Chapter Three
Silas:
"Are you sure about this? It just doesn't feel right, no matter how desperate we are," Ivy's voice quivered with uncertainty, her doubts echoing in the air.
I stood above her, my grip firm on the pistol aimed at the door. The sound of the lock clicking confirmed Ivy's successful attempt at picking it. "Don't worry, I don't plan on shooting anyone unless we have no other choice. It's more of an intimidation tactic, you know?" I glanced down at her, my eyes filled with a mix of determination and concern. "We can't afford to let compassion cloud our judgement. We need to find food and supplies, even if it means making sacrifices along the way."
Together, we searched the house, rummaging through cabinets to find any canned goods we could. I headed upstairs, gathering medical supplies and spare clothing, ensuring we had what we needed for our journey. In just a short span of ten minutes, our backpacks were overflowing with the weight of our supplies needed for travel. We aimed to blend into the world, unnoticed.
As we ventured through the dense woods, our footsteps muffled by nature, we moved in silence. The only sounds that broke the silence were our occasional breaks to quench our thirst or answer nature's call. My mind couldn't help but dwell on the unsettling idea of a traitor lurking within the military and government. It didn't seem far-fetched. Our government had always been filled with officials driven by self-interest, willing to employ anyone to further their own agendas. And now, we were pawns in their game.
The memories of Marcus and Owen flooded my mind once more, their sacrifices intertwined with my own. We had fought for a cause, only to be discarded and left to fend for ourselves. Anger bubbled within me, the thought of justice becoming a driving force propelling me forward. These traitors would sink with their own ship. They had become my collateral, the price they would pay for their actions.
"You've been quiet. Everything okay?" Ivy's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, her concern evident.
"Yeah, just lost in my own thoughts," I replied, meeting her gaze with a slight nod. "I think it's best if we stop for the night. It's getting dark, and travelling at night is risky."
She halted abruptly, appalled determination flashing in her eyes. "We can't afford to waste time. We need to keep going."
"Travelling at night is asking for trouble. I know even you know that," I reasoned, sliding off my backpack and letting it rest on the ground. My tired shoulders received a soothing rub from my hand. "Take a break. Rest for the night. I'll gather some firewood and we can have a meal."
"I don't feel like resting. Unlike you, I still have the energy to keep going," she retorted, resuming her stride. I reached out and grasped her arm, trying to assert my point.
"You don’t know the location of the safehouse, but I do. We're staying here for the night. No arguments," I stated firmly, locking eyes with her defiant stare. "I’ll tie you to the tree if I have to because believe it or not, I'd rather have you alive. So, sit down. Now."
With a defiant jerk, she freed her arm from my grasp and flung her backpack onto the ground, plopping down beside it. I sighed, exasperated by her stubbornness, and walked away to gather supplies for a fire. The darkness grew, but I was determined to provide some warmth and comfort in the midst of uncertainty.
—————
The warmth of the crackling fire enveloped me, sending waves of comfort through my weary bones. Satisfied with the simple meal of canned food that had managed to fill my stomach, I leaned back, lost in my own thoughts. Ivy and I hadn't exchanged more than a few words since our earlier conversation. But I figured she was used to my silence by now.
As I stared into the dancing flames, my mind raced frantically, trying to find the best way to handle the situation with the traitor. Should I confide in Stewart right away, or should I gather more evidence before revealing anything? What if I discover Stewart is the traitor or he tells someone and gets himself and me killed in the process?
"Penny for your thoughts?" Ivy's voice broke through the silence, her tone gentle.
I turned my gaze towards her, the soft glow of the fire illuminating her face. The flickering flames reflected in her eyes. It struck me for a moment how beautiful she was. I brushed that thought away quickly and let myself ease the tension in my shoulders. "Just trying to figure out how to expose the traitor without divulging any details," I confessed.
She nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. "You’re not telling Stewart? I thought you trusted him."
I sighed, grappling with my conflicting emotions. "I can't take any risks. The only person I can truly rely on is myself," I replied, my voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability. "And you."
A smile played on her lips, a glimmer of a teasing spark. . "So, that's what you meant earlier by wanting me to stay alive?"
I rolled my eyes, attempting to brush off the deep-seated emotions developing that threatened to surface. "Sure, let's go with that," I said, tending to the fire, stoking it slightly. "So, I guess you've let go of your earlier fit?"
She chuckled softly. "Sure, let's go with that," she replied, mirroring my words.
"Good. Get some rest now. I'll keep watch for a couple of hours and wake you up," I instructed, a hint of concern seeping through my authoritative tone.
"But you've been..." she began to protest.
