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  "Yes, it has. But we understand we should take our time." Charlie says softly. Nothing but kindness in his eyes.

  "Listen, guys, I'm just not interested. I'm tired. Can you leave me alone?" My words come out softer than I wanted. The exhaustion I feel leeching any anger I have towards Crowley. Besides, they’re just boobs. I couldn't stop staring at his and Connor's dicks at the river, so fair's fair.

  "Ok, Doll. We’ll see you in the morning. My room’s across from yours if you need anything." Charlie stands and kisses my hair. I let him because I feel no threat from him at all. "Just come and wake me up, okay?"

  I nod numbly, beyond tired. My stomach’s full for the first time in forever. Now my body wants to shut down. I lay my head down before they've all filed out of the space. The softness of the mattress sinking under my slight weight has me barely suppressing a moan. The last thing I hear is Connor's whispered, “Sleep well,” as he lays something soft and warm over me.

  "Why are you doing this to your mother, Kayla? You're killing her!" A tall man shouts at me.

  "Leave her alone Kitch, she can't remember anything." Turning my watery gaze from the shouting man I look to another one, only this one seems upset, not angry.

  "Sure she fucking can, Klaud! She's just playing it up because that fucking arsehole, Leonard, took away her boys!" He turns to me, grabbing the collar of my t-shirt, lifting me off the rags I’m lying on and shakes me roughly. "Tell me what you saw!" Spittle sprays my face as he screams at me. I don't know what he means. Not understanding what he wants me to say, I start to cry.

  "Let her fucking go, you brute! If Kath saw you now, brother, she would fucking slit your throat!" Klaud screams, the fury on his face makes me wince.

  The man drops my shirt and I scramble under the covers, trying to get away from the shouting. Squeezing my hands over my ears in an attempt to drown them out. The woman who says she's my mummy is in the next room. Curled up similar to me now, only she won't stop crying. The three men say that someone died, someone the lady loved very much. Apparently, I saw who did it.

  "Kayla! It's ok. It's ok Sweet face." I come around to someone stroking the side of my face, but I don't open my eyes. It's an odd sensation because the rough skin slides across mine. Like it's wet.

  "Mummy?" My voice is thick with sleep. I'm in that odd place between sleep and awake, where nothing seems real.

  "No, Doll, it's Charlie." The bed dips and a sudden heat envelops me. "Shhh. I'm here. Please, don't cry." Thick strong arms wrap around my waist and I fall back into a dreamless sleep.

  When I next wake up, I'm alone. Maybe I dreamt Charlie came in and held me? Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I push off the mattress. Stretching, my bones click and groan after last night’s brush with death, my body aches and my lungs burn. Just then I catch the smell of meat in the air. I bolt from the bed and out of the Campo before I'm fully awake, shoving my feet into my boots as I go.

  When I emerge, Connor and Crowley are sitting at the table while Charlie’s standing over a fire. A flat pan on top, sizzling meat inside giving off the most amazing scent.

  Charlie says, "Morning Kay. Bacon?" His smiling face forces one to appear on my own. Bacon? What's that? "It's not real of course, but it tastes pretty good." Charlie’s smile is infectious, he’s adorable.

  "I don't care what it is, gimme," I say, reaching out for some.

  Charlie chuckles, making me almost swoon. "Sit. I'll bring you some." His smile gets impossibly wider.

  I jog across the clearing to sit on the opposite side of Crowley and Connor. Their plates are already full of the meat Charlie’s cooking and I eye it hungrily. Crowley passes me a piece and I snatch it up, shoving it into my mouth. I let out a loud groan. Their eyebrows shoot up and Connor grins. Crowley grunts while watching my lips.

  "Oh, yes. It's like heaven in my mouth," I say while chewing. The juicy substance makes my mouth water like crazy and my eyes close as I swallow.

  "Don't get much meat out here, huh Kay?" At my name, my eyes pop open to look into Crowley's green ones. His rugged face is so handsome I pause my chewing to take him in. He's wearing all black, his t-shirt tight across his muscles. His closely cropped dark hair matching the hair on his face. Straight white teeth greet me as he smiles. Connor clears his throat, drawing my attention.

  "Sleep well, Kayla?" These three are so nosey. Always with the questions. Usually, it's just me and Baby. No questions come from my dog… lion. Whatever.

