Finding ELE (ELE Series #2) Written By: Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckels

by Nuckels, Courtney

"Willow, we need your help. He's hurt!" She grabs my hand and doesn't wait for me to answer her. She pulls me out the door and down the hall.

  Claire jumps out of bed and comes after me but I tell her to go back to the room.

  I let the woman lead me without question, down a few flights of stairs and towards a room at the far end of the hotel.

  "You need to help him!" She tells me in a panic as we enter the room. A group of people that I recognize as part of the search party that helped me, is standing around a bed. They part when they see me, allowing me to view the 'him' she was talking about.

  I gasp and my heart starts doing flips as I look onto Tony's crumpled, beat up body lying on the bed. His eyes are closed and I have no idea if he's even breathing. I run to his side as tears flow from my eyes. "What happened?" I demand franticly.

  "He was leading our group when some Reapers ambushed us. We weren't prepared and didn't have our weapons armed. He took two on by himself as we fended off the other three of them. He killed the first one good, but then the other one jumped him and they took a tumble down a steep drop. We got to him as quick as we could. The other Reaper broke his neck during the fall. Tony, he didn't make out so well either." A man says. "We brought him back as quick as we could, but he's been like this for more than two hours. The trip was long."

  I don't take my eyes off Tony while the guy tells me the story. Two hours! That's forever when you are injured this badly. Tony looks so still and even up close I can't tell if he's breathing. Cuts and contusions are all over his body. One of his arms is broken and positioned unnaturally. His clothes are torn and covered in blood, dirt and other debris from the fall. I place my head to his heart, just to confirm that it's still beating. I can feel it but it's weak if anything. I’m not sure what a weak heartbeat means, but I do know it means he’s still alive.

  I place my hands over his chest, not sure which part of him to focus on since he's beat up all over. I close my eyes and focus everything on healing him. My heart is racing so fast as my mind wanders a million miles an hour with worry.

  I open my eyes and a sick feeling swells inside me. He doesn't look like he's getting any better. I'm not helping him! I turn and catch the reflection of my eyes in a mirror on the wall. They are swollen with tears but they are the right color of navy blue. Why is this not working?

  Panic starts to overcome me and I take deep breaths, not removing my hands from Tony's chest. I focus on steadying my heartbeat remembering that my abilities don't work as well when I'm panicked. Closing my eyes once again, I focus with all of my strength on healing him. Slowly I feel his chest warm under my hands. When he starts to breath in and out I open my eyes.

  His yellow eyes flutter open slightly and he stares back at me as I continue to focus my healing powers on him. I watch as his cuts close up and his bruises fade away on his face. The light returns to his eyes and warmth returns to his cheeks.

  I wait until his heartbeat is strong underneath my hands before I finally let go. And when I do, I crumple beside him on the bed.

  CHAPTER 12 (The 'L' Word)

  When I wake up it's still dark outside and candlelight makes the room glow softly. My eyes flutter open slowly and my body feels numb, my muscles weak. Remembering what it felt like when I healed my mom after she was close to death gets my heart pumping. Memories of Tony's nearly lifeless body lying on that bed flood back to me. I open my mouth to call out but my throat is parched.

  Alec moves to my side quickly and places a glass of water to my lips. I lift my hands up to grab it but my muscles are too weak. Allowing him to help me, I gulp it down like it was the last drop of water on earth. When I'm done, he sets it on the bedside table and then he helps me sit up.

  Before I am fully positioned, he pulls me into his arms. "You scared the crap out of me. I didn't know if you were going to wake up!"

  "I'm okay." I croak out, my vocal chords not fully up to speed yet. "Tony?" Alec moves away just a little bit.

  "Yes." Tony comes into view behind Alec. His face is masked with concern and a bit of envy. Feeling his emotions, he is wishing he were the one holding me right now. "Thank you Willow..." He wants to say more but can't think of what to say.

  "It's okay." I can't say more than a few words since my throat still feels like sandpaper. Tony and I stare at each other speaking unspoken words with our eyes.

  Claire interrupts, "I'm so glad you are okay Willow! I saw what you did, that was freaking amazing!"

