The Circle

Chapter 15

We sat in the tall grass which was surprisingly comfortable. "It's not exactly a picnic" Arthur said "but it's better than nothing" "Better than dress rehearsal" I added. Then I thought of the pop tart I had shoved in my bag right before I took off with Arthur. "Wait a sec" I said as a reached over and took out the food. I handed one to Arthur and kept the other piece for myself. "Bon appétit" he said grinning. Once we finished our little meal I asked Arthur something I've been wandering about for a while. "So what's your background, being in the Armonia and all"."Well I was born into it just like Warren".I flinched at the name but let him continue."My parents were the head of the department of weaponry and combat. They gave the government supplies when they were running low and are too proud to ask. They also trained kids when they are of age how to fight and handle weapons. Being their son I was head of the class, always used as an example, looked up to. When I was 12 there was an attack on the base we were working in. Vernon had formed a group of people, part of his revenge or whatever the heck he does. Kids and teens were to evacuate first so I had to leave my parents behind. I was sent out on a helicopter separately from the Adults and sent to a different location. Never saw my parents again. I had a brother too. Don't know if they're dead or what. That's when I met Warren. He's not actually my cousin. They told us to tell everyone that in order to stay together. He's just my closest friend."He talked as he looked out into the sky, watching the sun set; not that you could actually see it behind the wall of gray clouds. He looked at me then and said, "He's lucky to have you. Warren, he's really lucky." At that moment I wanted to lean over and hug Arthur. Not out of sympathy but out of some random urge to be near him. In that moment there was a loud blast of thunder and it started pouring. Arthur stood up and grabbed my hand. We ran together near the small barn-shed thingy and took cover from the rain. I wanted to say something to Arthur. Anything. "He's not lucky!" "What?" Arthur answered. We both had to shout over the rain."Warren...he's not lucky to have me!" Arthur looked confused like he didn't know why I was saying that. Like he didn't know why I thought no one would be lucky to have me. Now it was raining even harder which seemed impossible. Every drop that hit the ground pierced my ears. I felt my legs shake. Then I slipped on the wet mud but Arthur caught me. His arms wrapped around me. And then we were kissing. I could feel the rapid beat of his heart. I wound my fingers in his silky hair and could here the rushing sound of wind and rain. The kiss sent sparks of energy up my whole body and I suddenly felt live as a wire. Then I felt a buzzing sensation. Arthur let it ring for a while then had to pull away. He reached into his pocket and looked at his phone. "Shoot! It's the Armonia!" He said. The Armonia! Could it be about Warren I thought? Honestly he wasn't the first person on my mind right now but there was no erasing this phone call. I wish it wouldn't have happened, I wished they forgot about us and didn't call and we could have stayed like we were forever. But it can't be like that I thought. What if Warren is in trouble? Arthur quickly answered the phone. "Uh huh. Okay, yeah yeah." His face suddenly went pale and his eyes widened with shock. He hung up and put his phone away. "Is Warren okay? Is he on his way back?" I asked."Warren's...not coming back."