  "Yeah. That bed’s amazing. Never slept so well," I half-heartedly reply as Charlie places a plate in front of me and sits down next to me. His leg rests against mine and that’s when I look down. I half remember dragging them off during the night but when I smelled the cooking food just moments ago, I didn't think to put on my pants. Luckily for me I always wear knickers. I wash them each morning, they’re a grey colour and at one time they had a pattern on them. Baggy around my butt, holey. You know, the sexy kind.

  "Um, any chance you guys brought some underwear from the city?" I ask them shyly while stuffing the meat in my mouth. It’s so fucking good.

  "No. And none of ours would fit you. We can get some when we get there." All eyes flick to Charlie. When we get there? Oh hell no. I planned on leaving before daybreak this morning. But I slept so well, I didn't wake up.

  "Guys," I begin, "I’m not going back to the city. I have a life and a home out here." I jam another piece of not real bacon into my mouth. So bloody good.

  "Kayla, I think it's time we told you one of the reasons we’re here." Crowley laces his hands under his chin and pins me with his eyes. Damn. Before my mind wanders off into uncharted territory he continues, "We three are part of the rebellion, Kayla. Connor, despite his dad being the president, plays a pivotal role in our plans."

  "And those are?" Not that I want to know. I don't know why I ask, but both Connor and Charlie are wringing their hands. Is that nervousness?

  "The rebellion believes all of earth's inhabitants should be allowed to live in safety." It's Charlie who answers my question, his voice harder than I've heard it so far. "Advanced or not, we should all be afforded safety and food."

  He has my attention now. While it’s an interesting thought, I can't help wondering if the immune has lived too long in the wastes? Try and cram them all under barriers and…

  "It'll be carnage," Connor finishes my thoughts out loud. I really have to work on that wall in my mind.

  "We've thought of that, and we have a solution. But it's going to take a lot of hard work, and patience. And…," Connor sighs and drops his chin to his chest. "We’re going to have to kill my dad."

  Kill his dad? Wow. That, I was not expecting. "Won't that incite a war? Your dad’s the president." My plate’s empty now, and I take a hearty swig of my water. I want more meat, but I’m too shy to ask for more.

  "Probably. But Kayla, look at you." Crowley motions his head towards me, and I look down. My new t-shirt’s clean but hangs from my small frame. "The leading cause of death in the wastes? It isn't Panda. It's not the Virus. It's starvation. We see it every day in the underground camps we visit. The dead lying in the dirt. Bones sticking out of their skin. Hungry children begging their mothers for more scraps, like children aren't rare enough. They die horribly." I can almost taste his anger, and it calls to my own. Crowley’s seen some shit; I can tell.

  Well, I didn't expect that either, that's awful. "How exactly are you going to do that? Oh, and what does that have to do with me?" All three of them look fascinated with the grain on the tabletop. Crowley, who seems to be the leader of this little group, answers me.

  "Kayla. The three of us, we’re… special."

  "Ookay," I drag the word out, giving myself time to think. "And that means what exactly?"

  "Well, we’re not exactly sure yet. We don't know how we do the things we can. We have a scientist working for us, but he needs all of our DNA to work it out. Including yours.”

  "What’s DNA?" I suck my bottom lip into my mouth and b
ite it. All these new words and feelings are giving me a headache, but I want to know more.

  "What makes you, you Kayla," Charlie answers, something I don't have a word for in his voice. He sounds so serious, and yet so sad at the same time.

  "Ok. So, let me guess… I have to go to the city in order to give this guy, who I don't even know, my DMA and then what?"

  "DNA. Yes, that's basically what we need to do," Connor replies, his face serious.

  "Riiight. I'm just a muggle though." All three look confused so I elaborate for them, "Normal. I'm just human. Well, immune but still just an average being. I have no special abilities. My family line never used the cure." I shrug my thin shoulders, I’m just normal.

  "They did Kay." Crowley looks to Connor and Charlie who both nod their heads. "The scientist who works for us tested our DNA. Our great great great grandads, they were the very first born without the cancer gene."

  "Right. But what do you need me for?" I'm so confused.

  "We believe your ancestors were of the first wave too, sweet face," Connor explains. "But we need to get you to the scientist to make sure. Your hair?" My hand unconsciously goes to my head, just now realising I'm not wearing my wig.

