Created (Book 1 of the Created) (42 page)

I looked to my date who nodded a tepid yes.

Moving to the middle of the floor, we held each other close.
I was sure it was much closer than
Sunnie
would care
to see.

Veronica spoke, "This dance is more than I could have
hoped for from you tonight."

I did not reply because I wasn't sure what I should say.

"It is okay if you don't feel the same way. I only came
here to protect you."

I spun her around and sensually pulled her back to me by
reflex. My body had taken a mind of its own. I was too amazed at what had just
happened to realize that the dance floor had begun to empty, leaving us almost
completely alone.

"Protect me from what?" I inquired, as I dipped
her then sat her upright as my hand moved along her thigh.

Veronica seemed as lost in the moment as I did. "Ethan
just
hold
me close for a moment."

I did as she asked. There was an issue of surrender in her
body I had never felt before. She was trembling.

When the song ended, she took my hand and led me back to
Sunnie
who was on the verge of tears from having witnessed
our passionate interplay. The crowd around us grew hushed.

Veronica rested her hand upon
Sunnie's
shoulder. "Don't
worry,
he is yours for as long
as you love him. I know that now." Veronica placed my hand in
Sunnie's
and disappeared amongst the crowd.

I could feel the eyes of a couple hundred teenagers staring
to see what was going to happen next. I took
Sunnie
back to the dance floor as the music played.

Though the music was beating hard, I took
Sunnie
into my arms. We danced to our own melody.

Sunnie
whispered loudly in my ear.
"What was that all about?"

Thinking for a second I said, "Veronica realized that I
don't hold her the same way I hold you."

Sunnie
instantly kissed me
passionately and wrapped her arms around my neck. I held her in place and swung
her around, allowing her feet to dangle as we spun. Sitting her back down on
the floor, I steadied her, but we still bumped into Logan and Darby who were
standing nearby. Darby had a saddened look upon her face.

Concerned I asked, "What is wrong?"

Logan did not answer. He pointed toward the exits. Filtering
into the school were soldiers and the local sheriff's department lead by
Walter. The contingent lined the walls and blocked the entrances. Suddenly the
music stopped and the gymnasium lights were turned on as Mathias stepped into
the room. He was greeted by harsh glares and harsher words from a few braver
souls which were discretely silenced.

As he surveyed the room, he was handed a microphone that was
connected to a portable set of speakers put in place by two communication
officers. "I am afraid ladies and gentlemen the night must come to an end.
I am Mathias
Dencourt
, a representative from Fort
Cooper. It seems that we have a possible contagion loose with the building. One
of your fellow classmates has been very sick as of late and has chosen to expose
you all to the possible dangers of his condition. If you would please follow my
team of trained staff outside, you will be administered a round of antivirals
that should prove completely effective against the virus. So, if we can begin
the process of exiting the building promptly, we can insure that you all our
safe from the condition."

Sunnie
clung to me tightly as the
guards rounded everybody else up in a manner that exposed me as the culprit.
The loathing stares as the partiers were escorted out would be nothing compared
to how I would be treated across social media and at school if I was ever
allowed to return. Mathias was more than amused at his little game. A wide
smirk was maintained the whole time as the tide slowed to a trickle. Soon, the
only remaining students were entirely comprised of my group mates sans
Veronica. Miraculously, Haley had eluded capture.
 

Mathias began making his way to where I stood when the
lights flickered off and the environment returned to its previous state, though
not as jovial. A ballad began to play through the speakers.
Sunnie
and I both turned to see a dark shape duck behind a curtain.

I took charge of the offering of more time. To her surprise,
I took her by the hand and guided us to the center of the floor. She curled
into my arms as we began to dance. Every eye in the room was upon us as the
chorus began to play.

"What will happen now?" She asked through tears.

Glaring around the room at the armed men, Mathias and the
others I worriedly said, "I don't know. I really don't know."

The dance continued in silence until she looked at me as the
last few lines fluttered away. "I wanted us to have forever Ethan, but we
don’t... but we don't."

Stopping as the music faded, I cuddled her into my arms as I
stared into the depths of her. "No
Sunnie
, we
don't have forever, but we have right now."

As the soldiers closed in, we shared a final kiss.

About the author:

                  
Shannon
Shaw is a native of Alabama and currently resides in Huntsville with his wife
Heather, his wonderful daughter and two cats. He enjoys horror movies, fast
cars and The Walking Dead.

                       
Created: Book 1 of the Created
is the
first in a three part series available at multiple online retailers. The second
book in the series,
Broken: Book 2 of the
Created,
is scheduled for release Fall 2012.

           
Connect with
me:

                  
Website
-
http://shannonshawbooks.com

                       
Facebook
-
http://www.facebook.com/ShannonFShaw

                       
Twitter
–
http://twitter.com/shannonfshaw