fetch the supplies. We won’t make it without provisions.”
“I still should go.” Ellyssa slammed the lid of the remaining chest and flipped the latch.
“They need you here.”
She stood, dusting off her hands. “That is not true. You got along fine until I came.”
Woody followed suit. “No, we didn’t. We’ve already learned so much from you.”
“If not for me, you would all still be safe.”
“You don’t know that. With the resistance, our supply trips, every day is a risk. We had to evacuate once before, not long after I had come here.”
Ellyssa stared at him pointedly. Was that supposed to make her feel better? If she had known being part of the community meant she would have to do what the council decided, she would’ve thought better of it.
They’d all voted against her, despite her concerns. Majority rules.
“Listen.” Woody closed in on her, taking her wrist in his hand. “We can’t risk you being caught.”
“I could help.”
“You know that’s not the point.” He paused. “I promise to bring him back safe.”
“I want you safe, too,” Ellyssa remarked, realizing as she made the statement, how true it was. Woody had helped her through a very difficult time after Jordan had passed.
Woody let go of her wrist and brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. His touch was light and caring; and much to her surprise, she found it pleasant. He offered her a small smile before looking away, red flushing his face.
Confused by his actions, Ellyssa searched his expression. Unsure what he was thinking, she wanted to reach inside his head and pull out the answers. She didn’t. If she was going to live with these people, flourish in the community, she’d have to refrain from such behavior. She’d have to learn to read reactions on the surface. To trust. Still, she didn’t understand his blush or his touch.
Was it friendship? Did he want more? And most of all, why did she like it? Maybe it was just the closeness. After all, his touch didn’t send the sparks down her spine or accelerate the beat of her usual steady heart.
After a moment, when his face returned to its natural color, Woody looked back at her, his eyes still burning. “The other day, after Jordan…” His throat moved up and down as if a rock was lodged there. “You helped me realize.”
When he didn’t elaborate, Ellyssa said, “Realize what?”
Woody’s mouth opened but no words followed, and his face displayed an unreadable collage. Finally, he just placed his hand on her arm. “Rein’s lucky to have found you.”
“I am lucky to have found him.” She smiled, but Woody didn’t return the gesture.
Was he angry? He didn’t exhibit the usual signs of anger.
Sighing, Woody picked up a box and started for the door.
“Woody,” she said, stopping him. “I appreciate you being there that day. I was overwhelmed, and if not for you, I am not sure it would have gone as smoothly as it did. You helped with my…transformation, I guess you might say. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
Woody left Ellyssa standing alone, slightly bewildered. The simple sensations she’d masked for years were nothing compared to the complexity of living with normal people. Emotions were ever-more complex than she’d first thought. Her lessons about the Renegades being nothing more than simple animals, controlled by their feelings, kept breaking down and reshaping. They were complicated entities. Shaking her head, she resumed packing the supplies.
A set of footsteps she recognized caused her heart to slam against her chest. Still angry, she pushed down her initial reaction to run into Rein’s arms. After all, he had voted against her, too. Probably some male thing, thinking he was protecting her.
Rein walked through the door, his backpack dangling from one shoulder and a rifle slung over the other. She acknowledged him with a simple nod as she latched the box. She stood and placed the last footlocker next to the door.
“These are ready to go,” she said.
He dropped his bag and balanced his gun on top. “Ellyssa, I know you’re angry with me.”
“I’m not angry,” she denied. Anger wasn’t the correct description. Hurt and afraid. Afraid for him.
Refusing to look at him, Ellyssa went to the locker and grabbed the last two boxes of dressings and a roll of tape. She shoved them into the deep pockets of her camo pants.
Rein approached from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’ll be leaving soon. I don’t want to leave things like this.” He kissed her earlobe softly.
She relaxed into him; she couldn’t help it. It was like his touch evaporated all of her self-control. She cherished the feel of him, afraid this would be the last time. A premonition almost, a deep foreboding.
“I should be going with you.”
“Why?”
She wheeled around. “You have no idea what you are up against.”
“Our whole existence is avoiding society. We’ve survived this long.”
“You haven’t had any of the police sniffing this close before.”
Rein’s lips pursed. “Maybe not, but I did have the benefit of learning from Jordan. We know what to do.”
“You don’t understand. The people closing in have had the benefit of The Center’s training programs.”
“Are they like you?”
“No, but…”
Rein pulled her against him, stroking her hair. “We really need you here. If something happens, you can protect the community. You can keep it going.”
Ellyssa started to protest, but he stopped the words with a kiss. Like the times before, at his touch a fire consumed her. She hungrily parted her lips, inviting him to explore, while she tasted him. Her hands ran across his back, examining the contours of his muscles. She moved up to his hair and tangled her fingers in the strands, trying to pull him closer, desperate to never let him go.
