We walk into the growth of trees to find shelter in the warm summer night. As we walk deeper, it gets darker and the crickets and frogs get louder. And out of nowhere, a towering expanse of matter blocks out path.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxGWmzFw45
"What is this?" I tug on Ash's arm.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YEXzsgBL7
"It looks like an old building. From before Monroe's reign. I think these are called bricks." He touches the red and brown patchy surface of the wall.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡp46whNKKcO
"Should we set up camp in here? I don't see any caves." I pull the door open cautiously.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJNJFlkwH8
"I'd say this is the best we've got. I don't think anyone would be here. After you." He leads us into the building and closed and locks the door behind us.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sjkVOJ9pi
"Thank you, kind sir." I curtesy sarcastically.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOl7jBsf9Z
He sticks his tongue out at me. "I was trying to be a gentleman."copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22NKi8yr5c
"Trying being the key word." I giggle and he tickles my side.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlQ9zZf89n
As we register our setting, I realize that this place is an insane asylum. The place reeks of vomit and death. A crazy feeling of abandonment creeps into my heart and I feel sorry for those who were locked away here and, for some reason, I feel remorse for the abandoned hospital itself.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡz84LiomOD1
I skitter my hand across the walls, searching for what they used to call a "light switch." I finally find one and flip it up. Funny how electricity is still running out here. The lights flicker for a moment and then stay on, filling the room with light.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3XOK3d6DU
I look around at this poor structure. Plants are growing through the cracked concrete floor. The beds, lined in gossamer curtains of cobwebs. Yellowing bed clothes are tucked away and folded neatly in an open storage closet, so I walk to get enough of them for each of us.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qzgewWScR
We each check the bed clothes for bugs and snakes and use the clean ones. In this room, there are only two hospital beds in the room we're in, so Ash and I will have to share. I don't believe either of us is opposed to the idea.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAvUs2uiXJ
I glance around the room. There are bars on the window. And eighteen huge locks on the only door. No one can get in, and no one has to stand guard tonight. We can all get some sleep and be on the top of our game tomorrow.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YaZquNa3c
"Let's all turn in." Ash puts the bed clothes on our bed and slips his shirt off.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW0rKxJCKp
I slide out of my jeans and curl up beneath the blanket in just my tank top and panties. He climbs in next to me, his bare chest pressed to my barely clothed one. We lay there side-by-side, Ash and me. We don't speak for a while. We just stare at each other, eyes wide. Neither of us is a bit sleepy. The quietness begins to overwhelm me and I have to speak.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwjZuP9KK1
"How long have you liked me?" I prop myself up on one elbow.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡS82g5GoOiV
"Since that day, at that time." His whisper carries throughout the whole room.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZDXAAUlQe
"Oh yeah! It was in that month of that year." I giggle and poke his stomach.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡCL01eOwPK7
"Seriously. Think back to the first time I ever acknowledged you."copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJKUTl1BE2
"The party?" Confusion hits me like a freight train.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xzGfVB2MX
"Before that. Think." His smile stretches from ear to ear.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAVe3NcBUk
"The day before the party?" Now I'm just guessing.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡnutVxAt9iu
"Second grade. The day you moved here."copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcKnbpo6s8
I think back to that day. Mrs. Ecruma paired us up for an art project. We had to capture our partners on paper. He would've had to draw all the wrinkles on Mrs. Ecruma's face if I hadn't walked through the door.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oxfYOQiXI
"Really? Since the day I drew a stick figure and said it was you?" I choke on my own saliva while trying not to laugh.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1HqX9NcUF
"Since the day I copied your features perfectly, then copied the copy. I refused to give up the original because it looked identical to the little girl in the purple and black dress with the charcoal pigtails." Tears mist in my eyes as he speaks.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc27Ko1Gvu
His large, jewel-colored eyes stare into mine with love and intensity as my gray eyes peer into his with curiosity. His glittering orbs close and his face gets closer to mine, his lips taking possession of mine. Our lips move together in sync, his tongue intertwining with mine. Te sensation is overwhelming, but I pull away.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J23kVWYkY
"What is it?" He caresses my cheek with his fingertips.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxg1mXJdHf
"Before we got here, to this hospital, there were more spies. This was when Keagan was shot." I grab his fingers to stop them from moving.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡcP1wPXge4s
"Yeah. I know this. What about it?" He drops his hand to the small space of bed between us.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡQugw4lVif3
"Who shot him? Was it one of the androids, or you?" I stare into his eyes intensely.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM20f0ACVB
"They were androids? I thought they just didn't like water." He laughs.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG4cLCqvby
"This is serious, Ashland Redfield. Who shot him?" My voice is a growl.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNigVmMGjp
"It wasn't an android. They had no weapons. We were the only ones shooting. They were like ninjas without the swords." He looks at me intensely.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMnRno7RUD
"I only shot once and the bullet fell to the ground." I realize.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdcAsYM7q2
"I was shooting to get them off of him. I don't think any hit him, but I'm not sure." He looks at the pillow, guilt smudging his perfect features.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡxorxiIvOox
"Was it on purpose?" I make him look at me.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnYJ6RrkO5
He stays quiet. Tears streak my face and I know that he meant to shoot him. I know it. He's jealous of him because he's been my best friend forever.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5FUEDnGZc
I stand up and walk across the room. He tries to follow, but one glare sends him back to the bed.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWwXNkkWqH
"I didn't." He plops onto the bed.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡnygBmlGQHu
"Who did? Why did they? No one was shooting but you! My bullet landed on the asphalt!" My arms wave in the air dramatically.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlHwFKZlaB
"If I did, it was an accident. I didn't know it would hit him. I wanted to get those freaks off of him. I did it for you. If he had died, you would've shut everyone out. That includes me. I didn't want you to go so soon." Tears fall from his grassy eyes.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmSXnkd5vh
"I can't believe I got angry." My whisper carries across the ancient fortress.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s5EzzUS53
"You scared me, Mercy. I don't ever want to lose you, love." His tears are overflowing freely.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDJLiFqNmb
"I'm sorry. I overreact. You should know that by now." I climb back into the bed and his arms go around me at an instant.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSIckNAYzb
I feel something in his pocket pressing against my side. It pops and cracks like paper. I reach into his pocket and unfold the yellowing old paper.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXqdVbzXeS
"You kept this?" Tears fall down my face.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa5tTK2k1y
"Yes." He holds me closer.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡk75wbMeCAU
I stare at the sketch of a black-haired, eight-year-old girl. I know he will always love me if he's kept this for eight years. I fold it back together and return it to his pocket.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWMYXtbAZo
"I can't believe you kept it." I smile from ear to ear.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡawrmpWRYkl
"I'm gonna keep it forever." He kisses my lips.copyright protection245ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXbetMiTax
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