Chapter XXXVII: Victory Anyone?

Alia spun her horse around after Cameryn’s message and rode back to the main gate. Amazingly, all the Legionnaires and regulars in sight were lying on the ground, seemingly unconscious; she estimated that there were about 300 of them in all. Alia looked up at the 50 men in surprise; she had never expected them to be such skilled fighters. “Impressive,” she told them.

Nathan, the newly recruited telepath, moved his bay horse forward. “Ma’am, we didn’t even have a chance to fight. All I saw was Cameryn take one look at them, and then seconds later, they were all like they are now. We didn’t lift a finger; I swear,” he explained. He wasn’t about to accept glory for what Cameryn had done. That man had saved their lives.

Alia’s eyes widened; she was at a loss for words. Jolene started to laugh as she took over for her mother. “We should’ve known. Cameryn is always like that, even though I doubt he even knew what he’d done this time,” she paused, smiling. “Help me get this gate open so we can get the rest of the Resistance in here. The Boss got Cameryn and Tristan alone and I don’t intend to leave them that way for long,” Jolene ordered.

The men quickly burst into action and began hauling on the chains that lifted the massive gate. After a patience-trying 10 minutes the gate was up and the remaining 900 members of the Resistance rode in. Elysia directed them to the next gate and they set about opening that one as well. Thankfully for all involved, the gate wasn’t nearly as heavy as the first one; only 5 minutes passed before it too stood opened, but the sight that greeted them was nothing like they’d expected. At least some 200 Legionnaires were lying on the ground, unconscious; much in the same was as the others out by the first gate.

Jolene’s mouth dropped as she surveyed the area, fearful of what she might find. After a moment, her eyes landed on the only person sitting up, Cameryn. She jumped off her horse and ran too him, ignoring the stares that followed her and landed on him. She couldn’t feel his presence, and that scared her deeply even though she could plainly see he was alive. She collapsed to the ground beside him. “Cameryn?” she whispered softly before her eyes settled on what had Cameryn’s attention. Her breath caught in her throat. It just couldn’t be true; there was no way Tristan could be dead. She reached out to check his mind, and like Cameryn, she found nothing. Only then did the tears come. “Oh, God,” she whispered and leaned back on her heals. What had the Boss done?

Alia and Elysia were by her side moments later. Alia could feel Jolene’s pain; she wrapped her arms around Jolene, trying to comfort her daughter. “I never would have expected this,” she said harshly, fighting back her own tears. Tristan hadn’t deserved this no matter how annoying he was.

Elysia wrapped her arms around herself as tears poured down her face; she didn’t believe what she was seeing even if it was true. She took a faltering step backwards and broke into a run; she didn’t look back as she passed through both gates. She just had to get away; she didn’t think she could deal with what had happened yet. She had loved him, and now it was too late to tell him that. How was it that the Boss continued to destroy their lives?

Alia looked up as Elysia ran off, and for the first time she sensed her daughter’s feelings for Tristan. She hissed through her teeth and released Jolene. “Honey, I have to go to Elysia,” she whispered and stood. That’s when she saw the Boss’s body and that of an old friend lying a few feet away. “It can’t be!” she cried and hurried over to the unconscious woman, bypassing the Boss; he was dead so it didn’t matter anyway—he was no longer important.

Jolene got to her feet, unsure what to make of her mother’s sudden mood shift, but she didn’t get any closer. She had never seen her mother so angry.

Alia telepathically reached out and woke the woman. “Sarah,” she hissed as the woman opened her eyes.

Sarah’s eyes widened; if Alia was here that meant the Boss had failed. “What have you done?” she demanded and climbed to her feet. She had no idea why she was on the ground in the first place.

