Chapter 4

I lay in bed that night wondering exactly what my father and Braydon are doing. I can imagine them scoping out there target place to raid. It would be nightfall, best time to attack. Humanoids would be on guard making sure no humans get past to steal the food.

The squad would be waiting at a good distance away. My father and Braydon would scope out at the hill near the building. Braydon would keep watch by my father's side and father would check for a way in using his binoculars. He would see exactly what he needed to do.

The building would have five entrances. The main fully guarded, the back would have a couple and the side entrances would have at least a patrol guard going back and forth on both sides. Then there's the underground passage that Humanoids won't think about.

Father will send two men to that underground passage that leads to the grocery store's basement. He'll keep time on the side patrols. When the men on the inside are into position, that twenty-second window will be just right, the side door will open and each group member is in, except the one on the outside to keep watch of the Humanoids.

Braydon will get a thrill that makes him want to come back for more while my father rolls his eyes at his young blood. They'll take whatever it is that they need. Quick and easy, undetected. And they'll be back at this time tomorrow.

Braydon will sneak away for a minute to retrieve something for me as he promised me a while ago. It would symbolize his first mission and his achievement as a soldier of the base. He would give it to me because I'm the only one who really understands him. We're more alike then what he believes us to be.

He'll return to the group ready to go. Then something will happen. A humanoid in the grocery store will catch them stealing their food. Father will destroy it's head and round up his boys. When they make it back to the way they entered, the door will be flooded with Humanoids.

Father will think on his feet and exit through the underground passage. He'll make sure everyone was out before closing the door behind him. He'll run as fast as he could. Braydon will make sure my father is behind him before getting out of the underground passage.

The stuff they stole will be loaded at the truck nearby and Father will slap Braydon the shoulder for being such a good soldier. Braydon will feel like a soldier and clutch onto the keychain he'll give to me when he gets back.

I drift off into sleep thinking about Braydon's thrill, while I'm stuck here with Tris. Today after they left, Tris was just plain old cruel. I think she saw my pact with Braydon, otherwise, she would have left me alone. Her jealousy is getting the better of her. If she keeps up like this, she'll get unwanted wrinkles in her prime time.

