Beyond

Chapter 5

We travel for what seems like hours. I feel the life draining out of me as my arm continues to bleed.

“Woah” Levi stops the horses. He comes to me and helps me off but as I am getting off everything seems blurry and I fall, Levi catching me. He places on the ground so that I can see the sky through the trees. I look up and my vision clears and I see the starry night sky before everything goes black.

I wake up and it’s still dark. I begin to get up but wince in pain. Levi come to my side and helps me sit up.

“You need to take it easy. I don’t have enough supplies to get you better right now; you need to save your strength.” I examine his handy work on my arm. It looks like he has done this a lot. Working as a nurse in the barracks has taught me something about bandaging.

“Thank you, we should get going.” I say through my teeth, forcing myself to get through the pain and agony. I am sure Archimedes is on our tail. It won’t be long before they catch up to us.

Levi helps me up. I allow him help me put my jacket on.

“There is a town not to far from here. We should be able to get shelter there. But we have to lay low. This town is known for its Freedom Republic loyalists. We need a story to cover our tracks.” he stops for a moment to get a knife out.

“You are pregnant and I am your husband. We are traveling to see a doctor. You are early in your pregnancy, 2 months. The pregnancy will get us more food and I want you to use the pregnancy to your advantage.” I look at him confused.

“You are tired all the time and need rest. We can’t be around people long enough for them to realize who we are. Got it?” I nod.

“You cannot let them see you are hurt. I am sure there is a reward for your capture. We need to change you look a little.” He comes to me and shows me the knife.

“I need to cut your hair. I will cut mine too.” I nod. Levi cuts my hair at the shoulders and I can now feel the breeze on my neck. It feels strange since I have always had it long. He takes his blonde shoulder length hair and cuts it. He is handsome. This blonde hair complimenting his blue eyes. He looks at me and I realize I have been staring.

“What?”

“Oh nothing, sorry.” I look away and my cheeks feel hot. This is not the time for this.

We get on the horses and begin to ride to the village. Once at the small town we survey the area. The sun is setting and we need a place to stay for the night.

“Princess we will stop here.” It’s a small inn called Creek Bay Inn. We get off our horses and tie them to the fence. Once we walk into the inn it’s small and cozy. A lady walks up to me she looks about my mother’s age. She looks like life has beaten her down but she still stand tall.

“Can I help you two? Looking to lodge with us?” I smile and Levi begins to talk.

“Yes, my wife and I need lodging for the night. She is pregnant we are moving on in the morning to find her a doctor.” The women looks at us, a little suspicious.

“She doesn’t look pregnant.” the Innkeeper says. So I intercede.

“I am two months pregnant. It’s been a difficult pregnancy constantly throwing up and I often feel cramps. That is why we are going to the doctor. I want to make sure everything is alright with the baby. Please can we have a room? I really need to rest.” I say holding my abdomen. Levi is looking at me.

“Ron, honey, can you please hold me?” Levi is confused but gets the hint. He loops his hand around my waist and lifts me up into his arms.

“Thank you sweetheart, that’s so much better.” I kiss him on the cheek to make it convincible.

“Of course dear.” He says looking at me with such intent.

“Okay you two, let's go. We’ll get you signed in.” The innkeeper doesn’t seem convinced just yet but for now it will do. “My husband is the cook here and will have dinner ready for you in an hour. Go get settled and cleaned up.” She hands us a key. “Your room is the last door on the left.” she points us to the direction of the stairs. We thank her and make our way to the room. When we come in, Levi puts me down on the bed.

“That was impressive. How did you know about all the pregnancy stuff?”

“I used to work in our medical ward. I volunteered as a nurse in the summer. I checked in on pregnant mother and helped deliver babies. I had to do a lot of research and because books are not that easy to come by anymore I asked around a lot.”

“That’s impressive.” He looks amazed. “I’ll go get myself cleaned up. You rest for now because we have to leave first thing in the morning. I don’t think the innkeeper is buying our story just yet.”

