The Defiant

Good Company

Saya

At least the cows were nice. 

The one I called Bes nudged my stomach, and I cautiously patted her head. 

"The easiest way to get back now is to recreate whatever you were feeling when you first used your power," Levi explained.

I watched him through the screen as he walked through the hallway with Roan. "I'm not sure if I can," I admitted sheepishly, petting Bes as she chewed on my shirt. 

He hummed in thought. "Well, what happened before it happened?"

"I was talking with Dakota about everything that is happening."

"What triggered you to have the emotions you were feeling?"

The wind blew through my hair and lulled me into my thoughts. 

It was Ray and Journey. 

That's what triggered me. I thought all my friends and family were dead; they disappeared after the bombing in Houston. And then, I get this glimmer of hope that they are alive in this facility in Kansas. 

I lost everything. Everything except for a bag full of supplies I took camping that damn day. And I just wanted... wanted something back. I wanted them back.

"Okay," Ray said with a smile. "You are all set, just make sure you get some pictures this time."

I sighed, and a frown found its way to my face. "Are you sure you can't go?"

His soft, caring smile never left. "I've got to watch my sister with Journey tomorrow. I can't leave the poor girl alone with that screaming ball of slime."

"Which one are you referring to?" I joked. 

He chuckled. "Just go, babe. Have fun! Talk to some trees and bushes for me. Tell the birds I said hi and to keep you company while I'm gone."

"Sure thing. Maybe they will listen and give me some worms and berries to eat," I mused. 

He grabbed my bag and brought it to the car, where my dad was waiting to drive me to the trail.

Before I could close the passenger door, Ray stopped it and bent down to give me a long, sweet kiss. 

"How gross. Young love," my dad grumbled, starting the car. 

"See you later Mr. Young," Ray said hurriedly before shutting my door and dashing back inside. 

I woke up the next morning to birds chirping and lapping water from the lake nearby. 

With a yawn, I got up from my sleeping back and grabbed my phone to take some pictures of the surroundings for Ray. 

I had gotten a bunch of notifications during the night. 

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and checked the one from Ray first. 

"I love you," was all he wrote. 

"Love you too :)," I wrote back, a smile making its way to my face.  

Then I checked the message from my parents. 

"Son, don't let this ruin you. You can do great things, and we are so proud of you - Dad and Mom," they wrote. 

"Lol. What is it?" I texted back, getting a little nervous about the response. 

Were they getting a divorce or something? Did an aunt die?