  I guess Claire didn't follow my directions about staying behind. I try to smile but even my facial muscles are hard to move.

  "You should let her rest a little more." My mom comes into view. Alec moves away from my side, allowing my mom to take a seat next to me. A proud gleam is in her eyes. "Like Claire said, you are freaking amazing." She smiles and brushes the hair back from my face. "I am so proud of you." She tells me.

  "Thanks." I whisper. My eyes feel heavy and I struggle to keep them open.

  "You get some rest. We will be here when you wake up, don't worry." My mom tells me. She moves off the bed.

  Alec comes back to my side and kisses my forehead. "I will be right here." He tells me, squeezing my hand. Then he goes and takes a seat near the window.

  Tony comes to my side next. I notice his hands clenched at his side. He's doing his best to keep them to himself. "Thank you." His voice is full with emotion.

  "You're welcome." I say sincerely then I allow my eyes to shut again.

  ***

  This time when I awake, my eyes open easier. The sun is streaming in through the windows. Alec is lying on his back next to me in the bed. I look around the room and see that we're alone. I move my arms and realize that my muscles feel stronger this time.

  Alec sits up realizing that I'm awake, he hops out of bed and grabs the water for me again.

  I sit up on my own and take a drink. "How long was I out this time?" I ask him, my voice back to normal.

  "Only a few hours." He smiles at me.

  "Wow, I feel completely better."

  He nods his head. "I don't know why I hadn't thought about it before babe, it's just your mom told me that you would be fine. I should have done it earlier. Then when Tony recommended it, I felt like a complete idiot."

  I crinkle my eyebrows, not sure what he's getting at.

  "I used my healing on you." He pushes some stray hair behind my right ear.

  "Oh." I grab his hand in mine. "Thank you."

  "You're welcome. I'm sorry I didn't do it sooner. I was just so worried. I hate seeing you like that. It reminds me of when you fell back in the tunnels a few months ago. That helpless feeling is horrible!" He leans in and rests his forehead on mine.

  I know very well what he means. Seeing Tony like that last night was almost excruciating. "I know. I'm sorry."

  He moves back and turns serious. "No, don't be sorry. You did what you felt like you needed to do."

  I nod my head. "Yes, I couldn't just leave him like that."

  "I know babe. I wouldn't expect that someone with as good of a heart as you could." His hand cups my cheeks. "I still don't like him though...at all."

  I laugh uncomfortably. "I wish you two would give each other a chance. You might find that you aren't that different from one another."

  "Yeah, we both have the hot's for my girlfriend." Alec gives me a funny look that's mixed with jealousy.

  "Nuh-uh!" I push at his arm softly, but it's hard to mask the blush that I'm sure, rises to my cheeks.

  "It's true Willow." His expression softens. "I can't blame him though. You are an amazing girl."

  I raise my eyebrow at him, feeling a little uncomfortable with this conversation.

  He qualifies quickly, "I mean, I'm not cool with it but still, if you want me to try to get along with him, I will." He gives me a quick kiss on the lips. "But I won't put up with him trying to pull any moves on you."

  I laugh. "I think you are seeing things that aren't really there." Although, deep inside, I know he
's right. "Thank you for being willing to try."

  "I will do anything for you." He tells me.

  The door to the room opens and my dad walks in. "I see you got the winning shift huh Alec?" He smiles at me. "I didn't expect you to be up so soon."

  "Yep, someone helped speed up the healing process." I squeeze Alec's hand.

  "Good. I'm glad you are okay baby. I didn't like seeing you like that." My dad comes to my other side.

  "I know." I tell him.

  "I am proud of you though." He pats my hand.

  "Thanks dad." I give him a hug.

  He turns his attention towards Alec. "Alice wants to make sure you get to go to at least half of your training today. The Reapers are stepping up their attacks and everyone needs to be prepared."

  "I shouldn't leave." Alec looks at me.

  I shake my head. "You should go to training." He doesn't look like he's going to budge so I tell him. "I'm feeling nearly one hundred percent better. How about I come watch you?"

