The Girl from the Ground - Season 1

Episode Seven, Part 2:

Episode Seven, Part 2: 
The Garden of Eden

The violent sounds that rattled throughout Theo's body were becoming more and more noticeable and he knew that could only mean they were getting closer.

He gulped and pulled tighter on the straps of his backpack, feeling a little comforted by how restricting they were around him - as if the pressure of it distracted him from the kind he didn't want to think about.

Though he wasn't sure if he was heading in the right direction, he knew that by following the roaring noise, he would eventually stumble upon someone; if they were from New Riders, they could lead him back to camp where he was going, and if they were from Basilisk, they might be able to reunite him with Veer.

Eventually, the sharp-edged fences of New Riders territory appeared in sight and Theo let out a heavy breath - not quite relief, but not quite the familiar terror he was used to feeling. He crept along the nearby bushes as he had done on his escape from camp and moved upwards to the west side where the fence was at its weakest.

He tucked his backpack under the tree then, after making sure no one was watching, darted over to the fence and squeezed himself through the hole that ran under it.

Theo was back inside camp. Hopefully for the last time. He could feel any sense of belonging the world held for him fizzle out as he crept underneath the grassy surface of New Riders perimetres and his once dry clothes were now damp and stained with mud - a feeling he worried would never wash away, even if it rained and poured for the rest of his life.

After shaking his head free of doubts, Theo moved towards the half building near the fence; it had no roof and was missing almost two of its walls, so he wasn't sure it could really be called a building, but he knew it was where the defectors were kept.

Without much of a plan, Theo poked his head around the wall, startled to find the group of ex-Basilisk members sat on the floor, drenched and leaning against each other to stay warm. Most of them were asleep which he imagined must have been difficult considering the constant patter of rain against them, but it made it easier for him to enter the room and go unnoticed by most.

He glanced around, trying to find Elijah despite never having met him and not having a brave enough voice to speak up in front of everyone.

Kind, and warm, and out of place. Kind, and warm, and out of place. Veer's words kept repeating in his head as he looked around for her friend, but it was hard to find in such a place. Even for Theo - who liked to believe he didn't hold the same nature of cruelty as most of his people - thought it wasn't something that people would recognise him; he thought that even Veer must have had her doubts when they first met.

But then, standing in the corner was a boy with tan skin and a somber expression that contrasted all the harsh, cold, or blank faces of everyone else. His hair was dark, but Theo couldn't tell if it was a little curly like Veer had said as the rain had flattened it out against his head. And she hadn't told him that his skin was covered in various hues of blue and purple, so Theo wasn't sure if it was Elijah...

But then the boy looked over at him, perhaps having sensed that someone was staring, and after a moment offered a sore attempt of a half-smile. Theo could count on one hand the amount of times people had smiled his way, so it was the confirmation he needed that he had found Veer's friend.

He hurried over, trying not to be too obvious about it, and stepped right up close to him. The older boy seemed a little startled - or maybe just confused, but Theo couldn't help but wonder if he was afraid.