  It'd been years since I walked around without it, and even then, it was because my mum had been experimenting with coal. She would mix it with a little water and plaster my hair with it, leaving it for several days so it coloured my blonde locks. It worked for a time until my scalp started to blister.

  "We all have golden hair."

  I cock my head at Connor. "Correct me if I'm wrong here guys, but ah, your hair," I point to Connor. "And yours," I hook a thumb towards Crowley. "Is black, like the rest of the world's inhabitants." I'm not colour blind.

  "That scientist? He developed a dye to hide it…" Connor starts saying, but I interrupt him. "But Charlie…"

  "We ran out two weeks ago, we didn't think it would take so long to find you. I have to use two portions on mine because it's long." Charlie explains why his hair is golden like mine. Huh. That’s interesting. If I could get my hands on some of this dye, I wouldn't have to wear that awful wig anymore!

  "It washes out over time. Charlie’s obsessed with his clean hair." Connor chuckles. I look to Charlie, searching for any signs he's mad, that being the only real emotion I can recognise. But his face is a picture of calm. Can nothing shake him? Hmm I'd like to test that. Both he and Connor seem so level-headed, but Crowley? He's a hothead, I can tell.

  "We need to take you back, Kayla. We have no choice." I'm beginning to recognise that tone in Charlie's voice, sadness.

  "It's time to eat, Kayla, do you like spicy food?" Connor asks me suddenly, standing abruptly. He smacks his hand onto his head. "Sorry. You'll like it I promise." With that odd behaviour, he disappears into the Campo, leaving me with Crowley and Charlie.

  "What happened?" I turn my eyes back to Charlie, confusion rolling through me.

  "Connor doesn't want to take you back to the city," Charlie answers, his brown eyes searching mine.

  "None of us do really. But it's the only way, Kayla." Crowley reaches across the table and pushes my plate to the side, taking my hand in both of his. Our eyes meet. "We'd like nothing more than to stay out here with you. Get to know you, in relative safety." The gust of air he lets out fans my face, washing my senses in mint. "But the rebellion needs us." His hands are warm around mine, roughened like a Hands. Like he works with them. His green eyes stare straight into mine, into my soul. That feeling stirs in my belly again. My darkness connecting with his.

  "You feel that, Kayla? I do." Crowley's voice is quiet, a low moan rumbling through his chest. I'm pretty sure my cheeks are red because they feel like they’re on fire. Crowley stands just as Charlie walks towards me, and together they sit to either side of me. Turning to Charlie I try to tell him with my eyes that I'm out of my depth. That I have no idea what’s happening and I could use his help to escape this.

  I mustn't do a good job because Charlie leans in, resting his hand on my knee. He whispers into my ear,

  "We've got you, Kayla. We won’t hurt you; I promise." A hand taking hold of mine makes me turn to Crowley. He smiles, not a full smile but a small one. I think he’s trying to tell me something, but what, I don't know.

  "Guys!" I stand abruptly, ripping my hands from theirs. Their mouths pop open. I never claimed to be smooth, nor did I say I was feeling anything for these people. "I don't know what this is. But I want no part of it." Lifting my leg over the seat, I accidentally kick Charlie with the toe of my boot. He falls back like someone threw him. "What the fuck?"

  "Whoa, whoa. Easy Kayla." Crowley raises his hands in front of him as he stands.

  "Ouch," Charlie moans from the ground. "Crowley, can you give us some space?" Charlie asks while picking himself up, holding his hip. His face contorted in pain. I shake my head, completely confused as to what just happened. Nodding Crowley walks away, heading into the trees.

  "It was an accident. I…" I try to explain I was just getting off the bench, but Charlie holds his hands up in front of him.

  "It's fine, doll, I'm a big boy. I can handle it." He walks over to me, his hands still in front of him. Like one might do with a rabid animal.

  "The fuck Char! I was just moving! My boot…" I try to explain, I don't know why he took such a hard hit. My stomach is rolling.

  "Kayla…" Putting his hand on my shoulder, he uses it to pull me towards him. I go willingly. The connection I feel with him is stronger than should be possible. He presses his body to mine. Our bodies touch from chest to knees, his warmth bleeding through the light material of my t-shirt. It's then I realise my legs are cold.

