Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ The Wastes ❯ Chapter Three ( Chapter 3 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Lana hesitated. "Go on," Skyla encouraged.

Reaching into Skyla's bag she pulled out some more nuts. "I didn't know anyone else really liked nature as much as me."

"That's because people don't understand you because you are gifted. Human kind can be so very cruel to those that are different."

"Zenith wait!" Zenith shot off and plucked one of the nuts from Lana's hand before taking to the sky. Maven just groaned and looked at the girls sheepishly. "I'm sorry about that. Sometimes she listens...and most of the time she just ignores me."

Skyla smiled. "It's alright. I'm sure it's hard for her to find food these days." She reached into her bag and threw some nuts on the floor so the bird could graze. She then handed Lana some more.

Maven nodded slowly. "Yes. Normally she eats small mice when she can find them, but I think she's starting to become a vegetarian out of necessity."


Lana looked up at Maven. Skyla said nothing, almost forcing Lana to speak. "Um...you can sit with us...if you want..."

Skyla smiled. She looked down the hall as Hailey came rushing out one of the rooms after taking her medication. She went out the door to chase bugs yet again.

Maven smiled and nodded. "Yes. Thank you. I would like that." He sat down beside them and stared down the hallway. Interacting with others was somewhat of a weakness of his.

Skyla pushed some nuts to him. She moved her hand over his, taking a moment for herself then pulling back. Lana looked at her with question, but she just smiled and continued to drink her tea. She glanced down the hall again, trying to determine what Xavier was up to all by himself.

"So, you lived in the forest by yourself?" He was curious about that. She must've had someone to help take care of her.

Skyla nodded. "Ever since I was a very little girl. The village I lived in at a younger age was afraid of me so they gave me a handful of things and pushed me into the forest," she explained.

"How awful..."

"I consider it the best thing that ever happened to me. If it wasn't for them forcing me away, I would have never let my gifts flourish and expand as they have."

"I'm somewhat of an outcast too. My parents were killed by Raiders and no one took me in so I learned to work for what I needed."

Maven smiled to himself. "I guess I'm relatively lucky then. I don't know what happened in my childhood. All I know is that where I live the villagers aren't too fond of me. They think I'm weird."

"All the pieces will fit together soon enough," she assured him.

"You sound like Xavier's message," he smirked. There was a pause as he thought about something. "You said that you can see the future in glimpses? Is it random, or could you try to read someone's future?"

"I try thought I'm not always successful. The future is very tricky. At this very moment, out future is written out, however, it's always changing. For instance, I looked down that hall expecting to see Xavier walk from his room to the next about ten seconds ago because that's what I saw. However, what I didn't see is that before Hailey left, she knocked over her medicine and he's in there cleaning it up. I didn't know she knocked it over until just now," she said then pointed to the hallway. Xavier walked out with a napkin that had a purple liquid on it. "Before Hailey left, she had the medicine on her dress which lets me know that she was the one that knocked it over and not him. The future is always changing. So not all of what I see is exactly right. The past is so much easier I think."

That made him curious. "You can...see the past as well?"

"Kinda. I can see people. Their lives...like reading a book with it coming to life in my head. Like I can see Hailey with her Nanny Doc last Christmas or Lana sitting in her secret place," she said. Lana blushed. "The more open a person is the easier it is to see their lives."

He nodded slowly. "Do you think you might be able to glimpse my past?"

She bit her lip. "I'm sorry, Maven... If I did that...you would learn nothing. Yes, I can see your past just like I can Lana's or some of the others...but I know you have lost your memory and if I filled the pieces for you then-" Suddenly Zenith landed in front of her. Her eyes locked on the bird. Giving it a small pet, she watched it fly away. "I've been asked to let you go through your journey of discovery and knowledge alone. Though I can be beside you just as all friends...I can't be the one to show you the right path. I hope you understand."

He sighed and closed his eyes. "I see. I should have known better than to think that it would be so easy. Thank you for at least considering my request."

She took his hand. "The journey is always worth taking in the end. You learn more that way."

He looked down at her hand in his, somehow surprised by the contact. Looking up at her, he gave her a smile. "Is that what you see for my future, or are you simply speaking from experience?"

She smiled and took her hand back. "If I told you, what fun would that be?"

"You could save me from hours of restless nights." Though he allowed himself a small laugh to pass it off as a joke, there was an almost nervousness to the way he said it.

"Well I can't have that, can I? Just for you, I'll let you in. It from both experience and a little look into your future." Zenith cried out. "Ok! Ok! I won't say anymore to him I promise!" She laughed and looked at Maven. "She's persistent that I let you stay in the dark, past or future."

He groaned and shook his hand to shoo Zenith away. "I never thought I'd be brayed by her," he said in dismay.

"She's just looking after you, that's all."