Alia didn’t give her an answer. She scooped up a discarded gun and aimed it directly Sarah’s chest. “You betrayed us all!” she yelled and pulled the trigger. That was one less evil in the world. She dropped the gun and turned away from where her former friend had fallen to the dust. At least she knew who had betrayed them all so long ago; that was one less thing to wonder about now. Alia moved over to the Boss’s lifeless form and smiled. “I guess Cameryn didn’t take kindly to you killing his friend,” Alia whispered as she studied the two bullet holes in the man’s chest. “Serves you right and I bet he surprised the hell out of you too; you never saw it coming,” Alia added and then turned away from the Boss as well.

Jolene’s eyes widened as her mother headed back over to her. She ran a hasty hand over her face, brushing the tears away and straightened. She had never seen her mother kill before, and it wasn’t something she wanted to see again anytime soon. “Why did you do that?” she asked breathlessly.

Alia stopped in front of her and smiled faintly. “That woman’s name was Sarah; she was the one responsible for betraying me and all my friends back when Cameryn’s parents were killed. Strangely enough, she was Cameryn’s godmother,” Alia replied. “I had to kill her; I don’t think Cameryn is up to dealing death for awhile.”

“What are you talking about?” Jolene demanded.

“Cameryn is the one who killed the Boss. I’m sure he did it in response to what happened to poor Tristan, but he killed a man. He’s never done that; he never had it in him to do that, so I saved him the trouble of having to kill Sarah when he found out that she was mostly responsible for the Boss finding out about him and killing his parents,” Alia explained.

“Oh,” Jolene sighed and glanced back at Cameryn’s still form. He didn’t seem aware of anything that was going on around him.

Alia leaned forward until her mouth was near her daughter’s ear. “Jolene, help him with this,” she whispered. “I’m going to get the Resistance busy with rounding up those of the Boss’s supporters who didn’t run, and then I need to find Elysia.”

Jolene nodded and turned back to her mother with tears in her eyes. They hugged each other tightly for a moment; they Alia headed off to finish what had to be done. Jolene watched as the men at the gate dispersed; it was good not to have eyes on her, and she suspected Cameryn would appreciate the privacy as well. With that thought she hurried over to him again and dropped to her knees beside him. She draped an arm across his shoulders and lifted his chin with her free hand, hoping to catch his eye, but his gaze was blank. “Cameryn?” she asked, concerned. This wasn’t like him at all.

Cameryn’s eyes didn’t change; he stared at her sightlessly, but he did hear her. He just didn’t have the will to answer. Any way he looked at it, it seemed like the Boss had succeeded in destroying him; it just had taken a little longer than the man had anticipated because now he was dead. He didn’t even have the chance to gloat about it.

Jolene tentatively reached out towards Cameryn’s mind, but there was no chance of her getting through his blocks. They were tighter than she ever even imagined possible, but even so, his pain was still palpable. Jolene drew her arm away from his shoulder and placed both of her hands on his tearstained cheeks. “Cameryn, please talk to me,” she pleaded. She didn’t want to lose him too, and she feared that would happen unless he snapped out of it. He looked so defeated; no one would have ever suspected that he had just saved the world from an evil tyrant. It looked like he had lost, and maybe in some ways he had.

Cameryn didn’t like hearing the pain in her voice; he didn’t want to hurt her. He blinked once and focused his eyes on her beautiful face and hazel eyes. “He killed him, Jolene,” he murmured as fresh tears fell down his cheeks.

Jolene gently brushed his tears away. “The Boss was evil, Cameryn,” she tried to comfort him, but she had no idea where to begin.

“It’s Michael; he’s not the Boss any longer,” Cameryn corrected her and dropped his eyes.

“What…but how…oh never mind. Cameryn, look at me,” she asked; she didn’t want to get into the whole telepathy issue yet. There were other things he had to deal with first, like Tristan’s murder.

He lifted his eyes again but didn’t say a word. All he wanted was for Tristan to be all right again. He felt as if he had failed his friend, and the one person he had wanted to always have around was now gone because of that failure. Tristan had always been there for him; he had protected him even when it put his own life in danger. He had always thought of Cameryn before himself, and Cam feared that it was that characteristic that was at least partially responsible for the fact that Tristan now laid on the ground. Cameryn groaned as he remembered arguing with Tristan about the stupidest things, and looking back, all that pettiness seemed even more pathetic than usual. They had wasted precious time with fighting, and even though it hadn’t stemmed from genuine anger, that was time they could’ve spent enjoying their friendship. Why didn’t people see what they had until it was gone? Cameryn’s throat tightened as more tears streamed down his cheeks.

