Wartorn

Chapter 7

The next few days pass in a blur of walking and stolen kisses. Only when Logan isn't looking, though. No self-respecting big sister puts her little bro through that torture. Dante and I are smiling more, though. I think being together helps to dull the pain Gwen's death has brought, even though I see her every time I look at him. They've done a darn good job at blowing everything up. Nothing is intact. I'll be glad when we start to see structures again. Maybe then I won't feel so small.

Logan has run ahead, towards the setting sun on the horizon. "I'm tired!" I moan at Dante, sticking out my bottom lip in a mock pout.

"Easily fixed," he smirks, picking me up and throwing me over his shoulder. I thrash around in protest, giggling, but in actual fact I am enjoying the feeling of his arms around me. After a couple of minutes I decide to give up the pretence and rest my head on his back.

"Giving up so soon?" he laughs.

"No. I'm tired," I shoot back. I can barely see his feet. The sun hasn't taken long to set.

"Let's set up camp then," he suggests, and I agree. We call Logan back, and Dante sets me gently on the ground and sits down beside me.

"So... am I still an asshole in your books?" he teases. I roll my eyes.

"Yes."

"Come on! We both know you love me really."

"Nope."

Dante produces a red rose from behind his back. "Well," he says, flipping me over so he's above me, "I certainly love you." He leans down to kiss me...

"Seriously! Get a room!" Logan yells from a few metres away, making gagging gestures. Holy crap. That's my seven year old brother! Dante is such a bad influence on Logan. That said, I'm not sure he's such a good influence on me either. I quickly give him a peck on the cheek, and sit up, holding the rose in my hands. It's so delicate. I don't know where he got it, and quite frequently, I don't really care. All I care about is that he loves me. Not likes- loves. I smile. God he's adorable. And so honest! I suddenly realise Dante's talking to me.

"Daydreaming about me, are we?" he asks cockily.

"Yes, actually," I reply smoothly. "Don't go getting a big head now." He laughs. Logan is running in circles around us yelling about cooties.

"Logan. Go to bed," I say, cheeks flaming. I can't believe he saw that.

"But..."

"Now," I add bossily. He huffs, but obliges.

"What about me?" Dante asks cheekily.

"You can go to bed too," I smile.

"What? No goodnight kiss?"

"Nope."

He suddenly clamps his arms around my waist.

"I'll let go when you give me that goodnight kiss I know you so desperately want to give me," he laughs, convinced I'll give in.

"Good luck with that," I reply. He seems to think for a moment, then he lies down, dragging me with him.

"No goodnight kiss, you stay like this all night."

"Goodnight," I yawn, and laying my head on his shoulder. Two can play at this game. Just before I fall asleep, I can faintly hear him whispering.

"I love you with all my heart, Sun. I don't ever want to let you go." And with that I pass into a world of dreams, still tightly encased in his arms.

*   *   *

Gee, I hate walking. Logan doesn't seem to have anything against it. In fact, he's at his happiest when we're making our way across the countryside. I guess that's just something we don't have in common. I've been complaining so much, Dante is currently giving me a piggy back. I think we're both using my excuses to get closer to each other.

Logan comes running back at the speed of light.

"Dante! Sonya! There's a house! And there's someone crying in the house!" he says excitedly. Dante puts me down, and we both start running towards the house that neither of us saw, due to being too fascinated by each other. You can't really call it a house, because it has collapsed. It's more debris than anything. But Logan is right- there's someone crying. I begin to sift through the wreckage with my hands.

"Are you alright? Who's there?" I call, frantically trying to free the trapped person. The crying only intensifies. I finally reach a hand, and I grab hold of it.

"It's alright. We've got you," I soothe, as Dante helps me free the little girl. Her skin is deathly pale and she has her hair in two plaits, which are falling out. She's obviously been trapped in there for days.

"What's your name?" I ask gently. She takes a few minutes to answer.

"M-my na-name is Eliza," she stutters, shaking. I immediately feel a protective sisterly instinct towards her. She even looks like me.

"Where's your mummy and daddy?"

"Gone," she replies simply.

"Did they abandon you or get blown up?" Dante asks.

"Dante!" I chastise. Sometimes his honesty can become just plain tactlessness.

"Do you have any other family?" She shakes her head and starts to sniffle again. I put my arm around her.

"It's okay. We'll be your new family."

*   *   *

We make camp beside the pile of debris that used to be Eliza's home. Logan seems to have taken an immediate fancy to her. He's been giving her cuddles when she looks upset. Good on him. She needs a friend after what she's been through. After fixing us a meal from what sparse vegetation I can find, I settle down next to Dante, and he wraps his arms around my waist as we watch Logan and Eliza. I smile. My brother has something else to do now that doesn't involve mentioning cooties. Dante taps me on the shoulder, and directs my attention back to the pair. Logan is down on one knee in front of Eliza.

"Liza, will you be my girlfrwend?" Logan asks, shooting her his adorable gap toothed smile. He pulls a flower from behind his back (where are these boys getting the flowers from?).

"Yes," Eliza replies, returning his grin. Logan puts the flower behind her ear, and gives her a kiss on the cheek.

Aww. My little brother's growing up.

How adorable is that? Thanks to Kayla for the idea :). Picture of Eliza to the side -->>>>>>>

And on chapter 5 I've added a picture of Brookie.

-C xx <3