Zayla

It looked like it was getting pretty late as I opened up my eyes I figured I must have dozed off and I better get back to my house as I was laying there I heard footsteps and the crunching of the leaves scared me I sat straight up and turned towards the noise seeing a tall figure moving towards I jumped up, my head still throbbing matching the pounding of my heart as my mind began to race.

The figure was getting closer I started to slowly move backward so I could have a clear path enough to run, I noticed it was a boy about my age he looked like he was about 5"7 dark hair and a toned build like he was a football player or something he was getting closer and I end up bumping into a tree. I started to panic so I yelled out “HEY stop don’t come any closer “The boy stopped in his tracks don’t come any closer, trying to look for an exit, I scanned the area around the boy but he was blocking the exit. “Are you okay? That wound looks bad., Can I look? “he asked with a gentle voice.

“No, no, “I stuttered, “stay where you are, please. I don’t know you, “I said, sounding more scared than I was. “Move to the side and please let me pass. I need to get home, “I said in the sternest voice I could muster. He stopped right in his tracks and moved to the side with his hands up.

“I won’t hurt you. What’s your name? “screw that I thought I’m not giving this Adonis-looking man my name. He might be the most good-looking guy I’d ever seen, but who knows what he would try to do, so I said nothing.

“My name is Liam. Please let me help you?” he asked again “Why so you could murder me? No thank you,” I said sarcastically. He laughed at me and was looking at me like I was crazy." I will not murder you," he said.

I moved forward since he had moved to the side, still with his hands up. Suddenly, his phone rang. He went to reach for it out of his pocket and I figured this was my chance. I made a mad run for it whizzing past him.

I didn’t stop. I ran as fast as I could, running faster than I ever have in my life.

What the heck was happening to me!!! As I ran out of the woods to the street I stopped for a minute trying to figure out where and catch my breath seeing I wasn’t too far from I started running again hoping that boy wouldn’t catch me up to me.

About,... 5 minutes later I got to my house and ran in the front door as my family was sitting in the living room; I headed upstairs, slamming my door shut. I locked the door and went to the bathroom to clean my wound, but it was not as significant as it was before. It looked like a medium-sized scratch now.

I was in shock. What is going on with me? I questioned. I finished cleaning the cut and put it then took a quick bath to clean myself. When I was done, I got out, went to my closet, and put on a nightgown. My mind instantly drifted to the boy in the woods. “Liam,” I repeated softly. “Who was he? I have never seen him at school. Why did he want to help me? He was very handsome!

Boys like him didn’t ever talk to girls like me, right? Well, I’m just glad I didn’t tell him my name it doesn’t matter anyway, I probably wouldn’t ever see him again, he probably goes to another school, but whoever was his girl was pretty lucky boys like that were always taken.

I crawled into bed. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with 21 questions from my sisters and definitely not my parents.

10 mins later I heard a knock and the jiggling of my door knob,

“Zayla, darling, it’s mom., open up. I have had dinner done for about 20 minutes. Where have you been? Is everything okay?” she asked. “I’m fine. I’m tired and I ate at Jens, “I lied. I didn’t enjoy lying to her, but I just couldn’t right now, not until I understood what was going on. “Okay, Zayla,” she said, sounding defeated. " Before you leave for school, we will talk in the morning." OK, I love you, “I said impatiently.

I love her but she can sometimes be very persistent. She always keeps going until you give in and spill your guts. I giggled.

I love her pushiness. She loved her daughters and husband but wouldn’t take no for an answer. I laid down finally going over everything that happened today, but what I didn’t get was Mariah., What was her problem? We used to be friends, best friends in elementary before middle school.

She just stopped talking to me and started hanging out with Holli, but I decided that would be a tomorrow problem. I felt my eyes getting very heavy and suddenly heard the familiar voice “It will be ok child” but I was too far gone to wonder who it was as I fell into a dreamless sleep.

Liam

Hello? I answered the call, “Hey Liam, it’s Ron, dinner is ready, where are you?.” Oh um, just went for a run, I got Sorta lost trying to find my way back”. I said. Okay understandable, he added. He gave me the directions back to the house.

“You should be careful and see you soon.” I tried to chase that girl after I stopped the call. I did not see any sign of her as I left the woods. She ran so fast past me while I was distracted. I hope she is okay and why was she so scared? Questions. Hopefully, I will get the answers too, if I ever see her again. I made my way back to the house, following the instructions Ron gave me.

As I made it back and walked in the front door, I smelt the most wonderful smell.

Bacon and waffles. We never had something like that back at the compound. I made my way back to the kitchen and saw both Ron and Cassie sitting at the table. “Just in time.” Cassie chirped. “Grab a plate out of the cabinet and help yourself., We are having breakfast for dinner.

“Smells delicious. We never had this back at the compound, “I said. They both looked at me, shocked.

“Well now, you're with us, son, and we will eat like this whenever you want,” she added with excitement.

“Son?!” I repeated, stunned. My eyes are completely wide.

“Yes, Liam, we could never have kids,” she said sadly, a hint of hurt in her voice and tears brimming in her eyes.

“Because of the council; we were supposed to be excellent warriors, it’s how I and Ron met, “she added, having a distant look in her eyes.

“We fell in love, which is against the rules, and we secretly got married, a few months later, which is also forbidden, and of course, the council found out, “she paused, reaching out for Ron’s hand with a somber expression. She continued “My father was a general and an adviser to the elder of humans on the council they just banished us instead of putting us to death “Cassie was crying now as she kept going “So we came here and made a life for ourselves, but they had warned us if we had any children they would instantly be put to death “she got out. We are still under their watch.

I looked on in utter silence, not sure how to feel about what she was saying., As she went on; “We are like a foster home., They would send young boys trained like yourself, young, they would stay until they got their first assignments. “

“We always treated them like they were our sons, even helped some disappear and start over. Which we will do for you. “Cassie paused. “We trust you, “Ron stated firmly, adding to what Cassie was saying. “Of course, you can’t say anything when we will do the same for you if that’s what you decide. She emphasized again. “No worries. I promise I will say nothing, “I said.

Sitting back It was appalling at all what Cassie had said but I never really thought much of my future It wasn’t something you thought of especially growing up I had “don’t have to decide right now she added “Whatever the council wants you to do will take time; so in the meantime, you are our son, so try to enjoy yourself” “

I sat back and as well all fell silent eating relished in every bite, my mind instantly drifting back to the girl in the woods wondering if she was okay and how she got that wound on her head, there was just something about her, She was exquisite and had the most stunning Jade colored eyes, hopefully, I would see her again.

“How was the food? “Cassie’s voice bringing me back finishing up as I set my fork on the plate “It was delicious” I exclaimed standing up to put my plate in the sink “Just put it in the sink, we will have you help with chores and stuff tomorrow “Cassie was saying as she got up and hugged me I just stood there feeling uncomfortable because we could not show any emotion at all. But I didn’t want her to feel bad, so I hugged her back “Thank you for everything, “I said awkwardly I sensed she felt the same but it passed quickly well good night you have an early morning get some sleep I headed upstairs feeling very uneasy hope this would pass they seem like great people.