DRAGON (mxm)

6. Blue (Chris)

   "Who are you?" I immediately shoot, sitting up and gazing into the darkness. There is no point in playing oblivious. He already knows I've heard everything. "Are you from the military forces? What is your mission?"

   "Wasting no time, huh?" Deon sighs. "And, boy, you do have some courage. I've already seen that you're a person who faces challenges head on, and yet you continue to prove it. Let's calm down first and we'll talk."

   "Answer me," I insist, slightly flustered by the praise. "I'm no obstacle to your operation. What possibly could I do to get in the way? I'm blind, barely breathing and with second degree burns on half of my body. Not that there is anyone I can spill classified information to, even if I wanted. I am all alone in this world and entirely at your mercy. You can eliminate me right here and now, if you decide, and not a soul would look for me... I only want to know what I'm dealing with."

   "Heyy, what are you talking about?" He interrupts me gently, sitting next to me. I feel his warm palms cupping my face. "Why would you say shit like that? I know this all must seem crazy as hell to you, but when did I give you any impression I was going to hurt you? I am not a monster... Fuck! Don't worry, alright? You're safe. I swear."

   "I'm sorry," I mutter, unconsciously leaning into his hands for consolation, shame washing over me. "I'm not ungrateful. It's just... you're secretive... and the phone... and everything else. I wish so badly I could see your face right now."

   A severe blush heats my cheeks at the last sentence. The words slipped out of my mouth on their own. I didn't want to blurt this out loud. Deon's amused laughter only fuels my embarrassment. I am an idiot. This is what happens when you refuse to live among your own kind and prefer to roam the wasteland alone instead. Total lack of social skills.

   "Chris." Deon is laughing quietly while his thumbs are rubbing soothingly along the outlines of my jaw. "You're cute."

   The statement only makes me blush harder. What the hell? I must look like shit. That's how I feel at least. I find absolutely nothing cute about my skinny, scruffy, haggard self and this is the first time I am actually bothered by the fact. There is a warm, sinking sensation in the pit of my stomach which almost makes me sick. My hands start shaking. I instinctively clench my fists to make them stop. It feels like fever. I gasp for air. The only time I've ever felt this way was when the boy next door invited me to the pool party for his birthday. We were nine. It was a few months before The Impact. He told me he liked how I looked in a swimsuit and that I had nice abs. I almost drowned that day and it wasn't because I didn't know how to swim. But I am not a child anymore and this definitely can't be flirting. The man probably pities me and is simply trying to make me feel better. 

   "Listen," Deon says amiably, taking my hands in his. "I don't want you to be on the lookout all the time. Stop freaking out. I can't tell you everything. You won't understand it. Not yet. But I'll give you all the information I can. It has to be enough for now, ok?"

   I nod in agreement, still dazed and embarrassed, but a bit calmer. I am not used to be touched. Strangely, despite my suspiciousness, Deon's closeness seems to steady my nerves.

   "I'm not from the military forces, but I collaborate with them," he starts. "I experiment with a new technology which can eventually decontaminate soil and change everything in the course of time. We are on an early stage. I have only a greenhouse for now and several fields, situated on different locations in the valley. The army is guarding a wide area, keeping the ORDs away, so that I can work undisturbed. They supply me with everything I need, but also demand for quick results. The person who called was the general in charge of the project. He is an ass, but I get his motives. Food is running out on a global scale. Some animal species have adapted to the new conditions. Toxins have integrated into their system and they can digest anything edible they find. They seem to be in accelerated evolution mode. Unfortunately, it doesn't apply to humans. We need quick solutions to prevent extinction."