Chapter Nine
I calmly set my intimidating gun on the porch and stepped onto the gravel of the driveway. The pale light hit my eyes as I stepped further away from my weapon. I knew better than to drop my gun, but I wasn't thinking as I made my way to the little family.
"Imogen!" Genuine fear was in Declan's voice as he called to me. "Please get back over here."
I pretended not to notice his reaction- I wasn't about to start thinking on the idea that Tristan's theory was true. Nervously glancing back, I saw Declan's fear as he watched me. It slipped my mind as soon as I turned my back to face the family. One of the twins was standing protectively in front of her sister, as though she would be there to defend her from me.
"Hey," I squatted down in front of them and smiled. "Where are you guys headed?"
"A survival colony," The father answered. "We needed a place- but if you guys are already here we can hit the road. Please just let us go." He was pleading with me.
I nodded, thinking it over. "The kids can't be out after dark. It's not safe. Pick up your guns and follow me."
The little girl was skeptical. "A man tried to hurt Mommy, you won't hurt her right?"
"What?" I felt horrified at the thought of it. Geez.
"We'll talk later," The woman whispered. She looked tired and frightened. She had every reason, so I made sure to give her understanding look. The kids didn't need to hear it all.
I gave them all a quick grin before holding a hand out to the little girl. She glared, but her sister ran to me and gave me a hug. I tensed before hugging her back.
"Get up here, Imogen," Declan warned. "We all need to get inside."
He was already at my side and tugging me to the house. I complied and helped the family get through the door.
They all sat down on the couch and kept their space as we locked up. The family looked like they were finally at rest, which made me glad that I had a small role in it.
Declan tapped my shoulder, so I turned to face him. Before I could say anything, I was being hugged. By Declan Blaze no less.
"What was that for-"
"You scared me," He whispered. "You scared me. I don't- be careful who you trust."
The mom cleared her throat. "You guys are a couple right? I think it's great to see young people falling in love even with the circumstances."
I coughed awkwardly and felt my cheeks turn hot. The room was spinning.
Tristan spoke up, "As much as Alex and I would love to see them together- it's unfortunately not gonna happen yet."
The mom laughed and stood up to shake my hand. "I'm Jane. You're Imogen right? That poor boy has it bad for you, saying your name that many times."
I had never seen Declan blush. But he was pink as he set his weapon on the table next to mine. He scratched his ears and smirked. "If anything she and my brother-"
"Nope," Alex replied. "She's my sister practically." I was both relieved and perplexed. He was confusing. At least I felt less bad for not returning his affections.
"Anyway, I'm Imogen, and Declan and Alex are the twins. The handsome boy over there is Tristan, he's my best friend," I clapped my hands. "What are you daughter's names?"
The two girls were identical twins, pretty young too. "I'm Jessie," The shy one smiled at me and waved. I waved back before she disappeared behind her sister.
"Jo," The other reminded me of Declan with her smirk.
"Johanna," Her mother clarified. "This is my husband, Jeremiah."
I shook all of their hands and gave them my warmest smile. "I'm glad to see a family. It's such a rare thing these days."
"Yeah," Jane agreed. "You poor kids. How old are you?"
"Eighteen," The boys said together.
"Nineteen," Tristan replied.
"Old enough," I sat down on the chair next to Declan. He tilted his head to look at me. His eyes said it plainly; you and Alex have to talk. "Would you give Alex and I a second?"
"Sure," Jane said warmly. "Take your time, sweetheart."
Alex followed me down the hall into my room and shut the door. I sat down and took an awkward breath in. This would be awkward...
***
"Doyoulikemeorsomething?" I blurted. He raised an eyebrow.
"Oh," His cheeks flushed as he stared at his lap. "I'm- I have someone else."
Whew! That makes life easier... That's why Tristan is all for Declan and I- he knows about Alex's girl.
"Is she alive still?" I asked softly.
"I hope," He played with his jacket zipper. "You know Christina Young right? She had History class with you."
Christina Young was an athletic brunette with a bubbly personality. Layla had spoken to her a couple times. As soon as it clicked, I knew exactly who he was talking about and thought about how cute they'd be together. Knowing that he wasn't flirting with me definitely helped- I only saw him as a friend.
"I'm sorry if I led you to believe anything. I just see you as a great friend," Alex pulled me into a hug. "You and Declan are so alike sometimes it's a match made in heaven."
I shook my head. "Whatever. I'm just glad to have that cleared up." I don't act like that pig, he's stubborn and harsh- oh. I'm both of those too. Crap.
I never saw him as anything but friends, so it helped to know he wasn't pursuing a dead-end crush with me. Sure, there were moments I got all teenage girly, but I didn't keep the attitude for very long.
"Did I lead you on?" He winced, hoping that I wasn't hurt.
"Sorta. I just didn't want you to think that I liked you like that- That's why I asked," I shrugged, standing up to head back out. "I hope you and Christina end up together. We'll find her."
"Thanks, Imogen," He stood up to leave. "Declan cares a lot. Just know that."
I paused after he left. Could it be true? I thought for so long he hated me- but now his actions were contradicting and jumbling my brain into alphabet soup.
"There's another colony," Jeremiah was saying when I re-entered the room. "They- they think that the Creatures are a sign that only the pure should repopulate. Basically they're selling young ladies as wives so they can start the process. They k-i-d-n-a-p-p-e-d my wife." I knew he spelled the word because his daughters wouldn't get it.
"Wow," I breathe out. "That's awful."
"They have a high functioning building and everything. Power and water. They make it look like it's a good place but they're really corrupt," Jane shuddered. "Be careful, Imogen. They just take people off the streets because they need more kids in their base."
I shivered at the thought of being sold so I could help repopulate. Kids are loud and don't make it very long. If I were a mother- I'd have to take care of them and risk watching them die. The thought hurt me all over.