Jolene couldn’t stand to see his pain. She tossed aside all pretenses and pulled him towards her, away from Tristan’s now lifeless body. Cameryn went along with the pull; he didn’t even consider fighting her. He was done fighting; as far as he was concerned, he had lost the most important battle. Jolene cried for him and threw her arms around him, trying to give him some of her strength. She didn’t want him to give up. She loved him.

Cameryn’s arms hung loosely at his sides for a few minutes before he returned her hug. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly, crying. “Tristan’s gone,” he whispered.

“I know, Cam, and I’m so sorry. It never should’ve happened,” Jolene replied softly and rubbed his back, trying to comfort him in some way. She couldn’t even begin to imagine what he was going through. He had lost his parents to the Boss, and now, his best friend had also been taken by the same monster. Her only consolation was that that bastard was now dead; he wouldn’t hurt anyone anymore.

Cameryn let his head rest on her shoulder as he cried, but eventually exhaustion caught up with him. His mind ached from its exertion, and slowly that ache turned into genuine pain. Cameryn groaned slightly as he let the darkness take him. At least in unconsciousness he wasn’t aware of the loss of Tristan, and he was truly thankful for that small respite.

Cameryn opened his eyes and blinked back the last of the sleepy haze that clouded them as he looked around. He had no idea where he was, but as much as that should’ve mattered, he didn’t have it in him to care. That monster of a man Michael had killed his best friend and there was no changing that awful fact. Losing his parents was one thing, but losing the person who had helped him get past their deaths and everything else that life had thrown at him was something completely different. Tristan had been there for him when it seemed that the whole world was hell bent on killing them both. He had no idea what would’ve happened to either of them had they not found each other when they did. Fortune had been with them for a few short years, but that was gone now; it had gone with Tristan. He let his eyes fall shut again; there was really nothing worth seeing.

Jolene quietly opened the door moments later. She had felt some change in Cameryn, but because of his mental blocks she hadn’t been sure what that change meant. She thought it meant that he was awake, but maybe she’d been wrong; he still seemed to be sleeping. Jolene shut the door behind her and softly padded into the room to check on him just to be sure. She didn’t want him to be alone if he was really awake; her mother had specifically told her to help him, and that was something Alia seldom did. Jolene eased herself down so that she sat on the edge of the bed. “Cameryn?” she whispered, brushing some stray hair off his forehead.

He purposefully opened his eyes; he wasn’t about to ignore her. He didn’t want to hurt Jolene like that. There was already enough pain to go around courtesy of that bastard of a man Michael, and though he wasn’t the cause of that pain, he still felt the need to make sure there was no more because of him. Cameryn focused on Jolene’s clear hazel eyes but said nothing; he didn’t know what she wanted.

Jolene blinked back the tears that threatened to fall and smiled slightly at Cameryn. “Do you feel any better?” she inquired and studied his pale face, searching for the answer herself.

“That depends on what you want to hear, Jolene,” Cameryn replied flatly. Did he feel better? The simple answer to that question was no, but things were seldom simple. He missed Tristan more than ever and the loss of his friend ate at him, but at least that damn headache he had had earlier was all but gone. He didn’t want Jolene to worry about his emotions; they would get dealt with in due time. She just didn’t have to know, and that was that.

Jolene looked at him sharply. Where had Cameryn gotten his attitude all of the sudden? He had no reason to be short with her. Why did it matter what she wanted to hear? She wanted to hear the truth; he knew her well enough to know that already. “Obviously you’re not okay, so what is wrong?” she asked coolly.

