Chapter 30 - Eleanor

Trust goes both ways.

T he first night back, I didn't sleep. The idea of those humans forced to undergo being spliced with sea life was permanently stained behind my eyelids. I tossed and turned and eventually woke up to Callahan shaking me awake.

"Eleanor!"

I opened my eyes and a scream was cut short. It had come from me; I hadn't realized I was screaming at all. He cupped his hand over my mouth and I stared at him, my eyes wide.

What was going on?

His naked chest rose and fell heavily as if he'd sprinted in here. I stared into his hazel eyes for far too long, and my chin quivered. Tears slowly slid down my face and Callahan's expression softened.

"Oh, baby."

He let go of my mouth and embraced me, rocking me as I sobbed.

Why had the people in that bunker done that? What would possess humans to perform such atrocities on other humans?

I asked the questions aloud but my wailing made the words inaudible.

"You can't sleep here," he murmured and shifted me into a cradling position. He stood and took us to his room, where he laid me on the bed and shut the light off. "Ssh, Eleanor, it's going to be okay. I'm here. Your Daddy's here."

He laid down beside me and pulled me into his arms, tugging the blanket over us.

"Rest. It's over. You're safe."

He pressed his lips to my temple, and I closed my eyes. I could do this. I could relax. I inhaled in and out, slowly, focusing on every breath. My eyes grew heavy and soon I was drifting off to sleep in the comfort of his arms.

"I'm sorry, Eleanor. I wish this had never happened. It's all my fault."

My eyes fluttered but I couldn't bring myself to wake up fully.

What did he mean?

"This should never have happened. It's all wrong. We're going to get in trouble." His hands began moving to my hips. He pushed my nightgown up and then tugged it back down. "This is too tempting. You're too perfect."

He shifted his hips and something pressed against me. I was more awake now, and I didn't want him to stop. I wanted him to keep going. I needed to feel desired, wanted, needed. I sighed and moved to push my bottom against his hardness.

"Oh Eleanor," he groaned. "This is dangerous."

His fingers pulled on my nightie again. He found my panties and played with the lace. A deep ache developed between my thighs. I squeezed my core tight, fighting the urge to respond to his touches. He pushed my hair back, exposing my neck to the cool room. His warm lips pressed against my skin and I shivered from the delicious tickle.

"I don't want to feel this way, but I can't help it. It's always been like this. I hate it, but fuck if I don't love it too." He slid his hand under my panties and found my core. I relaxed my thighs, and he pushed them apart. His thumb and forefinger spread my lips and he dipped a finger in, swirling in my wetness. He inhaled quickly.

"This is bad."

He said the words but didn't stop. A moan escaped my lips as he strummed my clit.

"Yes, baby. I'll make you feel better. Focus on this, not what you saw."

My breathing grew ragged as he worked his fingers around my arousal. The pleasure was becoming more and more intense and I rolled onto my back to allow him better access to my body. He was gentle and seemed to know exactly what movements and patterns to do with his fingers to make me squirm and bring me to the brink of ecstasy. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. My eyes fluttered open and I locked eyes with Callahan in the darkness.

"Say my name, Eleanor," he ordered.

"Daddy," I gasped as my body exploded into a million pieces.

Pleasure warmed my body and pulsed through my veins. I clutched his arms and stared into his eyes as I rode my orgasm out. I came down and Callahan smiled.

"Better?" He whispered.

I nodded. "Better."

The next day, I joined the other Young Ladies at breakfast.

"Are you okay?" Veronica asked. "I heard your mission was the hardest any Young Lady has ever been assigned. They said they weren't sure you'd make it back."

I snickered. Of course they did. They'd dropped the seeds so sending us to our deaths would be ruled simply as killed in action.

"That was hard?" I scoffed. "I wonder what missions they're giving you guys then."

"Well what did you collect?" Helen pried.

"You know I can't tell you that." I poked my eggs with my fork. "It's classified information."

I avoided looking at Daddy-- I mean, Callahan, as much as possible. It was becoming harder to think of him as Callahan, the boy who hated me for the last 10 years -- especially after last night when we'd crossed the line together again. The first time I was in pain and could barely move. This time, I had every opportunity to stop it, but I didn't want to. I'd actually wished he'd gone further. I knew if I made eye contact, my feelings would show on my face, and I couldn't risk anyone else seeing that.

I took a bathroom break and while washing my hands, I was confronted by Olive. She came in and locked the door behind us.

"Eleanor, I have something to give you and there's no place I can do this without anyone seeing."

I stared at her, confused and slightly alarmed. We weren't exactly the best of friends. In fact, the only reason we spoke at all was because my friends insisted she be allowed at our table.

"What are you talking about, Olive?"

She pulled something from her pocket and walked over to me. "Something happened on my last mission. A man without a PARA suit approached me. He said he was from the wastelands."

I looked at the item in her hand but didn't reach for it.

"What do you mean no suit? How?"

She raised her shoulders. "I have no idea. He gave me this letter. It's from Milton. He told me to give it to Rank One. That's you."

"He didn't say my name?" I took the letter. What odd phrasing. "Who was this man?"

"He said his name was Martin. He was tall with tattoos on his neck and arms. He had yellow hair that went to his chin. He was very handsome." Olive's eyes took on a far-off look as if recalling the unknown man.

"Handsome?"

"Very. I'd say he rivals Callahan as the most handsome man I've ever seen," she sighed. "Anyways, this letter was supposedly from Milton. Do with it what you will. I just promised the man I'd give it to you."

She turned and exited just as promptly as she'd come. I hurried to re-lock the door and then tore the letter open. My heart jumped at the familiar handwriting.

Milton was alive?

I scanned the letter. Tears spilled onto the paper as I read it over and over. He wanted me to meet him at the last place we'd spoken: Risky Rush Amusement Park.

I sunk down against the door, clutching the letter to my heart. The overwhelming guilt felt like it would explode my heart. I'd loved Milton, but did I still love him? Callahan's handsome smile drifted through my mind. The memory of his hand between my legs made me tense them and cry harder. Those acts, those touches, they were all supposed to be with Milton. Callahan had taken those moments from us.

But... I wasn't as upset about it as I should have been. I was happy that it had been Callahan. His hands were gentle and safe; he made me feel good without wanting anything in return.

It was guilt that was making me cry, not shame. I stood, wiped my eyes, and quickly rinsed my face. I tucked the letter into my brassiere and hurried back to class.

I avoided Callahan even more now and I knew he could sense it. I spent the rest of the day going back and forth in my mind. I couldn't tell Callahan because he'd never let me go, but I needed to see Milton one last time. To say goodbye.

But would it be that easy? Milton was always good at persuading people to do what he wanted, and his letter told me he wanted to finish what we'd started. He wasn't going to let me go unless I gave him what he wanted. My virginity.

School ended and we returned to our rooms. The moment the door was shut, Callahan spoke.

"Eleanor, we should talk."

"About what?" I feigned innocence as I hurried to the bathroom. I turned just outside the door and saw him standing there, looking confused. I gulped, knowing I had to get him to leave me alone so I could say goodbye to Milton for the last time."You're fine. I won't tell anyone what you did. Just leave me alone for a while, okay?"