Haphephobia

Chapter 24

Before this story moves on, I just want to say one thing. Stevie, our very favorite rambunctious mohawked blonde, is a very important character for me. She is the representation of my real-life best friend Tabithah, who is basically the main reason I update as often as I do. There truly is nothing like having someone as close to your heart as she to keep you motivated in a project as big as this. So I wanna give all my love and thanks to you, Tabbi, for keeping me on my toes! Once this story is over, I'm moving this dedication to the front of the book, where it deserves to be. Also, as you read this, I'm just gonna sit here and picture your face and laugh richly while I know you're probably doing the same all the way out there in Holland ;)

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"God, this is the pits." Stevie said, sighing through her words. Her usual overly-happy attitude was marred by obvious sadness, and it made me feel even worse. Even though I'd known her for a very short amount of time, it was very clear that when she was upset, there was something very, very wrong. 

"I just don't get it. I mean, did he think we would fricking find out?" I spat. Every time I replayed the scene in my head, all I could think was the pure, utter, and undiluted betrayal. I couldn't believe he'd think this would slip by unnoticed. It just didn't add up; didn't make any sense...

As we all walked back down the street together so late at night, I hazarded a glance back at Ava. Still she moved in silence. She hadn't spoken a word since our revelation, as though if she talked her words would betray her. Her emotions would have been set free.

Words cannot describe the feeling of pain, I thought, when you've been betrayed by the person you thought you could trust most.

I walked a little slower to catch up with her. Our long strides began to match as we went, and feeling the time was not quite right to exchange words with her, I pulled my arm from my side and made to drape it over her shoulders.

I wasn't expecting for her to recoil. But she did, and I couldn't help but feel slightly shocked, as though I'd been stung. I'd waited two years to touch somebody, and I finally did. And that one person was too wounded for me to do even that.

I almost wondered if perhaps her current state was partially my fault. If we hadn't taken this mission... well, she wouldn't have even received it, had it not been for me. Had it not, even, been for the fact that we worked well together.

Don't be an ass, Ben. Stop thinking everything is your fault. Did you make Jensen be this way? Did you? Ava contacted me through our personal mind link. I could tell this was personal, as the other two, who were locked in an embrace as they walked, strode ahead of us, completely unaware.

No, but... I began, then stumbled for words.

But nothing. Jensen's the one who did this. He's the reason our world is falling apart, our sanctuary compromised, our home- my home- Ava stopped as quickly as she'd started. The strange link between our minds, the one I could detect, was opening ever so slightly. I could glimpse the deep, blue-tinted melancholy she felt. The utter loss as she dared comprehend the magnitude of this situation. I looked at her face, tears brimming over her eyelids. I couldn't help but feel like rocks were pressing against my chest as I thought about what this meant for us.

Those people... they could do anything with our genetic information. Based on the technology I'd already seen, I didn't feel a doubt in my mind that they could use it to make robots, or clones, or something having to do with using our powers... Or they could find a way to control us; implement our bodies to do whatever the hell they wanted done...

I took a heavy breath, looking out across the deserted road. I noticed a man dressed in a black trench coat and a fedora walking along casually, even running his hands along a white fence as he walked. I told myself there was nothing suspicious about it, but my brain had a very difficult time believing it.