Missing In Action

Chapter 4

Aaden

            Allie was squeezing me so tight I thought my intestines my shoot out my mouth. I had forgotten how strong she was. I didn't mind though, I liked the thought of her needing me again. I remember when we were kids and she would always beg me and my friends to play with her, and whenever she got hurt I was the one who had to take her home. I took that for granted.

            As we plunged deeper and deeper into the earth Allie squeezed me tighter, and there were a couple of times I thought she might be feeling my abs. I smirked at the thought, but quickly shook it out of my head, at risk she might feel something else too. I wrapped my arms around her and held her closer to me. My mind flashed back to the side of the highway, just before those jackasses came and ruined it. It shouldn't have even almost happened in the first place. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. I had to resist the urge to smack myself in the face when I thought about it. It was unprofessional, and I had to start controlling my emotions towards her.

            We finally reached the ending of the ride, but Allie still hadn't let go of me. I held up my arms slightly and looked down at her. Her eye's were closed and there was a small smile on her face.

            “Allie?” I said to her, “Its over...” Allie's eye's shot open and her arms quickly moved away from my body. I couldn't help but notice how cold it was now that she no longer had her arms around me. She wasn't gonna make this “controlling my emotions” thing easy. Her face turned a little pink, and she was fidgeting with her hands. I put my hand on the lower half of her back and guided her out to the lobby.

            The girl who worked at the front desk, Erica, had to take a double take when she saw us walking toward her. She stood up with tears in her eye's and walked around her desk to come meet us.

            “Allie? Allie!” said Erica. One tear slid down her face and she came to give Allie a hug. I looked at Allie worried that she might not like this, but when Erica wrapped her arms around her Allie smiled and hugged her back. Erica was small and skinny. Her hair was to her shoulders and it looked like dark chocolate. Her skin was caramel colored and her eye's were a deep brown. Erica let go of Allie and looked at her and finally saw the bump on her head. “Oh my god! Allie, do you even... know who I am?” Erica took a step back from her as Allie shook her head.

            “Well I... um...” Allie was at a loss for words, and it made me feel so terrible.

            “She doesn't remember anything Erica,” As I said the words Erica's face shifted into a sadness so incredible, there are no words to describe it (which really sucks because I know over thirty five different languages).

            “Oh Allie I'm sorry... I shouldn't have hugged you.” Erica said barely above a whisper. Allie smiled and shook her head. She walked over to Erica and gave her another hug.

            “We must have been really good friends judging by how tight you were hugging me,” Allie said with a big grin on her face. Why the hell is she so damn cute and nice?! I thought. This was not going to be an easy week.

            “The best,” Erica said, and I just stood there for a second being an awkward third wheel. I finally decided that they had hugged enough for everyone on the planet and cleared my throat. They both giggled, which I didn't get, but thought that it must be girl thing.

            “So, wanna let us in?” I asked Erica. We might as well get the worst over with. Allie was going to be bombarded with hugs and questions when we got inside headquarters.

            “Oh yeah! Of course! Good luck Allie.” I looked at Allie and she seemed confused with what she would need luck for. Before Erica opened the door I stood protectively in front of Allie. Erica pushed the button and the metal doors slid open loudly and all eye's were on us as we stepped into the large white room.