‘You’re not coming for me?’
‘No, I have no idea what you’re talking about. But if you’re on the run from someone, I suggest you turn and run and keep running until you get to the next state over. In fact, leave the country if you can.’
The girl lowered her gun.
‘Don’t you follow me.’ She said, taking a small step backwards.
Then she was gone.
‘Poor girl.’ Grace murmured, and Logan agreed.
‘Lets go.’
~
The sun was peeking over the horizon as Laura and Drew arrived at the meeting point to find they were all alone. Where were the others?
Laura gasped, eyes darting from tree to tree, expecting her friends to emerge at any second. They didn’t.
‘Where are they?’ She demanded, still struggling to control the jitters that racked her body after her near death experience.
‘Calm down Ace, they were probably held up. They’ll be here.’
Laura’s heart beat faster at the sound of feet crunching on twigs and leaves and turned to see Logan, Robin and Grace come crashing through the bush towards them.
‘Oh thank god,’ she sighed, and her nerves began to settle.
‘What happened with you guys?’ Drew asked.
‘Came across a human, held us up,’ Logan said, dropping to the ground with pure exhaustion.
Laura couldn’t stand any longer and sat down too, her breathing laboured. She tried to relax, but was unable to do so until Gemma and Mitch appeared ten minutes later. She collapsed on her back in utter relief as she realised that they had made it!
‘Quick break to drink then we need to get going,’ she heard Mitch say from somewhere to her left.
She felt around in the grass beside her for her pack and pulled her canteen from a pocket, sitting up enough to gulp from it hungrily. After screwing the lid back on, she laid back down, taking a moment to focus on her breathing. Her face, her whole body, was hot and sweaty, her head pounded, her eyes hurt and her joints ached. She felt terrible.
‘Here,’ Drew said, passing her half a sandwich. ‘You’re still in shock.’
She forced herself up onto her elbows, eyes adjusting to the light as it peeked over the treetops, then sat up completely, taking the sandwich from Drew gratefully and biting into it. The bread was light, fresh and delicious.
‘Hello?’ Grace said into her walkie-talkie.
‘I’m here! Are you all okay?! Have you made it?’ Stella’s panicked voice crackled over the speaker.
‘We made it. We’re setting off again soon.’ Grace replied.
‘Oh thank the Gods.’ Stella said, and they all heard the pure relief in her words. The line fell silent for a moment before Stella spoke again. ‘Be careful.’ She said, her words shaky. ‘Talk soon.’
‘Time to go,’ Mitch told them after Grace ended the call.
Laura’s stomach clenched as she stood, for she wasn’t ready to say goodbye to her friends. Not yet. Not ever. But she had to. The Enchanted and Humans were depending on them, even if they didn’t know it.
‘Be safe.’ Drew told Grace, drawing her into a tight hug.
Laura bid an emotional farewell to each of her companions, her friends. She reached Mitch last, and while she didn’t hug him, she still extended her hand to him.
‘Thank you for what you did back there. I won’t forget it.’ She told him.
He inclined his head ever so slightly, a flicker of a smile edging its way onto his lips. He gripped and shook her hand, then turned away.
Laura joined Drew, and together, they left the clearing behind. As the forest closed in around them, Laura couldn’t help but glance over her shoulder one last time at the receding backs of her friends.
She knew the journey had only just began.
Part Two:
A Journey For Hope
Hope is a strong emotion.
Use it wisely, for a little hope can end in either joy or heartache.
Chapter Ten
The Beginning
Laura’s back ached, her arms stung from the many cuts she’d acquired during the hectic night, and her eyes were drooping shut, but she forced herself to keep moving. She and Drew desperately needed to source some form of transportation, their travels would take too long otherwise. In addition, she wasn’t sure she had the strength to keep walking.
She glanced up and caught Drew checking on her over his shoulder. She forced a smile and readjusted her focus on the trail ahead. They’d been walking for hours, following an old animal track through the bush, and the fatigue the two suffered from was beginning to show in their slowing pace.