“Then we’ll just have to convince her.” I say before Levi leaves the room. The room is small but enough for one night. There is one bed, so we’ll have to share. The thought makes me blush but I quickly throw any ideas out of my head. I lay down hoping to rest my eyes but fall into a deep sleep quickly.

“Wake up sleeping beauty.” My eyes hurt and I feel like I am in a haze. For a moment I have forgot everything that has happened, but everything comes flooding in and I immediately open my eye. . Levi is sitting on the bed. He looks different now that he is cleaned up. His short hair now clean and smoothed back.

“We need to redress your wound so it doesn’t get infected. I need you to sit up.” He helps me sit up. “Let me get some water to clean it up.” He picks up a small bucket. I raise my eyebrow wondering how he got a bucket.

“I said you needed it in case you threw up.” He gives me s give smile. He took the bucket and a cloth to the bathroom. I can hear the water running. I manage to remove my jacket but can’t roll my long sleeve up. It is too tight and is hurting me.

“Let me.” Levi says, back in the room. He comes to my side and begins to roll my sleeve up but its too tight and I flinch from the pain. “You have to take it off.” he says. For a moment I think his cheeks turn pink. At first, I want to protest but I know this is the only way. I begin to take my shirt off but it hurts.

“Let me help you.” I hesitate at first, but allow him to help me. The only thing underneath is my training tank top. I feel somehow vulnerable. Although I have trained in this before, somehow it feels different right now.

He begins to unwrap my arm and it hurts.

“Its not infected, that’s good. We need to get you to the compound and get you some alcohol to properly disinfect it and stitch it up. He gently cleans the dried blood off and begins to bandage it up again when we hear a knock at the door.

“Dinner is ready. Come down as soon as you are ready.”

“I should get cleaned up. Why don’t you go down and stall.” I say. Levi nods and heads downstairs. I go to the bathroom and there is a mirror there. I look beaten. The loss of blood makes me look pale, I guess I fit the part as a puking pregnant woman.

I take a shower and enjoy the hot water on my face. I try to keep my hand out of the hot water to avoid the excruciating pain it would give me. Once finished I head downstairs where Levi is laughing up a storm. I can hear another man’s voice. His voice is deep and kind. I walk in and see the innkeepers husband. He is tall and on the heavier side but he has a kind face.

“Hello Anna, my name is Robert. I hope you feel a little rested.” He smiles, shaking my hand. Levi has given me the name Anna.

“Yes, thank you.” I smile. Levi takes my hand and leads me to a chair. He slides the chair back and I sit. He comes and sits beside me. The innkeeper and her husband bring out the food and sit across from us.

“You guys are lucky,” Robert begins “you guys are the only one’s here today.” his chuckles are deep and heavy. “We are usually busy, but lately its been quiet. Especially after the raids.”

“Shhh! Robert.”

“Maryann, they are good people. We can trust them.”

“What raids?” I am curious.

“The Freedom Republic has been raiding homes making sure no rebels are being hidden. We saw our friends taken away because they were harboring rebels. They were beaten and taken away.” I can’t seem to contain my shock. Could Archimedes have anything to do with this?

“Did you see a man with brown hair and brown eyes?? He is..” Levi stops me.

“Anna, can I please talk to you in private?”

“But..” I don’t finish because Levi has already pulled me out of the room.

“You cannot ask such dangerous questions.”

“But Levi, what if it was Archimedes, what…”

“No. Keep your mouth shut or we will get caught and killed. Do you understand me?” His harsh tone hurts me, but I understand and nod.

“If they ask, you will tell them you are looking for your brother.” I nod, knowing my questions will have to wait. We walk back in and sit. There is silence while we eat. Robert breaks the silence.

“I hear you are pregnant.” I almost forget about the pregnancy lie.

“Yes, two month. It’s really exciting.” I smile trying to hide my nervousness.

