16
Do you recognize the broken parts of me because you’re fractured too?
Khalani caressed the knife handle.
When Takeshi had bumped into her, she’d felt his fingers brush against her pocket. Was he the one who’d slipped the blade in? To protect her?
Her heart swelled even as her mind told her to ignore it.
Saving Apollo was their mission.
But saving Takeshi was hers.
Unfortunately, the person in need of rescuing didn’t want to be.
Takeshi stayed as far away from her as possible since the incident at the rest stop. Like he was trying to prove to himself that he didn’t care.
As days passed without him saying a word, it took every ounce of her strength not to fling the knife in his direction. But she kept moving, pretending his cold distance didn’t bother her.
That was the name of the game.
Pretend everything was okay.
But as they neared Desert Spring, a strange energy settled over their group.
Brock wore a permanent frown. Adan didn’t crack a single joke. Serene clutched her pack tighter. Elise continuously bit her lip. And Winnie kept her charismatic stories to herself, watching the ground instead of the road ahead.
Khalani wrapped her clothes tighter, trying to keep warm in the chilly air. She was staring at the beautiful half-moon hanging overhead when something appeared in the distance.
A looming shadow. Different from the many hills they traversed.
“What’s that?” Elise asked.
“Desert Spring’s wall. It encircles the entire town,” Brock answered, checking his gun once more before pocketing it.
The large dark silhouette stole everyone’s attention. It must’ve taken years to pile the stone barrier high enough to reach the clouds. Khalani had no idea how they’d built it, or how the Sinners had scaled the wall during their last attack.
“Do you think this is a good idea?” Adan gulped.
“What do you mean?”
“You heard what that guy said. Do you think Desert Spring’s harboring some big secret?”
“Well, he wasn’t alive long enough to tell us much,” Brock grumbled, but Takeshi ignored him. He stared at the wall with a puzzled expression, like he was searching for something. A hidden answer in the dark.
She wondered if he was starting to remember.
If he felt like he’d seen this place before…
“Something about Desert Spring didn’t feel right last time,” Adan added, his worried gaze darting around.
“They did give us shelter and food,” Serene said, trying to lift the mood, but even her voice had dropped to a whisper.
Something was off within those walls.
They all felt it.
The homes. The way their people acted.
It was all too perfect.
But Khalani spoke. “It doesn’t matter. Derek’s in there. We get him, drop the guns, and get out.”
They all nodded in agreement, none of them planning to stay longer than necessary.
As they approached the city, lights flickered. Several figures appeared on top of the wall, weapons raised.
They were about a hundred feet from Desert Spring when a low whistle sliced through the air. A dozen arrows suddenly crashed into the sand, inches from their feet.
“We wish to speak with the Chief!” she yelled at the top of her lungs, trying to keep her voice steady.
But no one answered.
“Tell the Chief we’ve brought back the weapons she requested!”
The gate remained firmly shut, the air completely still except for the wind ruffling her hair. Adan shifted like he might run, but another arrow struck the ground right beside him.
He froze, muttering a curse.
This was a mistake. They shouldn’t have come back.
But a groaning rang out, and the gargantuan metal doors swung open, revealing a woman with blazing red hair.
She wore a tan top that highlighted her muscular triceps, with a long maroon cape flowing behind her.
The Chief.
Warriors flanked her, brandishing their spears. Khalani recognized Patreus and their old guard, Ferren.
But Derek was nowhere to be seen.
“Does the moon betray our eyes?” the Chief asked as they marched forward, her face twisting in disbelief. “Have you returned to us so soon?”
“We promised we would,” Khalani responded, warily glancing at the weapons still trained on them.
“That you did. But I must confess, even I didn’t fully believe you’d hold up your end of the bargain.” The Chief chuckled, her gaze shifting to the larger black bag Brock carried. “Have you brought us our weapons?”
“We have.”
“We’re in your debt.”
Ferren reached for the bag, but Brock deftly pulled it back.
“We’re not giving you anything until we see Derek,” he said.
The Chief frowned, but after a beat, she nodded. “Of course. This way.”
She led them through the quiet town, and Khalani’s mouth couldn’t help but fall open.
They’d left Desert Spring when it was a smoldering ruin from the Sinners’ attack.
A few houses were still being rebuilt, but most of the quaint, one-story homes looked untouched.
Their brightly painted colors gleamed under the moonlight, with small white wooden fences circling their yards.
MERRY AVENUE.
The once-toppled-over sign stood proudly on the street.
“You rebuilt so fast.” Awe crept into Khalani’s voice.
“Desert Spring knows how to come together as one unit and push for a common goal.” The Chief gently smiled.
“When one falls, we all strive to pick up the slack and build a better community. That is what defines us. Makes us better people,” she emphasized, raising her hands in a grand display.
Sincerity coated the Chief’s voice, the warmth in her eyes undeniable.
But they still hadn’t seen Derek.
Khalani impatiently tapped her leg as they walked along the quiet road. Takeshi scanned the village with a keen eye, taking every single detail in. His hand remained in his pocket, right where he kept the gun, not trusting anyone.
And she didn’t blame him.
At the end of the road, Khalani recognized the yellow house they’d once stayed in.
It’d been a mess before, with the fence missing several posts and a broken bench hanging off the porch. But the house appeared to have been repainted, with a shiny white fence wrapping around the yard and the sturdy bench proudly displayed.
“It looks different,” Serene whispered.
“Derek did it.” The Chief smiled. “Bright young man. Very friendly. I’m surprised he’s not…well…from here.” Her voice trailed off, and Patreus gave her a sidelong glare.
Khalani didn’t have time to question the strange look before the front door opened.
Derek stepped over the threshold and froze.
His eyes widened in disbelief, muscles locked.
