The Cleansing: Part One (Book Two of the Golden Eyes Trilogy)

Chapter 60: Without My Protection

The last chapter of part one. Short but sweet. Crazy to me. The first chapter of part two will be up within the next few days but damn. The trilogy is getting so close to its end I can't believe it. Thank you for the support and the reads and comments I truly love all of you! Anyways enjoy everyone! Can't wait to continue on this journey with you xx

Finn

After dinner everyone went off to do their own thing but Nova wanted us to join her in our room after changing them into pajamas. We cuddled up on our bed as the intro for Tangled started. I won't say it out loud but I love this movie. Tangled and Lilo and Stitch are the best Disney movies hands down.

I thought Shasta might snuggle with me but instead turned onto her side and put her head on Nova's free shoulder instead as Gryffin occupied her other one. She wrapped her arms around them both and pulled them closer. I couldn't even be mad. It was a cute sight to see.

That's how they fell asleep too. I was on my side watching them sleep with a smile on my face. It almost felt like we weren't about to be gone for months. She hugged the kids closer in her sleep and released a sigh as she opened her eyes and looked at me.

"I don't want to go Finn."

"I don't either."

She looked down at our kids and sighed again, her frown deepening. I hated seeing her like this. Especially since I know there's nothing I could do about it either.

"It's alright Killer. We won't be gone forever. And you can talk to them every night now. We'll be back before you know it."

Nova closed her eyes and fell back asleep as I released a sigh of my own. I didn't want to leave either but we had to do this if we wanted our forever and I definitely did. Especially if it meant we had more nights like tonight. Cuddling on the bed, watching movies, joking around. Smiling and laughing. I wanted that forever. So we had to do it. I just pray it doesn't take longer than three months too.

**********

Nova was depressed the whole drive to her aunt's that morning. Everyone was in a slump. Even the kids. Finch and I did the best to keep everyone in a good mood but you could tell they were all just in a bummy mood. I was too.

The depression cloud hovering above us infected Nova's family as well. The sad mood continued all throughout the day until we were getting ready to leave. Nova pulled out two jars and had the kids sit with them in their laps as she explained what they meant. I thought it was a cute idea too.

"You eat one candy every night before bed and by the time you finish Mommy and Daddy will be home. It's not forever okay? We have to save the world like superheroes are supposed to do. But we'll be back soon okay?"

Both kids conceded and we all hugged for a while. Nova didn't want to let them go.

"Come on Killer. We have to go." I said as I pulled her away.

"I'm so sorry my babies I promise I'm coming back okay? I promise!"

We hugged everyone else and I practically had to drag Nova back to the jeep.

"They're going to hate me! I don't want them to hate me!" Nova broke down as I started the drive home.

Soothing feelings through our bond weren't working, soft words weren't working. Holding her and kissing her wasn't working. She couldn't be consoled. It broke my heart seeing her like this.

"It'll be okay Killer. They won't hate you. We'll be back soon. The faster we get this done the faster we can come back to them okay? Just calm down."

Nova cried into my shoulder as I held her against my side.

"It's okay. It's only temporary. It's okay."

Nova shook her head and didn't stop crying the whole drive. When we made it home she went straight up to our room and shut the door. I think she's taking it even harder than the kids did.

When she made dinner she skipped on eating and went back up to our room. Finch sat across from me and smiled as I ran my hands down my face with a sigh. I don't know what I can do to make her feel better. I feel so useless.

"It's okay Finn. Nova will be okay. We both know how big her heart truly is. She just needs time."

I know she did. But how much? We needed her focused and confident to do what we needed to do. And she was a mess.

"Just go be with her. She'll feel better with you there."

I listened to Finch and went up to my room, laying down beside Nova and pulled her into my chest. I rubbed her back to calm her down and after a while it actually worked.

"We'll be okay." I told her, but I didn't get a response. I looked down and she had fallen asleep. I closed my eyes, wanting to sleep too. We had a big day tomorrow.

***********

Once we were all packed and ready I woke her up. It's rare that Nova sleeps longer than me but she needed it.

I went to the closet to get my jacket when I saw our bats in the corner. Maybe we should bring them. Like old times. I miss using it honestly.

"Are you going to take your bat too?" I asked as I turned around to show it to her.

"I almost forgot about them! It's been so long since they've been used. Let's do it."

She made sure we had everything and said our goodbyes before heading to the base. Nixon approached with a woman on his arm, I'm assuming his wife, and greeted all of us with a smile until he saw Nova.

"If you're upset-Shut up. I don't want to hear it."

Nova hissed, turning to his wife and gave her a small smile. "I'm Nova. You must be Lisa."

"I know who you are. You're the cure to this. Thank you for saving me and giving me back to my family."

"You're welcome." Nova replied grumpily, glaring are me when I nudged her and gave her a look to be nice.

"You're doing a good thing Nova. They'll still be here when you're done and come back. You're not going away forever."

Nova gave Nixon one of the scariest looks I've ever seen. I don't know what he said that pissed her off but he's about to get it.

"HOW CAN ME LEAVING EVERYONE I LOVE BEHIND WITHOUT MY PROTECTION BE A GOOD THING?! Exactly! It's not! You don't have to leave everyone you know and love behind because no one else can handle their shit! I'm the one being punished not you! So no Nixon! It's NOT a good thing!"

Nova stomped her way onto the plane with a worried Booker beside her. We all sighed before taking her lead and getting onto the plane.

"We can do this. We'll be back before we know it." I said as I kissed her temple. She didn't respond and I didn't expect her to. Not with the mood she's in.

"You guys ready?" The pilot asked as two of the other Resistants boarded the plane too.

"We're ready." I answered for all of us.

"Then let's go."