I can honestly say, that when Kade and I are old we can look back and say his marriage proposal was like no other. How many guys do you know who've proposed in front of a room full of dying, decaying people and a girl who is self-harming.
Yep, that's right; Lucindy began slashing her arms and legs with a knife while screaming obscenities and threats at us both.
Kade and I were so caught up in our moment that we were completely unaware of Lucindy, ripping herself to shreds in protest over his proposal.
When we eventually became aware of her screams we looked up to see her drenched in blood, being attended to by two female followers. While they bandaged and bound her arms to stop her harming herself further, she continued to hurl horror at our happy occasion, "You want to be with IT, then we'll ensure my sister's wish is realized. We will hunt you and stitch you together. I will personally do it, without anesthetic and with a blunt, infected needle. You'll be, Kanya, together but not forever, no - my shoddy work will see you die slowly together, in agony. Watch your backs! She screams, before being led away by the frightened followers.
But her words had little affect; we were too happy to care.
......
It's a squeeze in the back of the truck. We're all shoe horned in amongst: flight packs, boxes of sedatives and pharmaceuticals, guns, medical equipment, protective suits and mom's brain; which has been powered down for our journey back to the hide out.
We are well armed for our fight.
I'm feeling good - a deep contentment nestles deep inside me. "Do you like it?" Whispers Kade, lifting my hand to look at my ring. It's a simple silver band, with tiny diamonds embedded within it. "Like it - I love it," I reply, with a heartfelt hug. "Your mother gave it to me, it was your grandmother's. I couldn't believe it when I saw it, the diamonds reminded me of my dots," says Kade, looking closely at the ring. I chuckle, "It was meant to be - we should name the diamonds after your dots," I suggest, with a knowing smile.
Thankfully the boxes that surround us offer a modicum of privacy from the rest of the group. A shaft of light beams through a gap in the truck door, I hold my hand into it and when I swivel it, the light bounces off the diamonds, creating our very own love laden laser show in this small dark and strangely intimate space.
Kade cups his hands around my face and pulls it up to his - I luxuriate in the soft, slow warmth of his lingering kiss - Kade's a guy who give's good romance in the most unusual of places.
......
It's a relief to be back at the hideout. Its primitive simplicity is a welcome respite from the clinical quality of The Cryogenic Centre and all the death and disease there. "Right, first things first - I'll deal with dad and that game," says Kade, stretching his arms upwards and letting out a large yawn.
......
Little Kelvin is indignant when Kade pulls the plug on the game, "Excuse me - I was about to reach my best score by spreading disease to a considerable crowd of people," he says, his face contorted and angry.
