Discontinued

Chapter 7

"Athena.." I snuggle in deeper refusing to open my eyes. Swatting at the direction of the voice.

Another light shove. "Athena..."

The ground shakes with a light chukle.

"It's time to get up. They will be waking up soon."

"5 more minutes Mel."

Another chuckle. Goosebumps travel across my back at the sound.  Oh how I missed her. How I missed that sound.  I reach out towards her pulling her into me more. She's warm and soft and I can't help the sigh that escapes my lips.  A stray tear runs down the corner of my eye as I try to swallow down the bitter emotion that lies in my throat. I grab onto her holding her tighter. "I missed you Mel. I missed you so much." I mumble mushing my face into her chest. She doesn't laugh again but that doesn't bother me the fact that she's here is enough for me. The calm that she brings and carries with her floats around us. Inhaling deeply I can't help the smile that forms on my face.

She smells of home.

Living in Clifton you get used to the smell of... well a mixture between fresh compound, rain and cut grass. Clifton being a small town surrounded by farms you get used to the smell of nature mixed with wild animals. Nothing but fresh land not like the cities sky tainted with gas and other toxins.

Another push has me groaning pushing my face deeper into the softness below me. "I said 5 minutes."

"Come on Athena you need to get up. You smell like me again." The voice says much deeper than Mel's and everything slams back into me by brute force. I jump upright coming face to face with Ethan.

Mel isn't here.

She's not here.

Tears shoot too my eyes faster than I can blink hem away. She's not here. The words repeat in my head taunting me. Over and over.

She's not here and I'm not at home. Hell I'm not even on earth.

My throat burns and the look on Ethans face makes me look away, choosing to keep my head down. Sympathy flashes in his eyes and I don't want it. I want to wake up from this nightmare and laugh about how crazy my dream was with my two favourite people. I want to go home with Grace in the kitchen busy making one of her amazing meals, I want Mel's teasing. I want the cuddle nights in front of the tv and the light banter of us fighting who get to choose what movie to watch next.

I want home.

So instead of saying anything or apologizing for using him as a pillow again. Or mabey the word bed would be more accurate,-I rub at my eyes keeping my head down. He stays silent but I can feel his eyes on me. Clearing my throat a few times in hopes that he would look away to atleast give me a bit of privacy and it works. In the corner of my eye I can see his head move to the side looking towards the never ending burning fire. I do the same. Its quiet still. No people are here as of yet but the sun rays flickering through the forest tells me that it won't be long before they rush in to get

Ethan doesn't speak but he does rub some dirt onto himself and then onto me he's done this twice now and I have yet to ask him why. I think I've figured it out pretty well by myself already. It's something to do with smell. Me being the extreme cuddler that I am...just thinking about it makes my cheeks burn. He doesn't want me to smell like him and visa versa I guess. Considering we have yet to take a bath and both of us reek of shit and piss I honestly don't blame him.  I guess that's why I have yet to ask. I'm ashamed that he has to be a witness too my stench. I'm embarrassed that he has to see me like this. I may be held captive on another planet but I'm still a girl. And no girl want to look or smell like I do especially infront of someone as attractive as Ethan.