NADINE'S P.O.V
That night, we sat cross legged in the living room and ate some ramen.
It felt so weirdly domestic, something I hadn't experienced in a very long time and even though I tried to remind myself that it was nothing, I just couldn't shake that feeling that there was more to it.
That night between us had blurred things and I hated myself for it, especially because he didn't feel the same way and I was driving myself insane over a guy who probably did it with every other woman he was out with. I knew I wasn't the first and if we survived this, I probably wouldn't be the last.
"You look like someone just kicked your dog," Caine drawled and I shot him a glare. "We need to think of a plan from here."
I sighed.
"Where do we go?"
"Most bunkers are built in areas that are close to water and wild life. They need the sustenance for food and the water so no one dies. My foster father used to collect maps. If I search through, I'm sure I can find somewhere-"
"When do we leave?"
"In a few days at most."
I tried to hide my disappointment. I knew it was coming and yet, I had gotten so comfortable here. I loved having a shower, I loved sleeping in a warm bed. I knew this was a matter of survival and yet, I hated it.
I hated the scientists for creating the monsters, I hated the monsters for ruining my life and I hated my father for not taking me when he ran away- or died.
"Princess-"
"I'm fine," I assured him, giving him a small smile. "You already told me we would be leaving soon. I should start packing my stuff."
"Nadine-"
"It gets confusing, you know? One second you call me Nadine and the next, it is princess," I stood to my feet, trying my best not to look at him. "Which is it? I can't keep responding to both."
"Tough luck because it's both."
I turned to him, my hands crossed over my chest. "Why princess? How did you even come up with it?"
"Have you looked in the mirror?" he snorted. "You look like something straight out of a fantasy cartoon with your doe eyes and your curly hair. You're a princess, a spoiled one at that. If these monsters hadn't been created, you would have never left your little golden tower."
However harsh his words were, they were right, and I knew it wasn't his intention to hurt me so I chose to ignore the little pang I felt in my chest.
"Does that make you the brute or the prince? Because last I checked, you lack the right manners to be prince."
Caine just flipped me off, not even bothering to respond to me as he dragged himself to his feet. I watched him, a small smile on my face as I did. If someone had told me a month ago that we would be laughing with each other this way, I would have called them insane. I didn't even know who he was then and yet, so much had changed.
"I need to go out for a bit," he began slowly and I stilled.
"Go where? It's getting dark."
"Really? I didn't notice," sarcasm dripped from his voice as he shrugged on a jacket. "It's only for a few minutes."
"Where are you going? We are a team now and we should stick together. In horror movies, everything goes wrong whenever people split up."
He stared at me for a moment before laughing. "You're fucking insane."
"You say that now, repeat it when I'm the only thing standing between you and death."
He laughed even harder, as if that was an impossible feat. I would have felt offended if I wasn't so enamored by the sounds coming out of his mouth.
"Will you tell me where you're going or not?" I mumbled.
"I'll do you one better, you're coming with me. Give me a second, I need to get something from upstairs."
He disappeared up the stairs and I watched him go. I sat on the couch, my head hanging off the edge and my eyes closed. I listened to the chirping of birds outside and the rustling of the trees when I heard the sound of a floorboard creaking.
I knew instantly that it wasn't Caine because Caine knew every inch of this house like the back of his hand, he knew where to avoid and where to stop- this person didn't.
I rose to my feet, grabbing the dagger I kept strapped to me at all times as I slowly went to investigate. I should have called out to Caine but I didn't want to alert the intruder to the fact that I was onto them. I still had the element of surprise and at the moment, it was the only thing working for me.
I headed towards the sound. It came from the kitchen.
The lights were off but I could still hear rustling. I couldn't hear growling so that gave me some form of relief.
"Stay right where you are," I said as I flipped on the switch.
I went from shock to confusion to sympathy in less than five seconds as I stared at the boy in the kitchen. He looked to be no older than thirteen as he stood there with a pack of chips in his hands. It was obvious he had taken the chips from us but I couldn't bring myself to feel mad at him.
"How did you get in?"
He gestured to the back door and I cursed. We had forgotten to barricade it and it was obvious he had picked the lock.
"Can you at least close it? We don't want anyone getting in," I took a step forward. "What are you doing here? Are you alone?"
The closer I got to the boy, the more I realized something was wrong. His fingers were shaking almost as if he were terrified and he was much too small. It seemed very unlikely that he had been the one to sneak in which meant there was someone else.
I had barely taken a step when I saw movement out of the corner of my eyes. Before I could even turn, something sharp was pressed to the base of my throat.
"Drop the knife, now," the assailant was female.
I dropped the weapon instantly. "We don't have to fight. Take what you want and go."
She laughed. "This isn't a fight. I heard you at the grocery store. You weren't as quiet as you thought you were. I followed you and your boyfriend here."
It hurt more than I wanted to admit that Caine was right. All I was thinking about was helping her while she was thinking of a way to rob us.
"What do you want?"
"Nadine!"