Chapter Fourteen

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|Crash|


It's only a sleeping pill, right? Kyler accepted my offer when I handed him a cold drink. It was my form of truce. He didn't know I dissolved one of my mother's sleeping pills inside the dark, sweet liquid. I feel bad in a way, knowing this will get him in huge trouble by falling asleep. But this is my life PURE is tampering with, it should be my choice to use my body or not. And right now, I've chosen not to.

Soon as I knew Kyler drifted off to sleep, I peek inside my bedroom where he lays uncovered on my bed. His face appears relaxed, his lips slightly parted, taking tiny breaths, and exhaling soft snores. The sudden temptation to touch his face scorches through my body. How is it he's managed to have this affect on me? I stare a moment longer, hesitant to leave, but incapable of trying to wake him, to tell him what I've done. So I leave, gently closing the door.

Walking a few blocks, I start to head in no particular direction, because any which way will take me back into the desert. I can't believe I'm going to run away. Maybe I should seek help from exiles who live someplace between Arid and the United Colony? Who knows if this plan will even work? I'm going to try, though. I've got to.

A painted white brick building to the left catches my attention. It's massive, with soaring white pillars in the front just atop a never-ending stairway. The sign out front is surrounded by dead brush and tangled tumbleweed.

"Department of Draftees," I read the sign out loud. Top of the stairs, someone rushes down each step, looking back over his shoulder from time to time. "I guess I'm not the only runaway," I say, turning to walk away.

"Irissa!" a voice yells from behind.

Looking over my shoulder, my eyes widen by the sight of Finn. He rushes towards me, grabbing my arms, and pulls me into a hug. Even though the warmth of the sun beats down us, I can still feel the heat from his body crawling over my skin. I fit perfectly against him, leaning my cheek against his chest. His heart thuds loudly, and I'm enjoying every beat.

Finn backs up, still holding onto me. "It's really you? I can't believe it..."

"It's me," I say, my cheeks hurting from my permanent smile.

"Yeah, it is," he laughs.

Something isn't right though, he looks worse than usual. I'm not even sure if a person is capable of looking this pale without being confined to a hospital bed or worse...dying.

I squeeze my eyes against the sunlight, looking up at him. "What's wrong?"

He looks down at the ground, scuffing his shoes. "I'm going to be honest with you..." His blue eyes burn into mine, full of emotion, I almost have to look away. "After the incident outside of the church, they have refused to give me treatment."

"Because of me..." I try to break eye contact.

Finn tugs at my shoulders, shaking me from my trance. "Don't be like this! I won't let you take blame for my illness. I've been sick long before I met you."

"If I hadn't acted out, then you would be okay..."

He turns from me, releasing a loud sigh. When he faces me, again, frustration forms across his furrowed brows. I step forward, this time gripping onto his shoulders. His height overpowers me, making me crane my neck to adjust my gaze to his hardened face. Before, all I could see was his chest rising and falling. Now, he looks off into the distance, making it hard for me to understand what emotion his eyes imprison.

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