The New World (Tales at the End of the World #1)

Chapter 20

"Where did you go?" Nigel asked when Morgan and her teammates returned to the lab.

"We watched the sunrise," Flint told him, "It was beautiful."

Nigel made a face. He looked almost upset.

"Why didn't you tell me? I would have loved to see it."

"You were too busy with Evelyn. I didn't want to wake you," Morgan said with jealousy lacing her tone.

Nigel looked at Morgan confused. Why was she being distant all of a sudden. A few days ago, the stone leader was in tears to Nigel. Now, she resumed her hard composure. What prompted the sudden change?

"How are we getting to the plane?" Bill asked and Flint pulled out a map.

"The car is most likely totalled so it would take us about six hours to return. If we leave now, we will most likely be there by early evening and able to fly out early tomorrow," The teenager stated.

Morgan nodded her head and Nigel intervened.

"I'm taking Morgan out for a tour around the city then before we leave."

Morgan was shocked as was the rest of the group.

"That is compromising the mission, soldier," Morgan returned coldly.

Nigel gripped her wrist, "I'm not a soldier nor your subordinate. We are teammates and you promised."

Morgan did not know how to react to Nigel's response. Evelyn sensing tension spoke up, "Nigel, I can go out with you if you want. It can be like that time we ventured into the woods behind your house."

Morgan's eye twitched with jealousy and she grabbed Nigel's hand before Evelyn was able to.

"I changed my mind. Tracy, you're in charge. When we come back, we will commence the mission. Take only what is needed in this laboratory."

Tracy nodded her head as Morgan saw Evelyn's jealous gaze. She smirked at Evelyn before exiting the laboratory through the tunnels.

Nigel led her around while Morgan was a silent shadow. When they broke the surface, Morgan saw the destruction caused by the lightning. The fire had been long burned out, but ashes littered the ground like snow.

"All of this happened in the span of hours," Nigel frowned grimly, "Hopefully, that is all there is."

"Yeah," Morgan said sombrely, "Why are you doing this Nigel?"

Nigel gave Morgan a confused look, "Am I not allowed?"

Morgan shrugged, "Beats me. You've been kind of busy lately."

"So that's what it is," Nigel realized as Morgan looked away.

"Are you jealous of Evelyn?" He asked and Morgan made a face.

"Of course not," she denied, "It's just that you've been drifting from the group. The dynamic is completely different."

"I've been drifting," Nigel asks, "What about you? You've been separating yourself from me since we've arrived here together. What's with that?"

"Your arms were around Evelyn when you two slept last night. You would not even acknowledge us as Evelyn and Mina whisked you away."

"It's been a year and more since they disappeared. Is it wrong to want to catch up with them?"

Morgan was silent, but then her voice cracked.

"Did everything up to this point mean nothing to you?"

Nigel stopped speaking and noticed the tears forming in Morgan's eyes. She wiped them away shaking her head.

"I don't know what's going on, Nigel, between us. It's either you still have feelings for Evelyn or you don't. It's that simple. Besides, she has feelings still for you. We can all see it. I'm leaving for Paris and you can join me if you want, but I'm not going to force you. Like that horrible saying goes, if you truly love something, you let it go, right?"