A/N: Hehe it's Monday. Not Tuesday. Guess who finally updated on time? This girl :D Also, I just published my newest wattpad story last week, titled Infernal Blade, and I would love it if you guys would check it out and give me some feedback (shamelessly promoting my works, I know).

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02 - 12 - 2089

I'm falling. The ground rises up to meet my spinning, flailing body in what must be seconds. My hands spread out in front of me as the cold concrete rushes to meet me. The impact is blinding, and shooting pain strikes my hands as my body tumbles forward, hitting the ground. My head smacks against the road, striking more pain into my pain-ridden body as I land. 

I roll once before gravity takes a hold and I lie back on the wet ground. I can't move. My hands tingle; the pain feels like they are on fire. My head pounds, and I feel like someone has taken a hammer to my brain. I can't manage to observe my injuries, my breathing erratic and uncontrollable. 

Pain. Pain. Pain. 

The only word in my brain, pounding into my skull repeatedly. 

"Gis!" 

The word sounds far away, but when I drag my eyes open I'm surprised to see Cade up on the window ledge, only a few floors up. Shouts call out as the men chasing us reach for him. He slides along the windowsill, trying to get away from them. 

Another wave of pain rolls over me, crashing and dragging me under. I shut my eyes once more, wishing for something, anything, to alleviate the pain. I can't move my body for fear of the pain worsening, but the cold is starting to seep into my bones. I'm starting to shiver, cold and burning up at the same time. 

More shouts break through the haze of pain, but barely. Then a warm hand grasps my shoulder gently, and I know Cade's come for me. He's found me, and we're going to be okay. He'll take the pain away. 

"Calm down. We're going to help you."

My eyes shoot up at the sound of an unknown voice. A dark suited man stares down at me, his hand on my shoulder. I swallow back a scream, my head turning to find where Cade is. 

"Don't touch her!" 

I blink back the pain as the man is wrenched away from me and goes flying into the side of the building. My vision is fuzzy, dancing and swaying, but I can just make out Cade pounding at the man against the building, his fists a flurry of movement.

"C--Cade," I croak, my voice barely above a whisper. All I know is we have to get out of here before the rest of the men catch up. 

The punches stop. Cade wipes off his hands and stands. He takes a step towards me, but my vision rolls, and my mind drags me into the dark before the pain can become unbearable. 

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The pain is still there when I wake, but it isn't as bad. I can breathe easier, like a weight has been lifted off my chest. My hands tingle, but the ache is in my left wrist. A headache has burrowed itself in the back of my mind, like an insistent knocking on someone's door. I can hardly ignore it. 

I'm on a soft bed, covered in a warm blanket. I don't want to move, worried the pain will become worse if I do. Instead of opening my eyes, I listen. I hear the faint sounds of traffic and transports, as well as the soft hum of a machine. But next to me, I pick up on the sound of breathing. 

My curiosity beats my worry for more pain and I crack an eye open, then another. Cade is slumped next to the bed I'm on, his head bowed. My eyes scan him, checking to see if he's injured. When I find nothing alarming, I close my eyes, letting my body take the sleep it longs for. 

-

This time when I wake up, Cade is leaning over the bed, wrapping something cold and uncomfortable around my wrist. I blink, shifting to let him know I'm awake. His eyes snap to mine, scanning my face while relief is evident on his. 

"How are you feeling?" He splays the fingers of my hand tenderly, pressing what I can tell to be a bag of ice onto my hand. 

My tongue is lead in my mouth, but I manage to give him a small, "Okay." My mind is swimming with questions on what exactly happened after I fell, but my mind is too heavy for questions for like that right now. 

Instead, I rest my eyes and focus on the warmth and comfort of Cade's hands as he checks my hands, and then my head. 

His fingers press at a lump on my head, and I hiss as it stings. "Sorry," he says, pulling back a bit. His hands pull away, and when they return, he has a bottle of water and some pills in his hand. 

"Can you sit up?" Cade sets the items down and helps me scoot back against the bed so I'm sitting up a little. I hold back a gasp at the pain that ensues and swallow the pills down with a swig of water. 

"They should help with the swelling," Cade says, and I nod, allowing my eyes to roam about the strange room. It's simple, with cream walls and navy curtains hanging from the window opposite the bed. There is a rocking chair by the bed where Cade is sitting, and a bedside table where the medical supplies Cade used to patch me up are. 

Cade sees my curious gaze as it lands on him, and explains, "This is an older couple's home on the outskirts of the city. They offered up their home and promised to keep us safe." At my incredulous look, Cade cracks a small smile. "Don't worry, I made sure we're safe."

I start to nod, but it makes the ache in my head worse, so I halt my movements. Not moving at all feels the best, so that's exactly what I intend to do. 

"How is the pain?" 

At his question, I realize it has lessoned some already. Maybe it's the medicine he gave me, but maybe it's just hearing his voice. My money's on the second option, even as that realization sends heat up my neck and cheeks. 

I swallow and offer a small smile to encourage him. "Much better. What happened after I was... out?"

"I carried you and we ran. I don't know how it happened, but somehow we lost them. Then I carried you here, and these people offered us this room. You..." Cade hesitates, running a hand through his mop of hair. "You were in a lot of pain." His azure eyes are heavy with memory that he tries to blink away. He gestures to my left hand. "Your wrist is sprained, I think. And I'm pretty sure you've had a concussion." His gaze wanders about the room, never settling. I don't have to be a genius to realize this is hard for him to talk about. 

"How long was I asleep?" I ask, hoping to change the subject. Although, after the words are out, I realize that perhaps that wasn't the best way to do it. 

Cade doesn't seem to notice my failed attempt, however. "About a day."

I nod, considering what he's said. The pain in my wrist, as well as my massive headache, proves he's right. I'm only grateful it wasn't worse. Closing my eyes, I can still feel the sensation of falling, see the ground rushing to meet me. It's unforgiving, and ready to break my body, my bones. 

How could I have been so oblivious? Leaving that facility behind, I imagined the world to be a bright, joyful place. I imagined it to be full of discovery, colors, and excitement. But I'm starting to see that's all a lie. 

The world isn't bright or colorful at all. This place is hard, unforgiving, and ready to strip your life away. Have I even left the facility?  The thought hits me like a brick. Everything is dark, and most of the people we have interacted with have been unkind or out to use me for gain. 

"What are you thinking about?" 

The question startles me, and I look over at Cade to see curiosity flickering in his expression. I tilt my head, wondering for the hundredth time how I got so lucky. Cade is a rarity in this world. Too kind, too loving. Not even I deserve him. 

"I think I love you," I tell him, the words flowing freely before I can realize the sum of them. When I do, a smile creeps onto my face. 

The smile must be infectious, because Cade has one too. He leans forward, pressing a gentle but refreshing kiss to my cracked lips. His smell rushes over me, like rain and spice. I breathe deeply, memorizing the soft curves of his mouth, the warmth and comfort that flows freely from the kiss. 

I'm addicted to it, I think. 

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