Chapter 17
Jesse
I don’t even know if she got out of the city, but I’m clinging to the fact that she had made it this far on her own.
That’s even despite the fact that her parents gave her no real warning.
At least my shit parents did that much. They at least gave me the skills to try to survive.
I keep walking, looking for her. I stop every few yards and listen for any noises.
Now that the sky is getting dark, more people will be out.
If the Dome is still on the hunt for us, then they’ll be out here sooner rather than later.
I know that by covering the brush looking for Asmita, I’m also getting closer to the island.
I don’t even want to think about what may await us there.
I continue to walk for what feels like hours and as I go, the sky becomes black and speckled with white lights to guide me.
It’s falling into darkness, and I’ve almost given up hope of finding her when I spot an awkward shape on the ground.
The lump on the ground is about fifty feet in front of me.
My heart skips a beat, and my palms begin to sweat.
I think I’ve finally found her, and I feel dreadful thinking that she’s just lying on the ground.
I look around in the darkness then close my eyes, listening again for any sounds around me.
It’s almost impossible not to just run to her, but I need to be cautious.
This could be a trap. If any of the Dome has followed either one of us, we’re done for.
There won’t be any second chances on escaping from them.
I take a few seconds and open my ears. I can’t hear any noises and begin to move forward.
As I get closer to the shape, I realize it is Asmita, and she’s lying face down on the dirt in an unnatural pose.
A rush of overwhelming terror fills my chest as I instantly think the worst. I rush to her side, reach down and feel for a pulse at her neck.
She’s alive and breathing! I feel a little relief.
I would never forgive myself if something happened to her while she was out of my sight.
I put my hand on her shoulder and gently try to nudge her awake.
It takes a few tries until she begins to stir.
I take what little water I have and splash some on her face.
She seems in a fog, and I begin to wonder if George was drugging her to keep easier tabs on her until he could get the Dome into town.
I help her sit up, and it takes a minute for her to open her eyes.
She looks around at her surroundings like she’s momentarily forgotten where she is.
When our eyes meet, she smacks my hand off her shoulder.
My reaction is to grab my stinging hand and rub it.
I wasn’t expecting that. She pushes back away from me on the ground and scrambles to get to her feet.
I can see the dust falling back to the ground with what little light is left.
Her face is pale white, and she’s looking at me with eyes as big as saucers.
I try to reassure her and when that doesn’t work, I change my tone. I stand up so we will be face to face.
“What’s wrong? Did someone hurt you? Are you okay?
” I ask, confused. Standing there waiting for a response, I continue to rub my hand.
It’s no longer feeling the instant sting of the hit, but it gives me something to do with my hands.
I’m frustrated and confused, and I know my tone of voice gives away exactly how I’m feeling.
Asmita doesn’t move from where she’s standing, and she isn’t speaking. Quickly, she takes off my backpack and throws it at my feet. The dust rises and makes me cough. I have to wave it out of my face. I ask her another question, “What’s wrong with you?”
She echoes me with, “What’s wrong with me?” She gives a shrill laugh. She’s filled with anger. Apparently, we’ve both had a very bad day. “I’ll tell you what’s wrong with me!” she yells. “You know exactly who I am, and I only know the lies you’ve told me.”
My heart sinks. I thought she was going to tell me something awful.
We’ve committed the same sin and gone through each other’s bags.
She knows my secrets and knows that I’ve been looking for her.
I’ve failed in my mission to my parents and myself.
The only thing I can do to keep her near me is come clean.
I’ll have to tell her everything that I know. It’s the only way.
“Asmita, I’m sorry.” As I speak the words, she’s already turning and walking from me.
“I mean it! You read the letter. I was instructed not to let you know. I’m not here to harm you.
I’m here to do nothing but help you!” She continues walking away from me.
“Why do you think I just risked my life getting your bag? I wouldn’t do that for just anyone. You’re special. My parents told me so!”
It does no good. She just keeps walking. I plead with her, something that I’m not accustomed to doing for anything or anyone. “Please! Just listen to me. Don’t walk away from me!” That does the trick because she stops walking and slowly turns around to look at me.
The face that stares back at me is hard and filled with anguish.
I know I’ve lost any trust that she may have given me for going back and getting her bag.
To my surprise, she walks back toward me.
We stare at each other and never lose eye contact.
I dare not to break the connection with her.
She stops beside me and drops the bag she was holding at my feet.
It’s my bag. She reaches up and takes the strap of the bag on my shoulder, her bag, and pulls it off of me.
She does all of this without speaking. I can feel the anger rolling off of her like waves from the ocean.
I start to think about what the ocean may really look like but snap back to my miserable reality.
Once she has her bag, she turns around and starts to walk toward the island and away from me again.
I quickly pick up my own bag and follow her.
I leave a little bit of distance between us.
I try to give her space, but I won’t leave her alone out here.
I won’t do it, not after it took me so long to find her.
In the end, it was luck that I found her when I did.
A part of me even thinks it was meant to be.
This was the mission my parents sent me out on.
I didn’t know it at the time, but it was my destiny to find her.
It’s my job to keep her safe and watch over her.
I may have screwed up the part where I was supposed to do it in secret, but I won’t blow the whole thing.
I let her walk in front of me in silence for about an hour.
We are in total darkness now and I’m exhausted.
I don’t know how much I’ve got left in me to keep walking.
If I stay awake the whole night, I’ll have been up and moving for two days straight.
The only thing propelling me forward is her. I break our silence.
“Asmita, please” I beg her. “Please, stop walking.”
I get no response from her. I try again. “Asmita. Please. I’m really asking you to stop walking. I’m not going to leave you. I’m tired. You’re tired. Let’s just take a break.”
She stops in her tracks. I silently thank the heavens above us. She hasn’t turned around to face me, and I take the few steps that separate us. I walk in front of her and sit down a few feet from her to keep her in my sights.
Asmita just sits down on the ground in the place she was standing. After what feels like forever, she finally opens her mouth to speak. “I just have one question,” she says.