Of Vines and Men

I couldn't sleep, obviously. The next six hours were spent pacing, laying on the ground, pacing again, laying on my cot, pacing some more, sitting with my legs against the wall blowing strands of hair from my face, pacing even more, and finally, more pacing. There was an hour till midnight, and my stomach rumbled. Without care, I flung the door open, and a new face held a sword to my throat.

"Midnight snack! Gods..." I huffed, holding my hands up. I studied them, a tall girl with a side shave. Daring. "Can I get somethin to eat? I won't sleep without some food." I stayed still, and the girl sighed.

"Yeah, you know the way?" She asked, her voice light and feathery. It was soft and warm, the kind of voice I would except from my mother. I felt a pang of pain in my chest, I didn't just expect that voice from my mother, she sounded like my mother. I swallowed hard, nodding and dropping my hands. She cocked her head in the direction as if to tell me to grab some food.

The walk to where I had gotten food earlier was quiet, and it finally hit me about my mom. She probably thought I was at Camp, too busy with training to iris message. It happened, and it hurt to know she wasn't worried. Well, more bittersweet considering I know she would be a wreck and probably set fire to the city, driving people mad just to find me. She always had a fire in her eyes, she said that's why she may have scared away some men. My mom would say she passed that on to me, but it didn't matter to her. She always told me I had big dreams, and the abilities to do great things.

I sniffled unconsciously, and wiped my eyes. Only a couple tears fell, but I needed them to dry quickly. I didn't have much time before I had to talk to Calum. With a deep breath I busted into where the food was, going through cabinets. When I found the chocolate chip cookies I took two sleeves of them- no shame -and headed back to my room. I gave a tiny smile to the girl guarding the room, and she returned it.

I closed the door and slid down the wall, opening the package of cookies, looking at it for a second.

"I really should've gotten milk." I sighed, taking a bite anyway. They were good, but not homemade. They tasted like a factory not like they were made with love.

Cheesey, I know.

As I chewed on my sixth cookie, I heard voices outside my door. I pressed my ear to the door, heading muffled voice and footsteps. The handle turned and I scooted away.

"Eve-" Calum looked around, closing the door. His eyes rested on me, sitting on the floor. "Why are there crumbs all over your mouth and- two sleeves? Dammit, Eve. Either you're really down or you thought about me.

"I'm really down." I said with a mouth full, wiping crumbs from my mouth.

"What's wrong?" He asked, taking a cookie. I frowned at him.

"Well, I haven't had a shower in like two days, my best friend kidnapped me,and my other best friend is losing it over me being taken. My mom thinks I'm still at Camp!" I ate another cookie. And another. and another.

"Eve, calm down. It's good your mom isn't worried. Less likely for her to get hurt." He told me, and I could almost gra the sincerity. My mom and Calum talked to each other like they gossiped every Saturday about some soccer mom. They were friends, and my mom had remarked how I always had good friends. Yeah, he was a great friend....

"Well, of course I don't want her hurt!" I let out a long breath, looking down. "What were you about to say anyway? Earlier?"

"About why I joined...." Calum took a deep breath, readjusting how he was sitting. "It was a few years ago, I was bitter and hormones... You know, I can't believe you used my sexuality against me, Eve. That's a low blow."

"Ah yes, you totally didn't deserve for one thing to hit home, sorry." I answered, rolling my eyes. "You may have been my friend, but it's gonna take a shitload to get back on my good side." I shot a glare his way, and I could see him get goosebumps.

"Woah, you swore at me Ok, ok. Jeez... Anyway, Luke's persuasive. Very. Very persuasive. I thought it was right, and it could still be right, Eve. But, regardless of if you think it's good or not, you need to cooperate, or at least fake it. It'll save you, trust me." He tells me, holding my gaze for what felt like forever.

"What about Amira." I demanded, standing up.

"Amira? Why do you keep bringing her up?"

"Cause she matters to me, Cal. What happens to her?" I demanded, staring at him, "What happens to her?"

"I'm doing everything I can to keep her safe." Cal stood up, going to put his hand on my arm to comfort me. I brushed it away.

"You better pray to every deity you can name that it will be enough. If she gets hurt, I'm going to kill you." I pushed him away, pointing to the door.

Notes

Wow, longer-ish update?

~Nova~