Borderlines

Chapter Twenty-Four

Fawn woke up to the feeling of fabric underneath her. She opened her eyes and knew Garth wasn't there any longer. She could hear harsh whispering in the kitchen and sat up. It was very early, it needed to be since she would be going to Section 8 today.
"Garth?" She asked, wrapping the blanket around her shoulders. The whispering stopped.
"In here." Garth called from the kitchen. He sounded tired. Fawn walked into the kitchen where Nelson and Garth were standing. Nelson had a permanent frown. Fawn walked over to Garth.
"What's going on?" She asked quietly. Garth glanced at his father who left the kitchen promptly. Fawn watched Nelson leave and looked at Garth, worry written all over her face. Garth sighed and grabbed one of her hands.
"Around noon yesterday Sean was poisoned." Fawn inhaled.
"What? Is he still alive?" She asked. Garth nodded.
"He's alive, but it doesn't look good." He closed his eyes.
"Also," Fawn cringed. There was something else?
"Willow disappeared around the same time. She hasn't been seen since." Fawn's hand flew to her mouth and she shook her head. No, not Willow, not her closest friend. Garth pulled her to him.
"Fawn, I'm so sorry." Fawn bit her lip, hard. She wished he was lying, prayed that he was. What was happening? This competition was ripping everyone apart.
"Fawn." Garth whispered. She looked up at him, holding back tears.
"Do you know what this means?" He asked. His voice trembled a little. Fawn trained her blue eyes on his, waiting for his answer.
"You and I. We're next in line for the throne." Fawn froze. He was right. She felt like she was being choked. Nothing was right about this. She and Garth weren't meant to be the rulers. She wiped a stray tear and sniffed.
"You can't go to Section 8." Garth whispered. Fawn pulled out of his arms.
"Why not?" Garth's brown eyes flashed.
"Can't you see what's going on?" Garth said to her. Fawn narrowed her eyes in confusion. Garth sighed.
"Trent, Garrett, Sean, Willow, what do they all have in common?" Fawn felt her blood run cold.
"They are all Easterners." Garth nodded.
"Fawn, you are being targeted. Going into Section 8 is practically suicide." Fawn felt her body tremor. It had been so obvious, why would she want to go to 8? She saw his green eyes. He needed a fair chance.
"I have to go Garth. I told him I would go." Garth shook his head.
"No, Fawn." Fawn looked at him.
"Are you forbidding me to go?" She asked. Garth's expression immediately softened. He pulled her close and kissed her head.
"No, it's just, I can't lose you. I don't want to go through-" Fawn shushed him.
"Garth, I'll be okay." Garth's arms were wrapped around her like a protective cage.
"Come back to me. That's all I ask." He pulled away from her and gave her a small smile. Fawn kissed him softly and he stroked her chin tenderly before releasing her. Fawn ran upstairs, grabbing her bag and zipping it up. She remembered the two beds in the room and laughed. Garth's anger at his parents for the room didn't matter now. They had slept on the couch. After dressing, Fawn dragged her suitcase downstairs and put it by the door. Nelson, Cassie, and Garth were all gathered in the living room. Fawn felt a little bashful suddenly, looking at them. She could imagine her whole future here, living with them as a family. Cassie stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Fawn in a hug.
"Don't be afraid to come back." She said with a smile when she pulled away. Fawn nodded.
"I won't." Nelson nodded at her with a smile. Garth grabbed her waiting bag.
"I'll drive you to the airport." He said. Fawn smiled and followed him out the door, waving a goodbye to Cassie and Nelson. Garth already had the trunk of his car open and her suitcase in it. She spotted their escorts at the end of the driveway. Garth shut the trunk as she walked by him.
"Hey." He called to her.
"What?" Fawn asked, pausing by the car door.
"Come here." Garth said with a smile. Fawn was going to ask him what he wanted, but his mouth against hers left the question to die on her lips. Fawn smiled into the kiss and kissed him back quickly. Garth released her and traveled to his side of the car. Both of them climbed in simultaneously and Garth started the engine. Garth rolled the windows down, letting the crisp morning air travel around the cars cab. Fawn breathed in the Nebraskan air and looked at Garth. He was watching the road, his brown eyes focused. Fawn smiled to herself as one of his hairs blew out of place. Fawn reached over and smoothed it back in place, her hand falling down the back of Garth's neck before she returned it to her lap. Garth looked at her and smiled, reaching over and grabbing her hand. Fawn knew she loved him and suddenly the thought of going to see Travis shriveled inside of her. Why would she choose anyone, but Garth? It was possible she couldn't.