Skyla smiled. "Well said, Lana." Lana blushed.

"Yes, well, I guess we have been through a lot together. As soon as I woke up without my memory she was sitting on my chest staring at me."

Skyla smiled. "I know. The look on your face was priceless," she laughed.

Lana laughed too.

Maven frowned and crossed his arms, pretending to be hurt.

Lana stood. "I made of mess unpacking last night. I need to go re-pack so I'll be ready for tomorrow. Want to share a room?" Skyla nodded. "I'll take your bag. Be back later!"

"Thank you," Skyla said as Lana walked to her room. She turned to Maven. "You're pretty cute for such a quiet guy. I'm guessing...twenty-two or twenty-three?"

Cute? He felt heat rise to his cheeks, but he quickly attempted to push it back. He didn't think that 'cute' was the right word to define him, if there even was such a word that could define him. "Twenty-two," he said softly as his eyes stared into her's, curious as to what she saw in him.

"Ah! I'm right on. And that was without looking at all your birthdays. I think I deserve brownie points for that."

He smirked at that. "Brownie points?"

"Something I picked up from a little girl on my travel here," she said.

"Okay? What are brownie points?"

"It's like...invisible points for doing something. Like guessing something right."

He started to say that was weird, but he figured that she had heard that enough in her life. "Okay then. I guess you do have brownie points."

She laughed. "I can see by the look in your eyes that you think I'm weird. That's ok, Maven. I take pride in my uniqueness." She stood. "I'm going to help Lana, then try to get her to go play with that gun more."

He nodded at that and stood with her. "Sure thing. Just uh...let me know if either of you need...anything I guess." Yeah, that sounded better in his head. He started to walk off, but paused and looked back at her. "And I don't think you're weird Skyla. Just unique."

"Honestly, Maven...not to sound cold, but I've learned, what people think of me means very little to me. I love who I am and the gifts I have. That's enough for me," she said with a smile then walked to Lana's room.

Xavier watched them. He was always watching them whether they knew it or not. Of course Skyla's abilities made it somewhat harder to do that, as long as he was in this room she wouldn't be able to gaze into his future and see him. He ran several video feeds to watch them interact and fight together. They had best learn to play nice. The world was counting on them.

After a good confidence boost, Skyla finally got Lana to get the courage and go practice with the gun. Slowly Skyla walked down the hall, pressing her hands to doors with smiles. Everyone had something to do, whether it was showing off, talking about times, or just getting to know each other. She already new them and she didn't need to show them what she could do. It wasn't that kind of gift. She stopped at a door and knocked.

"Xavier, are you in there?"

"Yes, Skyla. You may come in," he said as he switched his screens to the main monitor.

She walked in. Slowly she moved and sat next to him. "You are closed off from the rest of them... It's hard to understand why you know about me but I do not know about you." She smiled. "Xavier, I want you to tell me about yourself. I believe I have a right since you went through such trouble to know about me."

Xavier looked at her with a smile. Taking off his glasses, he leaned back in his chair to look at her. "What exactly would you like to know about me?"

She handed him the letter that was sent to her. "Start with how you found me and how you knew about me. Then I want to know why you find it easier to stay in here that to socialize with those you called forth."

He smiled as his hands stroked the letter. "I am not what you'd call and adventurer, but I do know my way around computers. If you know the right keys you can find out just about anything. It was through the computer that I learned of you. As for why I am not sociable, that is because everyone needs a chance to grow accustomed to one another; and I do not wish to interfere with that."

"Don't you think they should get to know the stranger that called them here? I believe I am more curious about you than all the others."

"Well, you might have to be curious a little while longer. After all, I will simply be your guide on this journey and not a participant."

"Are you saying you are pushing us out the door while you stay here behind your doors and cameras?"

"I am saying that I have no skills in combat or medicine. If anything I would be a hindrance to all of you. My skills lie in computers, and we can't carry them with us."

"I know nothing of medicine or of combat, but I'm still going," she said. Standing, she cupped his face, her thumbs running over his cheeks. "It's so very sad that you aren't coming. From the moment I saw you sending the letter to me, I have had a crush on you." She smiled then moved her hands and walked to the door. "Don't look at the girls in the shower with your cameras," she laughed and walked out.

He shook his head as she walked out. "What a girl," he whispered.

Skyla joined everyone else outside and she watched them all practice and talk until night time. They then had dinner and decided on going to be early to be ready in the morning. Before retiring, Maverick was relieved that his maid had finally showed up. She had the car waiting for her as she stood at the door. Maverick kissed his loving daughter over and over before passing her to his maid.

"Remember-"

"I know. I'll take very good care of her, Sir. I promise."

He nodded. Again, he kissed Angelia and walked her to the car. He stood in the drive way even after they were gone from sight. Would this be the last time he would ever see his little baby again?