“It is exciting. We have two children. Or we had.” I see sadness in his eyes. Maryann leave the room abruptly. “Maryann!” He calls for her. But to no avail. He sighs.

“We had two boys who were taken to fight in the war. They were farm boys. They helped me around the farm. They didn’t know how to fight.” Tears form in his eyes. “They both died in battle." he takes a moment.

"I am sorry, I should not bring such sad things up.” He gets up and begins to clear the dishes. But I get up and stop him. He turns to look at me.

“Thank you Robert. I am so sorry for your loss.” I say feeling the tears roll down my face.

“Thank you darling, why don’t you go rest. You need it.” He walks into the kitchen leaving me and Levi alone.

“Let’s go princess.” He says. He gives me his hand and I take it. Once in the room, I lay on the bed making room for Levi, he smirks.

“I am going to make a bed on the floor.” I think I look stupid, because I feel stupid. I feel flushed.

“Of course, yea.. I knew that.” I laugh nervously. As we settle into bed. I can’t help but remember Robert and how sad he was. My heart hurts for them. I feel somehow responsible. I was part of the Freedom Republic. I agreed to these methods of eradication or I didn’t pay attention enough. I was too caught up in my life, that I didn’t care. I feel like a horrible.

“Don’t think, sleep, Princess. It won’t do you any good.” I can’t help it, I turn around and start to cry softly. I want to yell and rip my hair out. I was part of the problem. I lived in luxury while people feared for their life and their children’s life.

Levi is comes around the bed and sees me crying.

“Princess…” his face soft and kind. “Move over.”

"Is this okay?" I ask unable to understand how I can let a stranger I met two days ago into my bed to comfort me.

"Move over Princess." I make room for him and he holds me while I cry softly until I fall asleep. I am not sure why, but his presence soothes me. I feel safe as though I have known him all my life.

* * * * * * *

I wake up and see that Levi is nowhere in sight. I begin to get up quickly regretting it the moment I do. I yelp in pain, and Levi runs into the room.

“Are you okay?” he runs over to me.

“Yes, yes. I just forgot I was injured.” I smile.

“Good." he realizes what he has just said and correct himself. "I mean good that you are alright but bad because of the injury. Never mind." He says embarrassed. "Lets get packed and ready to go.” I respond by getting up and getting myself into the long sleeved shirt. I wash up and get my jacket on. As I walk in the hallway I hear voices. A man begins to speak and I recognize the voice. I run quickly to the room.

“Archimedes! Levi we have to go now, they are here!”

“Crap.” We get our things and walk down the hallway. They are in the main hallway we just need to sneak past them and leave through the back door.

“We only have two people staying here.” Maryann says. Then Robert intercedes.

“Why don’t you wait in our sitting area while I go and fetch them.”

“But Sir, you do not understand…” Robert interrupts Archimedes.

“I understand that this establishment runs on kindness and courtesy. I do not want people to think we allow anyone into their rooms. Please wait till I call them.” I feel panic. Robert is coming our way, he sees us at the top of the stairs and beckons us to come down. But he isn’t speaking. We go down hesitantly.

“You two need to get out of here now. They are getting impatient. Go through the kitchen there is a door to the back.” He must see my confused look.

“You are too young to be pregnant and the Freedom Republic took my boys, anyone willing to fight against them is welcome here. Now GO!” He whispers loudly. Levi sternly shakes Roberts hand and we leave going through the kitchen and out the back door. As soon as we are outside the bone chilling morning air hits us but we don’t have time to dwell on how cold it is. We run into the town trying to reach the woods. I turn around to see Archimedes and a group soldiers.

“There they are! Get them!” we run faster. Trying to outrun them. While running I fall and hit my injured arm hard against the ground. I scream in pain. Levi begins to help me up and I work hard to get up. I know we need to run.