~

They arrived at the airport all too quickly in Fawn's opinion, but she had to catch her flight on time. She bit her lip. Then again what would it hurt to miss it? Her eyes traveled to Garth's. They could always spend a few more days together. Fawn sighed, knowing she couldn't do that to Travis, not with all they had been through. Garth hopped out of the car and grabbed her luggage, putting it on the small passenger plane. They went into the terminal for a few minutes while the pilot got everything in order. Fawn was surprised when Garth's arm wrapped around her waist and he tugged her into a small meeting room. She laughed when her back pressed up against the wall and Garth's eyes gave a playful shine. Fawn leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, lips meeting his. Garth's pushed back with an explosion of passion she hadn't been expecting and his body was leaned against hers. Fawn gave of gasp, which made Garth laugh and his lips touched her throat lightly.
"You know what?" He whispered against her skin.
"What?" Fawn asked as the adrenaline washed through her blood.
"It's going to kill me to know you are there, with him." He wrapped a hand around her neck and leaned back to look at her. Fawn swallowed, feeling unsure of herself.
"Garth, I made him a promise and I'm not going to break it." Garth kissed her cheek.
"I know, but it's going to drive me mad with jealously." He lips trailed around her face and neck. Fawn's pulse rushed through her veins, but she couldn't help smiling. She had never that of Garth as the jealous type.
"Flight 23 now boarding!" A loudspeaker announced. Garth stopped kissing her for a second and let his hand drop to her waist. His thumb just slid under the corner of her shirt.
"There's no way I can convince you to stay?" He asked and Fawn thought for a moment he might actually try to stop her. Fawn shook her head and leaned forward, finding his lips for a few seconds more. Garth's thumb moved along the side of her hip absentmindedly and he shoved passion into their kiss once more.
"Madam, are ready to board?" The pilot asked from the doorway. Garth and Fawn sprang apart from each other and Fawn could feel the blush creeping up her cheeks. The pilot on the other hand seemed unfazed and gestured for her to walk ahead of him. Fawn glanced back at Garth. He nodded at her.
"Goodbye Fawn." He said quietly. Fawn answered him before she rushed down the terminal and to the plane. Every fiber of her being wanted to stay with Garth, wanted to be with him and him alone. She closed her eyes and sat in the plane's seat that was for her. The flight was going to be three hours and hopefully it would give Fawn some time to clear her head. She dug into her bag and grabbed the second book she had stolen from the archives. The pilot would have no idea it was a stolen book so she should have no problem reading it in the back seat while he drove the plane. Fawn's fingers touched the title, Rebellion. Fawn opened the book's cover and began sorting through its contents. She started at what it had recorded lately. The fires set by 8 and the invasion of other sections. It took her awhile to read through the whole list of complaints and history. The book even had the King and Queens murder recorded already. Fawn was just beginning a section of the past rebellion when the sections were first born. She narrowed her eyes as she read about a group that had been stationed in the West. When the sections had first been started the rebellious group called Black Ivy did everything in their power to stop it. They believed in one supreme ruler that made all the decisions. Each member of the group was marked distinctly by a band of ivy that wound around their left upper arm. Fawn continued reading and was getting ready to turn the page when the plane lurched and she dropped the book.
"Sorry Madam!" The pilot called.
"We are going in for a landing." He said. Fawn picked up the book, but her place was lost. She frowned, not wanting to believe what she had read. It sounded like the group had never been extinguished. Maybe they had something to do with all the trouble that had been happening lately. Fawn saw Travis standing by the runway, his hair blowing in the wind and jacket pulled around his shoulders. Fawn unbuckled when the plane landed and watched as Travis opened the door He smiled at her.
"Good afternoon"