Hunted

Chapter Eleven - Luxury

Chapter Eleven

Luxury

Adjusting to our new, luxurious life was difficult.

We'd spent so long in the war, that we'd forgotten how to exist as normal people. Every time we heard a plane overhead, we'd panic and each night I'd make sure the room was securely shut and empty before I went to bed. I wasn't sure that we'd ever recover from the war.

After a few days, things began to change. We started to dress up and go out more, reverting back to our teenage selves. I didn't think I'd ever been vain when it came to my appearance, but one trip to the local shopping centre and I'd returned with armfuls of clothes and bags full of makeup. Most of us had even gone to a specialist to get laser on our eyebrows, legs, armpits and bikini lines.

It was nice knowing that after a few sessions that if we were ever to end up in a war again, we'd at least go through it without looking like cavewomen. In my opinion it was money well spent and I'm sure that if Jamie or Koby were still around they'd agree.

The General had also sent someone down to organise a pamper day for us. We had our hair properly cut and looked after and spent the day getting luxurious massages and treatments of all kinds. By the end of it, Nigel had gotten rid of the mullet and now sported a clean cut doo. Things certainly seemed to be going back to normal, minus the change in the scenery.

After a filling meal, we all parted ways and went to our rooms. It always felt odd to me when we left each other's company, especially when we'd spent a full day together like we had today.

I'd just pulled on my nightgown and let my hair loose when there was a knock at my door. Even in the security of the hotel it frightened me and I had to calm myself before I crossed the room and opened it.

Koby was standing on the other side smiling at me.

"Would it be wrong to tell you how beautiful you look right now?" he asked.

I laughed.

"Considering I'm wearing only a nightgown and haven't done a thing with my hair, I'd say that comment is quite interesting," I said.

He kissed me without a second thought, making me jump back in surprise. The last time Koby had kissed me had been the day we ended things for good. Him kissing me today just bought a wave of emotions back to me that I swore I'd never feel again.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

I pulled him inside my room and shut the door firmly behind him, running my hands through my hair in frustration. When I turned to face him I saw his cheeks red with embarrassment and an expression that looked as though he was angry with himself. For the first time that day, I noticed just how tired he looked, as though he wasn't sleeping.

"You're not sleeping," I said.

"Not really," he admitted. "I can't handle that big room with only me in it. The space is suffocating and I hate it. I've been sharing a room or a tent with someone since this war started. Being alone scares me."

"It scares me too," I said, reaching out and grabbing one of his hands. "Perhaps you could stay here with me. It might do us a world of good."

"I'm not so sure that's a good idea, Esther," he decided, avoiding my eye contact.

"Koby, it's fine," I promised. "Neither of us like being alone, so I see a fairly simple solution to that. Just stay here."

"As friends?" he asked.

"As friends," I confirmed.

He tentatively walked over to the large bed that sat in the middle of the room, and sat on one side of it. He then focussed on removing his shoes, while I switched off the lights and walked around to the other side of the bed. I was settled before he even pulled the covers back from his side of the bed.