There was a crackling from Laura’s back pocket, jarring her from her trance.
‘Hello?’
It was Grace. Laura fished the walkie-talkie from her pocket, raising the radio to her lips.
‘We’re here.’
‘Thank god. We’re halfway to our destination and planning to board tonight.’ Grace’s responded.
Relief instantly flooded Laura’s body, however she pushed it aside. The hard part wasn’t over yet. Not by a long shot.
‘Good. Check back in before you leave.’ Laura replied.
‘Will do. Everything good on your end?’
‘So far.’ Laura said, ensuring to keep her answers brief and evasive as Leo advised.
‘Okay, talk in a few hours.’
‘Be safe.’ Laura said quickly before returning the device to her pocket.
She fell silent once again, exhausted by the simple act of talking, and trailed along beside Drew.
‘You need rest.’ Drew said after a while.
‘No, I’ll be fine. We have to keep moving.’
‘Ace, you need rest. And so do I. We haven’t slept in over 24 hours and we’ve been on the move for at least 9 of them. We won’t make it much further if we don’t take a break.’
Laura could see the genuine concern on Drew’s face. He didn’t really need to rest, despite his obvious weariness. He’d trained his whole life for the kind of exercise they were currently undergoing. She, on the other hand, had only a short history of hour long P.E lessons every second week at school, and those classes sure hadn’t prepared her for the kind of stamina she required.
She gave in with a sigh, though she couldn’t halt the relief that flooded her.
‘We stop at the next river?’ She reasoned.
‘Deal.’
The river loomed up on them quickly and they sought out a patch of shade by the water to seat themselves under. Drew pulled a wrapped sandwich from his bag for them to nibble at and Laura filled their canteens with water.
After quenching her thirst, Laura settled back against the base of a tree, enjoying the sound of the flowing water, the chirping birds, feeling the cool breeze against her skin and tasting the delicious bread and cheese on her tongue. She finished her food hungrily then rested her head against the rough bark, closing her eyes and allowing herself a moments break from her thoughts. After a while, she cracked open an eyelid, seeking out Drew. He sat a little way to her left, back resting against a rock, knees bent, eyes searching the bush, always alert.
‘How much further should we travel before finding a vehicle?’ She asked him.
‘At least another few miles. Just to be sure.’ He answered, his eyes flickering briefly to hers before returning to the job at hand.
Laura raised her canteen to her mouth, took a sip of water, then screwed the lid back on.
‘Where do you think we should start searching? You know, for Kane? If it even is Kane.’
Finally, Drew paused, dragging his eyes away from the bush to meet hers, though his body remained tense.
‘I think it’s underground, it’s in the desert, and it’s in a secluded, quiet area. The only part of the riddle that I’m unsure about is the walls shaking. I’m not sure what that means, unless it’s a metaphor for things looking like their moving from a distance in the heat.’
‘True. But
the deserts of Lastrala are huge, there are so many places the riddle could apply to.’
‘Exactly, which makes our search that much harder.’
Laura felt a little downhearted at the revelation. She’d been so focused on escaping the Manor that she hadn’t allowed herself a moment to consider the search ahead. Where would they start? It could take the two of them months to search every nook and cranny of the desert, and even then there would be no guarantees they’d find anything.
Regardless, she knew she’d regret it if she didn’t at least try to seek out Kane. He’d have answers. Answers about her and about her Mother.
‘We should get going.’ Drew said.
She agreed and rose to her feet with the help of the tree. Her legs already felt stiff and weak from their short rest, but she forced herself to pick up her bag and hoist it onto her back. ‘Where exactly are we going from here?’ Laura asked as they set off.
‘Now, we head for Tarim. It’s a small town known for its motorbike races.’
Laura grinned, catching on. ‘Which means they have a lot of bikes.’
‘Yep.’
Laura caught the strain in his face.
‘Do we have the money to buy one? Let alone two?’
‘Who said anything about buying them?’
‘Oh dear.’ Laura mumbled, a feeling of dread rising in her stomach.
