Tears formed in her eyes. She hadn't thought of Sam in a long, long time, nor had she ever grieved at his loss. He hadn't seemed gone; his spirit always with her.
So much she had lost over the years; the combined defeats flooded over her like a drowning deluge: sorrow; heartache; helplessness; bitterness, and finally overwhelming anger.
What right did they have to do this to us?
Without realizing where she was going, Gemma had climbed as high as she could. The thunder of rushing water came to her ears, and at just that moment, she came out upon a bare girder which formed a bench-like seat over a roaring fall of water. The stream cascaded down at least a thousand feet, to crash into a river-like holding pond, where it was forced between rows and rows of fruit bearing trees.
She caught her breath at the sight before her, backed up, and sat on the natural seat behind. It was then Gemma realized her true position. Here was the very top of the huge dome; she could touch the girders above.
There IS no way out!
Defeated at last, her sorrow resurfaced.
No one was there to see or hear; why care?
And Gemma, at last, wept.
****
Pure terror hit the pit of Loni's stomach; tingles of fear fled through his limbs.
His mat was empty!
Da pushed past him to get in the door, his arms laden with fruit, he'd picked fresh from the trees, to give to his new companion. She still lay asleep where he had left her. The younger man scampered across to the far corner, bounced down on the soft padding, dropping the small, juicy, purple balls, and waking her in the process. Instantly aware Da had brought food, she grabbed for one rolling by, put it to her mouth, and hungrily bit into it. She smiled at her benefactor, the juice running down her chin. Da reached out to hug her, the two falling to the mat with energetic abandonment.
Neither of the pair noticed Loni's shocked, rigid, frozen stance at the door.
I've already lost her! Did Galar take her?
Moaning, Loni moved to his own empty mat, dropped his burden of luscious fruit carefully on the padding. He had selected the produce with such care: the ripest; the firmest; the juiciest.
Her first meal...and, all for nothing.
She had gone away before he could offer it.
Loni sighed; sat down, uncertain what to do.
Where did she go? Why...did she run?
Loni reached out for her mind, but she was nowhere near. He had made the mistake of teaching her to close out other minds, and that included him. They were yet too unfamiliar for her to trust him.
Where are you, little one? Why do you hide from me? I never meant to hurt you.
But the thought struck him:
Did Galar?
Loni went to searching for his adversary; his challenging nemesis. He had never liked looking into the mind of this malevolent boyhood opponent, yet today, he deliberately went in.
And drew back in disappointment. Galar was still asleep. He knew nothing about this.
That means she fled of her own accord. She is fleeing from me...Or did she simply awaken, and go searching for me?
Loni didn't think so. He had seen enough of her thoughts to know she feared him. He would have to win her trust...or die trying.
Catching up a handful of plums, and a peach, Loni filled the pockets of his coveralls, and stood up. Mentally, he reassured Da, that he'd be back soon. Da paid him little mind; he was busy with his new friend.
Loni went out again, determined to find what he had so carelessly lost.
The cameras! The video from them! They will guide me!
For once in his life, Loni did not object to the constant surveillance of the overseers.
But...he could not find her in any of the present live footage. That could only mean one thing. She was the one place where there was no camera...his favorite place to hide when he wanted alone time...far atop the giant waterfall!
****
He found her sobbing uncontrollably. Suddenly, he was beside her, dropping to the bench, slipping his arm about her shoulders, drawing her against him, offering comfort.
It had been such a long time since Gemma had felt a hug, she couldn't resist. Her tears wouldn't stop flowing; her body insisted on shaking erratically, and his shoulder felt so good. She melded into the softness of him, and simply cried.
He waited, patiently, and when finally the moisture came to a slow trickle, he offered her a peach.
Chapter 17
"Why the tears?" he asked. "I never meant you hurt."
"But others of your kind have manhandled and scarred me..."
"I did not..."
She changed the subject. "What is your name? It can't be Flaw, as I've heard them say?"
Loni laughed. "They think I cannot understand...my mother used to call me, Loni. What are you called?"
"Gemma..."
"May I call you, Gem? To me you will always be a gem. I call you that because I see in you a gentle, compassionate, kind spirit."
She made an ugly face, and for a long time was silent. When at last she spoke to his mind, she was attempting an apology.
"I'm not much of a gem right now. I'm bitter, and angry...and want revenge. I am resentful, and I hate all your kind!"
"Believe me when I say, it will do you no good. To hold the past hurts as your weapons will harm only you. I have had much experience in that battle."
Tears formed in her eyes again. He bent forward and gently kissed her forehead. She drew back, as if burned.
"Don't! I never agreed to your stupid ceremony!"
He leaned back once more, and offered reassurance.
"Nor did I...but, I did choose you,
