The Ruins Of Tomorrow

36. When You Smile

My cheek felt cold as I woke up in the dark hallway. When I realized I wasn't in my bed, I thought I might have been dreaming. I touched my forehead and felt sweat on my skin. I sniffled and rubbed my nose when I felt the warm blood dripping down. I slammed against the wall and looked up to see the door to my room.

How did I get out here?

I gulped hard and turned the knob as it was left unlocked. I quietly slipped back inside and found Thomas still sleeping in our bed. His back was turned towards me and I quickly went to the bathroom to rinse off the blood. My face looked pale, and I was slowly beginning to look more sick than usual. I didn't know what was happening, but my body felt off.

Was I sick or something?

I carefully crawled back into bed, making sure not to wake my brother. I didn't know what had happened, but I must have been sleepwalking. I tried falling back asleep, but there was so much going through my mind that it was hard to rest. It felt like I was rolling around in bed all night until I heard the birds outside and finally felt my body give in to sleep.

I woke up late and quickly sat up and saw it was past noon on the clock. I turned to my side to not see Thomas and saw a note on the nightstand instead.

Scarlet,

Me and Benjamin are going to help Kate out in the garden today. Try to get some more rest. I heard you mumbling in your sleep again. I'll be back before it rains.

Love, Thomas

My head was still feeling hazy as I got out of bed. I instantly felt my legs wobble as I crashed against the wall. There was a loud thud coming from outside as I made my way to the front door when I heard loud voices shouting. I thought it must have been our neighbors arguing again but it sounded like it was outside of my door.

I was reaching for the door when it suddenly burst open.

Without warning, the guard knocked me to the ground, gripping my arms and forcefully slamming my face against the floor. I couldn't react in time as I fought to free myself and felt their hand on the back of my head.

I screamed out as the guard pressed my cheek deeper into the floor. I heard more shouting and voices around when more footsteps entered the room and flickered on the lights. My head spun around, and I looked up as Noah tried to fight the guard holding me down.

His body got pushed as he hit the table and tumbled down to the ground.

"Let... me go!" I choked out, trying to move my hands.

"Shut up," the guard said. "We don't take others from someone who works with Hunter."

My heart raced after hearing his name out loud. My body trembled, and it was becoming hard to breathe as I whimpered from the pain.

"What's going on...?" I met Noah's gaze as he got up from the floor.

"I'm not letting them take you away," he said. "I don't care what they say. I'll fight anyone if I have to."

Everyone formed a circle around me when the guard lifted me off the ground. I saw Dean barge inside the room as he took in quick breaths. He must have run up the stairs after hearing the commotion.

"I need you to let her go," Dean ordered.

The guard loosened his grip on me but still kept hold of the back of my hoodie. "With all due respect Dean, we can no longer keep her with us," the guard said.

"You're talking to the leader of Terrenceville," Dean clarified. "I'm the one who makes the calls here."

Another guard from the back stepped up. "As long as she's here, she will always be a threat to us all. Even to your family, Dean."