CHAPTER 3 Anything but love

Sleep evaded Keira as her thoughts were consumed by Friday's events. Things between her and Josh had changed.  He did not come to visit as he usually did over weekends and she did not think it would affect her the way it did.  She would have to report to him in the morning and she had no idea how he was going to react. 

It was just before six when they had finished fitness training.  She did her best to blend in and not make any noticeable mistakes to bring attention to her.  Josh was fully in control and mentioned where everyone could improve.  He did not so much as look at her, she knew he was intentionally ignoring her gaze.  After training each got a written manual just to familiarize them about the spaceship.  There were a lot of listed safety protocols and how to handle the g-force with lift-off.  Luckily by the time that people inhabited Meraki Space travel was a norm, and with added technology, it got easier and quicker so that the normal person on the street could be trained to take a trip into space. 

The only information they have ever got from Meraki is that it was simply beautiful, it had the same qualities as Earth but with a quicker growth rate.  Sadly, people are divided by wealth.

Josh was visibly agitated and his demeanour was harsh. Beads of sweat had started to form on his forehead, indicating that he was feeling the pressure of the situation.  They had three months to prepare for the mission.  More trainees came to join almost every day.  They all went for initiation to see if they were fit enough to join.  This meant that New Hope needed more supplies.  After training she decided she would go straight home, Josh also needed to clear his head.  As she turned to go home, she could see a couple of ladies waiting for Josh.  She rolled her eyes at how easy it came for him to just move on to the next.  Was she angry?  She was fuming, and to top it off she could see Dorothy walking towards the camp from afar.

“If looks could kill.” Sasha wiped her forehead under her cap.  Her red hair was sticking to her face.

“I just don’t understand men.”

“Men are not all like that creature, no he is if I have to give an example; his brain got stuck in reproduction.  It might come in handy in the future if there were like ten humans left.”

“You just have no filter, do you?”

“I am not blind; he is all about the chase.  These cult-like followers he has is boring him to death so it would be obvious that he is looking elsewhere for excitement.  Do not become part of the cult group, I saw what happened on Friday.”

“You saw that?” She was grabbing at words. “To my defence it was mutual.”

Dorothy bit her lip.  “Just what are you talking about?  Did something happen between you and Josh?”

“That is not what you talked about” She instantly regretted where this conversation was headed. “We kissed.”

“And you, you initiated it?” She waved her arms in the air. “Did the sun toast your brain cells?  You can look at him, but you do not touch the merchandise.  If he knows that he has any effect on you, he has already won.”

“It was a kiss, Sasha.  A good one.”

“You need guidance, if not that man is going to eat you up and spit you out.” Sasha gently touched her shoulder.  “I am not trying to be harsh but even if he does care for you deeply he is already set in his ways.”

Why did she have to complicate it with a kiss?  She caught a glance of Josh looking her way and for a fleeting moment, she knew she was blushing. 

“Come, I have the right remedy.” Sasha grabbed her hand.

People usually stood around conversing after training had finished.  She knew exactly what Sasha was doing and she could feel herself resisting.

“We are just going to show him that the playfield is open.  He is doing the same to you.  Tell me that this performance that he is putting up is not to catch your eye.  Beat him at his own game, make him jealous.”

She reluctantly gave in as Sasha dragged her to where a group of new and some of the older recruits were chatting loudly.  She reckons it had something to do with the cult of girls still flocking around Josh.  She smiled as she saw Dorothy pacing close by waiting to strike.  As they came closer the men’s demeanour changed.  They were suddenly whispering and she saw them standing a bit straighter, and it was all smiles.  She was willingly walking into a lion’s den.

“Good afternoon lads.” Sasha was smiling.”

Inwardly she cursed Sasha, she was already married and Buck would have a field day if any of them misbehaved.  Buck was a farmer and strong as a bull.

“My, my if it is not the two most beautiful ladies in town.” One man exclaimed.

“Careful there, I am a married woman.” Sasha gave him an intimidating stare.

“My apologies.”

One of the recruits smiled.  “I have just heard of the beautiful Miss Summons.  We all know who you are, deadly in appearance and with a knife.  No means of disrespect.”

“Non-taken.” Her eyes caught a glimpse of Josh,  she could tell he did not like this at all.  She knew him all too well, he was a master of hiding his emotions, and that even a twitch would give him away.  “What made you join the Eagle tribe?”

The recruit continued; “The raiders are relentless these days, some of us barely escaped with our lives.” She only then noticed his sunken eyes, and he was malnourished.  This was why she was here, not to get the attention of a man who probably was stringing her along.  She was here to make a difference. 

