What Following Brings by S. E. Campbell Page A

got married . You ’ re the best thing that ’ s ever happened to me, anyway. ”
    â€œ What about Mom? ” Eden asked. “ Was she happy to have me around, too? ”
    He stared at her . This time, his face drained of color instead of filling with it. Then his mouth split into a grin again and he poked her thin stomach. He poked too hard and it hurt a little, but Eden didn ’ t mind. Her dad was usually too busy working to spend much time with her . This vacation was like a dream. Maybe, if Rebecca had gone on vacation with them instead of staying at home with the man her dad called the “ pool boy, ” then she could have taken part in this too.
    â€œ Am I not good enough for you, Eden? ” her dad asked, laughing.
    â€œ You ’ re good enough, ” Eden said. “ I love you, Dad. ”
    Smiling, he reached down and took her small hand in his , and the two of them began to walk down the pier together.
    The sound of footsteps drew Eden from the memory, and she did not know whether she felt happier or sadder than she had before. She loved her dad and missed him a lot. She missed her mom too. Both of them were so engrained as a part of her, but having them ripped away from her like they were…
    It ’ s because this is important. I was chosen for this. She stood up and stared straight ahead . She thought of what the E arth was probably like now. Her dad was likely in trouble, and who could save him? Her. She could save him. And she was going to find Yuri and she ’ d convince him to st ay with her, because he was one of her five and she needed him.
    She headed down the hallway and w alked down the flight of stairs to the b ottom floor. When she left the last stair, she saw Aaron lingering by the wall. He appeared concerned as he gazed at her and he had a big frown on his face .
    â€œ What now? ” Aaron asked . “ Yuri is gone. There is nothing we can do. ”
    â€œ I ’ m going to find him, ” Eden said, “ and I have a feeling he hasn ’ t gone far. I think he ’ s just as eager to get to me as I am to get to him. ”
    â€œ Oh, Eden, ” Aaron said, sighing and shaking his head.
    â€œ Please, Aaron, ” Eden said. “ You know I don ’ t have much choice here. He is one of my five, and I need him. ”
    â€œ Are you sure that ’ s the only reason? ” Aaron asked, his eyes narrowed.
    â€œ Of course, ” Eden said.
    Deep down, though, she knew it wasn ’ t true at all. They were connected now. She wouldn ’ t have let him go without a fight, even if he wasn ’ t one of her five.
    ****
    Eden, Adanna, and Aaron stood inside of a prison cell alone on the second floor of the prison. The prison was quiet still, but Eden knew the other prisoners were getting restless. She could not keep them here because of what she had to do any longer.
    â€œ I ’ m sorry, you two, ” Eden said. “ And especially you, Adanna. I know how badly you want to get back to Thema, but we need Yuri now. It ’ s the only way to save us. I have to get to him and convince him to stay. It ’ s a part of my task. Do you understand? ”
    Eden looked from Adanna to Aaron. Adanna nodded vigorously .
    â€œ I… I ’ ve been thinking, ” Eden said. “ The other prisoners should move on to Horace , and Sergeant Dale and Don can lead them as long as they have enough lanterns. Maybe the two of you should also head with them, and I ’ ll meet you in Gabriel , where Thema is. I can find Yuri and the other two souls and I ’ ll meet up with you then. It ’ s safer— ”
    â€œ Eden, stop, ” Aaron said.
    Adanna frowned and nodded in Aaron ’ s direction.
    â€œ We all helped you before, and we ’ ll help you again, ” Aaron said. “ Do you think maybe we were chosen for more than love? Maybe we were chosen because we are the ones who love you and will