Aidan's gaze had been locked on Evey's eyes, and what he'd seen there had not been what he'd expected. The stiffness of her movements, yes. Perhaps he shouldn't have surprised her so. But that look of blank horror and utter detachment from the moment? No. She should have laughed angrily and hit him on the shoulder for sneaking up behind her and whirling her around like that. She should have scolded him. She should not have been staring at him like she'd not seen him outside of a dream in years.
His eyes left hers and raked over what was before him. A girl who was hardened. Moreso than Evey had been in the dying world when he'd last seen her. Her hair was stringy and unhealthy, though still not dirty looking, just not full of life. He could see her bones through layers of taut muscle. Too thin. She was too thin. There was no slight smile upon her lips, and no light in her eyes. Not even a little.
Yet it was still Evey.
She smelled like the wild, like the unknown. She smelled like feral plants he'd never set eyes upon and reptiles. There was very little of the scent he knew on her, it was there, but buried deep.
He had not mistaken some stranger for the woman he loved, yet this was still not her. Not really. Aidan had no idea what was going on, what had happened. Panic began to set in, where was Evey, if this was the Evey he was facing now? What version was before him? Did she not know him at all? He would not be surprised, by the look she was giving him.
This Evey seemed unsteady, so Aidan was reluctant to let go of her, but he also felt very bad for touching her at all. For kissing her. He couldn't just leave her standing here alone after what he'd just done, Aidan fought with his instinct to run off and look for the one whom he truly belonged with at this moment. To abandon the poor girl before him. Anxiety raced through his unbeating heart, tensing all the muscles in his shoulders and neck.
Where was Evey?
Why was there this Evey?
Where. Was. EVEY?
"I'm... oh god... I'm... so sorry..." Was the only idiot thing he could make his mouth say.