The Last of the Old Ones

Amber

Chapter Sixteen: Amber

I shut the door behind me after my walk with Colin, I didn't even have the energy to change before I plopped on my bed. I had to accept this was my life now and I couldn't break down every time I got new, upsetting information. I needed to be strong and the symbol of hope the people thought I was. Colin was the only person I had ever felt safe to be vulnerable with, but I hated that our time together always ended in me crying to him.

"Boo-hoo Amber, woah is me, now toughen up." I told myself quietly, "Mom and Dad would be tougher than this." I added, tears falling down my cheeks again. I held my galaxy stone in my hand, close to my chest.

"I miss you guys. I wish I could just remember you." I said out loud as if my parents could somehow hear and guide me.

This is how I spent most of my nights since I'd been here, either crying myself to sleep or riddled with nightmares. This was all a lot to handle, but I couldn't let anyone believe I couldn't handle it. I had begun to rely on Colin's company, as well as Astrid's. I enjoyed being around them and finally felt like I belonged somewhere but there was still an emptiness, one that I did not know if I could overcome. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and did not recognize who was looking back at me. Not only physically but I had changed so much personality wise. On top of that, I was now living another life.

My thoughts continued to race as I turned my back to the mirror and pulled my blankets around me. I realized I was still wearing Colin's hoodie and pulled it closer around me, his smell filled my nose, providing me with much needed comfort. At last, I started drifting off to sleep, maybe tonight would be a peaceful one.

Alas, I tossed and turned for hours, so close but never quite catching sleep. Before I realized what I was doing, I found myself outside Colin's room, knocking gently on his door.

A very sleepy-eyed Colin opened his door.

"Hey Amber, what's up?" His half-asleep voice was gruff and deeper than normal, concern written all over his face.

"I can't sleep, I don't think I can be alone tonight..." I admitted my weakness as he welcomed me into his room. He sat back down in his bed and lifted the covers for me to sit next to him. I rested my head on his shoulder and relaxed against him. He kissed the top of my head in his half-asleep state. I traced my fingers along the two band tattoos connected by swirling patterns that covered his arm. I could feel him relax the rest of the way into my touch. Could it be he needed my presence as much as I needed his? I let my eyes start to close as I snuggled into him.

That's when a loud buzzing sound went off, it was some kind of alarm.

"What's that?" I asked panicked. Colin grabbed my hand and pulled me off the bed, all traces of his previous sleepy stupor now gone.

"This way." He said, leading me in the direction down the hall where everyone else in the house was heading. I had never heard such a serious tone leave his lips. He was calm, collected and in control.

We all made our way downstairs, no one seemed too panicked, but I could tell by Colin's expression that he was worried. "What's going on?" I asked, "What are those alarms?" He pulled me away from everyone into his secret room.

"They mean the Blank Faces are near...it could be a breach in our security system, or they found a way through the forcefield somehow," Colin began in a hushed voice as he led me across the room and motioned for me to sat down in the corner of the room, behind the bouncy vinyl. "If they find a way in, they won't find you in here." He added. He slid down next to me as my heart pounded, without realizing it, I was squeezing Colin's hand. He obviously didn't care if he noticed at all.