Unmarked

29. Revelations

A whisper of my name blows along a breeze which tickles my ear. Opening my eyes, Grey's amused face peers down at mine. "We're here."

My head is resting on his lap. I'm basically nuzzling his crotch. I jolt up embarrassed. "How long have I been asleep?"

"A few hours."

"You should have woken me up." I yawn loudly. My head is groggy and my eyes feel puffy. Looking around, we're the only ones left in the van. The others are waiting outside.

"You looked too peaceful and I thought you needed the rest." Grey hands me a pile of clothes. "They got you these to cover you up."

"Wouldn't want to frighten anyone," I joke.

Grey arches his eyebrow, looking mildly irritated.

I roll my eyes. "Oh, I forgot you don't like me stating the facts if it means putting myself down."

"For it to be a fact it would need to be true. You don't frighten or repulse people."

"Is this when you tell me I'm beautiful on the inside and that's what counts."

"No. Inside you're odd, slightly strange and you would definitely benefit from years of therapy. Your beauty is only skin deep." Grey grins and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Thanks, that's the nicest compliment I've ever received," I laugh. "I'll pretend to believe you don't find me utterly repulsive."

"I've seen you almost naked on several occasions and I've never found you repulsive. I promise."

My body heats up. "Then you won't mind me getting changed in front of you."

Grey's mischievous grin morphs into shock as I start to lift the hem of my top off. I stop before it exposes my stomach. "Oh, I forgot you don't do fun or serious if I'm remembering correctly. You'd better turn around. I wouldn't want to be the reason you broke your oath of boringness."

"How do you manage to stay so relaxed?" Grey asks, turning so his back is facing me.

I'm acting. This is my coping mechanism. When I'm nervous, I distract or make a joke. It's my way of convincing myself everything will be ok.

"So what exactly do you they want with us?" I ask, pulling a pair of trousers on.

"Not us. You. While you were asleep they made it perfectly clear I'm free to go whenever I want." Grey shrugs. "The way Charlie talks about you is intense, to say the least."

I dress in the long-sleeved top and the tension in my body releases slightly with the coverage of clothes. They're not exactly what I would choose, a little too loose which would mean bending over could give me away but the important thing is my unmarked skin is hidden.

"They've obviously got me confused with someone else."

"Easy mistake to make due to there being so many Unmarkeds," Grey says sarcastically.

I roll my eyes. "You can look now."

Grey swivels to face me and we sit in silence. My hands tremble slightly as the urge to vomit takes over. My mind is in overdrive, flitting between all the possible scenarios around what these people want, causing me to do something I've never done before. I ask for help. "Grey, can you stay? I'm still feeling odd from last night."

"Of course I'll stay," He says then quickly adds, "Until you feel better. It will give me some time to figure out my options which are pretty limited with these." He raises his wrists, the labour camp brands still covered with his cuffs.

"Sounds good."

This isn't a commitment. We're both doing each other a favour. Grey will make connections, find a job, an illegal one and once I've rested, I can leave and find my mum.