Prove Me Wrong (A Ben Mason/Connor Jessup Novel)

To The River

The sun was beating down upon Ben's back as he carried River in his arms. The Second Mass were continuing with their trek. She was still unconscious, exhaustion from her nightmare taking it's toll on her body.

"I'm going to prove him wrong." he muttered to himself. "I have to. I can't let Pope be right."

"Folks, there's a river up ahead. We're going to stop there for a bit. Fill up your water canters get as much rest as possible, we still have far to walk!" the young Mason heard his Dad call out to the rest of the group. Ben wondered how it was that his Dad was such a good leader, always knowing what to do and how to execute plans. Why can't be more like him?

Then Ben's gaze fell upon Maggie and Hal, both warriors who always had each other's backs. Now why couldn't he and River have a strong relationship like that? Because I'm the troublesome factor. Ben had answered his own question.

Glumly, he carried on walking, feeling as if his whole world was slowly crumbling at his feet.

XOX

When she finally began to stir, it was late into the night. They were still walking despite the time. The group were so close to their chosen destination, it seemed foolish to stop and set up camp for another night when in a few hours, they'd finally be at the abandoned hospital Weaver had chosen as the Mass' new base.

From what scout reports had stated, Mechs no longer petrolled the area, all usable metal had been scavenged for, so there was an unlikely chance of Skitters turning up any time soon.

The darkness was extremely disorientating. Where was she? And more importantly, who was carrying her? "Hey, you're up." a familiar voice cheerfully greeted her.

"Hal?" she couldn't make out any of his features. River assumed he must of sensing her stirring or he had the vision of...

...of a creature that can see in the dark.

A Skitter. Or Hal had the vision of a Skitter.

"How're ya feeling?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

"Tired. Where are we?"

"Heading towards our final destination."

"The hospital?"

It took Hal a few minutes to answr. He must have nodded and then realised that she couldn't see him. "Yeah. Weaver thinks it should be Skitter and Mech free. Plus, there is plenty of room for us all."

That sounded nice, Skitter and Mech free. "Sounds heavenly."

She was sure he was grinning, also thinking about a place where there we no aliens.

"So," he cleared his throat. "you gave us quite a scare back at the safehouse."

"Sorry." she mumbled.

He chuckled. "Yeah. Well, at least if you fall down some stairs, you'll be in a hospital."

Rived rolled her eyes, despite Hal not being able to see her. "Very funny." then there was a pause between the male and female. "Hey, Hal, where's Ben?"

"He's walking ahead with Matt and Dad."

"That's good." what else could she really say in reply to his answer? "Good." she mumbled drowsily.

XOX

River realised that she must have fallen asleep again because when she opened her eyes, the female found herself staring up at a hospital ceiling. So, the Second Mass had finally made it. River was undeniably happy to be sleeping at a more permanent location, which also had electricity! It had been so long since she had actually seen a working lightbulb. It was literally like looking at sunshine.

Sighing, she turned her attention to the sleeping figure in the bedside chair. Ben.

He looked so peaceful, that River felt rather guilty waking him up but she was pretty sure that he wasn't comfortable. She realised that this was the first time they were alone together since last night, before the mishaps and stair-tumbling. Oh and Pope being Pope. "Ben?" she whispered. "Ben?" River repeated again a bit louder.

With a groan, he gradually woke up. With a yawn, he looked at her sleepily. "River?"

She simply smiled at his dopey expression. "Hey." River sat up slightly against her pillows. "That chair doesn't look very comfortable."

He shifted in the said furniture. "It's fine."

There was a brief pause.

"I..." she mumbled. "I'm really sorry about yesterday."

Ben's expression suddenly looked extremely hurt as he recalled the events of the previous night. "I'm sorry too."

She shook her head. "No, it's my fault. We shouldn't even be having to have this conversation. Look, Ben, what I said about you proving him wrong, what I said yesterday about it all potentially happening-"

"-He's right." the male interrupted her.

The female froze for a moment before her eyes grew bigger with shock. "What?" she whispered.