Page 58 of Bound By Water
River mutters something under his breath.
“What is it?”
“Nothing. Sorry. So, what happened with the stalker?” He nudges me.
“He and his friends kidnapped me. Beat me. Threw me off a cliff,” I blurt out quickly, wanting to get the worst part done. Some of the guilt I’ve been feeling dissipates with those words. They started it. Not me. At any time, they could have taken me home. Or even left me in the woods. Either of which would have been better than what they did.
“Fortunately for me, there was a waterfall with a pool below. It broke my fall,” I continue. “Unfortunately, he saw I was still alive and came down to finish me off. So did his friend.”
My fingers twist together as I try to find the courage to finish. River reaches over and entwines his fingers with mine, his thumb sliding across the back of my hand in a soothing manner. I flash him a grateful smile.
“All along, I thought he was crazy, but when his hands started squeezing my neck, he smirked at me. One little gesture, but the thought of his… glee at my death… something inside me stood up in fury. It consumed me until all I could think about was killing him. Water was lapping at my legs, and it’s as if it spoke to me. Suddenly, I knew what I could do. So, I did.”
I stare at him, hoping he’ll understand, but his head is tilted like he’s waiting for me to finish. “I killed them.”
His thumb stills. “Who did you kill?”
I shake my head.
He gets up on his knees to face me. “Tell me who. I won’t judge you. Please.”
Staring at him, I bite my lip, thinking about it. Maybe it’s time someone knew. Lionel’s gone. If something happens to me, I want the world to know why.
“Trent. Hightower and his buddy.”
“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!” he says, punching the bed with each word. “He’ll never stop hunting you.” He drops his head into his hands. “There’s nothing I can do. I can’t keep you safe from him. He’s too strong, and his reach is too far. Maybe Phoenix is your best hope. Lionel thought so.”
Sadness drips from his tone, but I shake my head, refusing to admit defeat. “I can have a life outside of here. With you. And your family. Oliver told me Phoenix will give me a new identity. We can find somewhere quiet or go to Mexico. I don’t care. Don’t… give up on me. Please. I want to live a normal life.”
He pulls me into his arms. “I don’t see how. You don’t realize how ruthless he is. If you leave this compound, it’s only a matter of time.”
All the same thoughts I’ve been thinking but to hear them come out of River’s mouth is even more devastating. I stare at the white walls around me. The lack of windows. It’s suffocating. This will not be my life. I refuse to accept this existence. But those are my decisions to make, not his.
I’m glad he knows, though. Makes our decisions easier. River has a family. His mother and sister are his priority. I don’t want to become another obligation, especially not one that comes with a bomb. I hug him tighter. He already saved me once. That’s enough.
“How did it feel using your powers?” he asks, his voice hollow and distant.
I open my mouth to tell him how uncontrolled and unstable it felt, but there’s been enough sharing today. I don’t want to lie, though. “It felt kind of weird, but familiar, too. Talia, a girl in my class, said it would get easier the more I practice.”
He nods but says nothing. What else is there to say?
CHAPTER30
WILLA / GREER
River’s silence pushed me to spend last night in my room. He protested, but I could tell he needed some time away from me.
When the alarm on the tablet goes off, I tap it off. Eyes gritty from lack of sleep, I stand in the hot shower and stare at the tan floor and the water flowing down the drain. My power might not be the coolest, but there’s certainly an abundance of it in the world. Quickly finishing, I get out and dry off.
My lip curls when I reach for a clean set of grey sweats, but I force myself to thank the universe for something clean to wear. After all, I could be wearing the same clothes day in and day out. Jordan had very few clothes. Barely enough to fill a backpack. Ready to run, right?
Not wanting to see River, I rush through the breakfast hall, grabbing toast and juice, then head out the door to the bench I’ve claimed as my own. Set between two trees, the iron bench provides a peaceful place to sit in the sun.
Nibbling on my toast, I stare out into the field in front of me, waiting for the sun to show its bright face. I’m cold in places I didn’t know were a part of me. Hollow alcoves inside my body where the darkness and sadness reside. I need the rays to reach those spots and shine their brightest light.
Two men come into my line of sight, running side-by-side near the fence, muscular legs in sync, chests out, as if they’ve done this a million times. Oliver and Quaid. Phoenix’s fearless leaders. I stare at them, wondering what makes them take on such a role. Did the Army force them, or perhaps Oliver’s father, Senator Jack Harrison? Or is it some sense of obligation to those of us with powers?
Their commitment to the people in this compound is undeniable. They work hard to prepare them for the outside world. A reality check on how to evade and survive. But is that enough? Based on what I overheard in Oliver’s office, Raven’s out of control, capturing more of us every day. The few soldiers I’ve seen here aren’t enough to fight the enemy. At some point, Raven will turn its eyes toward Phoenix. Who will save them?
