REVENGE (2nd book of FEAR)

- chapter fifteen -

"Locus!" The girl sprinted after him, her heels digging into the sand as she ran. The soldier slowed to a walk, ignoring her and briskly marching through the dark desert. "Locus," she repeated, this time sterner.

"Damnit, Sam," Liz jumped in front of him, "Stop." He did, but only because she was in his way. He thought about knocking her over and continuing his stroll. "You left me," his voice came out strained, almost like he was in pain.

His breathing was heavy, and it wasn't from his walk. "You left me for a paycheck," Locus growled, making Liz flinch. "You don't understand," she replied calmly. "Then make me understand," the soldier snapped.

The girl took a step back, putting a hand to her head as she began to pace. The hair around her face was starting to stick up, and a few strands rebelled out of her bun and down the nape of her neck.

Her voice was shaky when she began to explain, "I was the one to tie up Hargrove's loose ends." She shook her head, "Locus, if I had known what would happen between us-" The soldier interrupted her, laughing.

The girl grew quiet, and Locus spat at her, "You did know, Liz. After Crash Site Alpha, after the Jungle Temple, after the Communication Tower. You knew there was something between us way before the Staff of Charon!"

"You had multiple chances to tell me what was going on!" Locus screamed, his face beginning to turn a bright red. "I thought that..." Liz spoke in a brittle, soft tone, "I thought that maybe if I helped you with your mission, I wouldn't have to kill you."

"Bullshit," the mercenary scowled. "What would you have done, Locus?" The girl lifted her chin, a new found confidence and fury rising within her, "If I had told you my real job, would you have stolen a Pelican? Ridden off into the sunset with me?"

"No," she answered her own question with sass, "You would've stayed and finished your mission at all costs. So, how can you hate me for trying to finish mine?" Liz was in his face now, her grimace mirroring his. "My mission wasn't betraying the people that trusted me," Locus hissed back.

"Are you kidding me?" The girl let out a laugh, "You betrayed an army that followed your every word! You betrayed your lifelong partner!" Locus glared at the girl, smoke practically pouring out of his ears, "Did I ever betray you?" This made Liz pause, taken aback by his sudden question. After a few short moments, she shook her head slightly.

"You were different to me. For the first time in a long time..." Locus cleared his throat, "I loved someone. You saw the trust I gave you and how hard that was for me! Yet, you stood there and watched me crawl into a grave that you were going to fill!" He was screaming now, stabbing a finger towards her.

"Sam, my decision to take that job will haunt me for the rest of my life. I am so sorry for what I did to you. But, can't you see that I... genuinely care for you?"

"Oh my God," He was laughing again, glaring up at her with distain, "You still can't say it!" He thought about the note. The three words she wrote scribbled in black ink. Like she was in a panic or a hurry. The soldier reached into his back pocket, unscrambling the tiny piece of paper. There were multiple wrinkles and tears for the endless hours he spent crumbling it.

His eyes began to water as he stared at the note. God, he hated himself for keeping it around. His gaze drifted to Liz, who had tears crawling down her cheeks as well. "I wanted to... I thought that if I had said it, it would've been harder to leave you," she wheezed, her throat tightening with the threat of a rising sob.

"How thoughtful," Locus tore the note in half, letting the three words flutter through the dry desert air and land in a heap of sand. "I was trying to protect you," Liz spoke in a soft yet serious tone. Locus laughed bitterly, "Protect me? By breaking my heart and leaving me to die?"

Suddenly, Liz erupted, "Did you want to end up like me?! Hiding yourself from him?! Having your identity posted on every known device in the universe?! Did you want a bounty over your head?!"

"I wish I could take it all back!" The girl shouted, tears flowing in a ferocious stream down her cheeks, "I want my life back! Even after I vanish, he still controls my life! Everyday, I fear that today may be my last day!"

As she wept in anger and despair, Liz began to crumble to her knees. Her legs bent into the sand, and her hands held her damp face. Her shoulders shook violently. Locus watched in horror.

He hadn't even considered the effect this was having on Liz. He hadn't considered her point of view, or the fact that she practically gave up her identity to save him. She saved him. From a life of unending debt to Malcolm Hargrove. And, she was the one paying the price. Not him.

Locus felt himself lower to the ground, and as soon as he touched her arm gently, she collapsed into his chest. In a few seconds, his collared shirt was already soaked. The cold chill of her tears sent a shiver down his spine as he wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm so sorry," she choked, her fingers clenching around the fabric of his shirt. Locus swallowed the lump that had been frozen in his throat. "I'm so sorry," she repeated, the words jumbled into the sobs that continued to pour out of her.

"I know," Locus whispered as he racked his fingers through her frizzy hair, planting a soft kiss on the top of her head. He felt the muscles in his face contort in an effort to block the tears that threatened to spill over his eyelids.

"I love you," she mumbled, her throat suddenly raw. Locus pulled away from her, a small smile hidden on his lips. "I love you," she met his gaze, her tone brittle, "And, I'm so sorry I didn't say it before."

Before she could take another breath, Locus cupped her face in his hands and covered her lips with his hungrily. The girl closed her eyes, more tears spilling out of her eyelids. Locus could practically taste the salt when her tears melted into their mouths.

So much intensity was held in the kiss; the feeling of remembrance and love radiated through their lips, yet remained unspoken.

It had been too long since Locus had last touched her like this, and he had almost forgotten the warmth of her soft, pink mouth and the passion within her. The mercenary felt her laugh against him when he attempted to pull her closer.

"I'm not going anywhere this time," Liz held his face when they pulled their lips apart, their foreheads leaning against each other. Locus nodded, his hands gripping at her waist. He was almost scared to let her go. Liz kissed him again before whispering,

"I promise."

yayyy! they finally made up after fifteen chapters and finally kissed!! are you excited or sad? what will happen next? will they finally return to the refugee camp? will something go wrong? hope you have a great halloween and please stay safe!!!
IMPORTANT!!!!!
if they do go back to the refugee camp, should i include the walk through the desert home or should i skip over it? if i include it, what events would you like to see between the three soldiers? i wasn't planning on writing the trip home, but if i see some great suggestions i will!!! comment below or PM me!!!