"What's wrong? Did he finally tell you about his girlfriend? How pathetic; you thought he'd love you or something," Declan whispered. I bit my lip and stood up. He was relentless and grabbed my arm. "Did I say something?" Nah. Just really hurt my feelings...
"You've done enough," I grumbled, lowering myself onto the floor and smiling over at the little girls. Two barbies were all they had... and they weren't in the best condition. One had mud in its hair and the other had a missing leg. And still, they looked so happy with their toys it made me smile.
"Do you like barbies?" Jo asked me. I nodded.
"My barbie's hair is messy," Jessie frowned at the muddy hair. "You're pretty like my barbie, can I do your hair?"
I dropped my mouth open in shock. I never found myself pretty. They meant it too, and that made me feel on top of the world.
"Imogen is really pretty," Declan opened his mouth to my surprise in a light voice. He slid down onto the floor next to us. "She even has a pretty dress to put on. You guys can dress her up."
I stared at him in surprise as he put an arm around me.
"You're the prince right?" Jo asked, blunt as ever.
Declan's cheeks tinted. "Um...."
"Yeah, cuz the other boy has a girlfriend. That means you and Imogen are the prince and princess," Jessie stated matter of factly, her teeth were all in an adorable smile as she fiddled with her own hair. "Do you have a brush?"
Alex reached over our heads and handed them my blue hair brush. Jessie undid my braid and began to play with my hair.
"Your hair is better than Barbie's," She told me. "You're a way prettier Barbie."
"Thank you," I giggled. "You both are pretty gorgeous yourselves."
I met the eyes of their parents who had proud smiles as they watched us. I knew they were glad to see the girls happy, since that was such a hard thing these days. Jane mouthed a silent thank you as she went back to talking with Tristan.
They braided a small portion of my hair and pinned it back before pulling me to the room to put on the dress. I slipped it over my head and stared at myself in the mirror. I didn't feel pretty, but I just wanted to humor the girls. Nowadays it was hard to have any happiness at all.
"She looks like a princess!" Jessie jumped into my arms as Jo pulled me into the living room.
"Very pretty," Alex laughed. "Very princess-y."
"Dang, girl," Tristan snapped his fingers. "You look bootiful."
I looked down at my bare feet and held back my giggles. Being around little girls made me feel giddy and ridiculous. I sat back down on the floor and felt lips tickling my neck as he whispered again. He knew I hated when he did that; yet he still felt the need to do it ALL THE FREAKING TIME.
"Beautiful," He grinned. "But Barbie wears it better."
"She does not! Imogen looks amazing!" Jo frowned. "Imogen, your prince is a jerk."
"I'll be like Elsa," I decided. "I don't need no Prince Hans of the Southern Isles."
The girls cheered excitedly, making my head throb. "She likes Frozen, Mommy!"
"That's great, how about Princess Imogen takes you guys to bed?" She shot me a pleading look. I silently complied and helped them up. They plopped down on my bed and bounced up and down.
"You're so much fun!" Jessie laughed. "Is this your bed?"
"Yeah, but it'll be yours for tonight," I tucked them under the covers. They both threw their arms around me.
"I love you like a sister," Jessie whispered. I kissed her forehead and felt a smile creeping its way across my lips.
"I love you guys too," I gave them both a final hug and gently closed the door behind me.
Back in the living room, Jeremiah and Jane had set up sleeping bags on the floor. Declan made sure they had their weapons before meeting me at the foot of the hall. Apparently Alex and Tristan had the bunk beds while Declan got his own room.
"You of course had to have the big room huh?" I teased.
He smirked arrogantly. "The best get the best."
"You are so full of it," I said with a sleepy yawn.
"You going to bed?" He asked, blue eyes looking me over. I shook my head and explained that the girls had my bed for the night. "Stay in my room."
"No," I turned to head the other way, but he simply picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. "Blaze!"
"Shh, you'll wake the kids," He set me down on his bed. "Now go to sleep."
I pulled on the thin sleeves of my dress. He sighed and handed me a long sleeved shirt and sweats. I changed under the covers and stared at the cracks in the ceiling to try and sleep.
The bed dipped as he curled up next to me.
"You need to get along with me better," He playfully scolded me.
"You treat me like crap, Blaze," I didn't make eye contact. His fingers laced through mine, perfectly fitting like they were meant to be there. He ran his thumb over the back of my hand gently.
"I don't hate you. Old habits," He whispered, pulling me closer so he could hold me. I pretended not to be uncomfortable with his arms around me, but it also made me feel less alone.
"I don't hate you too," My eyes fluttered shut from the weight of my exhaustion. Declan pressed his lips to my shoulder, earning a glare and a smack. "Don't you dare, Blaze."
"Just got to sleep," He told me.
"You aren't my mother," I groaned.
"But you're tired," His eyes were closed too. His breathing was become even and deeper. Sleeping was contagious.
"No, I'm Imogen," I said sarcastically. He rolled his eyes, I knew even though I wasn't looking at him.
"I knew that. It's such a pretty name," He muttered, half-asleep. "You're really pretty too."
"Ok, mister!" I laughed. "You're sleepy and delusional."
His arms were tightening around me like he was afraid I'd leave. I wanted to leave, but he hugged me closer- not aggressively, but sweetly- and whispered; Stay. I don't want to lose you.
I curled up under the blankets and let the world fade to a distant hum. Everything was more background noise next to my muddling thoughts. Everything about today was hectic. From Declan's confessions to Alex's girlfriend. I was relieved about my problems, only to find more Declan related issues stacking up like lego bricks.
I was being a teenage girl. You know- over complicating things.
Absolutely mixed up, I operated under that delusion until I fell asleep.
I woke up to the screams of a child.