Leanna – English; Graceful Willow
Part 12
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
She cuddled closer to him as they walked, resting her chin on his left shoulder, eyeing the dark cave and the homely Cantu survivors inhabiting it. It was all so new and different, and a little scary. Having Nic awake and holding her was helping, but Mabyn couldn't seem to put her fears completely to rest. It was a tangible thing in her chest, a tight ball of fright, nearly choking her at times.
Ever since the last cave they were in, and what happened there, she had felt unsure about the people around her. She didn't
know
the people around her, the other survivors from Aevar; she didn't trust them and she knew they didn't trust her. Most of the time they ignored her, except for Isabel and Nic. She felt so alone, even with so many people around her.
Mabyn kept Isabel in her view as she eyed the new people they passed. Some were old, with gray hair and wrinkled faces. Some were young like her, with unruly hair and wild eyes. Many of them would stop what they were doing, and look at her with a perusing gaze that unnerved her. She would hide herself in Nic's shoulder until they passed, and then her eyes would peek out to gaze at her surroundings again.
She eyed the dark brownish-red clay walls that hugged the light from the torches. The shadows bounced and danced as they walked by. The ball of fear wasn't going away, though. It slowly grew with each step they took that led them further into the cave.
She felt Nic hug her close, sensing her anxiety.
"You scared me," she whispered.
He nodded.
"I'm sorry," he replied, while rubbing her back. He knew what she was referring to, and God ... he was sorry. So sorry.
She pulled back to look at him. Her brows furrows slightly, in a determined look as she said, "It won't happen again, right?"
He looked down at the little girl in his arms, who was clinging to him in fear and comfort, and there were no words to reassure her. Her big brown eyes searched for any sign of confirmation that he would never let something like the day's activities happen again. All she wanted was to hear those simple words, "It won't happen again." And he couldn't bring himself to say it. Of course he wanted to put her fears at ease, but he didn't want to lie either. And he would have to do one to fulfill the other.
Dominic had never felt more out of place, more inadequate in this new role as 'father,' than at that moment. How was he to console Mabyn when he couldn't even bolster his own confidence? He had had no previous experience as a role model, and never once questioned his activities or motives before. Nic had never had to worry about his image. He had always been known as the amicable companion, never contributing serious or profound sentiment. He lived simply to enjoy life.
But now, he couldn't. And he hadn't realized it before. He had assumed that Mabyn would enjoy his company, and he would enjoy hers. But she wanted so much more. She wanted a dad ... she wanted a home. Could he give her that? Did she really want him to?
Why me?
he thought. Surely Mabyn didn't want an irresponsible soldier as a surrogate father? There must by someone better out there, someone more suitable to care for her. He didn't know the first thing about parenting ... obviously. He had made an ass out of himself, had put the entire group in jeopardy, and had subjected this little wisp of a girl – who was clinging to him like he was a lifeline – to harm and pain. He could very well be carrying her to her death, wherever they were going.
Dominic chose not to answer her question. He didn't want to lie to her, because he honestly didn't know what was going to happen, and he definitely couldn't change anything now that everyone in the small group probably wanted him dead.
Except for Mabyn, though. She still wanted him. If she didn't, she wouldn't be nearly suffocating him with her need to hug him close.
Her firm grip around him was actually comforting them both. He hadn't realized how much he needed her before now. Sure, he had hated the fact that he had to leave her in the cave on Aevar to go to the base. And he had waited quite impatiently to hold her again, to confirm that she was all right when they had finally gotten underway in space. Worrying about someone other than himself was something completely new to him. It was stressful, and heartbreaking, and wonderful all at once. He had never felt anything like it before ... and realized he didn't want to live without it again.
The fact that someone cared that much about him did amazing things to him. Not to mention the fact that it was completely unsolicited and innocent. Mabyn just wanted someone to hold her and tell her everything would be okay. And all he wanted was to give that to her.
If only,
he thought.
After several moments of waiting for an answer and not receiving one, she gave up with a sad sigh. Her eyes swept around them and caught the red blood that had fallen from his ear, and had dried, resting on his jaw. The ball of fear grew again, doubling in size.
Her small finger came up to lightly touch the blood on his jaw and neck. "You're hurt," she said quietly.
Nic sighed heavily, and shook his head. "I'm okay now."
She nodded, and then leaned in to give his boo-boo a quick peck with her lips. "All better," she murmured quietly. She missed his pained expression, wishing everything really was 'all better.'
The scary woman who had yelled and hit Dominic before was walking behind him now, in full view for Mabyn. She didn't like the woman ... Cora. She was loud and scary and impulsive.
Mabyn leaned closer, in a whisper of secrecy. "Are they bad?" she asked.
Nic thought for a moment.
"I don't think so," he answered honestly. When he read her skeptical look, he continued, "We have to trust them, Mabyn. It'll be okay. They won't hurt you." He leaned closer, whispering just for her to hear, "I won't let them."
She nodded, seemingly content with his explanation, and closed her eyes as she laid her head on his shoulder.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"How's she doing?"
The voice to his left startled him, and he turned quickly to its source. Isabel.
He couldn't tell by her face if she was still upset with him. Assuming she was, but taking her initiating conversation as a good sign, he responded, "Yeah, she'll be alright. I think everything's catching up with her, ya know?"
She nodded, and sat down next to him.
No one else had said a word to Nic since his little speech in the desert, before Cora and Payton knocked him unconscious and tied everyone up. They simply ignored him, which Isabel could tell was a harsher punishment for Nic than actually yelling at him. He was always the center of attention, social and personable. Being publicly isolated was torture.
She eyed the room that they were now waiting in. It was large, with a lofty cave ceiling. Torches adorned the walls, much like the tunnels that they had traveled to get there. There were rugs on the floor, and a table with chairs around it. It seemed to be a private room, maybe a den or office of some kind. Payton and Cora had left shortly after bringing them here, and had told them to wait. They were bringing someone to question them. Who, Isabel didn't know. Hopefully it was someone that could explain why that Cora person was so God damn intolerable.
Isabel attempted to get comfortable while sitting at the edge of the room on the floor, near Dominic and Mabyn, who was now sleeping in his lap with her head resting on his shoulder.
The others were at the table or scattered around the room.
William was seated at the table stoned faced, as usual.
Koen was next to him, preoccupied with his own thoughts as he was staring off into space, as usual.
Bo and Devlin were quietly talking about weapons she assumed, if their motioning to the laser guns in their hands was any indication. They stuck together, as usual.
Rylie was in a far corner organizing their survival gear and supplies, as usual.
Alec helping her, offering his abilities and services anywhere he could, as usual.
Mabyn sought comfort where she could get it, as usual.
And poor Nic was bearing the brunt of the imposed rejection. She felt compelled to end it soon ... now.
"Yeah, I can imagine how hard this all must be for her," Isabel said, while lifting her hand to lightly stroke the small girl's hair, who was seemingly asleep in Nic's arms.
