Ames threw another punch—determined to ignore the fact that Glenna had slipped won the stairs and climbed onto the bed to take a nap. "Not going there, buddy. You don't stand a chance with her for real." He shook his head and threw another punch.
It was two weeks ago that he had moved from his brother's compound and in with Glenna. She had been friendly and opened her home to him without complaint but she was distant and he knew in no uncertain terms that romance was off the table. So, why was he thinking so much about her?
He slipped the gloves off went upstairs. He needed time to clear his head and that meant putting distance between himself and Glenna. She had gotten under his skin—something he hadn't really anticipated. Sure, he found her attractive but he had been so focused on the end goal that he hadn't given a relationship much thought. Now? He couldn't think of anything else except for what it'd be like to kiss her and that was not going to happen.
Glenna heard Ames leave the room and she sighed in frustration. He had been true to his word, he'd been kind. He had not harmed her in any way. But, he also hadn't dared so much as flirt with her and truthfully, Glenna felt a bit lonely. Why couldn't they enjoy each other's company? Maybe some harmless flirting or dancing? It's not like she expected an honest to goodness romance but she had to admit that she'd imagined kissing him more than a few times.
She slipped from the bed and decided to go for a jog. Maybe the brisk evening air would do her some good—or at least take her mind off of kissing Ames Willow. Ames Willow-Montgomery as he was going by these days. It was so weird to her. Why would Ames give up the Willow name? I mean, it's not like she'd give up being a Montgomery but he hadn't even asked her what her preference would be. Could she be his wife that way? Give up her identity? No, he was right, there's no way she would give up being a Montgomery. Especially not to be a Willow. Funny, she'd known Ames less than a month and he seemed to know her better than she knew herself.
Glenna opened the door and stepped out into the cool air. Ames had fallen asleep on the couch and she felt bad about not having the decency to let him get a good night's sleep in the bed. It's not like they had to do anything. What harm would there be in letting him sleep in the bed? She knew him well enough at this point to trust he'd not try anything. Problem is, did she trust herself?
She did a quick survey of her surroundings. She felt out of breath—no doubt she was still recovering from her illness that had resulted in her being in a coma. Her heart raced and she felt disoriented, which alarmed her. Glenna definitely didn't want to make herself out to be an easy target but she couldn't fight it any longer. She doubled at the waist, gasping for air and willing her heart to stop hammering against her ribs.
"Glenna? Is that you? It can't be." Glenna's head turned in the direction of the person that had spoken to her. She let out a gasp, "Mom?! Mom? How, wha...how?"
"Oh, Glenna! My sweet, Glenna! I thought I lost you. I looked everywhere for you. I've never stopped searching.
An hour later, Glenna and her mom were sitting across from a campfire, trying to make sense of everything that had transpired. There were so many unanswered questions for Glenna and for her mom.
Heidi began to fill in some of the missing pieces for Glenna. The illness, the plan to leave everything behind. How Glenna had collapsed and Heidi had raced to the lab for help. A trusted co-worker would have helped get Glenna to safety. But, when they arrived back at the Montgomery family home, Glenna was missing.
The government had, in fact, dropped care packages containing medication that had cured both Heidi and Scarlet. The two of them clung to each other and made a plan to find Glenna. But, life had changed for the both of them.
As society collapsed, more and more looters began to smash windows and force entry into the extravagant home that had housed the Montgomery's for ten generations. Heidi and Scarlet were forced to move to a small camp on the east side of where the library now stood in ruins. Neither Scarlet or Heidi would leave without Glenna and so they stayed and watched as Anarchist gained control of the region.
Glenna's grandmother, Scarlet, lived for five years after the illness that had been dubbed, "
The Culling." After her passing, Heidi had been on her own. In all of that time, she had been looking, searching for the daughter she had lost. Never once had she given up hope that Glenna had survived.
Confusion set in for Glenna. She hadn't trusted Mirabella and nothing she had said made sense. Why would she say that Glenna's family perished when there were survivors? More importantly—why had they taken her?
Glenna began to pour out the whole story to her mom. How she woke from a twenty-year coma. How she'd been told that her family had died. And how the young, white-haired, red-eyed woman had made her uneasy. How she had slipped out from her home and into the night. Choosing to face Anarchist rather than stay in the presence of the young woman.
Heidi's eyes were wide with shock, "You say that a woman with white hair and red eyes was your captor? No...it cannot be. It's impossible.Young, you say? This woman is young?" The news had visibly shaken the older woman.
Glenna nodded, "Yes, Mirabella Grimm. She is fairly young. Not much older than myself. Do you know her?"
The color drained from Heidi's face, "Yes, dear...she was the attending doctor that delivered you. On that night, the last face that I saw before I almost died was that of Mirabella Grimm and her crazed red eyes!"
