15 b

Gareth was stunned momentarily upon exiting the building, the bright sunlight hurting eyes so accustomed to the dark. He spotted Taryn immediately. She was being accosted by three men in dark suits and sunglasses, the very picture of the phrase ‘Government Lackey’. Two had taken Taryn by the arms and were shoving her into a vehicle. She was thrashing wildly, even screaming, but there was no one around to hear her except Gareth. Terrified, he ran forward with a shout, closing the distance between himself and the men quickly, reaching out to Taryn. Just an instant of contact and these men would be no more…

But he was forced to come to an abrupt halt as the third man stepped between Gareth and the vehicle and drew his sidearm, aiming with cold precision at Gareth’s head. Gareth was no more than a foot away from death, but he only paused for an instant before diving forward in an attempt to tackle the man. The shot rang out, deafening, and Gareth woke up. It took a few seconds for the dream to fade and for him to realize that he was still on the makeshift pallet on the floor of their hideout. He hadn’t meant to fall asleep, but even mages needed rest after days spent awake. He turned his head slowly to the side so as not to wake an equally exhausted Taryn.

He had caught up with her almost immediately after she’d run off and dragged her back into the building they’d occupied. She had been extremely upset and quite incoherent. Each time Gareth had tried to soothe her she’d shoved him away and removed herself to the other side of the room. It pained Gareth not to be able to help, but at least she wasn’t trying to run away anymore. Finally, Taryn had fallen into a restless sleep, obviously troubled by nightmares. Gareth had watched her from across the room until, ensured that though her sleep was troubled she would not wake, he had felt it safe to move closer. He couldn’t simply sit and stare any longer. Kneeling at her side, he’d cautiously touched his fingertips to her fevered forehead. He was exhausted, but unwilling to take his eyes off of her. Finally, he settled for lying down next to her- but a good distance away that she wouldn’t be alarmed should she wake.

But now when he woke up some time later she was inexplicably in his arms. His heart quickened. Her head rested against his shoulder, her arms were drawn up so that her palms lay flat against his chest, and his arm was around her, holding her close. And she seemed peaceful. A good thing she hadn’t woken up. Gareth knew that though her guard was down while she slept if she were o wake up and find him this close she’d likely run off again. Now how to extract himself from this compromising position?

He carefully pulled his arm back and ever so slowly drew away. She didn’t wake. Gareth immediately felt colder, Taryn immediately fell back into nightmares. How long had they slept? It was difficult to tell. It could not have been long. They didn’t require more than a few hours, and that only after exertion. He hoped Taryn would wake soon. They needed to talk this all out.

If only Kieran was still here…