"Your daughter will have a much better life to live than any we could have ever dreamed of," Boris told him as he clasped his shoulder.

"I hope you are right. I feel like I should be with her...but taking her along is out of the question and not going at all would mean that she may not have a future," he said with a soft sigh. "I want the best for her but I want to be there to see her get it."

"You will come back my friend. Nothing is more powerful than a father's love for his child."

He looked up at him. "Skyla said you lost your family only a few short weeks ago. I'm sorry for you lose."

He nodded slowly. "It is a cruel and unforgiving world that we live in. I wish to change that, so that my Sasha's death will not be for nothing."

Maverick looked at the road. "Then I suppose you and I have something in common. We have something worth dying for."

Boris smiled and shook his head. "No comrade. We have something to live for."

Maverick smiled. "Yes. You are right."

"Xavier said that he wanted to lock the place down for the night. So um, you might want to come in," Maven said as he poked his head out the door.

Maverick nodded and the two men walked in. Saying goodnight, Maverick walked to his room and pulled out a picture of Angelia. Smiling, he laid back on the bed.

"Little one, are you asleep yet?" Boris had found it amusing that the small girl had chosen to sleep in his room rather than have one to herself.

Hailey sat up on the bed. "Yes."

"You're not asleep if you're sitting up talking to me," he smiled as he patted her head. "Did you brush your teeth and take your medicine?"

She smiled. "I did!"

"Good girl. Then go to bed. We will have a long day ahead of us."

She laid back down and rolled over and over to make room for him. The bed sank down beneath is weight as he laid down beside her, careful not to squish her beneath his massive size. Once he laid down, she pulled a pillow on his arm and laid down. She rested her hand on his chest as she made a yawn.

Despite knowing that tomorrow they would be leaving early, he couldn't sleep. Try as he might he just couldn't. He sat in his room, staring out the window to the night sky. A part of him knew that it was excitement which kept him awake. The other part was fear. Their rooms were so close to each other, he didn't want to fall asleep and wake the others with his screams.

"Don't look at me like that," he muttered as Zenith stared at him. "A little restlessness never hurt anyone."

There was a soft knock on his door then slowly the door opened. Skyla walked in and closed the door behind her. Wearing a night gown only and carrying a tea cup she walked over to him and sat next to him. "Here. It helps you sleep and doesn't let you dream...so you don't have to worry about waking the others," she said softly.

Maven's cheeks were red as she walked in. Her nightgown was rather tight and with the cold night air.... He looked down at the ground to hide his embarrassment. He was about to ask how she knew, but stopped himself. This was Skyla he was thinking about. "Umm...thank you," he said softly as he took the tea glass and began to sip on it.

"I added honey to help with the taste. I know it's not the best tasting thing ever, but it helps. I promise," she said softly. Leaning over him, she reached her hand out and started petting Zenith.

"I've had worse," he said with a smile. Of course that wasn't by much. It felt like he was drinking stale vinegar. The thought made him shudder...well, that and the fact that she was pressing against him to pet Zenith.

The hawk seemed to sense its master's thoughts and slowly pulled back from her so that she would lean forward more to pet her.

Skyla lean toward him more, almost in his lap by this time. "Why are you backing away? Do you not like my touch? Am I too rough?" When Zenith said nothing to her she narrowed her eyes. "I know you can hear me."

Maven shifted beneath her. "Zenith," he warned, realizing what the bird was doing. He could almost swear that he saw Zenith smirk as she moved back one final step.

And just like that Skyla fell into his arms. Her hands went up and grabbed the tea cup as she looked up at him. "It's ok! I got the cup!"

Maven's face was three shades of red as she collapsed against him. His arms had instinctively moved around her to keep her from falling. Of course she seemed blissfully unaware of his discomfort. "That is wonderful," he said softly, the warmth of her body making thoughts come to his mind which he quickly willed away.

She set the cup down on the table next to him. Slowly, her eyes locked on his. "Wow...you look amazing under the moonlight. Makes my heart ache a bit," she said softly.

What!? What did she just say? He swallowed hard. "Why...does your heart ache?"

She moved her hand up to his cheek. "Because you are so handsome, silly," she said.

He felt his cheeks burning beneath her touch. Slowly his hand moved up to hers. "I do not think I am special enough to warrant affecting your heart," he said softly. Seeing her like this and hearing her soft, almost hypnotic words made him realize that she was rather beautiful. Why hadn't he noticed it before?

Slowly she moved from his lap. "I'm sorry. I've made you uncomfortable," she said noticing his blush. "Well, drink the tea and I shall see you in the morning. Good night, Zenith, you naughty bird." Flashing as smile she walked out.

As soon as she was gone Zenith jumped to his shoulder and started pecking his head. "Ow! Ow! Stop that!" The bird jumped back down, obviously miffed at his failure to seal the deal.