a dive into the unknown

the climb

ELIAS AND I trudged around downtown Seattle, avoiding gazes that would get us killed. He was taking me to a place to get a warm dinner, something Sterling would need when he woke up. We walked in silence. I was still a little shaken up from our conversation earlier.
"A penny for your thoughts?" Elias finally spoke next to me.
"Oh my gosh! So he does speak! I was beginning to think you became mute," I teased him, noting the obvious scowl on his face.
"I was just sizing you up. Seeing if you're really as good as they say you are. We have to climb that right there," Elias pointed up, and I nearly fainted.
He was pointing to the Space Needle. The only thing from past Seattle that stood tall, almost untouched. I had wanted to climb this for a while, but it was always raining, making the narrow surface slippery.
"Scared, my little star?" Elias was teasing me now, obviously noticing my wide eyes.
I was scared, that's for sure, but I was more excited than anything. This was a dream.
"Let's go," I said, walking toward the structure.
I slipped a couple times, almost fell to my death a few more, but I climbed that Needle. We reached the opening where elevators used to enter, and I immediately smelled chicken and many other mouthwatering aromas.
"I hope you're drooling over the food, because if you're drooling over me, that's embarrassing," Elias laughed, and I almost pushed him off the Needle.
Elias introduced me to the cooks, grabbed food for three, and helped me slide down the Needle. We headed home in a comfortable silence. I was careful to keep my eyes down, since I didn't want any trouble for being out of the ordinary. Unfortunately, Elias and I don't think the same way.
"Aye, weird eyes over there. What food you got there?" A man, shorter than me, asked Elias. His band of people stood behind him, glaring at us. I still didn't raise my head.
"My dinner. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to head home," Elias shot back, clearly wanting the confrontation over. The man snorted, walked over to me, and stopped when his ratty boots were under my gaze.
"You got anything, little girl?" the man asked me, breathing on my hair.
"No," I said quietly.
He forced my head up, made me look him in the face, and then he widened his eyes.
"This is the sister of the infected kid! Kill them!" he ordered, sending his men into a shooting frenzy.
Elias grabbed my hand and pulled me to a pillar, separating us from the gunmen. I hadn't known anyone knew about Sterling. One thing I was sure of is that if I got home, they wouldn't be able to reach us. Bulletproof glass, rusted out stairs. No one could get up there but me, and whoever I showed.
"We have to make a run for it. Run southwest, up the Verizon building. You got me?" Elias rushed out, panting.
I nodded, and set out to the building. Bullets flew past me, almost grazing my shoulder, but I reached the building with Elias on my heels. We made it up the wall leading to the first floor, then continued up each floor until we both slumped over the railing on the roof. I was beat.
"Hey, this is where we met," Elias said, breaking the silence. I thought he was reaching his hand out to me so I could stand up.
Elias had other plans.
He pulled me into him so quick I could've gotten whiplash, then met my lips with a soft kiss.
"Sorry, I've been wanting to do that for quite a while now," Elias laughed out.
"I think we should head home now," I said, not even trying to hide the smile on my face.