The Blood I Carry

Leaving tonight

Waking up and being in complete pain, while also knowing you have to get on a plane and save your friends in three hours, isn't a good thing. My stomach hurts, my chest is tight and my thigh hurts.

I layed wide awake last night, just thinking about Grayson. The last full conversation we had was me turning him down for my boyfriend. And now, what if he's dead? I will never forgive myself if he is dead and our last conversation was us arguing. It was pointless anyway, war came early.

Sir Cassander, Arlo, Jude, Valentina and Jaxon are all coming as well to get Faye, Raven, Grayson and Brooklyn from The Intelligents headquarters in the UK.

"You ready peach?" Valentina speaks as I walk down the last few steps, walking down to the dining hall.

"Yes I am ready," I take a deep breath at the small stabbing sensation running around my thigh. "Where's Jude?"

"He's already outside getting on the plane, everyone is. But I thought we could walk together." She smiles at me.

We found out last night that one part of the castle was bombed, but somehow I didn't hear the explosion. It isn't a really important part of the castle but it still worries me. But then again that's what I always do, worry.

"How are you feeling?" I ask Valentina.

"I am relieved that my twin isn't dead. I'm not so relieved and happy about this whole rescuing thing, but I want my best friends back and I want them alive. So here we are, going on a plane out of here. You know this is the first time I've ever left End Point since I was 14? I'm sort of terrified. You know don't you, what's it like out there? Any better?"

She speaks firmly, but I can hear the silent fear in her voice, trying to get the better of her.

I sigh. "It's no better, in fact it's probably gotten worse since I've left. I just hope my Uncle Bailey is doing well enough on his own bless him." I say. "Jace Peterson is a nasty man, his face takes over all the streets on massive screens and billboards around the whole city. We can't fly anywhere, you're unable to drive from some places because the streets have been taken over by soldiers and other nasty people or things. They want to bring robots into the situation, it's almost like they want it to be a simulation or a game. We are the characters, they control us, the bad guys. You know?" I ramble, but it's true. I would have said all of that to Arlo or Uncle bailey a few months ago because i always hated how The Intelligent treated everyone. Shoving people or kicking them to the ground just because they are more privileged and they have weapons so it doesn't matter. No one can fight them, even if you tried.

We spoke for a few more minutes, taking a slow walk as we do. We eventually arrive at the plane. My heart rate quickens when i see the plane, i suppose it's a trauma response as last time i was on a plane, it didn't go very well, i'll say that. We step on, Cassander greeting us as we do.

"Hello both, finally." He glares at us slightly, annoyed that we are late, like we usually were to training. "We will be taking off in five minutes exactly and arrive there in the next thirty to forty five minutes, alright? Go sit down."

I look and see Arlo smiling at me, waving me over. I sit next to him, strapping myself in as I do. Although the plane is bigger and I know whatever happened to us last time won't happen again, I am still afraid of this. My leg bounces up and down. Sir Cassander starts speaking again.

"Everybody, listen up. When we arrive I want us all to be prepared, I hope you all have knives strapped to you just in case. But I hope you're all listening carefully, you arent to use your powers unless absolutely necessary. Yes?" Everyone nods. "You are to follow me at all times, you are to act casually, you are not to stare at anyone. Don't bring any sort of attention to yourselves, alright? We go in, we search, we find, we get them out. That's when all hell will break loose. Alarms will sound and soldiers will yell. Don't attack unless you are to be attacked first. You all have bullet proof clothing on, just try to avoid getting shot in the head. It's a dangerous game, healers and bullets to the head. You just may not survive it. When we eventually get out, we run. We run back into the woods, the same way we came. Our very trusted pilot will get us out as fast as possible and Faye or I can hold barrier protection over us. Am i clear?"

Everybody says yes. Everyone understands. It's a lot to take in.

"Are you okay?" Jude speaks to me. I open my eyes, only now realising I'm latching on to his arm. I'm scared of flying after flying once. It makes me sound delusional if you didn't know the backstory to it.

"Im sorry, i'm scared."

"It's okay to be scared, I'm a bit nervous to be honest. I haven't been back here since I was sixteen." he sighs, squeezing my thigh gently as he tilts his head back resting it against the seat.

Sitting on the plane in silence, I get to think alot about what has happened in the last forty eight hours. With some moments I think about it, i go hot and sweaty and my breathing becomes faster and faster and I feel like I'm going to explode any minute. But with other moments I feel calm and comforted, my breathing calms and I wish I could live in that peace forever. But life doesn't work like that. It has to come with many different emotions and scenarios and times where your body will go into fight or flight.

"Jude please can i talk to Liv for a few minutes please? Won't be in your way for long at all." Arlo stands in the aisle, hands in his pockets. He stands awkwardly, as if seeing his sister with her boyfriend is awkward and uncomfortable. Jude agrees and goes to sit with Valentina while Arlo is here.

"Hey you alright? Excited to be back in this shit hole?" I speak sarcastically to him, we always have spoken sarcastically to each other.

"So very excited, it makes me feel sick thinking that we have to go back into the woods and straight past our apartment where Uncle Bailey is and we can't go and see him. I really want to see him and let him know we're okay but I'm sure he knows where we are and that we're okay."

I didnt even think about Uncle Bailey, the woods and walking straight past our old apartment. That also terrifies me. I truly do hope Uncle Bailey is okay. Surely we would be told if he was dead. They couldn't keep that from us. They wouldn't. Surely they wouldn't, right?

I stay silent for a minute, I don't know what to say so I just think. It's a good thing Arlo understands that.

"You know Liv, I think one day you will be able to go to South America. You will be able to and it will be so beautiful for you, just for you."

"Why just me? You have to come with me if you do."

Arlo looks at me, then looks down, the smile melts off his face. He blinks a few times before looking back up, forcing a smile.

"You have to go to places alone to really experience it Olivia. When it's just you and your thoughts, you don't have to worry about other people. You can explore without anyone bugging you or irritating you. It's just you and yourself. It will be perfect. I'll make sure it happens for you one day. Even if that means forcing Jude to let you go alone for a week." He speaks in a calm tone, speaking softly as well so other people don't hear us.

I rest my head on his shoulder, it brings me comfort. I know I can always be myself around him. We may have not had a good relationship the past 4 months, but I think it's getting better. I think he's finally willing to act like my best friend, my brother again. I'm happy with that. I can get used to it again. I can finally have a brother again, someone to laugh about old memories with and someone who knows me better than anyone here.

"I love you, you know that? You're going to do so well in the future. And I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything that has happened and everything that will come in the future. It has been hard and it will be hard, but you can get through it. I know you can."

I smile and one tear rolls down my cheek.

"I love you so much Arlo, you'll never know."

"I love you even more, you'll never, ever know." He sounds different when he says that. But I try not to think too deeply into it. I'm cherishing this moment I have with my brother, the peace before the storm that is to come when we land.

Our sweet moment is ruined when I look out the window and see the woods and my old bedroom window. Here goes nothing.