Chapter 59: 59

NADINE’S P.O.V

It didn’t take him long to mutter a few curses under his breath and nod.

“They’re going to kill me for this,” he mumbled, following me over to where Rowan stood.

“Who are they?”

“General Trent, your father, take your pick. Things have changed, Nadine. There are limited supplies in the bunker now.”

Rowan was watching us warily as we approached. I wasn’t sure if he remembered Joshua. “This is-”

“I remember your friend,” he cut me off. “I’m just curious as to how he is alive and why he’s dressed like a soldier.”

“Because I am one. The bunker went on lockdown and they asked me to go with them. I didn’t ask questions. If being a soldier is the price I have to pay to live then so be it. Are you coming or not?”

Rowan glanced at me, a silent question in his eyes and I nodded. I could tell there was a lot he wanted to say but he chose to keep it to himself for now. It was the smart thing to do. I didn’t know Joshua anymore, it was clear that he wasn’t the boy I last saw.

He had changed, and so had I. They saved him and not me and until I knew why, I couldn’t trust him.

We quietly led Rowan further into the woods until we got to a large clearing. For a second, I thought that Joshua was playing us, until I watched him crouch down, push aside some leaves and reveal a trap door. He banged on it three times in a specific pattern that I made sure to note and the door opened revealing a man I hadn’t seen before.

The stranger narrowed his eyes at us. “We don’t take stragglers, Pickett.”

“The General will want to see her.”

He snorted. “And why do you say that?”

“Her name is Nadine Tyler.”

His eyes widened. “Tyler as in-”

“Yes, she’s his daughter.”

“Fuck, come in,” he held out a hand to me but I didn’t take it.

“He goes in first.”

I knew enough to know that they could take me in and lock Rowan outside. I wasn’t getting anywhere near the bunker unless he was safe first.

“Nadine, don’t be stubborn,” Rowan began but I held up a hand to stop him.

He looked like he was about to keel over, his face was pale and he looked sick. If he thought I was going to risk his life then he had another thing coming.

“We had a deal, Joshua.”

“He could be infected.”

“He’s not, I wouldn’t do that to you guys.”

Joshua cursed before nodding to the other man.

I watched as Rowan lowered himself into the bunker, every step betraying the pain he felt. It wasn’t until he was safely inside that I allowed myself to breathe. He lowered himself to the ground slowly, his breath coming out in ragged pants as he gripped his calves.

“He needs a doctor.”

“I know what he needs, Nadine, get in.”

I got in, ignoring the other guard’s hand on my hips as he tried to help me. Once I was safely on my feet, I slapped his hand away and rushed over to Rowan who looked like he was fighting to keep his eyes open.

“We’re safe,” I whispered to him, my fingers stroking his cheek. “We’re okay.”

I heard the bunker close shut and felt Joshua’s hand on my shoulder. “We need to get you to a doctor.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’ve been out there for so long, you may not be. You both have to be checked. We can’t risk the safety of everyone else.”

“Fine.”

He turned to the other guard. “Tell the nurses to get two rooms ready.”

“I’m staying with him.”

“Nadine. What the hell is going on? He will be fine. We’re not going to toss him out.”

“I don’t care. I want to be with him.”

“I can’t authorize that.”

“He saved me! He got me out of that hell hole when no one else did. If it weren’t for him, I’d be dead. I am staying with him. Do you understand me?”

“Fine, let’s go.”

We were led down a narrow pathway to a clear room. I had my hand in Rowan’s the entire time but as soon as we arrived, he was pulled away from me.

It took an effort not to scream for him. I kept a close eye on him as they ushered him into a bed on the other side of the room. Nurses flocked him, surrounding him with bandages and IV bags. I forced myself to breathe knowing that he was safe with them.

“Hello,” a nurse’s soft voice grabbed my attention and I turned to her.

She couldn’t have been older than me with dark skin and curly hair. She had a needle in her hands and she gestured to my arm. It took me a long minute before I extended my arm to her.

“I’m just going to take some blood for some tests. Someone else will do a full body work-up after I leave. I just have a few questions.”

“Will Rowan be okay?” I cut her off.

She looked taken aback for a moment. “I don’t know, I’d have to ask. They’re working on him right now.”

“I need updates.”

“Okay. I can get that for you if it’ll help you calm down. Do you have the implant in?”

“Yes, but I need another one.”

I ignored the slight pinch on my skin as she drew blood. “Your boyfriend will be fine.’

“He’s not her boyfriend,” Joshua snapped and it was at that moment I remembered that he was still with me. “He’s her guard.”

The nurse glanced at me then at Joshua and nodded, a small discreet smile on her face. “Does she know that?”

Without another word, she walked away and I turned to Joshua.

His eyes perused me. “You’re filthy.”

“That’s what happens when you live in the woods. How else do you think I got here? I didn’t teleport.”

“I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Of course you didn’t.”

He sighed and stepped closer. “I’ll inform your father that you’re here. He must be so worried.”

“He wasn’t worried when he left me to die.”

“That’s not what happened, Nadine.”

“Isn’t it? A man came into my room ready to kill me because he said that was their order. If Rowan hadn’t come when he did, I’d be dead. If I had my way, I wouldn’t even be here right now. I would be in the wind but he’s hurt and I don’t have the supplies to treat him. As soon as we’re better, we’re leaving.”

“I know you’re upset,” he began slowly. “But maybe you should hear your father out first. There are two sides to every story, Nadine.”

“I have nothing to say to him.”

“Why do you think I was out there?” he asked and I went silent. “My father is rich enough to ensure that I never work a day in my life, but I was out there. I don’t hunt.”

“I don’t know.”

“I was looking for you. We all were.” He stood to his feet. “Talk to your father. Stop being stubborn.”

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