“Do you honestly have to ask that question?” Cameryn hissed and slowly sat up so as not to aggravate his head; he didn’t know how long gone that headache was so it was best not to chance it with any quick movements. He gave Jolene a cold glare and settled his gaze on the windows across the room even though there was nothing to see; it was dark outside. Apparently he’d slept through the afternoon and into the night.

“Cameryn, I just want to help!” Jolene said in exasperation and grasped his chin in her hands, turning his head towards her again. “I know you’re hurting, but that doesn’t give you the right to act like a child. Let me help you; it’s the least I can do for all that you’ve done for me and my family,” Jolene said, moderating her tone as she looked into his distressed blue eyes. She could see his pain, and she wanted to make it go away.

Cameryn returned her gaze and shook his head. “Jolene, there’s really nothing you can do, so let it go. I’m just not in that great of a mood right now that’s all,” he tried to shift her off topic. He was serious though; there really was nothing for her to help him with. He needed to figure things out on his own. And to top that off, he couldn’t afford to get close to anyone; they all died when he did.

A growl escaped from Jolene’s throat before she could stop herself. Cameryn was being stubborn, far too stubborn for his own good. Hadn’t he listened to a word she’d said? “If you expect me to just walk away you’re in for a big surprise because I’m not going anywhere for a long while. I will help you.”

“Jolene, this isn’t your burden…”

“Oh, don’t even start with that. I will decide for myself what I want to take on. Cameryn, I love you, and I’m not about to let you just wallow in self-pity while I sit and watch. I will not lose you! I understand that Tristan was your friend, your best friend, and the pain that comes with such a loss, but you’ve done worlds of good for so many people. Can’t you feel good about that? Cameryn, the Boss is gone because of you!” Jolene had to make him see the bigger picture. He never was any good at realizing that there was more to things than the immediate results.

Cameryn’s mouth silently formed the word love as he stared at Jolene. She loved him. Cameryn’s mind tumbled over the possibilities. He returned her love, but the more he thought about it, the more impossible it all became. He couldn’t let her love him; it was too dangerous. “Jolene, you must be mistaken,” he said firmly, essentially ignoring everything else she had brought up.

It was Jolene’s turn to face surprise. “What the hell are you talking about?!” she hissed and tightened her hold on his chin.

“You can’t…well, love me. You just think you do because we’ve had to work together for awhile…”

Jolene cut him off by placing her hand over his mouth. What the hell was wrong with his head? “Cameryn, I know my own heart. I love you, so cut the crap about me being deceived. I know the truth when I see it,” she said and pulled her hand away.

“It’s just not wise,” he countered and dropped his eyes to the floor.

“Not wise? Cam, since when is love wise. I didn’t think such a thing was even possible,” Jolene replied with a small laugh. She was starting to see where he was going with this. He viewed something as wise only if it was safe; he feared she would be in danger because of her love.

“Fine, Jolene, I can’t love you,” Cameryn said, but he sounded more like he was trying to convince himself of that fact than her.

“Somehow I don’t believe that,” Jolene said, smiling. She grabbed his chin again and lifted his face; then, before she could have any second thoughts, she kissed him solidly. His blue eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t try to pull away. Jolene released him after awhile but only moved away a few inches. “Looks like I was right,” she whispered, thankful for the brief diversion from Tristan’s death.

“I don’t want to hurt you or lose you,” Cameryn said after a few minutes of silence. So he did love her; he’d always known that, but accepting it was an entirely different matter.

“You won’t. The danger has passed for you, Cam. I don’t think you’ve fully realized this but by killing the Boss you’ve effectively destroyed what’s threatened you. Just this afternoon all those who had been loyal to the Boss except for the highest ranking Legionnaires and members of his inner circle switched sides and joined the Resistance. They seemed to have been under the impression that they had to serve the Boss or they’d be killed, and I have a feeling that’s a pretty good assessment of their previous situation. They were never truly loyal to that monster; they just wanted to protect themselves and their families as much as possible like any normal human being would, so you needn’t be too worried about a coup of any kind from them. Essentially, this all boils down to the fact that you now have a very large army at your command. Even without a government in place, you’re in the perfect position to right a few wrongs left behind as the Boss’s legacy. Not to mention, you’re just as safe as any normal person now though I do have to admit you’re slightly more popular than most. Even your newest recruits from within this very compound already love you for what you’ve done. It seems to me I have some competition for your love,” Jolene finished with a brilliant smile and kissed him again. This time Cameryn returned the kiss quite willingly.

