Kim’s Earth: Kate: Heading Home

[k_a_webb]

Three days after the injection Kate was beginning to feel uncomfortable. She’d ended up sharing a bunker with six other people, because one of her parents had read too many conspiracy theories, and under normal circumstances she would never have spent more than five minutes with any of them. It was that she disliked them, because she actually found herself getting on with the group, but she hadn’t heard from her parents since the night after they’d had the injection, which was beginning to worry her. A couple of others were also talking about heading home, even though they’d all been told to stay for at least a week.

Gideon was the only one who disagreed with the idea of leaving the bunker, but then he also believed the conspiracy theories so it was easier to ignore him than listen. Finally Kate made the decision, after ringing home one last time, to head home. She picked up the bag she’d thrust some spare clothes into, said her goodbyes, and left the bunker, knowing it was unlikely she’d ever meet any of them again. It only took her a few minutes to realise that someone was following her. Sighing, sure she knew who it was, she turned to look at Gideon.

“Why?” Kate asked, almost surprised at the lack of emotion in her voice.

“I don’t want you going home alone.” Gideon smiled at her. “Every girl who leaves the house will have a male companion, just in case.”

“Just in case of what?”

“We don’t know what might have happened, L, and it’s entirely possible that you might need help with your parents.”

“What about your parents?”

“They were prepared for what might have happened after the injection.”

“Right…” Their eyes met and Kate gave in, knowing that Gideon wasn’t going to take no for an answer. “If you really want to come with me then I’m not going to stop you, but if we get to my house and my parents are fine please just leave.”

“Do you think that’s likely?”

Kate shrugged. “I haven’t heard from them, but that doesn’t mean they’re…” Shivering, she pushed the thought to the back of her mind. “They might not be able to get to the phone for some reason.”

Nodding, Gideon took a couple of steps towards her. “I hope you’re right. I hope that nothing has happened to your parents, or mine, but you have to be prepared for the worst.”

“I know.” Kate gripped her bag a little tighter. “I just don’t want to think about it right now, Gideon.”

“How far away is your place?” Gideon asked, and she found herself smiling at him to thank him for the change of subject.

“It’s about a fifteen minute walk.” Kate started walking. “Dad gave me a lift to the bunker, so I’m not entirely sure of the route, but I’m pretty certain I can get us there.”

“So it’s just your parents you want to check on?”

“Yeah, my older sister moved out last year. She’s living with her long term boyfriend.”

Mirrored from K. A. Webb Writing.