Flashf0rward

Chapter 27: Alone Together

Ivy

I snuck out later that night. I figured since sleep wasn't really coming to me, I thought that I could use this opportunity to get out of the house a little bit more. Walking out of my room quietly so as to not wake up Julie, I opened the front door and walked outside into the slightly chilly night air.

Even though it was technically supposed to be spring, winter was still giving its last dying gasps in the form of cold winds. Wrapping my jacket around myself tighter, I looked around, seeing no one else on the streets, which made sense since it was late at night. The torches on the walls above me illuminated my way, as well as giving me an idea.

Wren had taught me how to climb trees back when it was just the two of us, so climbing up to the top of the house wasn't a problem. From there, it was a small jump upwards towards the wall, grabbing onto the ledge and pulling myself up onto the small walkway that went around all of Sanctuary.

Brushing my untied hair back, I looked out over the dark valley. Then, naturally, my eyes turned upwards towards the sky. The pitch-black night was pockmarked with flickering stars that seemed to fill me with joy and a dash of loneliness whenever I looked at them. They showed that whatever was happening, light and hope still existed in the universe, but also reminded us that we were alone in this world. At least, now we were.

Sitting down on the wooden walkway, I looked around, trying to remember the names of the constellations. I faintly remembered being taught them in school, before everything happened. Ursa Major, Orion, Cassiopeia. The history behind them seemed so pointless now. Everything about our old world was gone. The question was, were we meant to preserve it, or start anew?

As that question went through my mind, I heard a voice behind me. "Thought you were grounded." I jumped, and turned to see someone I didn't expect to find at all. Connor was standing a few feet away from me, his arms crossed and a rare smile on his face. I frowned and stared up at him. "Since when do you think I do what I'm told?"

He sighed and shook his head. "That's for damn sure." I tilted my head. "What are you doing out here?" He gave me a knowing glance. "You think you're the only one who likes to be alone? Usually no one else is out here at this time of night. Guess I was wrong." I supposed that was true. It's not like I'd done this before. "Well...I just wanted to think, was all." I said, turning back to the stars.

Following my gaze, Connor looked upwards. "It's weird...I knew what the stars were called before...but now I don't." I looked back at him, confused. "What do you mean?" He decided to make things less awkward and sat down. "When...my sister and I were on our own, back when we still had a family, I knew what a normal child should. Then Tobias took over my mind, and Reservoir trained me...and I lost all that."

I looked at Connor with surprise. "You lost a lot of your memories...guess that's why you're so distant all the time." I saw a flash of hurt go over Connor's face, and I raised my hands. "Wait, that came out wrong! I'm sorry." He shook his head. "No, I get it. Trust me. I'm not the easiest person to relate to." I paused and looked down. "Well...maybe you are."

Now it was his turn to look confused. I stared back into his eyes. "Tobias took me too...and it was the longest time I'd been without Wren. I was scared, alone...then, he started talking to me. Told me that Wren and I were special. That we'd been chosen to save the world. I wasn't sure whether to be curious or frightened."

Sighing, I closed my eyes, thinking back to that day. "Then, I became his vessel, and it was like being in a dream, watching me and Wren defeat Gerrard. I was doing it, but I didn't feel like I was doing it, if that makes sense." I ran my fingers through my hair. "Look, all I'm saying is...I know how it feels to lose someone you love...and be used by someone else."

Connor was silent for a moment as he took that in. He then drew his knees close to his lap and placed his arms and chin on top of them. "I hated Tobias. From the moment he separated me and my sister. I still do. But everyone thought you and Wren were the new messiahs, saviours of mankind. But now I've come to realize...we're all equal. We're all just agents of good or bad, one way or another."

I stared at him, and then he spoke again. "I felt like I let Alicia die. All those years ago. That it was my fault. Tobias let her die because he knew I failed. So I became the bad guy." I could see the physical hurt on his face, the emotional distraught that bringing up his sister caused him. I could only imagine that this was how Wren would act if something happened to me.

Then, suddenly Connor clutched his injured eye and fell over, groaning as he writhed in pain. My eyes widened. "Connor?" He grit his teeth, breathing heavily as he looked up at me, a tear running down his good eye. "Med-ication..." I realized that the pain meds he must have been taking for his eye were wearing off.

I knew that there was no way I could get across Sanctuary in time, and I wasn't about to leave his side. So, there was only one thing I thought to do. Grabbing him, I knelt down next to him and started to gently stroke his dark brown hair. It was soft, and slightly messy from how it was kept, but I didn't mind. I could feel his muscles tensing under my fingertips.

Holding him, I kept stroking his head, and tried to get him as calm as possible. "Shh-shh-shhhhh..." I whispered softly, and I could see him slowly trying to start regaining control, slowing his breathing. I felt Connor's hand grab my hand tightly, and I held it back equally as hard, letting him know I wasn't leaving him,

We sat like that for a few minutes, my fingers running through his hair while he laid back in my arms. Finally, Connor's breathing returned to normal, and I looked down at him, my copper red hair hanging around his face. "You ok?" I said, and he nodded. "Thank you." He said quietly. Without thinking, I kissed him gently on his forehead. "You're welcome."

I saw the surprise in his eye as he felt my lips touch his skin, and I felt the grip on my hand tighten slightly. Then, he got back up, standing and placing his hands in his jacket. Sighing, he kept his face away from me, probably wanting to hide his embarrassment. "I'll...see you around. With that, he leaped off the wall and started walking back home.

Watching him walk away, I had a bit of a smile on my face, and a large blush to match. I had no idea why I'd just done that, but it felt...right. "See you 'round." I said softly, and then managed to get myself back down and into my home. Just as I had made it back into my home and into bed, I realized that was the first kiss I'd ever given to a boy.