“You came back.” His voice bounded across the space, and he broke into the biggest smile she’d ever seen. Khalani, Serene, Adan, and Winnie rushed forward at the same time. They collided in the open yard, wrapping each other in a tangled hug.
“You didn’t think we’d leave you, did you?” Serene exclaimed, squeezing him.
“I thought you might’ve forgotten about me.” A tear slid down his face as he hugged them tighter, like he was afraid it was all a dream.
“We could never,” Khalani said, uncaring of the crowd watching.
They could’ve been the only ones left in town, and they still would’ve held each other just as close to make up for all the time they spent apart.
Footsteps sounded behind them. Brock walked over, clapping Derek on the back.
“Nice to see you survived.”
That might’ve been the nicest thing Brock had ever said to him, and Derek laughed, pulling him in for a hug. Serene grinned as Brock sputtered, not used to such a display of affection, but he gave him an awkward pat on the back.
“Takeshi.” Derek exhaled in relief, approaching him. “Can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s good to see you.”
She swallowed as Derek went for a hug, but Takeshi took a step back, a guarded look passing over him. He kept his hand inside his pockets, his muscles completely stiff.
She quickly intercepted, grabbing Derek’s arm. “There’s a lot that’s happened since we’ve left. We’ll fill you in inside.”
Derek cocked his head, unaware of Takeshi’s memory loss. But he turned and led them inside the house. The Chief cleared her throat before they crossed the threshold.
Brock sighed and dropped the heavy bag at her feet.
“The weapons are all there,” he stated, crossing his arms. “If any Sinners come your way, you should be able to deal with them decisively.”
The Chief peeked inside the bag, her eyes sparkling at the number of guns. She handed the pack to Patreus, who might’ve smiled for the first time in his life.
It set Khalani’s pulse racing, but the Chief announced in a brighter voice, “Get some rest. You’ve had a long journey and will need your strength for tomorrow.”
“We’re not staying long,” she replied. “We plan on leaving in an hour or so.”
“Nonsense.” The Chief waved her hand. “Traveling at night is dangerous. You have a spot to stay and a shower to clean up. Why not use this time to rest?”
“She’s got a point,” Serene whispered.
Khalani glanced at the others. Everyone looked exhausted. Brock caught her gaze, sighing when he saw the answer in her eyes.
“One night,” Brock snapped. “Then we’ll leave in the morning.”
“Splendid!” The Chief clapped her hands. “Sleep well.”
She quickly departed, with her men following close behind. Ferren gave them a nod and a light smile.
Patreus didn’t make eye contact. He continued staring at the bag like it was a bountiful treasure. It didn’t make Khalani comfortable, but it wasn’t her business to judge what they did out in the desert.
In the morning, they’d leave for Apollo.
“Are you sure about that?” The Governor’s voice echoed in her ear.
Khalani whipped her head, searching for him, but her family was quiet as they entered the house. The only one who noticed that she hadn’t moved was Takeshi.
He stopped, silently watching her as her frantic gaze scanned every shadowy corner, but the Governor was nowhere to be seen.
Her hands shook.
The visions of him were getting worse. His voice was louder.
More real.
Like he was more than just an illusion.
“Kanes.”
It was the first time Takeshi had spoken to her in days.
She lifted her head and he frowned at the frantic helplessness in her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
The truth didn’t escape her mouth. He wouldn’t believe her anyway.
“It’s nothing.” She tried to move past him, but Takeshi’s large frame blocked her path. He took up too much space. Too much attention. Like he owned that tiny spot in the world and she was merely a guest in it.
“Why are you so scared?” he asked.
“How do you know I am?”
“I see it in your eyes.”
“Surprised you can see anything when all you’ve been doing is ignoring me the past week,” she said dismissively.
Takeshi leaned in, like it wasn’t enough for him to stand taller than her. He wanted to inhale the very air she relinquished.
“I don’t need to acknowledge your existence when you invade my every waking thought.” His whisper was cooler than the wind whipping their clothing.
“You make me sound like a disease,” she grumbled.
“If the shoe fits.”
“The chip gave you the ability to tell jokes, too?”
It was a low blow, but Takeshi shrugged it off. “If I’m so repulsive to you, Kanes, why do you keep watching me?”
Khalani sputtered, not expecting that. “I…I don’t watch you.” She totally did.
“Yes, you do.” He cocked his head. “You sneak glances my way, assuming I don’t notice. Talk about me to your friends. One might think you’re obsessed.”
“You’re one to talk,” she hissed, stepping into his space. “Why did you slip a knife into my pocket at the rest stop? If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were worried.”
“Don’t mistake worry for having to save us from your recklessness. If anyone’s going to kill you, Kanes, it’s going to be me.”
“Practice that line in the mirror more. Maybe then I’ll believe you.”
His blazing black eyes pulled her in deeper. “You think pushing me is going to get you anywhere?”
“I’d rather push than hide.”
Her breaths came faster and faster as they danced on the edge of something deadly. A never-ending battle that threatened to consume them both.
“Keep this up and you’ll only get hurt in the end,” he warned.
Boy, did she know it.
Takeshi had said something similar to her in the rain, not too far from the very spot they stood in.
And the wounds still lingered, reminding her that words cut deeper than knives.
They’re like nails hammering into a wooden board.
You can mean them or not. Apologize or not.
But when you remove the nails, the holes still remain.
Khalani and Takeshi had been through so much. More than any couple should ever have to endure. If they remained together, they’d likely end up destroyed or in a body bag.
But he made her darkness brighter. Believed in her when she’d lost all hope.
Khalani saw the goodness in him. Even if he didn’t.
“I think I’m okay with that,” she whispered.
They were inches apart, drawing closer without realizing it.
And without a hint of self-preservation, Khalani leaned forward and kissed him.