Instinct - Season 1

Episode 11

The morning was colder than the previous days. It seemed fitting to Candace that on a day like today, the sky would be covered in dark clouds. She laughed at the appropriateness of the weather. They were going to war, and even Mother Nature knew it.

The soldiers were adorned in black as usual, and there was an excitement in the air. Candace and Jane were the first ones up. One by one, they went around and roused the group from their sleep.

Candace knelt by Jinny's bed and placed her hand on the girl's shoulder. Jinny stirred. Candace shook her gently and her eyes peeled open slowly.

"Five more minutes," she begged and Candace obliged. Who was she to deprive someone of five more minutes of sleep on a day like today? Jinny rolled over and closed her eyes. Candace was pretty sure she was asleep before they closed all of the way.

She walked over to Jake who was bracing himself against the bathroom sink and leaning over to look in the mirror. There were dark circles under his eyes, and Candace had no doubt that she was part of the reason he was worrying. It wasn't like Jake to care for himself more than those who were closest to him.

"How are you doing?" she asked, and placed her hand on his arm. She wasn't aware of how cold she was until her fingertips brushed his warm arm.

"I'm alright."

"You look exhausted..."

He looked into her eyes, and she immediately wanted to pick up from where they left off the other night. However, she restrained herself and cleared her throat. "Do I really look that bad?"

"You look gorgeous," she said, and he laughed. She hadn't been joking. Even stricken with worry, he still looked amazing as ever. Candace wished that she could have that kind of innate beauty.

They took another moment to stand there with each other. It's in moments like these, when staring in the face of mortality, that one begins to appreciate time. Ever since she met Jake, she had learned to develop a greater appreciation for each and every moment; particularly the ones she spent with him.

Jinny had finally pulled herself from her bed by the time Candace walked back into the bedroom. Jane sat across from her on her own bed and stared at the floor. She didn't look worried exactly, but more like she was focusing. Candace recalled how she and Jane would sit together in the locker room before a fight, and Jane would calm her down. Jane had been strong for both of them. Now, Candace needed to be strong for the rest of the group.

Although Jane had been appointed as the unofficial leader of the group, everyone looked to Candace for support. They looked to her for answers of morality. This is the right thing to do, she thought as she took a seat on the ground by Jane's feet. She told herself that over and over again until she knew it was true. It was wrong to force people to live certain lives, and she was fighting to defend what she believed in.

She thought about how far she had come since that day she had lost her memory. Although it had been a horrible experience, she had discovered new friends, and a world beyond the one she had always known. It had opened her eyes to new possibilities, and because of that, she knew she would never change a single thing. She loved the people who had since come into her life with all her heart. They were always there for her even when the odds were not in her favor. Jane had given up her entire life because she trusted Candace as a friend. There was no bond stronger than the ones she shared with her friends.

"So, I've got to tell you guys...I'm dating Harvey," Chelsea said sheepishly.

"We know," everyone said in unison. Everyone began laughing, including Chelsea. After that, the mood lightened a bit.