Her thoughts were interrupted by Josh’s deep voice, which she dreaded. “I am glad all of you are getting to know each other, as these are the people you will rely on in battle.”

Sasha folded her arms.  “You just could not help yourself.”

As per usual it had no impact on him.  “I think we should have a meet and greet next week so we can all get acquainted.”

Sasha whispered in her ear. “Of course he does.”

She could see that his presence made some people uncomfortable and almost immediately some recruits started making excuses to leave. 

Just as she was about to leave Josh started talking.  “Not you Miss Summons.”

“Not that I want to leave her here with you, but Buck is already waiting.” She whispered. “Sorry K.”

With that Sasha turned around and walked away, merely moments after the group split up and also left.  They knew when they were not wanted.

“I am not impressed with whatever you are planning now, it does not suit you, Keira.”  His eyes fell on her face and trailed down to her lips.

She could feel her heartbeat accelerate Which may also be that she wanted to strangle his big strong neck.  “And what you are doing is just dandy right?” She stepped closer and she knew he was at no cost intimidated by her, but it made her feel a little bit more in control.  “Get a grip on yourself because your desperation is showing.  Just because I did not fall for your poor attempt to turn me into one of your cult members does not mean that you own me.”  There was a fire in her that she did not know existed.

“This is just an example that you spend way too much time with Sasha.  Rich coming from you who rejected me and now toy with me after I have confessed.  What are you trying to do to me?”

“You did not give me time to access or process how I felt, and when you could make up for it you did not show up.  Around every corner, some woman is thinking of a way to just accidentally fall in your arms. You are entertaining their feelings that is why I doubt you!” She was almost screaming.  “This is only the aftermath of your selfish actions.  You do not know how to court a woman because you have never put in any effort.  You say you like me, fell in love with me then show me!”

“Let me take some time to process this first.” Josh took a step back.

“Josh Dagon you must be kidding me!  If you walk away from me today, I will not forgive you for it.”  She walked towards him as he stumbled backwards.  “You are a fool.”

She rolled her eyes as she saw Dorothy take full charge of the situation.  She did not have time for this anymore, she was not going to jump in the ring with ten other girls.   For someone who always knew how to lure girls in with his smooth talking, he did not have a lot to say.  Josh Dagon you are banned from my thoughts and heart she thought.  She turned around and walked off.

That night she had trouble falling asleep, she never had any problem like that as she had always thought that everything could be controlled.  She knew how to switch off at any time she needed to and believed with the right amount of discipline you could achieve much more than what you put your sights on.  She slowly breathed in, reminded herself that she would achieve nothing being sleep deprived the next day and closed her eyes.

"Keira wake up." Don was crouched next to her bed.  He handed her her knife.  "We have been breached."

She immediately jumped up and pulled on a pair of pants and boots.  "Where have they last been spotted?

"I think they are looking for supplies and the ship, news might have reached them that the ship is at the final stages of rebuilding."

They walked out of the door.  "Look after Hellen, you have done enough."

He disappeared in the direction of Hellen's house.  Her father was not as strong as he used to be, although he is a great asset to train recruits he was not as agile as he used to be.  She headed to the storage facility, it was still dark out.  Her sight was limited to mere metres in front of her so she made use of her other senses, but she knew every inch of the area which gave her a great advantage.

As she closed in she could hear people engaging in battle.  Rather late than never she thought.  She waited for the right time to slip through the door, once in she hid behind one of the storage units, a dim light was on and she could make out a couple of figures.  As her eyes became accustomed to the dark it was easier to see what figure belonged to whom.  She could make out Josh's figure, he was in the middle of two guys attacking him from opposite sides.  She crawled closer careful not to give away her position.  She was now a metre from them, slowly she got her leg in position and kicked the one man blunt on the kneecap. 

With the impact Josh spun around, she saw the knife glistening in the night and knew she was too late.  She had no time to spare, with the other guy on the ground she knocked him out with the back of her boot.  As Josh fell to the ground, she jumped up.  Her aim had to be perfect, and as the intruder's gaze shifted from Josh to her.  In one full swing, she pushed her palm up, her aim was perfect and as her hand connected with the tip of his nose, she could feel the bone crush under the force. 

Some of the men were already regrouping to help catch the last of the culprits.

"Come help me get him to the doctor!" She shouted to one of the rookies.

She pulled him up over one of her shoulders and another grabbed his other and picked him up. The doctor was already on his way.  As soon as they got to the medical centre he was waiting for them.  A couple of nurses took over and helped get him inside.  

She stood there for a moment before going back to see if there was anything else she could help with, the raiders were caught and now the long process of interrogation lay ahead.