Ezra woke in the middle of the night pain settling itself into his muscles and he turned his head to the side to see Isiah slumped in a chair trying his best to stay awake. It made him think about the days of their childhood when they would have sleep overs and Isiah was always the first to get tired. He would sit on the sofa with his head bobbing up and down until he finally fell off the couch with a thud. The poor kid would shock himself awake. Ezra couldn't help but let out a small laugh, and it was loud enough to grab Isiah's full attention. The boy hurried over to him to make sure he was okay.

Ezra reached out his hand and Isiah took it tightly in his own. He bent his forehead down to meet Ezra's and they both let out a sigh of relief as they closed their eyes. They had grown up like brothers knowing each other better than they knew themselves most days. It had always been Ezra, Atalia, and Isiah together and inseparable. When Isiah pulled back though he couldn't help but see the guilt ridden look on his friends face. 

"Ezra, what's the matter? Did I hurt you? Do you need pain medicine?" the boy asked as his green eyes grew wide with fear.

Ezra shook his head slowly and winced at the pain before a tear started to fall. "Atalia...she was taken from my house. They came looking for Marta and she claimed it was her and I didn't allow Marta to admit the truth. I held her mouth shut with all my might and now I fear the worst. I am so sorry Isiah," he said through clenched teeth waiting for his friend to turn on him.

Isiah looked at Ezra and his expression softened. He had know Atalia was taken, and he knew that she was safe now. He was one of the people who had risked their lives to bring her back. Originally he had been furious with Ezra for allowing such a thing to happen, but Atalia had made him realize that it was needed. "She is safe brother. The resistance freed her when you were still in the hospital. She told me all about it. You need not worry. I do not hold a grudge towards you. You and Marta are a symbol for our cause. Atalia knew what she was doing. She joined us after her father was murdered. I joined after that man almost murdered you for the second time," he said with a soft smile.

Ezra cocked his head a but confused, "Resistance?" was all he could say at that moment because a young doctor walked into the room to check his vitals.

"How are you feel Mr. Baer? I assume the pain should be setting back in now, but we're going to see how long you can go without medicine since we've yet to go on a run. We didn't expect to have you in such terrible condition," the doctor said quickly, "Jeremiah mentioned recruiting you but we all assumed you'd be in better health, not half dead on our table."

Ezra blushed a bit knowing it was his fault he was in such a sorry state. He'd been overdoing it and it was only a matter of time before he pushed himself too far. The doctor didn't leave much time for him to speak up because as quick as he entered, he departed the room. Isiah grinned, "That's doctor Z. He doesn't tell us his full name. He's the best doctor around and to have him on our side is a huge win. Many of the people we save are injured worse than you," he said.

"Where is my Marta?" He asked quietly wishing she had been the first face he woke up to.

"She is safe. With Atalia actually. Not be harsh, but the two of them are more lovers than fighters. This is training. We learn defense tactics here. We learn to endure torture and how to lie. You will begin your training soon if you decide to join us, which I hope you do. You are strong in morals and faith. We need a man like you to help lead us," Isiah said as Jeremiah walked in.

Jeremiah handed Ezra a piece of paper and a pen. Right away he began to write to Marta after the older man explained this was how they would be communicating until he was finished healing and finished learning the basics of what they taught and preached. He wrote about Isiah and about the movement he was soon to be a part of and how he would return to her when he had done his time and became a man he could once again be proud of. He wrote saying he'd miss her more than he thought possible and he would never forget the warmth of her touch or the way she had kissed him and made him feel the night before Atalia was taken. He promised her that if she looked at the stars at every night she would be seeing just vast his love spread for her. When he was finished he gave the paper back to Jeremiah who folded it up and tucked it away.

"I will making a trip out to the cottage at sundown tomorrow. You and Harrod are in charge of his care," Jeremiah said ruffling the dark blonde tuffs of hair on Isiah's head. 

Isiah was one of the rare jewish boys with hair that wasn't dark brown, and it's one of the reason him and Ezra got along. Ezra found his hair fascinating considering most of the Jewish people he knew had dark hair. After Jeremiah left the young man turned his attention back to his friend and they stared at each other a moment still in shock that Ezra was even awake. After a few hours of discussion Harrod came in to relieve Isiah of his duties and to get some rest. With quick nods of their head Isiah departed to one of the bedrooms and Ezra was left with a stranger.