The Collectors

August

When I woke up Levi was above me, his thighs on either side of mine. He voice sounded like he was underwater and my vision was fuzzy. I could hear my own breathing and it was shallow. My head was pounding, then suddenly the whole world erupted. There was shouting and someone was pulling me up to my feet. Then it all went black again. Then suddenly blinding light and wind whipping my hair around and then the blackness returned. I came too completely and I was back on solid ground again. As my eyes opened I could see Birdie and Levi talking in hushed voices. Luke and Grace were whispering to each other as well but it seemed that both conversation were centered around the same idea. Underneath my head was Levi's jacket which I was grateful for being there seeing as when I tried to lift my own head it felt as if I had sand bags at the back of head. "She's up." I head Grace call. Levi knelt beside me, his hand grazing my face as he pushed the stray hairs out of my face. "Where are we?" I asked wasting no time on pleasantries. Levi's eyes darted back to something behind me, his face stern. "Wish I knew. When you blacked out the Angels showed up, like they sent out a search party" There it was, that stern look again. "Like that was my fault." There was a voice just behind me. "Shut up! It might as well be. How can we be sure you didn't lead them right topo us. Pretty fucking suspicious that they show up right after you do" Levi growled. I had had enough of the secrecy. I turned my head to see the boy from earlier he was pinned against the tree Birdies knife holding the fabric of his shirt against the trunk. He could run if he wanted to but I had the sneaking suspicion that he was more afraid of Bridie than that knife. I stood up on wobbly feet my eyes still adjusting to the pale sunlight that filtered through the thick trees. I studied the boys face, he looked up at me almost hurt. "Poppy." he sighed. I looked at him taking the knife out of the tree grunting slightly with the effort. I could hear Levi walking behind me assuring me that he was there but he wasn't the one that should be afraid. I placed my hand on the boy's cheek. He leaned into it, "I knew you would remember me." He voice broke as he looked up at me his eyes started to water. "You're right, August." I smiled at him flipping the knife in my hand. Quickly and silently I slashed the blade down his forearm. " I do."