They kept a steady pace, and within an hour the bush began to thin out around them, making travel easier. For the majority of the walk, Laura had been pondering the riddle, and it was just as they crossed a dirt road and began following it, keeping to the safety of the bush, that an idea came to her.
She grasped Drew’s arm, pulling him up short.
‘Earthquakes!’ She yelped.
‘What?’ Drew asked, turning hurriedly to her.
‘Earthquakes! There’s a small portion of the desert in the middle of Lastrala that suffer from awful earthquakes. The walls shook. Earthquakes!’ Laura exclaimed excitedly.
Drew grinned at her.
‘Looks like we have our location.’
~
Gemma watched Grace return the walkie-talkie to her bag and settle down against the base of the cliff. They’d stopped for a short rest and something to eat after walking all morning, and as a result, they were only a few hours away from the Enchanted Animal Enclosure where they hoped to seek out their form of transport.
‘Come on, time to get going.’ Mitch said, already up and moving.
Gemma rose quickly, adjusting her bag on her back and sword on her hip, wincing slightly at the movement. She could feel the strain on her injuries beginning to show, but there was no way she’d give in. She was not weak.
‘Hey,’ Grace said, catching up to her as they set off again. ‘How’re you doing?’
‘Fine,’ Gemma said through a forced smile.
‘Did you take the tablet Stella gave you?’
‘Not yet.’
‘Gem!’
‘Stella said to only take one if the pain is unbearable because they make you sluggish and tired. I can deal with it at the moment, so I won’t risk slowing myself down by taking one.’
Grace gave Gemma a tight-lipped smile, ‘promise me, the moment it gets bad, like really bad, you’ll take one.’
Gemma glanced sideways at her best friend, ‘yes Grace, I promise.’
‘Good.’
They fell silent for a moment.
‘We don’t know much about him.’ Gemma said, nodding towards Mitch.
‘Do you really think we can trust him?’
Gemma’s face hardened, ‘I don’t know. But I’m going to find out.’
She pulled ahead to catch up to Mitch.
‘Hey, slow down a bit. We’re a team, we stick together.’
‘I’m not a slacker.’ Mitch said bluntly, his voice gruff, his face stern.
‘What, and I am?’ Gemma snapped, stepping over a fallen branch.
Mitch didn’t answer. Gemma huffed and trained her sight on the never ending bush surrounding them.
‘What’re you doing here anyway?’ Gemma grumbled.
‘Well, after escaping the confines of the manor, I believe this has become the safest place for us.’
‘Don’t play stupid.’
‘What do you mean?’ Mitch asked, refusing to spare her a single glance.
‘You know what I mean. Why are you helping us? You don’t even know us. And don’t give me some sob story like you did back at the manor about wanting to be heroes.’
At that, Mitch finally looked at her, but Gemma didn’t see hurt or anger in his face like she assumed she might. No. In fact, it was humour that reflected in his eyes.
‘I’m not a spy, if that’s what you’re getting at. Nor is Robin.’
‘Then why are you helping us?’
‘You know, I thought you were a smart girl. I must be a terrible judge of character.’
Gemma scoffed, then, after a moment’s thought, realised his meaning. ‘Excuse me? Did you just call me dumb?’
‘Not directly.’
‘You’re a real jerk, you know that?’
‘I do now.’
‘You know what, let’s just not talk. Sound good?’
‘Sound’s wonderful.’
Gemma huffed, infuriated. Not only was he moody and rude, but he obviously had some ulterior motive, and Gemma made it her personal agenda to find out what it was.
‘How do you propose we get a hold of the Enchanted Birds anyway?’ Gemma asked after a while.
‘I thought we weren’t talking.’
‘We aren’t.’
‘Do correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe conversing as we are is classed as talking.’
‘You’re wrong.’
‘I guess I am.’
Gemma fell quiet, waiting, the anger quickly building inside her. She clenched her fists and eyed him.
‘Well?!’ She finally burst out.
