The Changed

Chapter 16- Tess

I couldn't believe that Caleb came and found me after what I did. I basically destroyed his mum's office and still he wanted to help me. I don't even know where that power had come from having spent the whole day utterly exhausted. I don't remember much about what happened either. All I know is I saw red and just got really angry when she said that she was going to leave Edward to suffer. The fact that Caleb is trying to help me rescue him against his mother's commands...well...it was probably the nicest thing someone had done for me in a long time. I knew Nick would help but I thought that was it for my allies.

We walked briskly down the brightly coloured hallways. They were all deserted but Nick told me that everyone was at that evenings announcements. He also said that the hall would be the most likely place to find Caleb's friend.

We reached the archway that marked the entrance to the hall. I could see it was crowded with men, women and children. One little girl, I noticed, was plucked from her seat and placed on top of her father's shoulders with a tiny whirl wind in her hand. Caleb's mother was standing on a podium in the middle of the hall, the tables were all around her with dirty plates still stacked up on them. We just caught the end of her speech. "...very good to hear that news from Mr. Williams. And finally, today we have a new arrival. She has had a brutal last week as she was a prisoner with her brother in the government's base. Some of the experiences I have heard about have been horrific but she is safe now. Unfortunately we haven't been able to apprehend the boy but there will be no rescue attempt at the moment. Please welcome Tess Halister warmly." The crowd burst into applause, whooping in admiration.

Someone must have recognised me as everyone circled around me saying various versions of welcome. I smiled and nodded until Nick managed to push past everyone to clear a path. Some people cleared away the dinner plates and served dessert. Nick and Caleb lead me in between the tables towards one in the darkest corner. A bald man with a scarred face sat there with a note pad and pen. " Hello Cain," Caleb said taking a seat opposite him. Nick and I followed his lead. Cain nodded. "How are you?" Cain scribbled something down on his notepad. It read: I'm fine. Why do you care anyway, Palmer?

"I was just trying to be nice," Caleb mumbled.

"Can't he speak?" I asked. Caleb shook his head.

"He lost his tongue during the riots outside his house. He speaks by notepad now," he said. Cain raised his eyebrows at me. "Sorry," I said. "I'm just curious."

"Yeah, enough of the formalities," Nick groaned. "Get your friend here to help us, Caleb." Cain rolled his eyes and gestured for Caleb to explain. "We need a favour, Cain," Caleb said. "You just heard from my mother that Tess was rescued today from the government. Her older brother is still in their hands. We need your power to help us rescue him." Cain started scribbling again: why do you need me? Just ask your mother and she will storm the building for you.

"That's the thing. My mother has refused to send a team because she doesn't want to risk losing anyone else," Caleb explained.

Say I do agree to help you, what's in it for me? Why should I help you?

"Because otherwise you would be responsible for someone dying and I don't think you want that, do you Cain?" Nick said. "Just think, one death could lead to many. I've seen what they do. If they manage to harness his powers...its the end for all of us."

"It's true," Caleb piped up. "I have seen what Tess can do. If her brother is anything like her then he is worth saving." Cain seemed to think about it. He stroked his scarred chin thoughtfully then wrote: I'll help you but not you or her or anyone. I don't want to die so this is for me. "Thank you Cain," I said. Cain shrugged his shoulders then disappeared into thin air. He turned invisible...

"Well that was..." Nick started.

"I know..." Caleb said. "Please ignore him. He is a bit unpredictable."

"You're not kidding," Nick said. We sat there in silence for a minute, not really knowing what to do.

"Come on," Caleb finally said to me. "I'll show you the guest room where you can sleep. It's a bit nicer than the rooms where everyone else sleeps but also its next to my room so you won't be so alone." I got up and walked back through the tables and the arch. I sort of knew my way back to the Commander's office so Caleb didn't have to lead me.

When we got back, he took me to a different door which lead into the guest bedroom. It had beautiful cool blue walls with sea green bed covers and a light blue sofa. The double bed looked crisp and comfy. There was a ensuite bathroom and an elegant glass chandelier hanging off the ceiling. "Woah," I said. "Is this for me?"

"Yeah, for as long as you like," Caleb said leaning on the door. I wondered around the rooms, brushing my fingers against the leather sofa and the bed covers. "It's better than I've ever had," I've whispered.

"So you like it?" Caleb asked.

"I love it!" I said, jumping into his arms for a hug. He seemed pretty surprised but hugged me tightly back.

"So...umm...do you...umm...do you want to go find you some clothes to wear?" Caleb stammered. I released him and realised that he was bright red.

"Yeah, I think that might be helpful," I said.

"Ok, you stay here and get used to your new room, I'll go and find a friend of mine who sells clothes. She'll get something for you," Caleb said.

"But she won't know what I like."

"Oh, don't worry," Caleb said. "If I know Laura, she'll know without you even having to be there."

"How?"

"She can read minds. Not from a great distance but she knows everything about everyone on this base. If she could read the people working for the governments minds then I doubt we would be here," Caleb said. "I'll go now." He dipped his head in a nod and wandered out of the room.

I spun around and jumped on the bed. Throwing myself back, my head landed on the soft pillows. This was all for me. Caleb was being so nice to me and I wasn't sure if I deserved it. I mean, what had I done since I got here? Gone out riding and destroyed the Commander's office and Edward was no closer to being rescued. Sure we got Cain's help but I didn't exactly trust him. He could back out anytime he wanted. I was so tired that I fell asleep on the bed before Caleb came back and without changing into different clothes. I knew I must have been asleep because I heard Edward's voice screaming.

"Somebody help me!"

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Hey guys!!!!!

Sorry for a bit of a slow chapter but I'm trying to build up to an exciting one!!!! And also I'm sorry for a bit of a slow update but I couldn't work out what to put in this chapter, it was such hard work writing it!!!!

Soooooooo anyway, I hope you enjoyed this one!!!!

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