~~Young~~

Chapter Twenty One

But it wasn't enough, because as much as she hated herself for admitting it, he wasn't enough. Because he was just a man, just a mortal man and she didn't exist in his world anymore. What Sera was now she didn't know, but it wasn't what she was. Now she was something else, something she didn't understand, something caught between life and death...and only Gage could understand that because he was the one who risked everything to keep her with him.

"Why didn't you ever say anything?" She asked him angrily. Yet another man she was pissed at for keeping the truth from her. She didn't need to elaborate, the way he looked away from her, his brows digging together told her he got it.

"I...I just wanted you to be happy."

"And you thought telling me you loved me would make me mad? What about Natalie then? Why did you tell me you wanted to date her if you...if you..."

"Why are d'u pushing dis Sera-" she held up her hand and covered Jerry's mouth...or at least tried because her hand passed right through his face. But he got the point and shut up anyway.

"If I loved you," Duncan turned back to her, finishing her statement, "because you seemed to be growing restless, you didn't seem interested in us anymore...I guess I was right. But," he shrugged, "I was okay with it because it's like I said, it seemed to make you happy."

"Duncan I was not happy to break up with you," she said flatly, "just the opposite...I..." she flopped her hands at her side, "I...I liked being with you, I mean..." this time she dug a hand into her hair out of frustration. What was she trying to say?

"Liked, not loved," he gave her a sad smile as she floundered for words, "and that's okay," he ran his hand up and down her arm to try and reassure her, "you have to admit you and me weren't the meant to be type."

Oh why couldn't he be enough?

He was standing close enough to her that when the voice on the other end of the earpiece-she hadn't noticed until just then he was wearing- cleared their throat she heard it loud and clear. And turned beat red for sure. Their whole chapter must have heard that...

At least Sera wasn't the only one looking red, it seemed Duncan had forgotten he was wearing the piece too, "uh," he cleared his throat and pressed a finger to his ear to talk, "sorry about that Paul, did you need something?"

"Just wanted to let you know both the hole and the command center are cleaned out so Caroline and I are going to take off."

"Okay, good luck, and watch your ass," Duncan added quickly, "if all goes to plan I'll be seeing you in about a week. Take care of Caroline and if it comes to it, drop the gear and get yourselves out of there got it?"

"Got it," two voices answered Duncan this time, Paul and Caroline.

It was beginning, all those people who had come to rely on Sera for their safeties were retreating to God only knew...and it was her fault. All their promising futures ruined. They wouldn't graduate from college, would be forced to find new identities, new lives...maybe never see their families again just to keep them safe. If...if they all made it.

"Where are they going?" Sera asked Duncan as he walked them across the street.

"I don't know," he shook his head.

"Then how do you know you'd see them in a week?"

This time he dropped his gaze to the ground, "I don't," he sighed, "but a week from now Chelsea's parents are going to unlock their gates to their retreat in upstate New York. Anyone seeking refuge is welcome there, but not required to be." This time he reached up to rub his eyes with his hands, "I can't make them go if they don't feel safe, and right now none of us do."