The Haven

Chapter 4

Everything aches.

I try to walk to him, stumbling and falling as I go, until I finally make it. The red clay and dirt is dried on his face and his lips are severly chapped. He looks so dry. I place my hand on his chest and feel the faint thumping of his slowing heart.

He's still alive.

I have to get him water, but there is nothing here but sand. We are both going to die. I sob and cry, but no tears come. This is where we end, where we give up.

No. No Aaliyah, never give up. I want to listen to my conscience, but whats the use? there is nothing more for me to do, nothing I can do. This is the end.

You know thats not true. What about Mom? I recoil at the thought of her. What they did to her. I need to find her and bring her home.

And don't tell me your giving up on your brother, remember the promise? I'm not giving up on him! I scream at the voice in my head. I would never give up on him. But what can I do? I've failed him. Failed Mom. Failed myself.

My head is starting to spin, as well as my vision. I see something coming from over the hill. Instinctively, I clutch my brother in my arms, just like I did when Mom was taken. I can see the thing more clearly now as it gets closer. It's a jeep. How did they find us?! They can't take us away now! The jeep gets closer, I try to run away, but I can't while holding my brother, and I would never leave him behind. I close my eyes and squeeze my brother close, praying the Takers would go away.

"Are you alright?" This voice is different from a Taker's. I open my eyes to see the jeep has pulled up right next to my brother and I, and sitting in the drivers seat is a boy. He looks my age and his clothes are torn. I admire his dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes. Something about him gains my trust. He climbs out of the jeep and grabs my brother from my arms. And I let him. After putting him in the car, he helps me get in also.

"My name is River, what is your name?" He asks as he drives through the desert. I can feel sleep prying at my eyes. I'm so tired.

"Aaliyah." I yawn out, then let my eyes close and sleep drown me in its darkness.

***

I woke up crying. Not a lot, but just enough to leave wet tear stains running down my cheeks. I've never really understood dreams, but I know that they aren't supposed to be connected to other dreams. So why do mine? My dreams aren't random happy thoughts that pop up, they are more like scenes telling a story. I dont know that I want to know this story. What are Takers? Why do the people in my dreams hate them so much? I want to help the people in my dreams, but I can't because its only a dream.

Right?

I sit up in my bed, letting the comforter fall to my waist as I stretch my arms and yawn. I try to push my dream aside and think about last nights events. A smile breaks free on my face as I remember the kiss. My fingers graze my lips and I can still feel the tingles on my skin. This is too fast. People don't fall in love after knowing each other for three days right? I have to take this slow.

Quickly I rush to the shower and let the warm water wash away all of the worries I have as I think of how I'm going to deal with Raven. I hear knocks coming from my room door and hurry out of the shower. With the towel wrapped around my body, I hope it's not Raven at the door. Fortunately, the person standing behind the door is Rose. As soon as I open the door, Rose comes rushing in and sits in a chair at my table.

"Uh, hey Rose." I say looking at her with a suspicious look. What put her in such a good mood?

"Hey, wanna grab breakfast? Hurry and get dressed!" She replies at such a fast pace, it takes me a second to process what she said. I just grab a suit from my drawer and walk towards my bathroom, still with my confused/suspicious look on my face.

Rose continued with her strange behavior the whole way to the cafe and throughout breakfast.

"Can you bring me a second order of pancakes?" Rose says to the waitress when she comes to take our dishes.

"Rose, what's going on?" Her eyes widen and I see a strange emotion flicker through them.

"Oh, nothing. nothing." She replies while averting her gaze.

"Rose, seriously, what's going on?" She looks back at me as a smile tugs on her lips.

"I met someone." She says simply with a full blown huge grin on her face. Before I can get anymore info on Rose's mystery someone, I see Raven entering the cafe. Shoot this is going to be hard.

"Hey Rose, I gotta go...we will continue this conversation later!" I say in a strict tone.

I see Raven walking toward our table, but get up and walk to him before he can make it the full way.

"Hey Dove." He says smoothly, making me melt.

No Dove, you must stay strong!

"Can we talk?"

"Sure, we can go to the park." I nod and follow by his side as we walk to the park.

The park isn't very big and it's still indoors. For some reason they won't let us leave the Haven. I wonder why? Raven pulls on the glass door and holds it open for me to walk through.

"After you." He says with a smile. I smile back, then walk to a bench and sit down.

"So, what do you want to talk about?" Raven asks as he sits beside me.

"We're going to fast," I say looking towards him, "Its only been three days and we barely know each other. I want to take it slow, and get to know you." He nods in understanding.

"How about we start over?" He suggests and I nod.

"Hello, I'm Raven." His hand extends towards mine and I giggle at the goofy grin he has on his face.

"Nice to meet you Raven, I'm Dove." we shake hands, but can't contain our laughter anymore.

"Dove would you like to go somewhere with me?"

"I'd love to...is this a date?"

"Yes, but the location is a surprise...pick you up at 8?" I chuckle, then agree to this 'surprise date'.

I spent the rest of the day with Rose wandering around in the Haven. I tried to get her to tell me about her 'mystery someone' but she said she wouldn't spill till tomorrow.

"Please Rose, just tell already!" I beg one last time before leaving to get ready.

"Tomorrow I will, goodnight." I sigh in defeat and smile at Rose.

"Ok, fine. Tomorrow." She grins and waves as she jogs off to elevator C.

I run, no, sprint to my room to get ready for my date with Raven. Where is he going to take me? I've been almost everywhere in the Haven so where would he take me for a surprise? Guessing gets me nowhere, so I just give up and start brushing through my hair.

Beeeeep Beeeeep Beeeeep

Red lights flash everywhere and loud beeps flood my ears. What's going on?! I fall to the floor and bring my hands up to cover my ears. Suddenly a loud voice echoes throughout my room.

"Citizens, don't forget about the Calling tomorrow!"

Wow. All that noise and lights for an announcement? What's the Calling anyways? I walk over to open my door, but it's locked.

What the heck?

Looking through the glass, I see Rangers standing in front of all of the room doors. Whatever this Calling thing is, it must be pretty important because we can't even leave the rooms.

I guess my date will have to happen another day.

You need to get out.

I try to ignore my conscience and walk to my bed, but something keeps me from walking. What's going on? My body turns towards my window on its own and starts running towards the window. I try to force it to stop, but it won't and I come crashing through the window, free falling from 6 stories above the ground.