“This is going to sting a bit,” he warned.
Then he slowly turned the faucet and water came out, I jumped from the pain while he ever so lighlty cleaned the dirt away from my hand.
He chuckled. “This is what happens when you’re not use to manual labor.”
I didn’t respond, I was still in pain. When he was done, he turned off the water and took out a clean handkerchief from his pocket and lightly patted my hand dry.
“Hold this,” he said.
I obliged clutching his handkerchief before he went inside Joe’s house then came back not long holding a first aid kit. He opened it and took out an ointment and placed a little on his finger. He then took away the handkerchief, placed it back inside his pocket and applied the ointment on the blister while holding my hand. He then placed a white bandage over it, wrapping it around.
“There, all done. I think you’re done for today,” he declared smiling warmly.
When we were at the mess hall and Curtis was still absent, Devon usually sat across from me. At first when he did this, I objected but he insisted on joining and ignored me. When it became a routine and since Curtis had not yet returned, I eventually allowed him to sit with me and let him have his way, besides I didn’t want to be by myself. Jilly, a Premortal, would sometimes join as well when his mom and dad were preoccupied with her new baby brother, now the youngest of the Premortals. She told me the story about how the entire cave celebrated when his brother was born. I imagined the festivities here and the joy they felt of hope, not for us but for the new generation that would soon rise to restore a new Empire and redeem its old mistakes.
Tonight though, it was just me and Devon at the table eating our late dinner after the others started to return to the living quarters. Mistakes on my part should never be misinterpreted by him as something more than our friendship.
He suddenly chuckled while eating.
“What’s so funny?” I asked smiling and puzzled.
He looked down on his plate then at me. “Do you ever miss the food when you were an Elite? I’m sure you had the most delicious choices when you were still living in your expensive manor.”
I hesitated. “Well… actually… yes, the food was very delicious,” I admitted grinning with guilt.
He laughed. “I wish I was there with you tasting all your favorite food,” he confessed.
He was starting to make me uncomfortable again.
“Did you ever miss me Ellie?” he asked in a low voice and unexpectedly.
This was definitely escalating into a very awkward moment. I grew silent, glancing down on my plate. Not wanting to hurt him then I gazed back at him and responded only with a smile hoping he’d drop the subject.
Not taking his eyes off me, he said, “I thought of you every day, I know it’s not what you want to hear now that you’re with Curtis but I just needed you to know.” He had a hint of sadness in his voice.
What could I say to him? That we had no choice? I was matched with Curtis so I belonged to him now? And if we lived in a different world we could have been together? But that world doesn’t exist and we’d never know what our lives could have been.
I smiled slightly trying to be unaffected. “No use in lingering on the ones we can’t change.”
I hoped he took it as a sign I didn’t want to talk about it but his melancholic disposition remained and it didn’t suit him, I suddenly regretted my decision for saying those words. He had this light inside of him which everyone around noticed, I felt bad I was the source of his pain slowly diminishing his glow. I never meant to be the enemy. I confessed his caring gestures moved me in an unusual yet pleasant way but I didn’t belonged to him, so I had no right to act on such feelings or even try.
I cleared my throat to break the awkward silence. “So uh… I was wondering if instead of going to the farm tomorrow, could we do something different?” I asked trying to sound sweet to cheer him up and it actually worked.
His face lit up. “What do you have in mind?” he said enthusiastically.
“Well… how about the shooting range?”
He was puzzled. “What are we going to do in the shooting range?”
“I was hoping you could teach me how to shoot a gun.”
He sat silently, probably thinking of ways on how to find excuses not to do it.
“Sure,” he agreed cheerfully.
“Really?” I said, surprised.
“Yeah, I’ll help you. I could never say no to you,” he explained easily and gave his sweetest smile.
I wasn’t use to those words especially from someone implying he’d do anything for me no matter what it was. I was reminded on how Curtis simply denied me of it because he was cautious. On the other hand, Devon saw this as an opportunity to help me. He had a different view in life and each time he revealed it, it always astonished me.
The next day we agreed to meet at the training room. It was spacious inside and equipped with weapons for physical combat. There was grunting coming from the two men fighting each other on a rubber mat. Another tall man with caramel brown skin and muscular built was watching them, crossing his arms. He turned when he was aware of our presence then resumed watching the fighters.
“You need anything Devon?” he asked not taking his eyes off the two men training.
“Hey Mike! We just need to use the shooting range for a while,” Devon answered.
Mike shifted his gaze back to Devon. “Alright, remember to return everything when you’re done.”
Devon nodded. Mike went over to a small room and brought out a set of keys. He went to the other side of the training area where he unlocked the door to the other room which was the shooting range. We thanked him before he left then we entered the room. There were a few firearms, rifles, mostly handguns and bullet cartridges inside a cabinet with glass sliding doors, beside it hung ear protections used to muffle the sounds of the gun shot noises.
