15 Chapter 15

A few minutes later, I'm sitting in a small, but comfortable room with Madison. "What's going to happen?" I ask quietly. "Once Hawthorne's destroyed?"

"We're going to have to run a few tests on you and Thomas, to see if we can figure out what made you two immune. After that... we're going to try to integrate you two back into society. Find you a real family."

"Really?" I ask, trying to contain my excitement. Despite how happy I am to actually have a real family, one that loves me, I'm also cautious. What if it all isn't as it seems?

She nodded, "As long as the bomb destroys Hawthorne, you'll be in good hands."

So there's a contingency on my well-being; that's good to know. "When do I leave? To set off the bomb, I mean."

"Right now, if you like."

I'm about to nod when I stop. I could still die during this. "Could- could I say goodbye to Thomas?" I ask cautiously.

Madison sighs, "Quinn... I don't know if that's a good idea. He's already very upset about you going."

"Which is why I should talk to him," I say firmly, standing up. "Either I see him, or I don't go."

"Young lady, you are in no position to bargain. We're the ones who can kill you, remember?"

"Let me see him," I reply, my voice hardening.

She sighs again, "Fine," and clicks away on a keypad. A few moments later, two armed guards enter, grabbing my arms roughly. I want to resist, but I don't. Instead, I'm curious. Why would they need two fully armed people to hold back a short 14 year old? I have no time to ask, because they quickly march me down the hall and shove me harshly into a smaller room.

Before I have time to fully adjust to my surroundings, someone wraps their arms around me tight. I have no idea who it is, so I start to pull away when I hear Thomas say, "Aw, Quinn. You're alright."

I hug him back, "And I'm going back to Hawthorne. To set off the bomb. They said that they'd probably get me outta there in time."

Thomas pulls back quickly, brushing the hair out of my face. "You can't go." His hand remains softly on my cheek, like he's scared that if he moves it, I'll disappear.

"I'm gonna come back..." I whispered, turning a little red. "It'll be okay. Remember?"

He looked down. "I just... I can't... I can't lose you," he said, his voice breaking.

I'm taken aback. "You- you won't, okay? You can't get rid of me that easy."

Thomas nods and looks down, and I'm surprised to see tears in his eyes. I put my hands on his shoulders lightly, pulling him close, "Don't cry. It'll be okay."

He nods again quietly, his thumb making small circles in the middle of my back. "Why can't I go instead?"

"They won't let you, remember? I wouldn't let you go, either," I repond softly.

"Quinn?" he asks in a quiet voice, pulling back.

"Yeah?"

He leans forward slightly, lowering his hand so it's around my waist. "I..."

I nod a little nervously, not daring to breath. I have no idea what to feel, what to say, what to do. I've barely even talked to a guy before, let alone be in close proximity. My parents never told me what to do when I felt butterflies exploding in my stomach, my friends and I never talked about boys. No book I ever read has told me what to say when you're heart's beating so fast and hard that it's a wonder you're not having a heart attack. I don't think anyone talked about this with Thomas, either, but he seems to know what he's doing, leaning forward a little more. I decide to follow what he's doing, standing on my toes a little to reach. Our lips are almost touching, our eyes beginning to close when he pulls back suddenly. What did I do wrong?

He runs a hand through his hair unsurely. "I- I'm sorry," he mutters, turning away as the guards come back in to take me to my possible death.