The Center of Gravity

Episode 8: Overture

"I don't see any bodies," I stated as I walked around the helicopter once more.

    "Maybe we're not looking hard enough," Seth replied, crouching down to stare into the entrance. By now, snow was falling fast.

    I sighed. He didn't even tell me the whole memory about this place, just made me drag him here.

    His crying on my shoulder didn't last for long. In fact, he seemed embarrassed afterwards. Once he regained self control, he pushed himself away from me and went to investigate as fast as he could.

    I tried not to be hurt by this, but I had been ignoring my feelings for so long that it was becoming more difficult not to show them.

    I crouched beside him.

    "Are you going to tell me the whole story?" I asked.

    "Why do you want to know?"

    "Wh-- why do I want to know?" I stuttered.

    He gave me a look of annoyance.

    I bit my lip. I should've known better. I didn't really tell him anything about my past either, so why should I be prodding him about his?

    "Rowin," a whisper said.

    "What?" I mumbled, assuming it was Seth.

    He looked at me, eyebrows raised.

    "What?" I asked again, more pointedly.

    "I didn't say anything. You're probably just hearing things," he said evenly. I pressed my lips together, hurt by the jab.

"Rowin."

    A chill ran down my spine as I glanced around. I was finally going insane.

    Seth crawled through the small opening of the helicopter, but I didn't follow.

    "Rowin!" the voice said loudly.

    I jumped and turned.

    The debris of the house made a small opening, like a cave. Within, just where the light reached, was a pair of boots. Which led to legs, waist, chest, hands, arms, shoulders. And then a human face.

    My jaw dropped and I blinked to try and clear my vision. This couldn't be real, it was impossible.

    He motioned for me to come over. I glanced at Seth, who was searching though the helicopter. I pointed to myself, hands shaking.

    The man nodded, smiling at me.

    "I won't bite," he said, barely audible.

    Trembling, I stood. There was something about the man -- how he knew my name and why he wanted to talk to me -- that drew me in. He looked to be in his late twenties.

    He stepped back into the shadows.

    Seth was still captivated by the helicopter, so I left him. He didn't seem to want me around anyway.

    I felt myself become nervous as I approached the man. I didn't think there was anyone left.

    But Seth was here and there was the compass-- I shouldn't be surprised there were still people. Not everyone could leave, right?

    Cautiously, I followed to the opening that was about the size of my small bedroom. In the corner, the light reached the man who was huddled in a coat, hat, and gloves. His dark hair swooped across his forehead, green eyes boring into me. He was tall and scrawny with an expectant expression.