The Rain: The End, Marietta Standlee [year 7 reading list TXT] 📗

on the floor. Thankfully he was trained in first aid and was able to stop the bleeding before calling for help.

When Colin came to and realized I had been abducted, he threw a fit and tried to get out of bed to go after me. It took four men, Derek, Sean, Martin, and Blake, to hold him down long enough for Doctor Pheng to give him a sedative. Even then, he tried to leave, and only Blake's promise to find me and get me back calmed him somewhat before finally passing out.

While Colin was unconscious, the doctors put him into one of the med chambers—our President bargained for by signing over large portions of our land to the Gorongiaths.

At the time, I was furious when I found out, but in hindsight, it might have been worth the price. The med chamber fixed him like they did for me, to some extent. His ribs and arm are closed to be fused back together, but he needs another round of med chamber to heal up completely. Which was when I entered. He was just about to rush after me.

I tell him about Ka and Claire but leave out the part where I believed him dead. I omit the fact that Blake almost broke my heart. He doesn't need to know that, not now, maybe one day when emotions are not so raw, and some time has gone by. He knows I'm omitting something, but he also seems to sense that this is better left unsaid for the good of everybody around us. We both know our tempers and understand they can get the better of us.

"You don't think diplomacy will get us anywhere?" Colin asks.

It's sometime after midnight, neither one of us has slept—well, a natural sleep, in almost forty-eight hours, but neither one of us is willing to give in to the urge just yet. The room is cozy in its own way. The bed is comfortable, and the large curtains by the wide automatic doors are drawn to give us privacy. And we have each other.

The window shades are open, allowing street- and moonlight to filter in, giving the room a semi-romantic atmosphere. Monitor and I.V. lights flicker on and off in all kinds of colors on both sides of our bed. I think it says a lot about us and what we learned to live with that we feel happy and content like this.

"No, diplomacy takes too long and costs too many lives," I answer his question truthfully. "Human lives. It's time we give the Gorongiaths a taste of their own medicine."

He nods thoughtfully. "Well, we're ready for Plan B."

"It's time." I agree. "Blake said that as soon as they're done with you here, we'll leave for Secret Harbor."

"Sounds like a plan." he agrees, muzzling my earlobe.

My head rests on his chest—my favorite spot in the whole wide world, and I close my eyes to the familiar scent of forest and ocean. While listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. I hear the sigh of contentment deep in Colin's chest and smile. He kisses the top of my forehead and whispers, "I love you."

I tighten my hold on him, realizing how close I came to never hear him say those words again. To never again feel his heartbeat under my hand, and a tear escapes my eye as I whisper, "I love you too."

Part 11

Revenge

Chapter 1

Over the next few days, I watch Colin slowly heal with the help of the med chambers and thank our lucky stars for watching over us. For giving us more time with each other.

I'm not even eager to continue my training or chomping at the bits for another mission. I'm content to be here with him, to spend this time together. Not as many people as they normally would, come by and see how Colin is doing. Only a select few know he's alive. And as soon as we can get him on a transporter, we'll make our way to Secret Harbor.

The entire hospital wing has been emptied except for guards who have no idea who or what they're guarding. They're stationed by the doors 24/7. Every shift brings different sentries; not one of them has a second shift to prevent anybody from finding out who comes and goes on this floor. Of course, the secrecy is ripe for rumors; the sooner we'll be able to leave, the better.

I try to stay as much hidden in Colin's room as possible for two reasons. One is, I'm supposed to be in mourning, and everybody will expect me to hide away from the public eye. And two, everybody wants to extend their condolences to me, and it is creeping me out when they do. I have no idea how to react and an even harder time wiping the happy smile off my face, which seems constantly plastered on it.

So, I just stay with Colin in his room and hope that he'll be well enough to travel soon. Once we're at Secret Harbor, we won't need to hide out any longer; everybody there will be aware of him being alive and well.

On the third day, after breakfast, I start to barf like there is no tomorrow. Concerned, Colin holds my hair back and hands me a bottle of water. I rinse my mouth before drinking a few careful sips, my stomach still churning.

"What did you eat?" He asks worriedly.

"The same as you. Do you feel sick?" I use a damp towel to wipe my face.

Colin shakes his head and touches my brow. "You don't have a fever."

"No, I'm just tired and nauseous," I explain.

"Well, come and lay with me." He invites.

We snuggle on his bed, and I fall into a deep sleep, only to be awakened by feeling starved. We order food and to play it safe, I go for plain old oatmeal. The rest of the day, I feel perfectly