‘Well what?’ Mitch asked calmly, ducking under a low hanging branch.
‘Well, what’s the plan? Just waltz on in there and take what we want?’
‘Something like that.’
‘You’re not serious.’
‘I don’t know, you’re telling the story.’
Gemma came close to screaming, but restrained herself.
‘You’re impossible.’ She hissed before dropping back to walk with Grace.
‘How’d it go?’ Grace whispered.
Gemma growled. ‘What an utterly rude, pompous, jerk who can just go f-’
‘Ah.’ Grace jumped in laughing. ‘So good then.’
Gemma glared at her then turned back to the path. The trees were thinning, indicating a township ahead.
‘Look, Gemma, they helped us a lot back there. They got us out of the Manor, and Mitch saved Laura’s life with the landmine.’ Grace reasoned.
‘It could be an act. People are good at faking it sometimes.’ Gemma said, forcing herself not to be reminded of her own past. Of the people who betrayed her.
She felt Grace’s arm link with hers. ‘Gem, for now we have to trust them. But we’ll keep an eye on them too. Okay?’
Gemma squeezed her eyes shut in frustration. Trust. She hated that word. But Grace was her best friend, and they were trained Enchanted. They could defend themselves if needed. And no one was better at seeking out a traitor than Gemma. If Mitch and Robin had something planned, she would find out.
Logan and Robin sidled up beside them and Grace unlinked her arm from Gemma’s. They’d have to skirt around the town and that required calculated movements and stealth.
Mitch came to a halt ahead of them, waiting for them to catch up.
‘We’re a few hours from our destination, however travel will be more difficult from here on out.’ Mitch told them
Gemma glared at him as he spoke, though if he noticed, he showed no reaction.
‘The bush comes to an end an hour from here,’ Mitch continued. ‘We won’t have much cover for the last
leg to the Enclosure.’
‘And what about the town coming up?’ Gemma asked, crossing her arms.
‘It’ll add another hour to our time if we go around.’ Mitch responded.
‘Wait… you’re not suggesting we go through it?’ Logan asked in disbelief.
‘We’ll be unnecessarily risking being seen, or worse, caught. If adding another hour to our trip means we’ll be safe, then I say we take it.’ Gemma added.
‘If we add another hour to our trip, breaking into the bird enclosure will be considerably more difficult. The birds go for a fly in the afternoons, after three. We won’t have a chance at catching them until they return at five, which will put us behind two more hours. Two hours we can’t afford, because five is when it’s busiest with workers as they feed and close up.’
Gemma clenched her jaw. He was right. She glanced at Grace and Logan for confirmation. They both gazed back at her, the same look of frustration on their faces. She rubbed her eyes, feeling the strain of the day and nights events, then gave Mitch a nod.
‘Right, let’s go.’ Mitch said, moving off in the direction of the small town that had become a very large nuisance.
It was Robin who kept pace with her next, and despite her anger and lack of trust for the boy, she couldn’t help but sense his innocence.
‘Mitch knows what he’s doing. He won’t let us get caught.’ Robin told her reassuringly.
His voice was soft, calm, his words clipped at the end. Gemma felt a twist in her gut and was hit with a slight pang of guilt for questioning his motives. He seemed so kind. He reminded her of Caspian, which only endeared him to her more. However, people lie. She knew that better than most.
‘So, what made you want to join the force?’ Gemma asked him, deciding that if she couldn’t get anything out of Mitch, perhaps the better option would be Robin.
She caught Robin’s shrug out the corner of her eye.
‘Mitch convinced me to. I didn’t have any plans for after the ceremony, I wasn’t particularly talented in any one subject and didn’t have any offers for a position anywhere. But Mitch was smart. Good at thinking, planning, figuring out puzzles, you know, things like that. And he could fight, he wasn’t top of his class, but he was still good. The force approached him, but he refused to join the training squad unless they let me in too. We became a team I guess. I’m the talker, the one who calms people. And he’s got, well, everything else.’
The Sacrifice (Wicked Book 2) Page 12