Their Flame {ON HIATUS UNTIL MY WRITER'S BLOCK GETS HIT BY A TRUCK}

Chapter 19: Katrina

Jack sits by the lake, his feet dangling off the edge of the dock. As I walk over to him, he begins to hum a tune that I don't recognize.

"Jack?" Said boy turns around, his eyes seeming to light up when he sees me.

"Hey Katrina! Come on over, it's really nice out today." Smiling, I sit down beside Jack, removing the tan sandals I have on and lowering my feet into the lake.

"I don't recognize this place, where are we?" Jack just shrugs, glancing at me.

"I don't know. Somewhere in Alaska I think."

Alaska?

But before I have a chance to ask him how we got here, the scenery changes. Suddenly, the green fields and crystal clear water turns into a frozen tundra.

"What just happened?!"

"I told you, we're in Alaska." I jump to my feet, spinning around to see Jack standing a few feet away from me. His t-shirt and shorts are gone - now replaced by a thick coat and pants.

I try to take a step towards him, but my feet won't move. When I look down, I see my hands and ankles are bound with handcuffs made of ice.

Slowly, the ice turns into metal, and when I look up again, I'm in a cell.

"Jack?" I shout, trying to move and get a better look at where I am.

"Jack!"

No one answers.

When I finally stretch enough to look beyond the bars, my eyes widen. Throughout the corridor, about twenty people are trapped behind metal bars.

"What the hell?" I murmur. The faces of the people inside the cells all look the same. It's like someone scribbled over their faces so I can't tell what anyone looks like.

"... rina? Katrina." Across from me, Jack leans against the cell bars, trying to get my attention.

"Where are we? Jack, why are we being held captive? Who are all these people?"

"These people are just like you. Connectors. One from Earth... and one from Milwaukee."

Aubrey suddenly appears in my line of vision, Jackson walking beside her and carrying a taser of some sort.

"Take him out." Aubrey says, unlocking the door to Jack's cell.

Jackson yanks Jack out by his collar, forcing him to stand. "What are you doing? Let go of him!" I shout, struggling against my restraints.

But they don't budge.

"You see this device, Katrina?" Aubrey takes the taser from Jackson's hand and waves it at me.

"This device can steal someone's energy and power. Not permanently, but it's fun to hear them scream. We're going to use this power to help restore our home. So, do you wanna see how it works?"

I shake my head vigorously, tears springing to my eyes.

"No, don't hurt him! Please no!" But Aubrey ignores my cries, handing the device back to Jackson. The older male holds the taser to Jack's throat and presses a black button on the side.

An agonizing scream escapes Jack's mouth as I watch him thrash around. "Jack, no!" The pained sound fills my ears until it's all I can hear.

The muffled voices of the other prisoners, Aubrey's laughter, all of that is drowned out by the sound of Jack's crying. What feels like hours pass before Jackson tosses Jack back into his cell.

Aubrey locks the door before walking away with Jackson, retreating down the corridor. Jack lies limp on the floor, his chest rising and falling quickly with shallow breaths.

"Jack...?" I whimper, tears streaming down my face.

"Jack? Jack, wake up. Please be okay. Jack! Jack! Jack! Jack..."

"Jack!" I exclaim, shooting upright in my bed. As if on instinct, my hand darts to my phone, pulling up Jack's contact. I press the call button and hold the phone up to my ear.

I just need to know you're okay.

With each ring, my anxiety levels rise. But then the ringing stops and his familiar voice floods through the speaker.

"Katrina? What's up? It's four in the morning."

My eyes widen as I look at the alarm clock on my nightstand. 4:28 flashes on the screen.

"Oops. Sorry, I just... I just needed to know you were okay."

"Is something wrong? What happened?" He sounds worried now and I can't help but smile a bit.

"No, everything's fine. I just had a nightmare is all."

"Oh, okay. Well everything at my place is fine. Do you want to talk for a little while to get your mind off of it?"

"That sounds nice. If you're not tired."

"Naw I'm up. I've been awake for a little while anyways."

"Okay, as long as you're fine with it."

The two of us launch into conversation about school, sad that our spring break will be ending soon. Although I won't be returning to school, Jack still has to go back.

We don't bring up what happened yesterday, trying to avoid any awkward topics. Usually I'm terrible at casual conversation, but with Jack it's easy.

Slowly, our conversation slows as we both begin to get tired.

"Hey Jack?" He doesn't respond. "Jack?"

He probably fell asleep.

"Jack, I need to tell you something. It'll be easier since you're asleep. After we were done fighting, when you and I almost - you know... it confirmed something I'd been thinking about a lot lately: Jack, I think I've fallen for you."

A relieved sigh passes over my lips as I smile a little.

"There, I said it. I like you Jack. You're just so amazing, and sweet, and strong. You're the only person who's ever tried to be friends with me. When we first met I could tell there was something different about you. Everything you did was genuine and filled with passion. I always feel safe when I'm with you. Because I know you'll protect me when I need it. Even though you know I can take care of myself."

As I talk, my eyes finally start to get heavy and I yawn.

"I know you can't hear me and won't actually know I feel this way, but it feels good to finally say it out loud. Goodnight Jack."

I lift my hand to press the end call button before pausing. Shaking my head a bit, I leave the button alone, allowing myself to stay on the call with Jack as I drift into a peaceful sleep.

Author's Note: Well, that's another chapter down, I'll update again in a few days. I hope you guys are having a good day! See you next week (≧▽≦)