Is This True Love? (DNF)

Chapter 67: Searching

The return of an iconic character...
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George POV.

“I can radio it in for you, you need to be fast.” Reluctantly she nodded, and the blond said that he’d organise someone to cover her. Her smile grew as she thanked him and scanned a keycard before running through the door. As it was about to swing closed the blond stood in the way, keeping it open and motioning for me to walk over.

There was a wide smirk on the blond’s face, one which made me want to roll my eyes and giggle at the same time as I approached him. When I got close I spoke excitedly, voice low and me basically bouncing with excitement. “I can’t believe it.” I looked past him through the door, seeing the dark grey metal which lined the hallway. “...this is it.”

“It is.” He nodded, and with one hand he pushed the door fully open to allow me inside. With an aura of confidence I took a few steps forward before pausing, concerning the blond. “George?” He asked, having stepped already into the dark confined hallway, making me fear that I’d be trapped, like some kind of rodent.

“I’m scared.” I admitted, hesitating back by a half step. “What if-what if it’s different out there. What if I don’t like it? What if I miss this place?”
“Will you miss it?” He asked instead of answering my question.

“I don’t know.” This was so conflicting. My freedom was five minutes away, all that I had to do was step inside the constricting metal. Yet seeing the way that even Clay, six-foot-tall Clay, couldn’t stand upright made me cautious, made me realise that perhaps the open would be safer, even within this prison.

The edge of the grass which rutted against the metal floor was like a wall, with me hesitating to try and cross. All that I could focus on was my breathing, not even caring about Clay as he tried to coax me forward. My legs began to shake but before they came out from under me a pair of arms wrapped protectively around me.

“George.” Clay’s voice was simple as he said my name. “You are okay, you don’t have to worry about anything. I will take care of you. You’ll be safe with me.”
“You promise?” Perhaps it was childish to ask, but I just felt so small and weak right now.

“Of course I promise.” His hands held mine, our bodies fitting together like puzzle pieces and I allowed my eyes to close. I felt him leading me until I felt the warmth of the forest melt away and be replaced by an artificial cold. “George, I won’t let anything happen to you, ever.”
“I trust you.” My eyes opened, seeing he’d gently guided me inside.

Standing within the cold metal I turned to dare a glance back outside. Contrast against the cold dark greys was the green of the wild flora and fauna within the dome. It was framed beautifully, like a picture, a splash of colour against the cold and the drab and the darkness.

It was as if within this dome the colour had all bled out from the world, leaving nothing to look forward to. I watched as the grey bled, filling the forest and the world I’d left with the same pointless colours which drew me away. My hand was still holding the blond’s giving a squeeze for comfort and reassurance. “Let’s go.” The words were nearly non-existent but he heard.

Niki POV.

I couldn’t help but keep glancing over at the needle that Jack was carrying. It wasn’t big, and perhaps it was my fear of needles talking, but I didn’t like the idea of stabbing anyone with one of those, especially George.

Truthfully I cared about George, and about Clay, having grown closer to both of them over the past few weeks. I went from appearing in one or two episodes a week and being able to relax in my own home to being in the same house as George, keeping up my life and not being able to truly relax fifteen hours a day.

Yet it had been fun spending time with other people, and I didn’t want them to be forced back against their will. If I voiced these opinions though I’d be as hated as Clay currently was, treated like I was some kind of traitor to my job, to this show.

Jack was kind enough to do most of the searching, believing my excuse that I had a migraine and wasn’t able to search with 100% enthusiasm. I watched him, listening to the sound of him calling out George and Clay’s name. I noticed every once and a while he’d glance back at me to see if my migraine was healing.

He was a nice guy, having been an old highschool friend of George, someone who grew apart over the years. Now he was working as a comedian, which was a pretty good job as it meant he could travel as he pleased, claiming it to be a ‘tour’, when in reality it meant he could come and go to visit his family whenever he wanted.

“Are you okay?” He turned and walked towards me, concern lacing his brows. “Niki?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” I nodded, moving a hand up to my forehead and rubbing it tenderly as though I was still trying to nurse my migraine. “Just… you calling out is kind of loud and it hurts.”
“Oh.” He was apologetic, muttering quiet ‘sorry’s before turning to continue searching.

I didn’t want to be around him at the moment. Truly I loved him as a friend, he was funny and kind and he cared about me, yet I wanted to just have some time alone, a chance to think through my conflicted thoughts. “Perhaps it would be smart if we split up.” I offered, not making eye contact with him as I spoke. “We could cover more ground.”

“Maybe.” He nodded, before hesitating. ”But what if one of us finds George and the needle is with the other person? How will we be able to deal with him?”
“You can take it.” I suggested. “You’re fast and so if I see George I can call you and you’ll be able to catch him in less than a minute.”

I mean I’d not seen him run since highschool yet I remembered him doing well whenever there was a race there, but out of sympathy towards me or pride at my compliment, Jack nodded. “Yeah, just call if you need me.” He turned and left, walking further out through the vegetation and I moved towards the wall of the dome, deciding perhaps I could just pause for a moment.

Slowly I walked, not caring to keep focused for George, just being lost in my own thoughts with the fabric of my shirt brushing against the wall. “George.” I glanced up at the name of the man I was supposed to be searching for. “You are okay, you don’t have to worry about anything. I will take care of you. You’ll be safe with me.”

“You promise?” George asked, and I saw the two of them holding one another, only a few feet ahead of me. Both were in such a tight embrace with their faces hidden against each other.
“Of course I promise.” Clay’s voice, it was full of care and love, and I managed to see his face as he admired the brunette. “George, I won’t let anything happen to you, ever.”

I noticed his gaze shift, moving over to look at me and seeming concerned. Before he had the chance to react or say anything though I took a few steps back and looked down at the grass. “I trust you.” George was looking at Clay, having the same look of love that Clay had shown him. With a small smile directed at the sweet scene I turned and walked off silently.
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1343 words