The Edge Of Town

Chapter 7

I slowly wake up to the feeling of something moving in my hair. I open my eyes to see that Smith is sitting there, running his fingers through it. He's sitting very close to me, our faces only a few inches apart.

"What are you doing?" I ask him, remembering that I'm still upset that he made me come back to live with him.

"Do you want to know why you were included in my fears?" he responds. I nod slowly, even though I'm mad doesn't mean I don't want answers. "You were included because you're the first person I've been close to in a long time. Also, I was afraid that I would fail the commander, losing my one chance to win back his trust and have you by my side. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, I wasn't sure that you would feel the same way." I smile at him and a tired smile spreads across his face and he scoots closer to me, putting his forehead against mine. "Then you won't mind if I do this," he whispers, putting his lips against mine. I had no idea that Smith felt this way, I thought that he hated me. I kiss him back, pulling him in closer. His lips are soft and his touches are gentle. It's almost like he's scared to hurt me. We hear a knock on the door but Smith ignores it, keeping his attention on me. I hear the hand scanner beep and the door opens. Smith looks back, getting ready to say something to whoever is trying to disturb him. He sees the commander standing there and his eyes grow wide. "Sir, I'm terribly sorry. This is the first time it has happened," Smith stands up, fixing his shirt.

"I told you that this was forbidden Smith. You did not follow my rules. You are to be sentenced to death," the commander says. He turns around to face his guards. "Take him outside and kill him."

"No, please!" Smith yells. "I promise that it won't happen again!" It's no use, both guards grab his arms, dragging him away.

"Smith! No!" I yell. I reach out to grab him but the commander slaps me back.

"Willow! Help! I can't do this without you!" Smith yells. I have to help him, I can't just let them take him away. I just got him to be mine and I can't lose him already.

"You are no longer our leader, Willow," the commander says, giving me an angry look. "You are to be sentenced to death as well." He pulls a gun from his jacket, pointing it directly at my heart. If I can't be with Smith then I might as well die, I couldn't go on knowing that I'm the one who killed him. I close my eyes and brace myself. I hear him cock the gun and I know that these are my final seconds.

"Say goodbye," the commander whispers to me.

I wake up with sweat running down my back. My hair is sticking to the back of my neck and my hands are trembling. I look over to see that Smith is still sound asleep, his chest slowly rising up and down. I put my head in my hands, I'm tired of having these dreams. Especially now that Smith is included. Is this how I really feel about him or is it just because I'm spending so much time with him? I don't know what to think. I'm starting to hate this whole situation, my mind can't think clearly. I miss my dad, I want to find my mom but I seem to be getting nowhere when it comes to her. I don't want this to be how my life ends, locked up on a ship that I don't even know is safe or not. I want to go home, I don't want to be here anymore.

My vision is starting to get blurry, my eyes starting to fill with tears. I try to wipe them away but they keep coming. I need to get out of the room in order for Smith to stay asleep. I grab my coat and leave the room as fast as I can. The tears just keep coming but at least now I'm able to let it all out. I need to get out of here, I need to find the doors exit doors. I use the elevator and go down to the first floor, looking all around to find the exit. There aren't many rooms down here, just a few sitting rooms and a library. I turn a corner and see a bright sign over a heavy metal door. I can't read the sign, it's those foreign symbols again. There's a hand scanner next to it, hopefully it will work with my hand. I put my hand on the scanner and the screen turns red. It doesn't work. The commander must have programmed the scanners to not let me go outside. "No, no, no," I whisper to myself. I slam my fist on the scanner, pacing back and forth. After a while I get tired so I rest my forehead against the door, the cool metal makes my head feel better.