Children of Eden: Redeeming Rowan

Chapter 1

I SEE father, with mother, they're holding hands, they look so in love. Then they fade away. Then they're arguing, and again they fade away. They call my name, I try to speak, to say hello, to tell them what happened, to ask them how they are, but my words don't form. Then I see Aaron.

Aaron: Rowan! Come on Rowan wake up. I see you. Rowan!

Rowan: Urghhh! I'm awake.

As I scan the room I realise that I'm not in my usual cell; or my home; underground with the second children; or at Lark's house.

At first it's hard to speak, as if my lips had been sealed together but I managed to form some words.

Rowan: Wh-where am I?

Aaron: You're at Eden hospital, first circle to be exact.

Rowan: Why? I-I'm okay. Is Ash here too?

Aaron: Yes he's in section 7 you're in section 9.

In Eden hospital the higher the section number, the more important it is for the patient to be treated. Why was I higher up than Ash?

Rowan: Why is he less important? He is seriously injured!

Aaron: It wasn't my decision, and Ash is recovering.

Rowan: But there's nothing wrong with me!

I don't understand why I'm in here in the first place I only passed out! Ash was drugged, and beaten and held in a cell for days! He was in more urgent need.

Rowan: Can I see him?

Aaron: I'll ask the nurse.

Rowan: But you're Aaron Al- Baz! People take orders from you! You created Eden! You kept us alive, Earth alive, kind of.

Aaron: Well I'm glad to here your respect for me, but I can't do that, it's not that easy.

Rowan: Okay, hurry up please, I really want to see him!

Aaron: Okay.

The anticipation is killing me, I feel like I'm about to burst! I hope he isn't mad at me, after all this is my fault.

Aaron: The nurse said you you can.

Rowan: Yay!

A nurse, dressed in mint green and white, led us through many identical corridors, it's like a maze how do these doctors find their way around? She twirled a strand of her curly ginger hair around her finger then tapped her nail against her clipboard.

Finally we reached Ash's room, my stomach started doing backflips, it does this sometimes when I'm nervous, I can't wait to see him, but I can't help be anxious.

I step into the room to see machines attached to Ash's arm, he's propped up by thick white pillows stacked up at his back. Despite all of that the grin on his face makes me so happy.

Ash: Rowan! Ho-
He's cut off by himself coughing.

Ash: Sorry, how are you?

Rowan: I'm great! How are you?

Ash: Well I think I'm good, to be honest I don't know why I'm here, I'm honestly fine!

Rowan: Well by the sound of you, you're not okay.

Ash: Oh that's just my asthma, you know I've had it forever.

Rowan: Ash you wouldn't be in here if you were fine.

Ash: Whatever! Anyway, they told me about you.

Rowan: What do you mean?

Ash: About how-how you were first born and how father, tried- to- shoot you.

Rowan: Oh Ash. It doesn't make any difference, I'd hate to see you in my position, and you were seriously unwell!

Ash: Rowan, you deserved my life, not me. If I died here right now I'd be happy.

Rowan: Ash! You know that isn't true, if you died, I-I would go with you! There wouldn't be any point in just me living here, without you, and mom, and father! I know nothing about surviving in the real world!

Ash: Rowan, you've survived so much on your own! You've outrun greenshirts; and robots; and kept your identity hidden all this time!

Ash: Aaron, can you grab me a drink from the cafeteria please?

Aaron: Okay, want anything Rowan?

Rowan: No thanks.

Ash: Okay, now he's gone I want to ask you something: who is that boy? The one who saved me.

Rowan: Lachlan, my friend, he's a second child too, there's a whole community of them underground you know!

Ash: I-I- this is embarrassing.

Rowan: Just tell me!

Ash: Well, normally I wouldn't tell you this but, I feel like lately we've been very close, and I feel we have a really good bond, that not many siblings have, mainly because there aren't any siblings out there. But-

Rowan: Yes?

Ash: I-I think I'm in love with Lachlan!