I don’t know if it was the fact that we were under the cover of the trees again or the fact that Harry kept looking back and smiling at us reassuringly, but I felt safer once we were out of the clearing. He didn’t really say much once we were in the safety of the woods, and I kept quiet just in case there was a reason for that. Luke held tight to me and I to him. I was glad to have him with me, the fear of the unknown now growing more and more inside of me. He was familiar to me now, and I felt safe with him. He had shown me that he would do his best to keep me safe, even if it meant putting himself in front of me. I looked up at him a few times, but he kept his eyes fixed on Harry.
We followed Harry for about half an hour when he stopped suddenly and turned. Luke let go of my hand as if he was preparing to have it out with him.
“Ok so before we go in here I need to let you guys know a few things.” Harry said holding his hands up. He must have taken notice of Luke’s balled up fist.
“Easy man. Listen I know you won’t believe me but I’m safe ok? We are on the same team.” Harry said letting a small smirk grow on his face. He almost seemed to find it slightly humorous how serious Luke was. While to me I was almost afraid of how dark Luke’s eyes would grow when he was nervous.
“Where are we?” Luke asked loosing up his hands a bit.
“Well just on the other side of that hill is Afton. That’s home.” Harry said turning and pointing to the hill just up ahead.
“Your home.” Luke said plainly.
“And yours if you want it to be.” Harry smiled looking at me. It was weird how that smile made me feel. I wasn’t sure what to think of it. And Luke must have noticed the smile because he grabbed my hand again. I looked up at him and he looked at me with a straight face.
“We are like you ok?” Harry continued. “We all woke up somewhere with someone we don’t know. We don’t know who we are; we don’t know why we can’t remember anything. But we all found each other.” Harry said looking back at Luke. He let his smile fade a bit.
“No one remembers anything?” Luke asked quickly furrowing his brow a bit.
“Some of the people have small memories. But most of us just have our first names and that is it.” Harry shrugged.
“So have you guys found…Any other places like Afton?” I asked pausing midway through. Harry shook his head.
“Honestly we don’t really have the numbers for people to scout. Afton is small. There are only about 12 of us.”
“And were you guys paired like us?” Luke asked nodding towards me.
“You mean boy/girl?” Harry said with a smirk.
Luke nodded.
“Some of us. But not all of us. I know what you are thinking. That you were paired as some sort of a couple right?” Harry said with a small laugh. I looked up at Luke and I could help but feel sort of sad. All this time I thought we had some sort of a connection, but Harry was now telling us there was no connection. I expected this to like flip a switch in Luke, and have him feel like he didn’t need to care for me anymore. I waited for him to let me go, but he didn’t. In fact he squeezed my hand, and I felt this weird since of admiration for him. He was loyal.
“How long has it been since you woke up?” Harry asked before he started walking.
“Wait is that all you had to tell us.” Luke asked.
“Oh right sorry about that.” Harry said turning to face us shaking his head. “I’m the worst with attention. I am easily distracted.” He laughed. Luke looked down and smiled at me. “So ok the groups, we all have jobs ok. You have to pull your weight. And we have a council. So in order to join the group you have to ask the council. They never turn you down, it’s just sort of like a rites of passage thing. Liam is our leader. He can be a bit bossy at times but he means well. I’m going to take you to meet him.” He smiled at me again.
