And when the time came, we would not be able to take our mother with us.
Maybe we could stay for a bit, maybe we could wait, and we could hope, but eventually reality would catch up with us. It was better to face it now, rather than wait and see. It would be better if we broke free while the aliens were distracted with the remaining people, than to wait for them to come to us. Better to leave here before they came inside and discovered us.
Oh, I said softly.
Bethy
I shook my head, holding up my hand to stop Aidens words. I could not hear them, not right now. I understood them, but I could not hear them spoken aloud. Bret rested his hand on my shoulder; I did not shrug him off. He was a good man, strong, and I needed his comfort and strength right now. Well stay today, Cade said softly.
No, we have to wait a few more days, Abby protested.
They havent reached this part of town yet, the longer we wait the more likely they are to come here. No matter how many of them there are, it will still take them awhile to go through all of the houses. We need to get out of here before they reach us, and we need to leave under cover of darkness.
You dont even know if they are going through all of the houses and buildings!
What do you think they were doing last night at home? Aiden asked gently. My mind was spinning, running through everything I did, and didnt, know. Running through what they were saying, understanding that it was true, and it was right, but I still could not wrap my heart around it. Abby would have to go on, I knew that. Aiden would take care of her, protect her with his life. We have to go light, carry as little as possible. It will be hard at night, but the darkness will offer us cover.
Wait, Abby said softly,
her words choked and sad. We cant.
It will be ok Abby, I assured her, hugging her gently. It will be ok, youll see.
But mom, we cant leave her here, all alone. We cant.
We wont, I promised.
Bethy, Bret said softly.
I shook my head, hugged my sister tight again and released her. It would be ok I told myself, knowing full well that I lied.
CHAPTER 9
Night came faster than I had expected. It wasnt until I crept back upstairs to peer out the window that I realized it wasnt true nightfall. The larger ship had moved; it was above us now, blocking out the light of the sun. The suns rays peeked around it, illuminating its dark color, reflecting brightly off of it, but the day was nearly dark now. I turned away from the window, hating the sight of that awful thing.
We should get moving soon, Bret said softly.
I said nothing, there was nothing to say. The bag of food was by the backdoor. Abby was crying silently, tears rolled down her youthful cheeks. Aiden couldnt bring himself to look at either of us, I knew what he was thinking, but it wasnt going to happen. He was the stronger one of us; he would have to be the one that stayed with Abby.
Im not going.
I turned toward Cade, my eyes widening as he uttered the words. Those were supposed to be my words; that was what I was supposed to be saying, not him . He was not going to be the one who stayed. No.
Its not going to be you Bethy. I gaped at Cade; his eyes were hard, distant. His jaw was clenched tight. No matter what you may think.
You dont know what I think! I retorted sharply, my hands fisting at my sides.
Yes, I do, and it is not going to be you.
That is our mother! I snapped.
Peter has been very kind to me, I will not leave him.
Then Ill stay with you.
No.
No! I nearly screeched. You cant tell me no. I was rapidly losing control, rapidly spinning toward panic and chaos. I took a deep breath, managing to gain a little more control of myself before I continued to speak. You cant make my choices for me.
Bethany, Abby whimpered.
I glanced sharply at her, breathing rapidly as I struggled to contain my fear and anger. Even if I hadnt told anyone else about it, they seemed to have guessed that Id intended to stay. Aiden was my brother, Bret was my boyfriend. They knew me well, yet I felt it was Cade that had first discerned the fact that I wanted to stay with my mother.
I met his dark gaze, seeing the truth in his steady stare. He was not going to budge on his decision. It had been alright when I had decided that I would stay. I had been in control, I had been accepting of the fact that I would be alone. But the thought of Cade staying here was terrifying to me. I couldnt leave him here. I would never be able to live with myself if I did.
It has been decided, Cade said firmly.
By who? When? Jenna asked her eyes wide and terrified.
By us, Bret answered. He took hold of my hand, holding tight to it when I tried to pull free. Last night when you were asleep.
You knew last night you were going to do this? I breathed, unable to tear my gaze away from Cades dark beauty. I had just found him, I barely knew him, but I knew I couldnt lose him. I simply couldnt . I would be empty without him, I didnt know how I knew that, but I did. I would be hollow, broken, a shell of myself without him.