Chapter 10

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It was three weeks after we had returned to my apartment. All was well, no Arethians, power was supplied by the generator, and we had found an abundance of food among the neighboring apartments. But none of us had any contact with any other humans, and it was eating at us. True, the Rebels had become family to me. But I thought about my real family and friends everyday, mourning their absence silently. Damien and I held a strong relationship, Melody and Delilah became the best friends I had ever had, and Benson reminded me too much if Andrew, and possessive in a brotherly way. We didn't dare to step outside, for fear of being discovered. Delilah told me if we were caught, the Arethians would to true us in full view of humanity. She said that the Arethians held humans in prisons, divided by race and gender. I held it secret from the Rebels, though, that my body was healing. The wounds I had obtained stayed, bruises turned purple, scrapes, cuts, and gashes scabbed, but stayed visible. My limbs felt weaker everyday, and I couldn't hold food down. But I kept it from everyone, even Damien. Though, he often asked if I was feeling alright. Of course, I told him I was fine, and returned to what I was doing. At night, he treated me sweetly. He was still gentle when we made love, but always passionate.

About two months after the war began, my body gave out. I was alone in the behind the kitchen island, while Delilah, Damien, and Benson sat in the living space. I held a knife in my hand, chopping thawed beef. Suddenly, a blank numbness came over me, and the world seemed to spin. All at once, I heard a loud thud, and felt the cool tile against my cheek. Shrieks of terror and heavy footsteps rushed towards me, and then I realized I had fallen to the floor. Benson and Damien held me up, while Delilah checked my body over. I couldn't move, nor could I speak. A bitter numb settled into my bones, and I felt my eyes roll back uncontrollably. I heard Damien yelling my name, before all went black.

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Damien's POV:

I watched as Holly's eyes rolled back, and her body began to tremble. I called for her, but no response. She just continued to shake uncontrollably. Benson laid her head gently on the tile, then pushed us all away. "Give her some space! It's a seizure, it'll pass!" He stated firmly, his deep rang with worry. All I could do was sit, watching as the girl I cared most for shake violently in her unconscious state.

It went on for about 20 minutes, all of us sitting in a circle around her. Then, she just stopped, like someone had flipped a switch. All eyes flicked over her, checking for any sign of life. And then, a soft groan pierced the silence, like a blade.

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Holly's POV:

I open my eyes, and felt the aches hit me like a bus. I groaned, sitting up on the tile floor, and began to rub my temples. My back was stiff, and a warm feeling ran from my mouth to my chin. I was drooling?! I wiped the spit away quickly, then noticed the others. They were seated in a circle around me, their eyes tainted with exhaustion, but a hint of relief. I cocked a brow, "What?" I asked, confused by their worried stares. No one spoke, and a bitter silence enveloped the room. Then, Damien sprung forward, wrapping his arms around me protectively. His body shook slightly, his left hand gripping the back of my tee shirt, while the right curled it's fingers into my hair. "I was so worried." He squeezed me tighter, but kept a gentle hold at the same time. He buried his face in the nape of my neck. I heard soft sobs, and looked over his shoulder to see Melody and Delilah crying with each other. Benson stayed, leaning against the counter, worry flushing his eyes.

I didn't understand, what was going on? "Umm, did something happen?" I asked. Damien froze suddenly, then pulled away just enough to face me. "You don't remember?" I shook my head, and cocked a brow. "You don't remember fainting? Hitting the tile? Shaking uncontrollably?!" I shook my head again. Benson put a hand on Damien's shoulder, "That's normal. A lot of people don't remember having seizures." I gasped, "Seizures?!" My eyes grew wide, and I placed my hand to my mouth. "I.... had a seizure...?" Delilah and Melody became alert, watching me. Benson nodded, while Damien remained silent. His emerald orbs search the tile, avoiding my eyes. He reach a hand up, nervously rubbing the tattoos on his forearm. My eyes searched him, begging for some kind of answer to a question I wasn't even sure of. Benson stood, turning and grabbing Delilah and Melody by the wrists. He pulled them out if the room, leaving Damien and I alone. I shifted my eyes back to the man I cared for, searching him. Was he embarrassed that I had had a seizure? I watched him, and suddenly noticed his shoulders shaking trembling as he hid his face with his hair. A drop of clear liquid ran down his chin, dripping off his face to puddle on the tile. He clenched his jaw, gritting his teeth. "Damien...?" I whispered. He lurched forward, gripping my waist tightly and pulling me into his chest. His hands sprawled across my back, pulling me closer into his toned chest. He pressed his forehead to mine, years stained his cheeks. "I thought... I thought I was gonna loose you..." He whispered. Damien yanked my lips to his, kissing me in a sloppy, yet passionate way. He pulled away, and buried his face in my neck, once again. I was stunned, as a hot wetness trickled slowly down my neck, slipping into the cleavage of my breasts. "Your crying." I said, sympathy rang in my voice. "Don't tell anyone." He mumbled, still buried in the crook of my neck. I wrapped my arms around him. "I'm sorry, Damien." I squeezed tighter, "I'm sorry." His shoulder shook softly, and a small sob was heard. I squeezed even tighter, holding him to my chest. I murmured soft apologies into his ear, rubbing his back. His finger remained tangled in my blonde curls, clutching to me as though I would fade away. "I love you." He whispered, his voice cracking slightly. I felt tears pool in my eyes. "I love you, too."

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Damien's POV:

I was glad Benson was a train EMT. He examined Holly, feeling her neck, pulse, and examining her overall body condition. Turns out Holly had been hiding the fact that her body wasn't healing, she had lost weight, and she was becoming weaker. Delilah was angry at her, seeing as how we already knew Holly was sick. But we ha no idea that it was already starting to effect her. We decided it was best to find some professional medical equipment, something that could help us diagnose her. We gather some food into a small leather bag Holly had found, and set foot into the outside world for the first time in three weeks. It was a dangerous situation, but I would do anything to keep my Baby Girl going. even if it meant killing some Arethians. Holly's blue eyes seemed to fade. Along the way, she seemed to drift of into her own world. Sometimes I wondered what she was thinking, but I know she would never tell me. Damn Taurus, why do they have to be so stubborn! I sighed as we trekked down the crumbled sidewalk, occasionally kicking a stray concrete stone but accident. They would roll in disarray, scattering into the ruined pavement. The journey was long and quiet. Finally, after what seemed like hours of silent walking, a hospital came into view on the corner of the block ahead of us. It was turning night by then, so we decided to take refuge in the cracked building for the night.