“How do you get to the pool?” I ask.
Not that I’ll get into the water, because I never learned how to swim. Just the thought of water over my head is enough to make my chest close up. It’s the same as being stuck in small spaces.
“It’s behind the building. There’s a park where people gather to socialize.”
My eyes flit to Chance’s face. “Did you make the park?”
“No.”
Up ahead, there’s only one big archway, and inside there are mats lined against the wall. Each mat has a blanket and pillow.
“This is where we sleep,” Chance says. “Wherever you find a spot.”
“Like the rebels?”
“Yeah, pretty much. Some people sleep outside, though.” His eyes touch on mine. “If they want privacy.”
I nod and follow him down a different passage. A couple of steps farther, there’s another big archway.
“This is the bathroom,” Chance says. “It’s better to use it at dawn or late at night, or else the place is packed with people.”
I nod and follow Chance inside. After relieving my bladder, I use the basin to rinse my face and wash my hands.
The bruise on my cheek is already turning purple, and I let out a disgruntled huff at the sight.
My right hand’s knuckles are worse off, though. Each one is bruised, and the skin between my pointer finger and middle one has split open.
“Let me look at your hand,” Chance suddenly says as he takes a first aid kit from a row of shelves on the other side of the huge bathroom. There are easily fifteen stalls to shower and the same amount of toilets.
As Chance walks to me, three men come into the bathroom. They give Chance a chin lift and only stare at me before they each disappear into a stall.
Chance takes hold of my right hand and dabs some balm onto the split skin. “No pain?”
I shake my head. “Just tender.”
The corner of his mouth lifts in a hot smirk. “I’m glad to see you’re using what I taught you.”
I can’t stop the smile from forming on my face. “I have a good teacher.”
When he’s done taking care of my hand, he checks my cheek before kissing the bruise. “I’m sorry you had such a rough first day at the main ward.”
I just shrug. “I met a friendly woman. Dawn. At least, there’s that.”
A mischievous spark flashes in his eyes. “And I made you come on my cock.”
My cheeks flush, my eyes darting to the occupied stalls.
Chance doesn’t care who hears as he says, “This war better happen quickly because soon my child will be growing inside you.”
Yeah, it’s inevitable unless I’m unable to bear children. Seeing as we need to rebuild the population, there’s no such thing as contraception.
Chance tilts his head and frames my cheeks with his palms. “You have nothing to say on the matter?”
My eyes search his, then I mention one of the worries I have. “Where will we raise the child?”
“Our child,” he corrects me, “will be raised wherever we choose to settle.”
I don’t want to live in the wards or the ecocity. I don’t want my son to think every woman is only there for one purpose, and I don’t want my daughter being only good to breed.
Chance presses a kiss to my lips, then says, “Let’s worry about the future when it happens. We have a war to get through first.”
I nod, glad we’re moving off the topic.
I’m barely used to this new life and all the dangers it holds. I don’t have it in me to worry about children, because I’m trying to figure out who I am and where I belong.
“I’m going to shower,” Chance says.
I nod and glance at the exit. “Is it okay if I go to the park?”
“Sure.” He gives me another kiss. “Don’t go too far, though. I don’t like to worry.”
“I won’t.” I smile, my heart beating lighter now that everything is good between Chance and me.
“If any of the men give you shit, just tell them you belong to me,” he adds.
“Will that be enough to keep them at a distance?”
He nods. “It’s worked for Raze.”
“And they don’t have a problem with you claiming two women?”
One of the men comes out of a stall, chuckling. As he rinses his hands, he mutters, “Unless one of us has a death wish, we let Chance have what he wants.” The man looks at me as he shakes the water off his hands. “Everyone knows about what happened to Raze, so we keep an eye out for her.”
I’m glad to hear that. I was worried about Raze.
“Raze can hold her own,” Chance says, not commenting on what the man said about him.
As the two of them start talking about training season being over, I hug Chance and leave the bathroom to explore the park that’s situated behind the building.