His Little Distraction ✔️

16

I walked towards Pit after considering several possibilities that could persuade Gally to agree.

"You're awake," Teresa greeted as she saw me approaching.

"Should I thank you? For knocking me out?"

Teresa stood up from her seat, "because you shouldn't help. If you come, you'll successfully lead some Gladers to fight and win. If that happens, Tom won't be willingly want his memories back. He needs to remember."

I glanced at Thomas leaning against the pit wall. "How is Thomas?"

"Not awake yet, it's been four hours," she replied before turning back to me. "Why did you come here? I thought you didn't like me."

"I don't like you, nor Thomas. But I'll do it for the Gladers who helped me while I was here, for Gally too."

Teresa raised her eyebrows, "Gally? He won't cooperate."

"I know, that's why I'll persuade him. So, can you give him space if I manage to convince him?"

"Your time is running out, soldier. It seems they're going to banishing me and Tom before sundown."

"Sounds like a farewell to me?"

Teresa nodded, "that's why, do what you want quickly before we run out of time. If by then Gally still refuses, we'll have to leave him here with his gang."

Despite the bitter reality, I had to try.

I found Gally sorting through wood that used to be our shack.

"It looks uninhabitable now," I said as I approached.

Gally didn't look up, "I can rebuild it. I'll rebuild it as many times as needed..." This time he turned to look at me, "so can't you just stay with me again?

I touched him, feeling his dirty shirt, and brought him into an embrace. "Gally, you know not everything will end up the way you want. I'll stay with you if you come with me. That way, we'll never be apart."

This time Gally's arms reached for me, holding me tighter. "But I can't leave this place."

"You haven't tried, so try it, I'll always be by your side to lift you up when you fail. Keep trying until all your efforts are exhausted. Even when your efforts are exhausted, I will continue to save you."

Gally pulled my face to look at him, "Riley, I don't know... I care about you, but what are these feelings? We've never talked about it, and it seems like it's okay to leave it that way."

I smiled sincerely, "I think that's love."

"Love?" he asked, confused.

"Yes, love. Love comes without your knowledge. Love grows because someone cares about another. Love exists because you want to preserve, to possess. Love is pure without coercion..." I kept rambling with a soft tone while stroking his cheek. "Love complements each other. Love fixes each other. Love saves each other..." Rambling like this while looking at you makes my neck hurt, do you know that, Gally? Nevertheless, I'll do it for as long as it takes for you.

"Do I love you?" he asked innocently. No, I think he already knows the answer. He just wants certainty.

"Yes, you love me," I embraced him once again, bringing his head closer than ever. "And I love you too."

No coercion, no rushed feelings, we just stayed like that, waiting for the moment. Letting time unite our lips.

This is pure love. Our first love.

If I hadn't been sent here, I wouldn't understand the meaning of love.

I'm just a killing machine created by WICKED to eliminate nuisances.

They trained me separately from the other kids just for that purpose. The only goal that kept me alive.

I thought my soul had died long ago, since I stopped seeing if the people I killed had families, if they had loved ones.

I was sure my soul was still frozen until I saw Gally caring about me.

Maybe it wasn't intentional, but I don't regret it.

We hugged each other's souls as long as we could, because Gally's answer wouldn't change.

Just a few hours left before sundown.

Gally brushed the hair from my face and kissed my lips for the last time, "I hope we can meet again."

Love also doesn't force the other to stay, giving up on its dreams.

I wiped his cheek for the last time, "if you ever change your mind, I'll leave a mark on every path I take. Follow them, and find me."

Gally smiled softly, "I'll remember that."

Then he let go of my hand, returning to his duty as a leader.

"Goodbye, Gally."