“Are you okay? We need to run!” I nod and we begin to run fast. I work through the pain. I can feel my wound has reopened and the blood is flowing harder this time than before. I try not to pay attention and run. We finally reach the woods and begin to desperately search for someplace to hide. Levi points to a cave and says something but I can’t hear him. The beginning to fade in and out of consciousness. Levi must see that because he comes and puts his arm around my waist attempting to get me into the cave faster. I collapsed and he takes me into his arms and straddles in. He goes deep into the cave. I feel like I see something but I can’t be sure because everything is so dark and I can’t seem to recover from the fall to the floor. My arm feels heavy. My eyes feel heavy, but I will them to stay open. I think we are in the clear because Levi seems to slump down in exhaustion. I feel my hearing getting better.

“Are you okay Princess?” I nod and see a creature with fangs ready to attack.

“BEHIND YOU! I scream and push him away landing on top of him as the thing lunges at us. It lets out a screech which echoes in the cave. Levi is already helping up. As we run out closer to the cave’s entrance. The thing stops abruptly. We manage to get out and run. We need a new place to hide because Archimedes is nearby. We see some large shrubs and take cover. We have nowhere else to go. I try slow my breathing in hopes to quiet it down. Archimedes and his group walks past us.

“Ariella, where are you?” He asks himself with such tenderness. At this moment I want to jump out and hope that he has come to help me. As I am about to reach out, Levi grabs my hand and shakes his head. I feel a tinge of anger but I obey. After a couple minutes they leave. After they are ways away. Levi and I get out of the shrubs.

“What were you thinking? That he would help you?” He looks angry. “They are the freedom Republic, they only care for themselves.” His words sting.

“You can’t expect me to forget everyone and everything in one day! I lived with them, worked with them, trained with them, loved them..” I feel tears threaten to fall but I stop myself. Anger fuels me. Levi has nothing to say. He doesn’t look at me any longer.

“We will move on. We still have a day’s walk from here. We need to find shelter before night fall. Those bloodhounds will come looking for us. They don’t let go of their prey that easily.” He begins to walk away and I have so many questions but I am too angry to ask them. So we walk in silence.

“It will be getting dark soon. We need a place to hide out until morning.” Levi finally speaks after hours of silence. As we walk an abandoned cabin comes in sight.

“This will be perfect. Go fetch firewood while I close up all the windows and doors. Be back before sunset.” I do as I am told. All these hours I have been contemplating everything that happened and I realised I put Levi in a tough spot, but I am not ready to admit that. So I go to get firewood in silence.

After some time I return to see the windows barred up. I walk into the house and start the fire in the fireplace.

“I am going to see if I can catch something. I’ll be back. Don’t go anywhere.” He yells.

“Yea like I can go anywhere.” I scoff under my breath.

Its quiet for a while. The sound of the crackling fire calms me. While Levi’s away I decide to examine my wound. Once the bandage is off I see how bad the damage is. My shirt is soaked through and I can see that the wound is starting to get infected. I can’t let this slow us down. We’ll be there tomorrow. I just need to hold off till tomorrow. I redress the wound and try to get the shirt on but Levi comes in and sees me struggling.

“Let me see the wound.”

“No, its fine. I just checked it.”

“I need to see for myself.” I need to reassure him.

“Levi, I worked as a nurse in the barracks. Do you think I don’t know what the wound should look like?” He looks at me still not quite convinced but he doesn’t fight me on it. I look behind him to see a rabbit.

“You caught something.” I smile. “I am famished.” In truth I don’t feel well and the thought of food makes me want to gag. The infection is starting to get to me. I need to fight for as long as I can before the fever takes me.

Levi makes the rabbit and we eat it. I do my best to shove as much of it as I can. The sun begins to set and Levi take the rest of the rabbit further away from us. He takes food and grass from nearby and puts it around the house especially near the door. He sees my confused look.

“It so the bloodhounds to get our sent. They are good trackers, but very stupid. As long as you are in an enclosed place and use something to mask your scent they won’t come for you.”

