The Cost for Freedom

Chapter 25

On my way back last night, my mind was all over the place thinking through everything. Until I had finally realized none of it would matter or make sense until I got sleep. But even that proved difficult when I couldn't even fall asleep from the soreness of my arm, unable to find a comfortable position. My body thanked me when I slept through the second alarm, my brain tired from whatever happened with Derek, to seeing Evelyn, and then Cecil's threat.

I passed the countless final corner in the halls leading to the dining hall when I stopped short upon seeing him. Tyler was just up ahead, talking with some other guards. He looked healthy enough, and happy. But what happened to the Tyler I'd seen chained up? And why had he been?

My feet had still been walking slowly forward, glacially so. My look was glazed over, hazed with the thoughts swirling inside my head. Tyler had noticed me and began approaching me, all before I had even noticed him coming closer, "Alexis?"

I was pulled out of my daze, "Tyler."

He clearly looked unsure; of what I wasn't positive. I was happy to see him, just confused at how I was really seeing him right now. "Where have you been?"

"What do you mean? I've been out on-on mission! Didn't they announce that?" He looked flabbergasted, as if my question were crazy, his eyes alight with an exciting spark.

"Oh, no," I blink at him, shaking my head trying my best to fake a smile. "They didn't say anything about that. I think after the last Arc that left, and well... when they died I think they stopped announcing it..." I trail off when I notice how he was looking at me.

A smile had spread across his face and his hand went up to caress my cheek, putting a strand of hair behind my ear. "I've missed you. God, you're so beautiful." He pulls me roughly into his arms, tightening his hold around me.

I couldn't help the smile that now genuinely spread across my face. "Thank you, Tyler." I lean closer towards him. "I've missed you too," I breathe.

He pulls away briefly only to hold my cheek and pull my face towards his. I step closer to him still, against his chest that widens with a sigh when his arm wraps around my waist. Our lips meet and I smile momentarily until his lips dance more forcibly against my own. His hand moves to my neck as I slide both of mine upwards across his broad chest.

Pulling away, I face him smiling, "It is good to see you again."

"Mhm," neither of us had made a move to separate. I notice his warm smile. "I've missed you."

I laugh lightly, "You already said that..."

"Did I?" he had finally stepped back, reaching to hold my hand. "Well then I meant it."

"I was just," I stop, trying to find the right words. I was worried about him, but after Cecil's threats of being together, was it safe to I admit that? "I never saw you after you ran into the tower that day. And with the screams, I th-thought the worst."

"Alexis, I'm so sorry," he holds my hand tighter. "I just didn't have a way of telling you. I told my dad he should tell some of the recruits I had been training that I would be gone..." he trails off, seeming confused.

I stifled an eye roll and bit my tongue. "Well he never told anyone, Tyler. I didn't know what had happened to you." Of course his father withheld this information. Tyler just couldn't see that his dad was the reason, or understand why.

"Well I'm sure he didn't mean to. Things have gotten... busy lately. The attack on Arc 34 was just the beginning."

"Yeah, about Arc 34. Do we know what happened to them?"