Water Rebel

Chapter Six

Inside, I was forced to sit down on a stool. Yulliana found me new clothes, Logan pumped water up from the kitchen well to wash my hair out, and arms off, and Jon applied cream to the burns. We had a whole bunch of this cream. They invented it to counteract the burns from the rain, since not everyone is able to escape it. The only problem is that no one can get their hands on it because it’s so expensive. We stole a whole 20 gallon barrel of it and started packaging it in five ounce tin cans to give to the poor. Many refused us because they didn’t want to be in debt to us, even though we told them it was no cost. I didn’t blame them. Everything comes with a price these days. 

    “How long were you in the rain?” Logan asked me quietly as he wiped my legs off before Jon applied cream there. 

    I shrugged, “Not very long. I was chased clear to the ocean..” I started explaining. “The guards followed me into the water, but I out swam them and made my way back to the shore. I was about two miles away from here when the rain actually started.” 

    “Today just isn’t your day.” Jon mumbled. 

    I shook my head at him. “Where any of you in it, or did you get here in time?” 

    Logan looked up at me, the flicker of our candle light danced in his amber tinted eyes. “No, I was the first here. I uh.. Got rid of the men quickly, then circled back and got our suits.” he motioned to the arm chair in the corner. I was relieved that someone got our suits. I could see the red of mine. 

    I smiled at him. My lips itched to feel his. Then Yulliana spoke. 

    “I had just got here when the it started, barely outran it, but I wasn’t that far away.” Her voice was quiet behind me. Like always. 

    “Same. I got here just in time, but Yuli and I didn’t split up. I was barely behind her.” 

    I smiled lightly at him, in thanks for not leaving her alone. He understood. Yulliana started braiding my hair, which was a good sign that It hadn’t been too damaged. 

     We sat around the rest of the evening in silence, until I finally decided to ask. 

    “What’s the plan for now then?” 

    “What do you mean?” Jon half opened one of his eyes to look at me from the recliner across the room. 

    “Where will we go now? Someone is bound to find this place.” 

    He shrugged and closed his one eye again. “No one has found it before, and we won’t stay here a lot. Just like always. So tomorrow morning, just bring new clothes and stuff. Get all that you will need for two days away.” 

    I nodded, the drowsiness was starting to set in. Yulliana was passed out on the cot in the corner of the room. Logan had already gone upstairs to the cot we had set up there. 

    I walked up the steps, avoiding all of the creaky ones. I could see the outline of his lean body under the covers. My spot next to him was still open. I lifted the covers and nestled into the crook of his arm. He tightened his grip on me, pulling me closer. His shirt was off, a steady warmth emanated from him. 

    “You scare me some days...” He mumbled. 

    I looked up at him, his eyes were closed. “How?”

“Twice today you almost didn’t come back.” 

“I was fine.” I lied and traced his jawline. 

He opened his eyes and looked at me, “I wouldn’t be fine without 

you.” if I wasn’t half asleep already, I would’ve sworn I saw his eyes water up. 

I didn’t answer him back, just lightly kissed his lips. He brushed a loose strand of hair out of my face. “Stay alive for me.” He said and kissed me back. 

“Only if you do the same.” I snuggled back into his chest and let the 

exhaustion take over my mind.