Genesis 2.0 (Monster Apocalypse Survival) Sci-Fi/DarkFan/Horror

Chapter sixteen

(A/N: I'm working on correcting the tense, so please bear with me.)

We spend the majority of the morning searching the riverbank area and by noon, everyone - including Daniel and Aeriel - is bitchy. It's hot, dry as a bone, even though water is mere feet away and my entire body feels like it's being scrubbed raw every time the wind whips dust in my direction.

"There's nothing here," I whine and as predicted, receive twin glares of annoyance. I'm acting like a child, but can't really help it. My journey thus far has been long and treacherous; filled with pain, disappointment and desperation. I want to go somewhere safe and sleep.

As this last thought passes through my mind, I sigh heavily turned to stare out across the water. Gentle waves lap at the shore before trickling back into the gulf. My attention is drawn to the sand as another wave rolls in and leaves the surface so pristine it's as if it's never been marred.

I wish I was like that sand. If only I could take a deep breath and release all the pain, anger, terror and loneliness.

A strangely coolness caresses the nape of my neck and I jump at being caught off-guard. Tilting my head only slightly, I'm not surprised to see Daniel standing so close behind me; I could sneeze and knock him down. His eyes are misty with what looks like unshed tears, but I know better. He's just feeling my emotions, not having his own.

"I'm so sorry you've had this life," he murmurs and continues to knead the sweat-glistened, dirt-grimy skin on my neck. "I would give anything for you to have had a normal life," he adds softly, so softly that Aeriel can't hear.

"Yeah, well, life's a bitch," I respond and shrug my shoulders to give him the hint. I want his hands on me so badly I can't stand it and yet he's rejected me, so I don't need the torture of his caress or his concern. "I'll be fine, always have been and always will be," I announce and move away from him, far enough away that he can't reach me.

"For what it's worth Andrea, I'm sorry," he repeats and turns to rejoin Aeriel.

It's worth more than he'll ever know, but I keep that to myself. I've matured a lot in the past couple weeks, more so than the past three years. And I'm pretty sure I have the angels to thank for that.

But I'll be a three-headed goat before I thank him for anything.

"If you're done daydreaming Princess, we can look along the Date Palm grove over there," Aeriel snipped as she walked up beside me.

I turn to tell her where she can stuff those Date Palms but before I open my mouth, she reaches out and takes my right arm in a soft grip. I furrow my brows and look up at her questioningly.

"He cares a great deal for you," she announces. "Even though he knows it's highly forbidden, I think he'd Fall for you," she adds. "Don't let him."

She drops my arm and walks away, me watching after her like a fish gasping for water.

As if he knows we were talking about him, Daniel turns toward me and our eyes meet. It's times like this that I hate being a hormonal teenager. I'm lusting after a celestial being I can never be with. There wouldn't be a life for us.

Hopeless.

"I'll never find it," I mutter, halfway to myself. "I know it's here somewhere, but I'll never find it."

"What did you just say?" Daniel demands and strides toward me like a lion on fallen prey.

"What is it?" Aeriel asks and turns back toward me, her eyes going from Daniel to me. "What did she say?"

"It's close," Daniel answers and I frown.

"No, it's not. It's gone," I argue, not sure of what we're even talking about anymore. "Someone's stolen it," I announce. "They're collecting them like we are."

Then everything goes black.