The Pause

Chapter 14

When Nathan awoke he knew he was different. Every morning there was that empty sinking feeling, eating apart at his stomach and made him wish for everything to be over. Yet today. That was non existent, replaced with a wholeness, a feeling of solitude and safety. That for once he was happy.

He turned to see Emily lying next to him, she was still asleep, he didn't dream of disturbing her, just taking in everything. Her flowing brown hair that shone in the light, her beautiful face, complexion, she looked so at peace, in her own perfect world. Her breathing was enough for him, comforting him. She was holding on to him, the feeling of her skin on his created this feeling. As if she was all he needs. She opened her eyes, the perfect gleam of them filled Nathan's heart. They smiled at each other, just taking comfort in each other's company. WHAT ARE YOU DOING he started thinking YOU CAN'T KEEP THIS SHIT FROM HER, SHE HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW ABOUT EVERYTHING THATS GOING ON. He sighed ANDREWS GAVE ME AN ORDER, HE FINALLY TRUSTS ME. I CAN'T JUST DISOBEY THAT

"So um.. what happens now" Nathan stuttered, it was a serious question. He had never experienced this before and didn't know exactly how to act. "Pfft, you seriously don't know. Man you're new at this" Emily snarked mockingly, yet her eyes darted to the floor WHAT DOES HAPPEN NOW? She thought to herself. WHAT DO PEOPLE DO AFTER A NIGHT TOGETHER. She laughed, this time more in a self deprecating manner, "we'll figure it out" she said, more comfortingly as she pulled him in and kissed him.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. There was a moment of panic. Nathan dived under the bed covers whilst Emily rushed to throw on a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. She opened the door to Andrews, he stood at attention looking down on her. "Miss Andrews" he said in a monotone voice, she rolled her eyes "you seriously keeping up the military act? Even in front of me", he maintains eye contact "it is part of my job" he says still deadly serious. Emily laughs in a mocking manner, "someone's going for employee of the month" she snarks under her breath. Andrews finally breaks "anyway what the hell do you call this time?" Emily shrugs "well technically it's been the same time for 12 years" she basks in her father's irritation. He groans. "Look, you should be with your group. There's not much time left before the finals and we didn't give you this time off to be lazy, you should be training. I understand there was some kind of falling out between Mr Hendrix and Mr DelGado. Get it together." Andrews stormed off, Emily made sure he was out of sight. "Coast is clear" she mutters. Nathan pops his head out of the covers "Jesus. What a.. 'loving' relationship you have with your father" Nathan jokes, slightly taken aback. "wasn't it an entry requirement to have daddy issues?" She teases. "Plus. Things have been kinda shaky since I found out he was hiding something from me". Nathan's face turns pale, fear takes hold. "H-hiding something?" He stutters. "Yeah, he's been really distant and shady as of late, it's really suspicious. He normally tells me everything. Something is up. It has to be". She approaches Nathan. They embrace each other, "we should probably get ready" Nathan states rushing to change the subject. Emily sighs. "I guess". She kisses him as they get dressed and grab their gear to meet the others.

Nathan and Emily managed to catch up the the rest of the group. They met in a hollowed out corridor of the school building. They spent the time discussing melee strategies for the upcoming challenge. Nathan stared up at Roberto, his eye, black as the cold night, swollen to the size of a tennis ball. The boys hadn't spoken a word to each other since the incident, Nathan began to feel bad HE IS RIGHT. HE TECHNICALLY DOESN'T OWE US ANYTHING. THAT'S NO REASON TO ATTACK SOMEONE, however he never had the courage to say this. To admit he was wrong about something BUT THEN THERE'S THAT SHIT ABOUT MY MOTHER. He began to ponder deeply MAYBE THIS IS JUST SOME HOPELESS VENGEANCE QUEST. NO. IT. IT CAN'T BE, CAN IT? I MEAN AFTER WHAT THING THAT ANDREWS SAID. I DON'T THINK I KNOW ANYTHING ANYMORE

"NATHAN" Emily shouts "PAY ATTENTION". Incredibly harshly, the sudden shift caught Nathan by surprise yet he understood why I GUESS THEY WOULDN'T TAKE HER AS SERIOUSLY IF THEY KNEW WHAT WE WERE UP TO LAST NIGHT. BUT AT THE SAME TIME I'M SURE THEY KNOW. IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE KNOWS. FUCK I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF ANDREWS HAD SEEN ME UNDER THE COVERS THIS MORNING.

The group finished up battle talk and decided to get something to eat. Surprisingly enough Elliott was quite a competent cook before the facility. Using supplies he'd got Nathan to steal from The New Government's private canteen. He was able to whip up a meal for the group. Bacon and eggs. A change of pace from the textureless grain the students were normally fed. The group gathered around a campfire. No one really spoke, they didn't want the moment to end up like the night before. Yet they couldn't help it, "Elliott this is genuinely the best thing I've eaten in years" Emily said cheerfully. Elliott's face lit up brighter than the fire they were cooking on, "thank you" he replied, filled with glee. "Yeah, once this is all over with. You need to teach me how to cook like this. I wanna surprise my dad and sister with a meal" Nathan got out immediately after swallowing a piece of bacon. Elliott became flustered "it's really nothing special I just kinda picked it up from my mum" , the group picked up on this. "You've never really spoken about your mom before" Roberto inquired. "It's just. Before I left, her and my dad got into a fight. She didn't want me to leave but he forced me to. It got really heated. He. He hit her. I couldn't take watching so I left early, I ran off and tried to forget about it". Elliott began shaking. "Jesus Elliott, I'm sorry" Emily consoled. Nathan put his hands on Elliott's shoulders "look, it's gonna be ok. When you get home, we'll make sure your mum is never hurt again. I promise". The boys smiled at each other and hugged.

Roberto looked up to them "remember Elliott you aren't alone. We're all pretty fucked here, but at least we stick together" He proclaimed. The first time he'd ever looked to this group as his friends, he and Emily joined the hug and they felt like. A family.

Until they heard a slow, menacing, condescending clap approaching them. They turned to see Simon walking at an uneasy dragging pace. "Isn't that just adorable" he mocked. "The weak think they can survive through the power of friendship and all that cliche bullshit" he grins to himself. Roberto stands to confront him, Simon stares Roberto up and down "Christ" he gasps "you look like hell. Oh and then of course there's that black eye" he begins laughing to himself, Roberto clenches his still bandaged fists. "Oh I'm sorry did that strike a nerve" Simon continues "I do apologise. Except I really couldn't care less, you'd be better off as a pile of bones back in your own country". He begins laughing again. Roberto tries to swing for him but Nathan interferes. He stares up at Simon "leave. Now". Simon snarkily acts scared "oh no. The great hero has told me to leave. However should I cope" he stares Nathan in the eye "get over yourself Hendrix. You aren't some champion of the people. What you are is strong though. I could use someone like you. My group were useless so I had to ditch them, but you. There's something about you. Something special" he doesn't break his glare, his voice soft yet menacing " you don't owe these people anything. Yet you and I are a lot alike. It could be the start of a very special alliance". Nathan's eyes light up with anger "you've got to be fucking insane if you think I'm anything like you!" He begins to approach Simon threateningly. Simon laughs again "c'mon we're both independent, stubborn, more capable in the field than anyone else. Deep down you're just as selfish as me. The only difference is I don't waste my time pretending to care about people ".

Nathan suddenly falls to his knees. Confused as to why himself. The others rush to him. Simon grins to himself, as he turns away he shouts back "think about it Nathan".

"Are they really worth it?"