Waveland

Chapter 2

Xavier was silent behind Rose following her every step. Directing her every once in a while toward his people. The only sound heard between them was the sound of branches and leaves crunching beneath their feet. Xavier admired the confidence Rose held walking through the woods. He found it odd how she didn't seem at all panicked about the danger that could be roaming around them, she seemed at peace. The confidence she betrayed was like nothing he had ever seen before. 

"We should be close." Rose glared at Xavier hating his attempt to break the silence. 

Rose remained silent. She knew she did the right thing helping the innocent boy who didn't deserve to die at the hands of a monster. She wanted to give him back to his people and then go about her days being more dangerous than this boy would ever know. She knew in his brain she was the hero, but the truth was she was just as bad as the people they just left behind. 

"Where are your people?" Another attempt to break the silence. Rose stopped in her tracks. Slowly facing Xavier who almost stumbled into her. They were inches away from each other. An inch of air separates their bodies from touch. 

"I prefer being alone," Rose spoke in a stern voice.

Rose watched Xavier's throat bubble, the nervousness getting to him. He nodded, speechless or too scared to say anything. They walked the rest of the way in bitter silence

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Finally the stone vinery wall appeared in front of them. The wall protects his people from the outside world. It was their first primary defense against the monsters both humans and animal like. Xavier raised his fist inches away from the wall, but he took one last longing look at Rose. Who stood behind him, never an inch of fear showing. He dreaded the moment he finally reunited with his family because he knew it would mean the end of their adventure and he would have to say goodbye. 

"I promise you will like them." Xavier whispered in joking manner. Attempting his charm on her.

"Unlikely, since they are the reason you almost died." Rose didn't even look at him. She kept her focus on the wall. Observing. 

Xavier glanced at her. Not saying anything. For a split second his gaze drifted toward her lips. Xavier wanted to say something, but he wasn't sure what. He didn't have any time to react when he heard a loud ringing sound instantly covering his ears. A hard object collided with him knocking him to the ground. The wind felt like it was knocked from his body, making it hard to breathe. He opened his eyes to see Rose on top of him. Rose's head was tucked into his shoulder.

"Yeah, your people are great. Especially when they are shooting at you." Rose pushed herself off of him. He went still feeling the immediate release of the body contact. It took him a second to adjust to what just happened. His people shooting him. Rose tackled him to the ground, saving his life, again.

"It's Xavier!" Someone screamed on the other side of the slowly opening wall. Xavier heard the sound of chains colliding as the gate opened fully revealing David, their leader but also someone who was like a dad to him.

Xavier stood up quickly walking through the gates with Rose behind him. 

"It's good to have you back son." David clapped a hand on his shoulder. The relief immediately left the man's face when he saw Rose. 

"But who the hell are you?" David spoke in a demanding manner, moving past Xavier with one hand on his hip gripping the pistol like the ex-cop he was. 

The people in our camp slowly started to crowd the entrance. Hearing the gates opening and the commotion surrounding our leader and the new visitor.

"I am the person who saved Xavier's life because someone was too much of a coward." Rose took a big step toward their leader. Gasps were heard from the watchers. David may be their leader, but he was a feared man. No one ever threatened his authority. People were invested in what was gonna happen between their leader and this teenage girl who looked like death lived in her eyes.