“What are they?”

“They are dogs, which mutated from nuclear explosion during the War of the Worlds.”

“Why have I never seen them near the Freedom Republic?”

“They use a frequency which hurts their ears. They can’t be near that place. Most towns close up for the night and do what we do to try and survive the night.” I suddenly feel ashamed. I never knew of these creatures. So much was not told to me I feel like I know nothing.

Later, Levi cleans his blade and I take this moment to look over the files. Maybe I can get some answers. I look at the files.

“Blaze.” I mumble trying to remember why I took this name. It’s like I know it but I can’t remember.

“Blaze? How do you know Blaze?” Levi asks.I look up.

“You know who he is? ”

“I asked you first.” He looks at me, concern in his eyes, but why?

“umm..” I look at the ground embarrassed to tell the truth but I feel safe with him so I tell him.

“Well.. I have been having these dreams about a little boy named Blaze. I thought he was a figment of my imagination but then I saw his file and thought I would take it. I just want to know who he is.” He looks away. I am not sure what has got him so concerned or upset.

“Is everything alright?” I ask he returns his gaze.

“Yes, Ariella. He’s my twin brother. Fraternal twin. He is a Captain and is in charge of the compound.” He seems to change his demeanor. I want to ask him more because of the dreams, but I see its a sore subject and don’t press him.

“Read to me what the files have on me.” throwing me smile going back to his old self.

I look back at the files find his.

“Levi Adler.. 20 years old, rebel. Parents Logan and Clarissa Adler.. Deceased.” I read the last part and look up at him. He is lost in the fire, staring at it as if it will present answers to him to the questions swirling in his head.

“I am sorry Levi.” I put my hand on his shoulder. He looks at me pain his eyes but he is hiding it well. He comes closer to me and hugs me. I am surprised by the gesture but I hug him back because I sense his pain. I try not to show him I am in pain. He lets go of my and kisses my cheek ever so gently. I am startled but he smiles and lets go of me. I do not say anything just continue to look at the files. I do not read the other files just stare at the them until I can figure out what to say. After a couple of minutes of contemplating what to say, I am just as tongue tied as before and decide to keep quiet.

“Why don’t I take first watch while you rest?” Levi breaks the silence. I nod and lay down on my bag, but I can’t fall asleep and then I hear it. Levi begins to sing a song. It's sad but beautiful it lulls me to sleep.

* * * * * * *

I wake up and see the sun rising. Levi is still awake.

“Why didn’t you wake me?” He smiles.

“Well good morning to you to Princess, sleep well?” I look at him confused but he points to his head. I feel dread and I immediately begin to pat my hair down.

“We should be at the compound by the time the sunsets. When we arrive I will sleep. Can’t have you running on me.”

“I won’t leave, Levi. You can trust me.”

“I know, Princess. I trust you.” He walks to the fire to put it out. The sun is rising there is no need for it anymore. It was the first night in a while that I truly felt at ease and safe.

“Ariella, Archimedes isn’t who you thought he was. You need to understand that. You can’t do what you did yesterday.” he rakes his fingers through his hair and sighs. “He won’t hesitate to turn you in. I know you care for him.” but I stop him before he says anything further.

“I know. He was my friend. But I know that is exactly it, he was, not is.”

He takes me chin and lifts it up. I get chills down my spine.

“You need to be safe. I won’t forgive myself if something happens to you.” I nod, not sure what to say. He continues, “It will be okay we have good people willing to take you in. We are your new family.” His words are comforting.

After walking a whole day we arrive to a clearing in the woods The fever has been slowly taking its toll on me. I need to get medicine soon. Levi walks to the center of the clearing and stops.

“We have arrived!” I look at him baffled, trying to conceal how bad I feel. Levi taps a device on his hand, looks at me and smirks. He pushes a couple buttons and suddenly the ground begins to shake and we begin to descend.

I look around and people are running left and right.

“Welcome back Levi!”