The Touch of Infection

Chapter 76: Freedom has a cost

Amite took a deep breath, waiting for Marnik to open the door, while Ezhno stood beside her. He'd insisted on coming along, but she could tell he was there to only keep Marnik in line.

The door finally opened they were welcomed in by Carisa, "I didn't know you guys were coming." Carisa said, letting them come inside, "How are things going?"

Amite smiled, "It's all fine. Is Marnik here?" Her question was answered when she walked in, seeing him, "Exactly who I'm looking for. I need to talk with you, in private. Carisa you don't mind being with Ezhno a while right?"m

Carisa nodded, "No problem at all." She looked at Marnik seeing him lost in thought, he'd been like that the last few days.

Ezhno sighed and sat beside Marnik, "Get going." He said and Marnik got up, grumbling at him slightly before walking out with Amite.

Carisa looked at Ezhno when the two left, "How are things at the camp?" She asked trying to make a simple conversation.

"Dull, humans always try and shoot me." He said crossing his hands and leaning back on the seat, "I gave you too much credit last time. Humans can't predict anything at all, can't even notice when they're walking to their death."

She raised a brow in suspicion, "What are you getting at?"

"The camp is surrounded by Alaois, getting in or out is quite a hard task. But those humans who've made it out have been mauled by infected." He explained.

"Then how do you know that happened? Where the bodies found?" She asked.

Ezhno grinned, "They wanted to leave. So I let them."

Carisa's eyebrows furrowed, "You knew they were leaving, and knew they'd get hurt... so why did you let them go?"

Ezhno crossed his legs and sighed, "I gave you that choice as well Carisa... I let them go, just like I would have let you go. All they need to do the surviving on their own. There's nothing wrong with giving them their freedom, they just need to fight their natural enemies." His eyes seemed to glisten saying, "It's perfectly fair if you ask me."

"It's cruel." She says, "You give them the hope to just watch them die. Does Fallyn know... does Amite know?"

He became serious, "So you'd rather I keep humans against their will. Like prisoners in a cage."

"Well no-"

"Then don't complain." Ezhno got up and loomed over her, "You know many have accepted you as one of us... but I can't see what they see." He scoffed and rolled his eyes, "You're nothing special."

Carisa huffed and set her hands on her hips, "Special or not that's not what matters. You can't just manipulate them like that."

Ezhno walked past her with his hands clenched, "Like it or not, I don't care. Besides what will you do when Marnik isn't here? Who's going to protect you, the precious little child? Or will you stand behind the commanders?"

Carisa glared and clenched her first, "I don't need to do any of that. Or are you threatening me Ezhno?"

He shrugged, "I'll be off." Walking past her and out the door he ignored Carisa repeating the question. He was aware Amite wouldn't like him messing with her, so he'd hold back.

Walking out it was quiet for a while until he overheard Amite and Marnik. They didn't sound on good terms. So he hid behind a corner listening in.

"I won't leave before the month is over," Marnik said repeatedly.

"It's not my fault. It's your mom the one who said it should be so." Amite told him, pressing her hands against her head to try and drown out the sounds, "I'll protect Carisa, she'll be as safe as she possibly can be." Taking a deep breath she hugged Marnik, "Just think about it... when you see her again... she'll be all better."

Amite bit her tongue saying this while Marnik hugged her back, "I want to stay with her."

"I know."Amite squeezed him in her grasp, "But the commanders agreed... We'll call you, we'll send pictures... it'll be like you never left."

He sighed, slowly coming to accepting the fact to her surprise, "You won't let anyone hurt her."

"I'd never even if you hadn't told me." She stepped back and looked Marnik in the eyes, "Neda will also look after her... you know how attached to Carisa she's become. And Bavyn... he'll be so overprotective of her when he grows up. Can you just imagine a commander turning around a whole fleet to meet up with one human."

Marnik laughed, "Alright alright. I get the point... she's in good hands."