  That was the magic phrase. "Okay, as long as you feel up to it."

  "She's a big girl Alec, you don't need to coddle her. She will be just fine." My dad says.

  Both Alec and I turn to him, surprised he would speak that frankly. I can't help but laugh a little which helps diffuse the situation.

  I take a moment to freshen up before we head out. I look in the mirror before jumping into the cold shower. Blood from Tony is still on my shirt. I take it off and throw it in the hamper then jump under the water. I'm getting used to the cold water. It wakes me up and leaves me feeling refreshed.

  I come out of the shower and find a new pair of clothes and a towel waiting for me on the counter. I'm guessing my dad left them there seeing as how I know he wouldn't let Alec near the door. Not that Alec would take advantage of any kind of situation like that anyways.

  Both of them are waiting for me when I come out ten minutes later. Without any words, we head out of the room and down to the training area.

  The training room is filled with a lot more action than usual. All of my friends are practicing with their trainers. I watch Alec join in. While I don't do anything more than watch, the afternoon passes by nicely. I find myself thoroughly entertained watching my friends learn to kick butt. The best part was watching my mom teach my dad a few things.

  When we wash up and go to dinner we find that the second team returned without incident. New food and supplies are stacked in the corner of the dining hall. Everyone is talking excitedly about the bonfire tonight.

  Instead of eating with my parents I take a seat next to my friends, sans Tony. I spot him across the room eating with some of the other soldiers in his unit. Taking a deep breath, I excuse myself from the table and walk over to where he is. Before I get there one of his friends sees me and nudges him playfully with an elbow to his side.

  I pick up on the anxiety that flutters through him as I approach, but I do my best to push the emotions away. “Hey, Tony.”

  “Hey,” he repeats.

  “Um, I was just wondering,” I bite my lip hoping I don’t sound stupid. “I was just wondering if you’d like to come sit with us, I mean, with my friends and me?” I try and give him a small smile of encouragement.

  Tony shrugs his shoulders and grabs his food. “Sure, I can do that.”

  “Cool,” I say. Turning around I lead the way back to where my friends sit.

  When I get back to our table Alec gets up and pulls out my chair for me. I wonder if that’s yet another way of marking his ‘territory.’

  Alec has a seat to my right and Tony finds a seat to my left. Not awkward, not at all…

  “So Tony,” I say breaking the pin dropping silence at the table. “Why don’t you tell these ‘newbies’ about the bonfire tonight.”

  He takes a bite of his potatoes and nods his head. “Well,” he begins. “Do you want me to tell them about the animal sacrifices or about painting ourselves with animal dung?”

  Candy makes this horrid screeching sound with her voice as a piece of her food lodges in her throat. She coughs and sputters till it flies out and lands on her plate.

  I playfully punch Tony’s arm. “Nice Tony, real nice.”

  Tony gives me a look like, ‘what did I do?’

  “None of that is going to happen Candy, promise. The bonfires are a really special time for everyone to unwind. It’s a time to celebrate and a time to relax. That’s it. There’s music, dancing and smores. Need I say more?”

  Candy still looks suspicious but starts eating again after putting the regurgitated food in her napkin.

  ***

  “I like this one,” I say holding the dress up to my body.

  “No, that looks too…girly.” Claire states. “It’s not you at all.” She digs through the pile and pulls out a light blue number that has offset shoulders. “Try this one,” she says throwing it in my direction.

  Candy’s still sorting through the pile as my mom comes in the room. “Finding everything okay girls?” She asks in a sweet, motherly voice.

  Candy picks up a sequined number and puts it up to her body. “Look what I found at the bottom of the pile…and it’s pink!”

  It’s no wonder it was at the bottom of the pile. There’s not really a use for sequined numbers around here. Plus, I don’t think they have a senior prom here in the compound.

  “It’s…lovely,” my mother says trying to find words. We all nod with fake enthusiasm and she runs to the bathroom to change.

  “Alrighty then,” I say holding up the dress Claire picked out for me. “Hey mom, what do you think of this? Too much?”

