At End's Gate

MONSTERS

Paige was reading a comic book when Conner woke up to take the shift whilst Paige slept. Paige refused to sleep. Conner ended up taking a book as well and they sat far apart in silence. The silence was awkward. Conner kept running his hand through his hair. He clearly looked frustrated because he didn't know what to say. Paige noticed. She laughed weakly and began to whisper so as to not wake up the others." I guess you're ready to be bald. Show mercy on your head."

He chuckled." I'm sorry I'm not used to awkward situations."

"It's funny. You are affected by affections not by the fact that we're literally monsters now."

"It's not my fault that my heart goes crazy on me. The day our parents died I put walls around my heart but you broke them," he looked sky scratching the back of his neck," you and them of course." He looked at the boys and girls sleeping." Hey we're not monsters."

"Really? Then what do you call a person who kills three men. I'm like the mother monster." She laughed to herself.

"Paige what we did and the things we're going to do have to be done. We did not chose this life..."

"Neither did those men," she interrupted him before he could finish.

He stood up and went to sit next to her. Paige was now looking at the floor trying to hide her watery eyes. Conner had already noticed. He touched her hand." Paige we have to survive. Those men wanted to kill us."

Paige started crying." Conner I can't help but think this is all my fault." She started sobbing lightly." Maybe if I told someone else about my parents plan to erase our memories the outcome might have been different. Maybe we would have been forced out of the city leaving you guys safe."

He placed her in his arms. Her head rested on his chest. He stroked her hair." No Paige. This is not your fault. You had no significant power over the outcome. Stop beating yourself up you hear me?"

"Okay," she whispered.

"Good."

"Why are you being nice to me? I broke your heart. You should hate me."

"That's the thing Paige. When you're in love with someone you overlook the pain they cause you when they need you plus you were my best friend." She remained silent resting her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat until she caught on to it's rhythm. For a brief moment in time she felt peace. A feeling she for so long longed for. She felt safe. Finally after some time the tears finally dried on her cheek." I guess we're making progress. The very first days of us getting close you didn't even allow me to fix a loose strand of hair. Now I'm stroking it," he joked.

"You're crazy you know that?" Paige laughed.

"Good. I had missed your no worries laugh," he smiled.

"Conner," she called out his name gently.

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry."

"Hey there's no need to be sorry."

"I really am though."

"You shouldn't be. You told me how you felt. I'm okay with it."

Paige stayed silent looking sad whilst her head still rested on his shoulder. He wanted to cheer her." You know what? Sometimes I get so angry." Paige looked confused." When I watch people like Michael Jackson and Chris Brown dancing I feel so useless." Paige giggled." Seriously watching those documentary tapes is hard for me. I stand up and try to dance. Paige I won't lie it's pathetic. You should see how tense my face would be. I actually look constipated."

"You're not even alone. Dude I can't even move my body to the rhythm of any song. Blake is the only one who can dance of the three of us. I don't even think I have any talent."

"No. You do have a talent. You can sing beautifully. When you sang your mom's song it was remarkable."

"I'm an okay singer. I wouldn't consider myself a talented one. James is the exceptional one."

"Paige I wouldn't lie to you. Please sing that song for me. Standing by the willow tree is it?"

"Yeah. You still remembered the name. Okay I'll sing it lowly." She sang the song. Singing made her feel connected to Claire. She missed her very much. Conner at first hummed to the lyrics. With time he joined in with a good voice." You actually can sing?" Paige was shocked.

"I try," he laughed.

They continued to sing for a while until Paige finally fell asleep. Conner placed her neatly on the floor for her to rest. She slept peacefully.