Kylie and Keith survived their... eventful week together.
And, now they're living their life like each other's yin and yang. Balancing each other out, and reigning each other in.
Until, news is heard.
Good news.
Keith gets selected to tour Europe wi...
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(Kylie's POV)
I sat there, staring at Ryder as he stared at the paper. He was probably trying to process what I'd dumped on him, and considering the silent, thoughtful look on his face, he was doing a pretty good job.
"So... You mean to tell me, that you're like... You're just a ghost? You don't have registration or anything?"
Not in this country, no. Actually, I don't even know if I'm registered anywhere out there either. I'm just holding onto the hope that
A tear drop blotted out the rest of the sentence, and I didn't have the will to re-write it. Ryder seemed to understand, though.
"I-I don't know what to say. I just... Wait, you said you've taken DNA tests. When? How?"
Really shortly after you and Keith left for your tournament. I couldn't risk you guys finding out, and so I did it as soon as you guys boarded your plane.
Ryder paused.
"Why? Why didn't you tell us?"
Because I didn't know how! I lost all sense of reasoning when I went over to the council to question them about my details.
Ryder sat down beside me and pulled me into his lap.
Immediately, my hands went around his neck and I buried my face in his shoulder.
"I'm sorry." I mouthed against his t-shirt.
Ryder rubbed my back and rested his chin on my forehead.
"It's okay. It's going to be fine, even more so now that I'm here."
Ryder chuckled, but his heart wasn't in it. Then he pulled away to face me.
"How did you get involved with the Blank?"
I'm sure my terror showed across my face. I remembered that day too.
I let go of Ryder and reached over for my pad of paper.
The day of the DNA test. I was walking out of the building and then suddenly someone grabbed my face and pinned my arms behind my back, and then they dragged me into the alley beside the DNA test office.
It was a girl, she never showed me her face, but she handed me a letter and told me to read it immediately. They'd known, Ryder. They knew what had happened. They told me I was perfect to lead them. I knew it too, I was a shadow! No records, nothing. I just... I wanted to.
I stopped writing and looked up at Ryder to see his reaction. Surprisingly, there wasn't a trace of shock or anger on his face, just... Understanding?
"You were angry, you were in pain, you were scared, and you were clearly confused. I get it, you wanted to get back at the world."
No... No, Ryder. No, you don't get it. I still want to, I want to join the Blank, but I can't. I can't Ryder.