  She gives me a smile. “I love the color, why don’t you try it on so I can see what it looks like on you.”

  Candy comes out of the dressing area looking…well there really aren't words for how she looks. Tacky? No, that’s not nice.

  I smile against everything in me as she twirls around. “It’s a nice color on you,” I tell her, not sure of what else to say. If an eye blinding, sparkly dress makes her happy, then so be it. She deserves a dose of happy after what she gave up to leave the shelter.

  “Thanks,” she chirps.

  I walk into the changing room and put the dress on. Claire was right; it is a really good fit. Almost too good. It definitely shows off my curves in a not-so-teenage way.

  I walk out expecting my mother to order me to turn right around and take it off. Instead she puts her hands to her cheeks and says, “Oh, Willow! You look stunning!” Then she comes over to me messing with the sleeves, turning me around and looking at me from different angles. “I’m not sure if your father would agree, but you are sixteen now. I think it makes you look beautiful.”

  I try hard not to blush as Claire takes a dress she picked out into the dressing room. Candy is still standing in front of a full length mirror turning ‘round and ‘round, checking herself out from every possible angle. Every once in a while the diminishing sunlight that's trickling in from the windows hits it just right that I have to turn my face away in order to avoid being blinded. I feel like I'm having to dodge deadly laser blasts. My mom has to dodge the elusive sparkle beams too. We both do our best to stifle our laughs.

  My mother bends down and opens a small satchel she brought. She opens it up and pours out a few bits of makeup on a small table. “I thought you girls would like a few finishing touches. I know it’s just a bonfire, but it’s fun to get dressed up sometimes.”

  Candy comes running over. “Lip gloss!” She squeals in delight.

  Claire finally comes out of the dressing area in a full-length lavender cotton dress. She looks stunning, especially with her matching eyes. My mother catches sight of her and begins the same doting process she did on me, with Claire. I’m so grateful. I know Claire, deep inside, is doing cartwheels now that she has a mother figure.

  My mom stays with us a while longer making sure each of us look our best. She is beamingly happy too and I can tell she loves this. Candy and Claire head down, leaving us alone.


  She applies a fresh coat of lip-gloss to my lips. “Willow, I just want you to know how proud I am of you.” She says. “And, that I think you picked a winner. Alec, he’s one of a kind. Believe me when I tell you, they are hard to come by. Take your father for example.” Okay, that might be awkward, considering he’s my dad and all, but it's not. She continues. “Just know, I want you safe and I really want you to make the right choices.”

  Oh boy, I see where this is going. As much as I love my mom, ‘the talk’ is never pleasant.

  “Mom,” I say interrupting her. “You don’t have to worry about a thing. Alec is a gentleman, true to the word. He’s never pushed me to do something I don’t want to do. And I know he never would. Plus, I'm not ready for that. I know it's old school, but I want to be like my parents and wait.” There, that’s about as much as I feel comfortable sharing.

  My mother accepts this thankfully and gives me a small smile with a nod of her head. She places her hands on my shoulders and looks deeply in my eyes. “Baby, I love you so much. You are becoming such an amazing young woman. I am honored to be your mother.” Her words strike a chord in me making my eyes tear up in response. “Now, now. Don’t you go crying on me. You don’t want to mess up my masterpiece!” She exclaims. I give a little giggle and she wraps me up in a hung. “Now, you go join your friends out there and have a good time tonight.”

  I tell her I will and then head out.

  Back in my room I find Claire fastening her shoes on. My mother left us both a pair of dressier shoes in our room earlier tonight. She insisted that we couldn’t wear tennis shoes with our dresses this evening. She left me a pair of ballet flats, which work perfectly. I’m not one for heals of any kind. They make my feet hurt.

  “Claire, you look beautiful,” I gloat. “Connor isn’t going to know what to do with himself!”

  Claire turns about fifty shades of red. “You do too, Willow. I can’t wait to see the guys’ faces when they see us.”

  We squeal like schoolgirls as Candy barges into the room. I think my chin drops to the floor as I take in her six-inch stilettoes and sequined dress. I’m completely speechless and at a total loss for words.