We stood in front of the cabinet looking at the weapons. He explained these were for training and the other firearms were kept in the armory somewhere in the cave for safekeeping. Devon took out a small handgun and told me I’ve to start with something lighter. He taught me the parts of the gun, what to do and what not to do, I was amazed how he knew a lot about it. When I asked where he learned all this, he replied he was trained by Mike along with the others.
Then we turn around from the cabinet and made our way to the shooting targets. Devon stood in between the division and I was behind him watching. He showed me how to stand first then how to hold the gun, instructing me to wear the ear protection before he’d demonstrate the actual shooting. In front of him on the table was a small screen with buttons, he wore his ear protection and pressed the screen then a black cardboard shaped like a man pop up in front of us a few meters away. Devon pointed the gun at it and opened fire. A bullet hole passed through the center of the chest of the cardboard, he pointed the gun down grinning at his work.
“Your turn,” he said.
I took his place and I positioned myself the way he showed me, pointing the gun forward. He came closer, lightly touching my arm, adjusting it to be straight, gently checking my hands if I had a tight grip on the handle and making sure my finger was not resting yet on the trigger. Then after that, he stood behind me with his chest was pressed against my back and I could smell his soapy scent. His proximity stirred something in me, sending jolts throughout my body.
He whispered softly in my ear, “Relax and take a deep breath. Aim straight and when you’re ready, pull the trigger.”
I placed my index finger gently on the trigger. How can I relax when he was standing so close to me, I felt his chest and his face was beside mine, I was afraid if I turned my head, our nearness would lead to what I thought he intended to happen…
He’d kiss me.
Look straight, I thought.
My hands started to sweat. I hope Devon saw I was only uncomfortable because I was about to shoot, when in truth I was more nervous of him than the
gun. I regained my focus and tried to concentrate but it was hard when my heart was pounding fast and my head was screaming, trying to decipher his body language.
After much debate in my head, I eventually pulled the trigger and there was a loud bang, the impact of the power of the handgun made me jumped backwards but I was stopped by Devon. I was startled by the force released by such a small weapon. It was then I realized what he was trying to do all along. I was suddenly so embarrassed by my assumptions. Why did I think he had other intentions when he was only trying to help by standing behind me to break my fall?
“Don’t worry, you’ll get use to the recoil,” he assured confidently, softly patting my shoulder and stepped back.
I was so ashamed. I kept warning myself to be careful around him but I was the only one anticipating something was about to happen between the two of us. I was the one so affected by his presence. He was only trying to be nice and I made a big deal out of it when it never actually was in the first place. Such a fool I was for holding a gun, yet my mind was somewhere else, an immature imagination only a naive young girl would contrive. I started to panic, not because of him, but because of me. How could I trust myself around him after this?
Devon must‘ve seen my troubled expression. He chuckled and said, “Don’t worry everybody misses the target on their first try.”
CHAPTER 10: CRESCENDO
ELAINE
I’ve been living in the cave for almost a month now. Feeling trapped not because of the confined space, I wished it was that simple but no, it was far more complicated than that. I couldn’t rely on myself whenever I was around Devon, and with Curtis still hadn’t return yet, it was harder distinguishing what my heart desired from what my mind needed.
I kept on asking Allison if she heard any news about Curtis and always she shook her head, she assured me though he was safe with Olfren and Thomas but the more she said it, the less sincere it became to me. I tried to keep myself preoccupied with work to make Curtis’ absence bearable but work always came with another distraction. I was worried for Curtis and for me too, the longer he was gone, the more I was confused when it came to Devon.
When I arrived in the cave, Devon was someone who annoyed and embarrassed me. Lately however, his presence was taking its toll. His gestures, even the subtle expressions, I was suddenly aware of everything about him. The way the right side of his mouth arches slightly higher than the left when he smiles, his habit of biting his lips when he was nervous, and the way he gazes at me when he thought I wouldn’t notice. There were times I chose to stay away from him, for my own good but he was always there like a shadow constantly reminding me that escape was impossible so I abandoned the fruitless effort.
We balanced our days together in the farm then at the shooting range. Some days I was enjoying his company, and other times I spent it regretting that I was having fun with him then I’d be withdrawn because of that, not wanting to talk to him and he’d have this concern look on his face when my mood changed. There were moments I was quiet as the struggle over my feelings took hold of me, and when Devon noticed my silence without the slightest idea he was the cause of it, he tries to make me feel better by being sweet which made it worst.
When we were training at the shooting range, I got better with the handgun. Devon didn’t need to assist me anymore so most of the time he practiced right beside me. He was good at shooting, hitting the critical marks on the cardboard target. I on the other hand was improving by not missing the target entirely. My aim hit the marks sometimes or at least somewhere near it. Then one day after countless tries, I shot all the critical marks, whether it was a coincidence or my skills had greatly improved, I was ecstatic by my accomplishment, staring at the target in amazement.
“Whoa, Ellie you got all of them,” Devon said in awe.
I was beaming with pride and there was nobody else to share the celebration with but Devon.
“I can’t believe it,” I declared excitedly.