Anyway, today her sour looks were all I have seen on her face. She kept shoving me for no reason and tripped me again. I have to do something about that. Maybe I'll kick her ass on the training ground tomorrow. With the training from Braydon, I should easily take her.

~~~

I woke up with the sun blazing in my eyes. My room is the only room in the base that has natural sunlight, other than the growing fields. I welcome the warm sun against my face. I kick off my covers and begin today with a smile.

Father and Braydon should be back later and I have to wait. A whole day. That's too long of a separation. I should've convinced my father into letting me join. I wouldn't be bored or third wheeling today.

I change into new clothes father got me the last time he went out into the unknown. They finally fit me. Yes, I've finally grown! Time can kiss my ass.

The shirt was a little girly but not too girly to be childish. The jeans fit my short legs perfectly. This day seems like it's going to be a good day. I look into the long mirror checking to see if I grew any curves.

Not yet.

I frown at my inability to quickly grow up and be beautiful. I slide on my converse and grab a sweater. Training isn't until later so I don't have to worry about ruining these new yet old clothes.

The hallways seem even more empty without the soldiers. Since there are only about seventeen people living here, and about five of our soldiers left for the mission, that leaves only twelve people. We're a small group but everyone here makes a big family.

Survivors are hard to come by and harder to keep them at bay. This world makes everyone feel like they have to be on the move. No one wants to settle down because everyone fears that sooner or later, the Humanoids will eventually find us.

I just hope they remain clueless for a long while. I still have to train and grow taller. It would be an inconvenience if they were to show up.

Curly brown, grey hair pops up in front of me. I was about to crash into him but I stopped myself.

"Nice reflexes. A second later, you would've had to get me a new breakfast." His attitude never ceases to amaze me.

"Yeah, well, if you weren't in the way, I wouldn't have had to run into you." Not my best comeback but it does the job.

"I may be old but you're too young to hold your concentration, young lady." He says as if being young is the problem.

"Wasn't my young, fast reflexes saving your breakfast a minute ago?" I ask pompously.

He rolls his eyes and makes his way to a nearby table. His breakfast doesn't look too bad. A bagel with homemade cream cheese, some fruit and what appears to be a breakfast strudel.

"The cooks got fancy today, haven't they?" I say as I eye his breakfast strudel.

His eyes dared me to say that again. "Don't complain. They'll never make this deliciousness again if you do."

I raise my hands up in defense. I slide myself into the seat opposite him. He rubbed his hands together like he couldn't wait to dive into his breakfast. I simply giggled at his mundane response to food.

Behind him, I could see Elizabeth with Kahlen sitting together happily. I gave a low scowl at the sight. I place my hand on my cheek and start to sulk. Why do they have to make it so public?

Joseph looks at me with concern. He notices where my eyes are staring at and shakes his head. An idea pops into my head and a malicious smile creeps onto my face.

"I see you're looking for trouble. Doesn't have something to do with those two now does it?" He knows me a little too well.

I shrug, playing it cool. "I have no idea what you mean. I simply just smiled."

He gives me his disapproving shake of the head. I shake it off and raise to leave. Before I left, I grabbed his breakfast strudel and high tailed it. He screamed at me to come back but I was already halfway to my destination.

My steps careful and a mouth full of deliciousness, I stood before my dear cousin and lovely best friend. They noticed me and pulled away from each other, clearly uncomfortable with my presence.

I rock on my heels, "Howzit going?"

Elizabeth tucks her hair behind her ear. She only does that when she's nervous. I make myself apart of their... date? I slid right into the chair next to Kahlen. He shifts away from me.

"Soooo, anything new you would like to share?" I ask with exaggeration in my voice.

Elizabeth stares at her food and decides to take a bit out of her bagel. Kahlen grunts. Their both not even meeting my gaze. That's not fair! I tell them everything! And their not even going to tell me about themselves?

I slam my hands on the table startling them both. "Fine, don't tell me." I stand ready to storm out.

I don't mean to be so dramatic but I need them to tell me. If they don't, it breaks our no secrets code. And I could never forgive them on such offense.

"What are you talking about?" Elizabeth pipes up.

Her innocent act isn't going to work on me. I stare into her ocean blue eyes. "Don't play dumb Lizzy, it's not a good look on you." I practically spat on her.

She makes my blood boil when she pretends to be innocent. She knows exactly what I'm talking about. I may be rude out front but at least I don't lie about anything.

She flinched at my rude comment. Kahlen stood up. "You have no right to speak at her like that!" He shouts at me. His hands clench at his sides. He's trying to hold his anger.

I'm taken aback. What the hell? So they really are not going to tell me? They make it seem like I'm the bad guy. His chocolate brown eyes have a defensive look to them. I see. If I make a move to hurt Elizabeth, that makes me an outsider to this group.

I clench my jaw at the betrayal. How dare they? If it weren't for me, they wouldn't even be talking! And they call me their friend. What happened to loyalty? The bond between us? Just because they like each other doesn't make me the outsider. I should be the first person they tell, and yet, it seems like I'm the last one to know.

They don't even have the decency to tell me.

"I have no right?" That's my cousin! I try to calm down and rationalize but this anger is only rising. I turn the fight back to them. "What about the truth?" I take my time to look into both their eyes. "Don't I deserve that?"

"What truth? We're not hiding anything from you?" He tries to calmly say but his anger seeps through his words.

The nerve of this guy. I take a step back. They lie even to my face. "Really," I say flatly. "Then what about what's going on between the two of you? hmm?"

Elizabeth blushes and Kahlen rests his hand on his kneck. The sign that there is something going on between the two of them. Still, they don't bother to confirm it.

I wait for them to say something. Elizabeth refuses to meet my gaze. And Kahlen, well he's just pissed at me. I bite my lip. How could they? I thought we don't keep secrets?

I let my anger guide. Not caring who listens or the kind of crowd were dragging into this. I can't keep a lid on my anger.

"You might as well be liars, your pretty good at that." I barked at them.

I turn around, ready to leave these traitors. A hand grabs my wrist. "Wait." Kahlen tries to stop me from leaving.

I yank my hand away. "Don't touch me! I'm done talking to those who betray me."

Hurt flashes their faces and I don't care. I clench my small hands. Hurt falls into my heart because they refuse to trust me with their feelings. The betrayal from them just fuels the fire burning in me.

Huffing and turning on my heel. I storm out of the eating quarters and head to the living area. My head begins to flood with unwelcoming thoughts.

The flames in my skin become hotter with each passing minute they don't bother to came after me. I thought I was their friend. I would have understood their rising love for each other. What pisses me off is that they didn't bother to tell me. I tell them everything.

I guess words are just words. We promised each other that we wouldn't keep secrets. Secrets are stupid and unnecessary. I hate them. I hate them.

My mind races to each memory with them, all the good ones, the bad ones. Did it take me walking in on them to realize? How could this be? I replay the last time we hung out.

We were swimming, playing in the water. Having a pretty fun day. Braydon walked in on our fun saying that my father wanted to see me. So I was forced to leave the group. I expected them to want to get out too but they said they were fine waiting for me. So I hurried to get my father over with.

How did I miss all the signs? I saw a few of Elizabeth's but Kahlen was better at hiding them. They were still there, no less.

My mind goes into overdrive thinking about it. I place my hand on the wall. A headache crashes into my skull. I stayed at that wall for a while before moving on.

Have I been so blind with Braydon that I missed my best friend's budding relationship? No. Even if I didn't know, I still have the right to know. I'm their best friend. They should have told me.

Even if they did tell me, how do I feel about my best friends together? They make a cute couple but a thorn in our friendship. Love is complicated. What if they don't work out. That strains our friendship and maybe even tear it apart.

It's decided. I hate it. They already ruined it with their feelings. Why must they make it worse by continuing with love? I have to break them up. It's the only way to save our friendship. That's what matters, our friendship.

My headache took its toll on me and I collapse onto the floor.