  "Sweet doll, it's all a bit too much isn't it?" His arms snake around my waist, mine hang limply at my sides.

  "I need to leave, Charlie. I have to get revenge for my mother. Masters killed her…" Charlie pulls back to look into my eyes.

  "Masters? As in Reginald?" Shock clear on his face. But he doesn't let me go.

  "Yes," I say excitedly. "Do you know of him? Where can I find him, Charlie?" I don't mean to do it, but I find myself shaking him slightly. His head nods back and forth as a look that’s becoming familiar to me spreads across his face. Surprise.

  "You're stronger already, Kayla." He steps back from me, not by much, but enough so we’re not touching.

  "I've been with the three of you for less than a day, Charlie. The closeness… it's too much." Even as I say it, I already miss the feel of him against me.

  "I understand, doll, I do. This," he takes my hand and places it on his chest. "Stopped me from letting anyone close to me for a long time. You're the first to even see them." His voice is so low I only just manage to hear him. I angle my chin so I can look up into his face. "I've dreamt of your eyes every night." Running his hands up my body to cup my face he leans in closer, our lips a hair's breadth away. "The blue in my dreams wasn't nearly as pretty as it is in real life."

  Blinking slowly, I try to calm my breathing. I'm practically panting.

  "I don't know how to do this, Charlie." I lean my forehead against his and take a deep breath.

  "Me neither," he replies softly. He leans in, our lips a whisper away. His breath fans my face and snakes slither in my stomach. I find myself wanting to kiss him.

  "Arrgh!" A shout in the distance makes us jump apart.

  "Crowley?" Before I realise what I'm doing, I run to the trunk I saw in the Campo last night and break open the lid. Inside is a mixture of weapons, perfect. I drag a sword from the top. Slamming the lid shut, I run towards the direction of the scream.

  "Where are you?" Charlie shouts from somewhere to my left. I don't slow down. I just keep running, my legs pumping. I dodge trees and jump over branches until I emerge in a small clearing.

  "Shit." Counting quickly in my head as I move further on to the patch of blackened earth, I see twelve Panda. Connor and Crowley are in the middle, weaponless. "Don't move!" Skirting around the edge, not a single P
anda looks at me, nor do they attempt to advance on the two helpless men in the middle. Well, maybe not helpless, but fucked, nonetheless. A masculine roar comes from the trees behind them and all the Panda turn to watch as another strolls from the trees.

  "Fucking hell." Charlie skids to a stop as he takes in the scene before us. The Panda, who looks like he's very fresh, walks slowly towards the circle. The back row moves, merging with the others while the inner circle shuffles to let him through. He stands in the middle. Connor and Crowley assume fighting stances.

  "Leave!" The Panda says in a gravelly voice.

  "Oh shit," I mumble to myself.

  "Fuck me." Connor curses.

  "What the actual fuck?" Crowley asks noone in particular.

  "Jesus on a bicycle," Charlie utters.

  The Panda surrounding the two guys disperse quicker than I've seen them move before, leaving just the one who talked. I race the rest of the distance and slide to a stop in front of my guys. Yeah, my guys. Because suddenly my mind believes they belong to me, and I to them.

  "You talk?" I ask it. Him?

  "Yess," he hisses between cracked lips. Holy crap. His dark blue eyes focus on me, locking me in place.

  "How?" I'm so confused right now I barely register when the Panda in front of me winks. Turning from us, he walks at a slow but sure pace back into the trees. Like he knows we won't attack him. Turning to Crowley I ask, "The fuck was that?" Then to Connor, "He just talked right? I haven’t lost my mind?"

  They both stand there, open-mouthed, saying nothing. Taking a step to the left, I look at Charlie who wears the same expression as Connor and Crowley. Fuck sake. “Snap out of it lads! There are at least twelve Panda in this immediate vicinity. One of them speaks! We need to move. Now." Without waiting for them, I dash back to camp faster than I did getting to Crowley and Connor. Motherfucker told us to leave. A Panda talked, and it looked a lot like he controlled the others.

  Back at camp, I take off the t-shirt the guys gave me and put on the one I arrived in. Charlie had washed it at some point last night and hung it over a piece of rope between the trees. It feels clean but rough against my skin. Just as the three men arrive, I'm sitting on a bench, lacing up my boots with some cable I found in the Campo.