“I love you as well, Jolene; I just don’t think I could handle losing you like I lost Tristan,” Cameryn said after he’d pulled away from the kiss. His throat tightened again and he turned his face away from Jolene as the tears returned.

“Don’t worry about that. Not everyone dies so tragically, Cam. The Boss is gone, and I assure you, I’m here to stay. Besides, who else could possibly hope to handle you?” Jolene countered, trying to lighten his mood.

Cameryn did humor her with a faint smile, but he didn’t say anything; he still wasn’t comfortable with the fact that their love was finally out in the open. He had tried so hard to keep it a secret for safeties sake, and it was hard letting that mindset go.

“Oh, Cameryn, you are so important to so many people, not only me,” Jolene continued when she realized he was going to remain silent. “Where you once led the Resistance, you now must lead Turyn. I have a feeling you’re the only one most people will trust. You’ve saved them all from the Boss’s tyranny; now it’s up to you to pick up the pieces of his twisted empire and make something good from them. You’re not just the head of the Resistance anymore, you’re a miracle worker because heaven knows it’s going to take a miracle to get everything up and running again like it had been before the Boss destroyed it all.”

Cameryn looked at her in disbelief. “Are you sure you’re trying to comfort me? All this sounds rather bleak to me—not exactly the kind of thing that’s meant to help some one like me.”

Jolene laughed loudly and kissed one of his cheeks. “I just want to help you find you again, Cam, and the best way I know how to do that is by giving you some reason to be the you I love. You’ve never failed anyone you’ve set out to help.”

“Jolene, what do you think happened with Tristan?” he said sharply. Whether or not she chose to acknowledge it, he had failed where it had mattered most and had lost his best friend as a result.

“Tristan’s murder does not belong on your conscience. You know whose fault that is; Tristan would have some words with you right now if he were here. He knew how to place blame where blame was due; that’s something you’ve never learned, Cameryn, and it’s about time you did. Not everything is your fault,” Jolene argued.

Cameryn knew it was best not to challenge Jolene’s words. Maybe she was right, but he still felt that he could’ve done something differently and saved Tristan in the process. He sighed and studied the raw bands that wound around his wrists. They reminded him that he was only too human sometimes no matter how much power he possessed, but knowing that was only the first step. “I do understand that, Jolene. It’s just harder to accept than you think; just give me time.”

“I promise I will; you deserve that and so much more,” she assured him and moved closer to him on the bed.

Cameryn looked at her sadly and then smiled. “Thank you for listening and understanding,” he whispered.

“It’s good you know that you’re not alone, Cameryn. I am here,” Jolene said and draped an arm over his shoulders.

Tears filled Cameryn’s eyes as he looked at Jolene’s beautiful face. “I love you,” he said again and hugged her tightly; those three words seemed to give him more hope than he’d felt in a long time. Maybe there was a chance that things would be all right after all. Tristan was gone, but his friend would have understood that he needed Jolene. Even alive, Tristan had pushed their relationship, so there was no reason to hide from the truth of their love now that his friend was dead. He knew he would miss Tristan for a long time, maybe forever, but knowing that there was someone like Jolene that he could turn to eased some of his pain. He wasn’t completely alone, and with luck, he never would be again.

A/N: Well, that's finally the end of it. I hope you all enjoyed reading it. :) I have one favor to ask. In your last review could you please tell me what you thought of the overall story and what you think needs the most improvement in my writing in general (description, dialogue, etc)? I'm going to be working on another story and I'd like to use whatever constructive criticism you give to improve my writing for that story. Thank you so much for all of your wonderful reviews!!! I love getting responses from readers; they make my day.