“Good job,” he complimented and placed his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer and gave a squeeze.
Even that innocent gesture may seem nothing to an ordinary eye, just a small hug to congratulate, but to me it gave a different sensation all over. A sensation only someone with overwhelming presence could bring and shake every emotional aspect, far from what I was accustomed to. So I allowed him… same as before, careful not to make a fuzz over it, trying to look as if such actions didn’t mean anything…
But slowly it did.
We continued to eat every meal together. Recently, he shared some of what he had on his plate when he knew it was one of my favorites. And when we were done, he’d bring my tray with the empty plate and glass for me and placed it on the tray rack. I wished he stopped doing it, people might think something was going on between us.
“I’ll take the tray myself,” I hurriedly said when I decided I had enough of his help and people in the mess hall started to stare. I carried my own tray since then before he could. He was puzzled at first but then he gave up trying to do it for me. Every day it was always like this, a constant war of emotions, him trying to be sweet and I deflected with my indifference, not to motivate him any further. He had no clue of the personal battle I was fighting within and him being the cause of it all.
At the farm, I was more relaxed around him than in the caves, it was easier without other people watching. We could talk particularly about anything. He told me once that while he was still deciding whether he’d join the Defiers, he received a letter containing the name of his mate and it was then he made the decision to join before the system would dictate his fate, and so he did without ever meeting his mate.
It was brave of him leaving his family behind for a life in hiding. He admitted it wasn’t hard since his father and mother didn’t love each other and barely showed any affection towards him, he had no regret leaving. What he said was sad, I felt bad for him being deprived of what it was like belonging to a loving family.
“I’m sorry,” I said sincerely.
“Don’t be because I’m not. In a way, it only made me stronger,” he confessed.
Devon was the kind of person who always saw the good in everything. At times it was refreshing to hear and sometimes it was hard to believe anybody could still be optimistic even coming from an Omega.
One morning, Devon and I arrived at the farm when Alice came running frantically towards us.
“Ellie come quick!” she shouted, alarmed and out of breath.
We followed her, running without hesitation. She led us to the chicken coop behind the barn where Joe and Lucy were already there standing inside the enclosure. We entered and I stood beside Joe where I saw six lifeless hens on the ground in front of us.
“They were fine yesterday, and then Lucy found them like this on the ground this morning,” Joe informed gravely.
I knelt and examined the lifeless hens.
“Did one of them got out of the enclosure yesterday?” I asked.
“Yes, sometimes we let some of them out to feed, I remember that one,” Lucy answered pointing at the motionless hen with white and black markings.
I checked the one she pointed at, taking a look on its face, feet and body.
“It’s the flu, it must’ve caught it somewhere from the wild birds,” I declared and added, “We need to separate the healthy ones immediately, and if you see any that are weak, leave them here.”
Joe nodded. “We can keep the healthy ones inside the barn.”
We tried to catch the chickens that looked healthy. They probably had around sixty to seventy chickens, not counting the little ones. It was not easy catching them especially the hens protecting their chicks, either the mother hens flew away or attacked us. Joe and Devon set up trap boxes for the mother hens and placed feeds inside them, and when they entered, they’d close it and bring it inside the barn where they’d be released. Lucy, Alice and I caught the ones which were friendlier.
It took us the whole day, and it was
getting dark when we finally gathered all in the barn. We left the weak chickens, around twenty of them outside. I instructed Joe to kill the weak ones to stop the spread and burn them after. He did what I told him with the help of Devon. Meanwhile, I made sure the healthy ones were warm enough inside the barn with Lucy and Alice’s assistance.
When Joe and Devon returned to the barn, I told them we need to buy the medicine for the flu.
“But I thought these were healthy,” Joe asked sounding worried.
“Yes but it’s also probable one of them is already infected but isn’t showing any signs yet. The flu spreads fast and is very lethal to poultries. We need to be sure or else there would be nothing left alive,” I explained.
“But… there’s so many of them,” Joe said sounding hopeless.
Devon placed a hand on Joe’s shoulder. “I’ll get the medicine,” he assured.
I gave Devon the name of the medicine and he told me he’d leave now for the cave to ask Allison for the funds to buy them.
“I’ll come back with the medicine as soon as I can,” he made a promise to me.
When he said it, his eyes shone with hope and determination, it was compelling. He was about to leave when I called out to him.
“Be careful,” I said. The words just left my lips without my thinking like it wanted to say it.
Devon turned his head and had a wide smile on his face and left almost running into the forest.
I offered to stay in the farm for the night to keep an eye on the remaining chickens. Joe was grateful and welcomed me eagerly in his home. It was a small house but cozy. We had our meal together and after that I stayed in the spare room with Alice and shared a bed with her. I imagined this was it must be like to live as an Omega and working on a farm. Their lives depended on the crops and the livestock, a simple living with simple needs and they all seem happy with it.
The Prevalence: Sequel and Final Book of The Premortals (The Premortals Series 2) Page 18