The Garden of Eden (Silent Moments Series: Book 5)

Chapter 18

Octavia's intense gaze met mine, her eyes piercing into me. "I understand why you lied, Kegan. To protect her. But she no longer needs your protection. She has mine now," she declared, her tone firm yet empathetic. She then turned back to Madi. "I know your struggle, the girl under the floor. No more fear. Training starts tomorrow."

Leaning in close, Octavia whispered to me, her words a mixture of threat and assurance. "Don't worry, Kegan. Your secret's safe with me." She then turned and walked away, leaving a palpable tension in her wake.

I approached Madi, my emotions a turbulent mix of relief and concern. "Let me see your hand," I sighed, tearing a piece of cloth from my shirt for a makeshift bandage.

Madi spoke softly, "I know you're upset, but I told her I don't want to be Commander."

"I did it to keep you safe," I said, my voice strained with emotion as I carefully wrapped the cloth around her hand. "That's my job, and now, you've just made it so much harder."

***

The dawn broke with a tranquility that was hauntingly similar to our mornings in Shallow Valley. I gently roused Madi from her sleep, and together we sat to witness the sunrise. The sky was ablaze with streaks of orange and pink, a beautiful canvas that momentarily allowed us to forget our current predicament. It was during these quiet moments that Madi would insist on braiding my hair, a small act of normalcy in our otherwise tumultuous lives. Her fingers worked deftly through my hair, weaving it into intricate braids, a routine that had become a cherished ritual for us both. As she tied off the final braid, I felt a surge of mixed emotions. The day had arrived for Madi's first training session.

"Okay," I exhaled softly, securing the last braid with a delicate touch, my hands lingering a moment longer than necessary. The significance of the day weighed heavily on me.

Madi's enthusiasm was infectious. She had been a bundle of energy since dawn, her excitement for the training palpable. As soon as I finished her hair, she leaped up, her movements quick and eager, as she snatched her bag.

"Wait a second," I called out, catching her attention. "Your canteen."

She paused and turned, her smile tinged with confusion. "I'm pretty sure they'll have water there," she reasoned.

"Take it anyway," I urged, the edge in my voice betraying my underlying concern.

She gave me a look that spoke volumes - a blend of teenage exasperation and understanding - but obediently took the canteen. "Kegan, I'm not a kid anymore."

"I know," I replied, my voice laced with a hint of sadness. "And that's precisely why you need to be cautious. Today, you have to be ordinary. Don't let anyone see how remarkable you are."

Her excitement dimmed at my words. It pained me to curb her enthusiasm, but her safety trumped everything else. "You can't draw attention, Madi. We can't risk Gaia or Octavia suspecting your potential as a Commander."

Madi nodded, a mature understanding in her eyes. "I get it, Kegan."

I couldn't help but add, a small glimmer of hope in my voice, "Once Echo brings down that camera, we can all head back to Shallow Valley."

Her response came with a touch of sarcasm, a reflection of her growing resilience. "Sure, Kegan. Maybe in Shallow Valley, I won't have to pretend to be less than I am."

I nodded, offering Madi a small, bittersweet smile that concealed my swirling mix of emotions. Her warm hand gently cradled my face, and she pressed a tender kiss on my cheek before turning to leave the tent. Watching her step out into the world, a sense of pride battled with a gnawing anxiety. The idea of her navigating the complexities of our reality on her own sent a ripple of nervousness through me, a reminder of her growing independence and my own fears. Once she was out of sight, I turned my attention to the items I had kept hidden away - Jasper's goggles and the note he had left. They were relics of a past that seemed both distant and painfully close, objects that held memories and meanings I wasn't sure I was ready to face. Holding them in my hands, I felt the weight of history and unresolved emotions. It was time to return them to where they belonged. I left the tent, my steps carrying a sense of purpose as I sought out Monty.