In Love With Earth's Enemy

Chapter 5:

*Darren's POV*

As I sat there in my cavern, I imagined Val's face. Her face, despite being exhausted, was beautiful. She had a fire in her brown eyes that made me laugh when it came out of her stubborn mouth. When my hand ran up her shirt and touched her skin, oh her perfect skin, made me ache for my hand to touch her again. I was lost in thought, so I didn't notice when my brother came barging into my cavern blowing off at the mouth. 

"Darren, why and the Hell did you scare her like that? Why would you bring her here of all places? Stay away from her." He looked at me, confused. "Are you even listening to me? Stay away from her!"

"Now why would I do that?" I said mockingly. 

"Because, Brother, you and I are not what she needs in her life. She is not what we need in our life." He demanded. 

"I don't know Alex, I think she could fulfill my needs just fine." Darren put his fingers on the bridge of his nose. Obviously I have frustrated my brother. 

"She is out for revenge, Darren. Is she fascinating? Yes, but the moment she finds out that we are Scales she won't hesitate to cut our throats when we least expect it." He said sternly. For the first time in this whole conversation, I took what my brother said seriously. She is out for revenge. Why else would any human join the rebellion? It would be hard to explain to a human why Scales are fighting on their side against their own kind. We aren't the only Scales here to fight with them, but no one has came forward and openly told them who or what we are. 

"I understand the severity of the situation Alex." I said as I walked passed him and down the tunnel leading back to the Great Cavern. "At least I know what situation we are dealing with is." I looked back at him and said before leaving him behind.

*Val's POV*

It was a strange night, but I used the time to catch up on some much needed sleep. When I woke the next morning I was determined to earn my keep with the rebellion. Walking down the tunnel back to the Great Cavern a smell entered my nose. "Mmmm" I hummed to myself. I had completely forgotten all of my supplies and food back at mine and my father's camp. Father. I saddened as I thought about him. I will avenge my father, I thought to myself. As I made my way to the mouth of the cavern I saw people running around busily. At the center of the cavern a large rectangular fire was built with pots hanging from above it. Kyna noticed me basically drooling and came over.

"Come here and sit." she smiled and pointed to some logs that were stood up straight in a circle. "Every morning the Morning Shift Cooks make breakfast for the whole community." She said while handing me a make-shift bowl. I looked inside, berries, oats, an egg maybe? I scarfed it down like I haven't ate in days. 

"Thank you." I said suddenly realizing my rudeness at her hospitality.

"No problem dear. In this community, we all work together to make things run smoothly. Those who can't fight, scavenge. Those who can't scavenge, cook. And those who can't cook? Well, we find something for everyone." She exclaimed proudly.

"Like a well oiled machine." I stated. 

"That's exactly how a rebellion works." She smiled. 

"So how do you vet people? You can't just let anyone in." I questioned, hoping she wasn't naive enough to be this hospitable to everyone she meets.

"That is what the Marshall Brothers are for." She stated calmly, not affected by my lack of confidence in her system. "They take care of all the recruiting and refugees and make sure they are not Scales." While she said this my mind wondered back to my first meeting with Darren. I blushed, at the thought of his hand going up my shirt. Then, the thought was replaced with jealousy as I thought he must do that with everyone he meets to ensure they aren't Scales. 

"Are you ready to be assigned a position?" Kyna questioned. I was ready to fight for the rebellion. I was ready to get revenge for my father and mother. My thoughts quickly shifted as I my eyes landed on two men coming out of the tunnel leading from my cavern. Not taking my eyes off of them but addressing Kyna,

"Yes."