Page 286 of Fragments

“Where are we??” I gasp as his grip loosens, fingers brushing my hair away from my sweaty forehead.

“We’re in California, baby,” he says calmly, and I melt into the soft bed. “At Cyrus’s house.”

“Oh, thank God…” I breathe out my relief. Ren cuddles up next to me and I roll onto my side to face him. “I had a terrible dream…”

“Yea, I heard,” he hums, swiping a tear from my cheek. “You were mumbling a lot of stuff.”

Sighing a rumbly chuckle, I smoosh myself into him, and he immediately wraps me up. The way his big arms hold me and comfort me is unlike anything I’ve ever felt. I’m so safe when I’m with him. And now that I think about it, I’vealwaysfelt safe with Ren. Maybe not emotionally safe, but definitely physically. He’s been protecting me since day one… Against pretty much everything but himself.

“Are you okay now, beautiful boy?” He kisses my hair, tousling the silky strands with his fingers.

I haven’t shaved my head in months at this point, so my hair is growing out a bit. I considered shaving it when we got to Cy’s house, just to keep up with my look. But I like the way it feels when Ren plays with my hair. It’s calming.

“Yea…” I sigh. “I’m good. It was just a nightmare. I’ve had a few since we got here.”

“Me too,” he mumbles, and I pull back to gaze up at him. “I’ve been thinking about them…”

I nod. He doesn’t need to elaborate. I know who he’s referring to.

Our friends. Ourfamily…

Kang, Joy, Rook, Velle, Felix. Even Dash. We haven’t spoken with him in a while, and we have no way of getting in touch with him. Joy’s phone hasn’t been working; believe me, I’ve tried.

We have absolutely no idea what’s happening on that little island of misery that was our home.

“I’ve beenthinking…” Ren says softly. “I feel like we should try to find Dash.” I blink at him while he chews his lip. “He’s our last remaining connection, ya know? There has to be a way to get to him…”

“Baby, I’ve tried.” I rub my eyes. “I’ve searched high and low. There’s no trace of him anywhere… It’s a good thing. It means they’re being safe.”

“I know, but I just think it makes sense for us to go where he is.” The way his eyes are shining tells me there’s more to this than him missing Dash.

Tucking my face into the crook of his neck, I kiss his pulse gently. “Tell me what you’re feeling, baby.”

“I want us to go somewhere we can start a life together, Lex,” he murmurs. “The way Dash did with Kemper. That should be our next move… Finding a place to settle. Somewhere we can actuallylive, not just stay breathing. We were breathing in the Pen… And now we’re free. So what do wedowith that?”

I can hear in his voice that this is important to him. So I put us face to face once more so I can see his blue flames while he speaks.

“I want to start… looking into getting help.” He breaks our eye contact, nervously. “I want to work on myself, like Dash is doing. I think it’s important, for us and our future. But also, for me.”

Nodding, I hold back the loving smile as much as I can. Because I know this is hard for him, but at the same time, I can’t help how proud I am of him for even suggesting such a thing.

He’s so strong, and he’s come so far.

“I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you, Warren,” I hum, kissing him softly.

“Are you sure?” he mumbles, and I chuckle. “It’s probably gonna be really hard. I’m a total nutcase.”

“You are,” I tease. “But you’remynutcase. I think you’re perfect, baggage and all.” He breathes, grinning over my lips. “I promise, baby, I’ll do everything I can to find Dash. We’ll find a place to go where we can live… and get married.” He beams, releasing a soft sound of excitement. “Where you can tattoo and go to therapy, and I can hack into things.”

He laughs. “Not the Pentagon this time.”

“Oh God, no,” I scoff. “I want none of that mess.”

We both chuckle, and he sighs. “Are you sure you’re okay with all of this…?”

“All of what?”

“Leaving California… for good?”