Project Castaway (Sequel to Project 14)

Chapter 13

I was stuck cleaning the apartment while Lily and August were out and Josh went hunting. Lily and August made a mess of this place. As I finished up I went back to my room. My shotgun was sitting next to the night stand. I was tired. My shoulder still burned a little, but I was getting better. I suddenly heard a banging noise coming from the door.

Getting up I went to go see who it was. Looking through the peep hole, it was Josh. I unlocked the door and Josh came tumbling in. He was coated in blood. I heard him say "lock the door". Josh collapsed on the couch and I locked the door.

"What the hell happened?" I asked and went over to him.

"The Shadows," he panted and hissed in pain with every move he made. "They found me. I was out in the woods and somehow a group found me."

I rubbed my temples. "I gotta get you cleaned up. Come on." I helped Josh to the bathroom connected to my bedroom.

He sat down on the edge of the tub. I had him take off his shirt. Bruising began to form around his abdomen. There were a couple scratches along his face and arms. I chuckled as I started cleaning the wounds on his arms.

"You got some guts, Anderson."

"What's that supposed to mean?" He looked straight in my eyes.

"I mean, you aren't afraid to pick a fight. You win most of the time anyways."

Josh hissed in pain. "You should see the other guy." Josh looked over at his arm. "It hurts!"

"Don't be such a baby."

A smirk formed on his face. I looked over at him. "What?"

Josh shook his head. "I want to kiss you, but I'm in too much pain."

"Smooth, real smooth." I chuckled and finished cleaning him up.

I heard the door open and chattering throughout the quiet building. Sighing, I sat down in front of Josh. He got down on the floor and took my hands in his. His blue eyes scanned mine.

"I'm so sick of hearing them every day and every night." I whispered.

"Cassie, we need to get to that warehouse." Josh rubbed circles on my hands. "I think there's something there that might help us survive. But there's a problem."

"What?" My brow rose.

"That warehouse, it's swarming with Shadows. If we go there, we might possibly not survive."

"Come on. We better get back out there." I got up off the floor and started walking back towards my bedroom.

"Hey, wait." Josh called.

I turned and instantly Josh pinned me against the wall. His lips met mine and I melted into his embrace. I ran a hand through Josh's hair. Josh rested his hands on my waist.

"I love you," Josh whispered on my lips.

"I love you, too." I whispered as I kissed Josh again.

He picked me up and carried me over to the bed. Tomorrow may be my last day alive, so why not make tonight count?

I awoke from yet another nightmare. Sweat caused my hair to be plastered to my forehead. I crept my way out of the blankets and made my way towards the bathroom. Shutting the door, I turned on the light. My hair was a mess and I was only in one of Josh's shirts. I clutched on to the sink. For some reason I was out of breath.

Last night was one of the best nights of my life. I didn't understand why I was about to have a panic attack. I left the bathroom and went out towards the kitchen. Filling up a glass of water, I rested against the counter top. A million thoughts ran through my mind about the warehouse. We were leaving first thing in the morning with or without Lily. I suddenly felt someone grab me from behind.

"Why were you and your boyfriend talking about that warehouse?" A deep voice through gritted teeth asked.

I tried to fight, but my attacker pinned my arms against me. "You don't need to know." I kicked him in the knee and he dropped me. I got up and began running back towards my room.

The attacker tackled me to the floor. He picked me up bridal style and took me out of the apartment. My mind was fuzzy. "I've heard so much about you Cassandra. The Experiments loved you. And that's where you met Josh. The second you saw him, you fell for him."

"How the hell do you know that?" We reached the restaurant and that's when I realized who my attacker was. "August, you better let go of me." He took me to a back room.

"I can't do that. It was my duty to get you."

My eyes turned to slits. I then noticed that August was looking at me seductively. "You're part of the Shadows!" I screamed.

August cringed. "Keep your voice low or else I will kill you."

"Does Lily know?" August set me down on a table.

"No. She doesn't need to know."

I felt August move towards me. I knew what he going to do to me. There was nothing else protecting me beside Josh's shirt. I grabbed something from the side table and hit August in the face. Blood seeped from his cheek and I took off running. All of a sudden, I crashed into someone.

"Cassie, hey," a soothing voice calmed me. "What happened?"

I looked over my shoulder to make sure August wasn't behind me. Tears fell down my face and Josh held me close. "He tried to kill me."

Josh pulled away. "Who tried to kill you?"

"A – August," I stuttered.

Josh grew a stern look on his face. "Come on. We gotta get back to the apartment."

I felt Josh pick me up and carry me to the apartment. August was in his bedroom asleep when we got back. I walked to my bedroom and sat down on the bed. "Get dressed. We're leaving now."

Josh left and I began getting dressed. I through on my flannel and then a jean jacket over it along with black skinny jeans. Josh was getting ready also. I grabbed my shotgun and slung it over my shoulder. Josh was ready when I left my room. He grabbed my hand and we left the apartment.