Death Valley (Desert Children Series #2)

Gone

Ghoul and I were on our way home. We had spent about a week by the Grand Canyon and checked in on everyone back home every day through the radio. We held hands all the way home. I was the happiest I had ever been in my life. I couldn't imagine anything going wrong.

As soon as we had gone home and unpacked, Poison knocked on the door to our room and asked to speak to Ghoul alone. Ghoul left the room, smiling at me. I continued to organize our room and our laundry, thinking nothing of Poison and Ghoul until Ghoul came back in the room. He shut the door quietly, glancing over at me. I turned to him and smiled, walking over to put my arms around him.

"Phoenix, we have to talk." He said.

I pulled away from him. "Sure. What's up?"

I sat down on our bed and he sat next to me. "I knew this was going to happen eventually. But I have to go into Zone 1 for a few weeks to help steal from BLI. Sounds funny, but it's risky. That's why we work stealthily together. We have to survive out here somehow, so we steal their unprocessed goods. They still haven't caught us. All I know is that it's keeping us from starving."

I listened curiously as he explained what he meant. "I have to go to Zone 1 and protect our borders while they cross over through a weak point in the fence by their facilities."

"I don't know how long I'll be gone exactly. I just know it's a couple of weeks. I'm sorry I didn't get to tell you sooner."

"I can't come with you?" I asked.

"No. I'm sorry. We can stay connected through radio at night, though." He put an arm around me and I buried my face in his chest.

"And I can't visit?" I asked

"No."

I helped him pack while holding back tears. We did everything in silence. I knew I had to be strong for him but those tears still lingered, begging to be shed. I couldn't believe he was leaving me again. I didn't know how long he would have to stay. He would be missing Christmas and New Years which would be the first time we actually celebrated it together.

I hugged him once his bags were packed and began to cry.

"Hey." He whispered. "I'll be back. I will be okay. It's only a few weeks and it's not like I'm going to be going into the city."

We got into bed with him and held on to him. Ghoul stroked my hair softly. I didn't want him to leave me. My heart ached at the thought of him being in danger. I had already lost him before. If I lost him again I might not survive. I was trying to cope with the situation but I wasn't sure how. I had gotten to this point before and I didn't want to be there again. I wanted to go back to my old ways and it was itching at the inside of my skull. I held on tighter to Ghoul, not wanting the feeling to take over me. I was stronger.

The next morning Ghoul woke me up for when he had to leave. The sun was just coming up. I followed him outside into the morning light, the sun warming my skin. There was a car waiting for him. The driver looked impatient. I gave Ghoul a kiss and a hug. As he started to walk towards the car I ran back towards him, not ready for him to leave. We embraced and kissed again. I began to cry into his shoulder and Poison pulled me away from him. I shouted my love for him and he grinned as he got in the car.

"I love you too, beautiful!" He yelled back.

I waved to him as he left. As they drove away, my tears blurred the line between the sand and the sky. I could tell he was still watching me as he left. My insides burned. I wasn't ready to watch him go. I felt my legs moving towards the bathroom where I shut myself in. I sat on the floor and put my head against the door. I sat there for what felt like hours. I knew Ghoul wouldn't want to see me this way and for him I tried to suck it up. I got up from the floor and went to lay in bed where I could get some sleep. On the pillow at a piece of folded paper with my name on it. I unfolded it and read it.

Phoenix -

I love you so much. I will talk to you every night and I will miss you every day that I'm gone. You are stronger than you know. I'll see you soon.

Forever and ever,

Ghoul

I felt tears slipping down my cheeks. Was I being a wimp? Maybe a little bit. I missed him already. But before I knew it, I was being called into the weapons room to talk to him over the radio. I was a blubbering mess and I wasn't sure he could understand me as I told him how I felt and how my day was. I told him how I had mostly laid in bed to stay warm and comfortable. I knew I had chores to do but I felt too emotional to do them.

"I understand." He told me. "I've been missing you. I have to sleep in the back of a van and it's by someone who has admitted he snores pretty loudly. I don't know how much sleep I'm going to get tonight. The food is decent at least. I don't have to fight, though. I'm just sitting in front of hacked cameras all day. It's easy work and gets boring fast. I wish I was home with you."

I wished I was there to hug him. He was quiet and mostly listened to me ramble on. I wasn't really sure what to say to him. I missed him even though I had said it a thousand times.

"I have to go soon for our lights out. I'll see you soon. I love you."

Before I could finish my sentence he was gone.

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I want to say thank you to everyone who has been reading. Please leave a like and a comment if you still follow the story and have been since the beginning. It's getting closer and close to the end and to the third and final book (at least I hope there will be one). I love you <3