The Changed

Chapter 24- Tess

Why would Frost want to meet me? I'm not as important as Commander Palmer or Nick. Even Edward is more important than me considering he had just got out of pure hell. He's the one who knows the government plans anyway, what did I know? We spent the rest of the day surveying maps, making sure soldiers were ready and getting supplies into the bunkers. It was ten o'clock by the time Nick said I could go. He had already taken Edward back to his infirmary room as he couldn't keep his eyes open. After probably having little sleep when he was with Frost, his body just couldn't take it anymore.

Caleb was walking with me back up to our rooms. "What's wrong, Tess? You seem a bit distracted," he said.

"It's just Edward. He seemed so...different. He isn't the same person as he was when I...when he...well, when he stayed behind at the government's base," I mumbled.

"He's been through something no one should," Caleb said. "He just needs a bit of time."

"Today, he hardly spoke to me at all apart from telling me that I'm not going to see Frost. When he first got here, I could see the real Edward still in there. Now, he seems harder, like he doesn't care anymore," I said.

"Like I said, he needs time. Believe me, he's still trying to protect you," Caleb said.

"What makes you say that?"

"When he asked to speak to me earlier, he wanted to know if there was anything...going on with...you know...me and you," Caleb mumbled. He was turning bright red with embarrassment. I was shocked. Yes I liked Caleb and I knew he like me but we had only known each other for a couple of days. Heck, it seemed longer but still, that's what it was.

"Is there anything going on between me and you?" I asked curiously. I knew it was wrong to tease him but I was interested. Caleb stood there gasping and gaping.

"Well...there could be...if you wanted to. I mean...its your decision of course but I'm not forcing you to do anything," he stammered. I laughed.

"You know what? Thank you for making me feel better, Caleb. I have a feeling that my brother has maybe had a little word with you but I don't care. Maybe I could be your girlfriend. If what Frost says is true and that we're be lucky to survive the next week, I don't think we should wait in case the worst should happen," I said. To be honest, I was a little surprised with myself saying this but I wanted to be Caleb's girlfriend. Who cares if we are too young?

"You really want to?" Caleb said in disbelief.

"Yes, I do." We had reached his mother's office now. I turned and kissed Caleb on the cheek. "Goodnight, Caleb," I whispered. I turned and walked into my room, leaving Caleb standing there with a grin on his face.

***

I slept fitfully, my dreams still connected to Edward's. I could feel him waking up in cold sweat still believing that he was with the government. It was kind of scary how I knew exactly what was going on with him. I was sure he knew what was going on with me too but he didn't say it. I spent the night weaving in and out of Ed's dreams, stepping in where I could to put a stop to his nightmares. I was getting better at controlling my telepathy now but it meant I didn't sleep that well either.

I slept in again and woke up around half ten in the morning. When I finally got myself together, Caleb was finishing breakfast with Ed. "Morning!" I said cheerfully. I kissed Ed on the cheek.

"Morning, about time you got up," Ed said cheekily in return. I smiled. That sounded more like the brother I knew. I turned to Caleb who was watching us carefully. "Good morning, Caleb. You OK?" I asked him.

"Yes. I'm perfectly fine. In fact, never been better," he said. By the look on his face, I couldn't help but agree with him. He looked the happiest I'd seen since I've known him. I took a seat and started buttering some toast.

"Are you definitely sure you want to go today?" Edward said to me. "Because I certainly don't trust Frost and I really don't want you to go."

"I have to go, Ed," I mumbled. "We don't know what he will do if I don't. Besides, Nick will look after me."

"I'm not saying that you can't handle yourself, or that Nick can't protect you," Ed said. "That man is pure evil and I don't want you going anywhere near him ever again." He winced and held his side again. "Look, I've got to go and get some tablets. Could someone take me down?" He asked.

"Yeah, I will," Caleb said. He stood up and started wheeling Ed out of the door. Just as he was about to close it, he said, "Nick wants to see you by the way." I nodded. They left the room leaving me sitting there with a terrible feeling sitting in my stomach.

***

I went to see Nick who had prepared everything for our little trip down the valley. We left in the helicopter at twelve o'clock so we had enough time to find where Frost was in the valley.

 I sat up front with Nick while the Commander sat in the back. Nick seemed like he didn't want to speak so I stayed quiet, staring out of the helicopter at the view below. I spotted the trail me and Caleb used when we went riding together below us. I smiled at the memory, the boy who trusted me with a secret as scary as who his uncle was. There weren't many people in the world like Caleb, I guess that's a reason why I agreed to be his girlfriend last night.

After flying for half an hour, we spotted red smoke in the overcast sky. "They must have seen the helicopter," Nick grunted.

"Or their little tracker thing is still working," I murmured.

"I swept this chopper thoroughly but I couldn't find the damn thing," Nick growled. "I doubt they used the tracker though, they knew we were coming anyway." Nick circled around and landed on the grass. We all got out of the copter and started making our way towards the smoke. When we arrived, we found tents as far as the eye could see all the way down the valley. There was a big tent in front of us with guards standing to attention outside. In between them was him.

Frost.

Before I might have hidden behind Nick but I wasn't scared of him now. What he did to my brother was unforgivable and I was going to kill him for it. "Ah, Captain Garland," Frost said in his silky voice. "How nice to see you again. I must say, I was quite impressed when I found out you were a spy. Not many people slip through our nets." He turned to the Commander. "April, my sister. It's been a while."

"You have no right to call me 'sister'," the Commander said. "I disowned you years ago, you snake."

"And I see that you're as lovely as ever," Frost chuckled. His clear eyes locked with my firey green ones. "Miss Halister. How have you been since you were taken from our care?"

"What care?" I snorted. "All you ever did was torture us and steal our powers."

"I was simply trying to save the world. You should be proud of your sacrifice," Frost said calmly. "What about young Edward? I trust he is recovering."

"Why you little-" I screamed and launched myself Frost, hands flaming. Before I could touch him, Nick caught me out of mid-air and held me back.

"Tess, calm down. He can say all he likes but remember, Edward is out of his reach now," Nick reasoned. Still gripping my shoulders, he faced Frost. "It would do you well not to antagonise my friend here. You brought us here to talk, so talk," he said roughly.

"Very well then," Frost said. He waved his hand at the tent. "Please come inside and we can discuss your fate."

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CricketCat