Refinement: A War of Europe

Chapter Five: East: An Uncovered Lie

Anya~ East (Russia)

We all stood quiet, gazing at the inside of a huge mall. It was beautiful despite some broken columns and worn floors. I couldn't believe how incredible it was. Lecyna and I dreamed of living in a huge place like this. I let my lips part to smile. It felt good to be happy again, even if it wouldn't last.

I whispered to Lauren (she was given a pair of sweats), "This will be amazing. Just imagine living here. So many places to explore."

Lauren laughed hysterically as she counted the levels of the building. "Yeah."

"Psh. You girls have no idea of what you're talking about. This place is like some sort of an evil training facility. No fun here." A dark skinned boy hugged himself with his arms. "My name is Mathen. My dad knows all about this stuff. He helped organize it. He is completely insane."

I didn't know what kind of answer he wanted so I just nodded as if I completely understood him. Lauren looked at me suspiciously then walked over to some of the others. Leaving me with Mathen.

I bit on my lip as I thought of what to say. I never was a very social person. I left Mathen and went to sit on a deep red bench. It felt odd to sit on because there were gaps in it. We didn't have things like this where I came from. In fact all I knew about the city was that it was somewhere in Russia. I don't think it was anywhere important though.

I tried to listen in on the others. I wanted to know what they were saying because a group of four kept eyeing me. I was already self-conscious enough. I didn't need anyone else to judge me.

I felt the bench wobble and turned towards the movement. It was Jace. His light brown hair was hidden by a hood. My mouth was slightly gaping. I had forgotten he was here. I quickly shut my mouth and started fingering a piece of rubber from the bench that was tearing off.

Jace stared at me seriously. "I'm glad you made it Anya. Did you make it out unhurt?"

I winced inside my mind. I knew I couldn't lie to him. That was something he could see through. Lies.

"No, but I'm alright now. I got shot in my hand." I stared at it turning my hand over and over. It seemed to be healing fine.

"You sure?" He put one of his legs up by his body to rest his arm on.

"Yeah.", I sighed, "You?"

Jace smiled. "Great. I didn't even have to go through the course. I was going to go next though. I just didn't want to look like a threat by volunteering to go first."

Not look like a threat huh? In my eyes he was the biggest one. He was strong, fast, brave... he had all the capabilities to make it through. He only had to want it.

"So, Jace. You remembered me."

"And?"

"And, after one encounter how do you still remember? I was just a little girl who...", My voice cut off.

"You act as if we have been friends for years."

I saw the corners of his mouth twitch into a slight smile. "So did you though. We have been, in my opinion. Maybe we're just those kinds of people. Ones who have a lasting impact on others. There isn't a single detail that I can't remember."

I felt heat rushing to my face. Of all the guys... you wouldn't think Jace would be kind or anything, but he was. I shifted my body to sit on my legs.

"So then. I am glad you're better now." I knew what happened wouldn't be easy to recover from, but he seemed like had allot of self control.

Deep inside myself I wanted to know what he remembered me by. It gave me a guilty feeling thinking about asking him, but especially through the terrible event you wouldn't think a mere girl would be what you remembered.