Beyond The Sea Blue Light

We're Going Down This Road

I stand in the shower, letting the steam rise around me. I don't think I'll ever get over the miracle of having hot water. I look myself over, at my mostly flawless skin. The bruises and scars that once littered every inch of me have mostly faded, the harsh reminders of the Facility washing away. My most recent injury, from the gunshot wound, is just a scar of puckered skin, the purple and red fading slowly.

When I first got here, I don't know how long I stood in the shower, scrubbing at my skin. I wanted every trace, every taint of the gray walls, of the torture I endured gone. I had watched the brown water swirl down the drain, seeing the scarlet blood washing out of the hair and flaking off of my skin and nearly thrown up. It turned out most of the dirt wasn't actually dirt, and in fact were purplish-black bruises or faded brown scars. Still, I had tried in vain to scrub every mark from my body before I finally gave up, collapsing in exhaustion.

I think about Vic's promise to me, right before the attempted escape. How he promised that I would never have to suffer again. Though I have to admit that I would take a thousand beatings and bruises over the pain that losing him caused. I sigh, shutting off the shower. I quickly get dressed, running my fingers through my wet hair, trying to comb the tangles out.

"Hey," I say as I slip into the room. Vic's leaning against the headboard, staring into space. He blinks when I come in, pushing himself up.

"Hey yourself," he responds. He sounds tired, his voice heavy. He moves over as I climb up onto the bed next to him, giving me room.

"How was training?" I ask, leaning my head against his shoulder.

"It was good," Vic says, absentmindedly rubbing his thumb over the back of mine. "I think Awsten's starting to get a bit more comfortable with fighting."

"How are his powers?"

"He's still having trouble," Vic sighs. "Seeing as his powers are in the more destructive nature than yours are, I think he will have a harder time. But hopefully I can convince him otherwise."

"Do you want to come on the mission?" I ask.

Vic hesitates, then nods. "Sure, why not?" he says.

"I'll tell Alex then," I say.

He nods, looking preoccupied. I see a flash of worry in his eyes and know what he's thinking about.

"You don't have to," I backtrack quickly. "I know that it might be—"

"I'll be fine." He flashes me a little smile. "Gotta finish what I started, right?"

"Right," I say hesitantly, still watching him.

Without warning, he leans over kissing me. My worries vanish from my mind in an instant as I kiss him back, pressing myself against him. He rolls over so I'm trapped beneath him as he kisses me again and again.

"Relax," he whispers, pulling away slightly. "I'll be fine, okay? I just want you to be."

"Okay," I respond. I hope so at least.

We sit there for a while, resting comfortably in the silence, my head in his lap. Vic is running his fingers through my hair, before moving to brush them over my lips. My eyelids are heavy as I try to keep myself awake, but I can tell I'm losing the fight.

"You're falling asleep, aren't you?" Vic asks softly.

"I'm not," I mumble, my eyes closed. I hear Vic chuckle as he shifts over so we're lying side by side. I rest my head against his chest, letting myself drift off into sleep in the comfort of his arms.

He kisses me softly, his eyelashes brushing against my cheek as he does. I've missed his kisses so much—they're all I need.

"Good night, Kells," I hear him whisper. "I love you."

---

The next morning, the seven of us gather around the dining room table. Faint light from the sun shining in through the windows as we finalize our plan. The smell of coffee hangs in the air, along with it the fragrance of wildflowers. The others are just starting to wake up too,

"So it will be Alex, Jack, me, Kellin, Vic, Andy," Gerard lists off. "Awsten and Frank will stay here, along with Oli. Jack and Andy, you two are on the first team for distraction. Vic and I will be the second team. Kellin and Alex, you two are in charge of sneaking in. Remember, the plan is to get in and get out as fast as possible. We don't care about the guards." At this, he levels a stare at Andy, who snorts and looks away. "Our objective is to get the subjects in there out, then blow the place sky-high, alright?" He glances around at us. "Any objections?"

"Kellin shouldn't come," Vic says.

I twist around, looking at him in surprise. "Why not?"

"I just think you'd be better here," he says, avoiding my gaze.

"What do you mean?" I ask. "Just because I'm not as powerful as the rest of you?"

"I don't want you to get hurt," Vic says pleadingly. "Kells—" But I'm not listening as I turn, scrambling to get away.