The Haven

Chapter 9

Raven's P.O.V.

There she is. The morning light makes her golden hair glow and her skin looks so soft. My heart beat rises just looking at her, she's so beautiful, inside and out. Ever since that first day, something about her made me feel so different.

Then I heard her name. I didn't tell her, but I know why we both have 'Nova' in our names. In the Haven, your soul mate has the same title as you. I am Raven 52 Nova and she is my soul mate, Dove 87 Nova.

Everything about her makes me light up inside. Her eyes, her smile, and the way her lip twitches the tiniest bit when she is happy. I...I think I love her. No, I know I do. She turns toward me, making my heart melt with her smile.

"Hey Raven." Her voice is so perfect, it makes you want to fly beyond the clouds.

I'm in deep, aren't I?

"Hey Dov-"

"Angel, want to go for a walk?" River pushes past me, interrupting as usual.

It takes every nerve in me not to punch the living daylights out of him. I probably would've, but I know Dove's feelings for him before the Haven are still there and I don't want to hurt her.

"Angel huh? That's a new one." Dove says, making River chuckle. God I wanna slap that eefing grin of his cocky face.

"Actually I called you Angel all the time before you were taken. You were MY Angel, and you always will be." He kisses her cheek as he puts extra emphasis on the 'MY' and I can feel myself heat up with rage.

"She's not YOURS or anybody else's, she's not a possession." I spit at River. He slowly turns to face me with pure hatred burning in his eyes.

"What's was that Tweety bird?" My fists clench as I am so tempted to barrel them into his face. Repeatedly.

Keep it together Raven, Dove wouldn't want you to fight!

I listen to my little pep talk and try to calm myself down. River wants to know what I said? I take a step closer. Here's what I flucking said.

"I said she's not a possession so don't treat her like one!" River's fist slams into my left cheek, but I don't move. I am nowhere near weak, something about the wings made me stronger. Maybe it was part of the gift.

"What? Not gonna fight back? Is Tweety to big of a pussy?" He taunts, but I just shake it off.

"Sorry, I don't hit girls." Its not the best comeback, actually kinda childish, but it makes him boil nonetheless. He grits his teeth and pulls his arm back for another hard punch, but I don't move.

"ENOUGH!" Dove screams as she runs between us before he can land his blow.

"I-I can't do this!" Tears spring from her eyes and my heart shatters. I go to stop her, but she is already out the trailer door and running into the forest.

I hurt her. I made her cry. Technically he did, but that prick isn't going to ever confess or apologize. Seeing her cry drained all the joy and energy out of me, something only her smile or kiss could revive.

I ignore Rivers taunting as he tries to pick up the fight, and run out of the trailer. I unfold my wings and bolt up into the cool air. The trees are thick and the snow starting to fall is making it harder to see.

One thing I noticed before when I flew in the air was the land. It doesn't really seem right. I can't remember anything from before the Haven, but it just doesn't look natural. There are different types of lands in squares right next to each other. Its like being in a plane and seeing the different colored squares of fields. Only difference is, these aren't fields. In one of the squares is a pine forest, where we live. In another right next to it is a dessert, then a jungle in another. All different kinds of lands are lined alongside eachother, and it makes me wonder how it all got like this?

I fly the whole perimeter, but can't see Dove anywhere. Where could she have gone?

***

Dove/Aaliyah's P.O.V.

My ear presses up against the cold rusty tile as I listen for any footsteps or talking nearby. I hear nothing. Steathily, I push open the tile and crawl onto the floor above.

I am back in the Haven.

About an hour earlier...

Ugh. Words couldn't describe how infuriated I am right now. The dead branches of some trees scrape my arms as I speed walk past them.

They are going to come looking for me.

River and Raven I mean. Who knows how long I've been gone, and if they find me I may never get this chance again.

Now running through the forest, I reach the edge and gasp at what's before me.

The pine forest abruptly ends, and then there is a jungle. Its the same jungle where we were picked up when we escaped. I pick up my pace until I find the entrance way under a bush in the ground.

Here goes nothing.

~

The lights are different from the natural light of the sun, so it stings my eyes a little. I know I'm in the hospital part of the Haven, but I don't know how to get back to where the activity rooms and stuff are.

Aimlessly and quietly, I maneuver through the white halls, looking for the way out of the hospital. My feet stop dead in their tracks when I hear voices approaching. Making as little sound as possible, I slip through the first door I see. The room is a patient's room, and on the bed is someone I sorta recognize from the Haven. Luckily, he is sleeping.

Remember the competition in the Dome?

I recall the competition and remember the man lying asleep in front if me. This is the man I fought with in the arena. I hear the voices pass and hurry out again to find the right way. Peeking around a corner, I see two Rangers walk through some sliding glass doors. Sneakily, I follow them and sneak pass them when they go through a door you need a staff card for.

I look around and remember all of the activity shops I see before me. Trying not to let any of the citizens of the Haven see me, I hurry to the elevator C and look for Rose's room.

Of course I didn't forget about her! Shame on you if you thought I did.

After three knocks she opens the door. Her eyes have bags below them and her hair is a mess, she looks like she hasn't slept in days.

"Oh mee gee, what are you doing here?!" She exclaims quite loudly.

"Shhh, you have to be quiet!"

"Th-they said you died from the fall!" Her eyes are wide as though she's looking at a ghost.

"They lied. Rose, I have soo much to tell you! But I can't here. The Haven is a bad place, they are modifying our DNA and making us hybrids basically. Its kinda complicated, and I can't explain everything. We don't know all that's going on or why, we just know the Haven is bad and you don't want to win the Calling."

"Who's we?"

"I'll explain everything I know later, but when we have to escape you'll need to know where to go. Just in case I don't make it. I'm going to draw you a map."

I grab a pen and paper off her table and begin drawing a quick sketch of how to escape the Haven and get to the camp.

"When we go we are going to need a staff card to get through the door, but we aren't leaving yet. You need to act normal for...three days, then we will escape. I need some time to gather more info about this place."

"Oh geez, Dove this is a lot to take in."

"I know, your just going to have to trust me." I hand her the map, which she folds and shoves in her pocket.

"Ok, ok I trust you. How are you planning on getting this info anyhow?" I think for a second, then know exactly what I'm going to do. I'm not sure it will work, but there isn't much else I can do.

"I'm going to get caught."