I interrupted her, a note of command in my voice. "Just go to sleep. I’m the one calling the shots here.” I said, settling back against my backpack. She sighed in response, turning away from me to find a comfortable position.
As the night wore on, the sound of nature surrounded us. The wind whispered through the trees through their rustling leaves. A chorus of crickets joined in, their rhythmic chirping filling the air. The fire crackled and danced, its glow diminishing with each passing moment, almost demanding I tend to it.
Amidst the ambient sounds, I couldn't help but notice the gentle rise and fall of Ivy's breathing. It grew deeper and more steady, a testament to her weariness. I knew I was exhausted too. As I mapped out the remainder of our journey, pondering the challenges that laid ahead, I reflected on Ivy's struggle to keep up with my pace.
With a sigh, I approached her backpack, quietly unzipping it. Carefully, I redistributed some of the weight into my own, careful not to wake her. I didn't want her to feel like I was coddling her, but I knew that lightening her load would help her to keep up. Besides, having her close by brought a sense of peace, knowing that we had each other's backs.
I trusted Ivy more than she possibly realized. I could only hope that she felt the same.
Grace:
My fingertips brushed through the tall grass as we ventured deeper into the woods. The trees served as our shield, allowing us to move swiftly with minimal breaks. Today, I found myself keeping up a better pace, managing to stay close to Apollo's back. He had this habit of mumbling to himself, his eyes glued to a compass as we continued our trek. As it turned out, he wasn't all that bad. In fact, I had grown accustomed to his presence and even started to admire him. There was something about him that demanded respect, and it was easy to give it. Sure, I couldn't resist teasing him from time to time, but I didn't mind following his lead. I just knew deep down that I could trust him.
Eventually, we reached a peaceful area filled with more grass and an abundance of wildflowers. The sight before me was truly breathtaking, an open field adorned with a vibrant painting of colors.
"We'll take a quick break here," Apollo announced, a faint smile playing on his lips as he caught me getting lost in the beauty around us.
Unable to resist the allure, I crouched down to take in the sweet scent of the flowers. Their petals and the tips of the grass gently tickled my face and brushed against my hair, filling me with a sense of peace. It reminded me of the garden my mother used to have back home. I raised myself upright once more. The fields turned upside in my eyes to reveal a scene of her garden. Strands of her red hair appeared above the tall flowers. The lilt in her voice threatened me with tears.
“Grace! Darling! Come help me with the weeding, please!”
I closed my eyes almost calling out to her. I wanted to tell her I was coming and beg her to stay before another voice sliced through my deleting escape.
"Quit fooling around over there and grab a bite. I'm not waiting here forever," Apollo called out, his mouth full of jerky.
I rolled my eyes, unable to hide a smirk. Despite his gruffness, he had a point. We couldn't afford to lose track of time. Our lives were hanging in the balance, and I wasn't about to keep them hanging any longer.
With determination, I reached for my backpack and prepared to refuel. The sting of my mother’s voice rang in my ears. I pushed it aside though. Like I always did since the day of the accident.
Words faded into the background when the hike commenced again. The silence suited me just fine. It allowed me to stay focused. I trailed behind Apollo, keeping a watchful eye on his back, mirroring his observations of the treeline.
—————
"The sun is getting low," I panted, my breath catching in the steep and rocky terrain that demanded every ounce of strength to climb.
"I'm well aware of that, rookie," his voice raspy and filled with thirst. He took a sip from the canteen before continuing, "I need to use the bathroom. Once I'm done, we'll find a suitable spot to settle for the night."
As he disappeared behind the trees in search of privacy, I gratefully removed the backpack from my aching shoulders, giving my sore muscles a desperate massage.
With the backpack unzipped, I began rummaging for food when the sound of a twig snapping behind me sent a jolt through my stomach. In an instant, my hand darted towards my pistol, aiming it towards the source of the noise. Two men emerged from the shadows of the tree line, their hands raised in a seemingly non-threatening manner. Despite their starved and ragged appearance, their presence still made my heart race.
"Hello there," one of them greeted, his slimy smile oozing with a hint of menace. His eyes lingered toward the backpack. "You got any food in there to spare?"
My palms tightened around the pistol as I clicked off the safety, sending a clear warning. "None for you. Now, leave before things get ugly."
The other man scoffed, his mocking tone dripping with disdain. "Look at this princess, thinking she can give orders. Maybe a lesson in manners is in order." His hand reached behind him, and panic gripped me.
Without hesitation, I fired, and the men crumpled to the ground in front of me.
Before I could fully process the chaos around me, a powerful force wrapped around my chest, squeezing the air out of my lungs. I struggled against the large figure, desperately trying to keep him from wrestling the gun away. His fists hammered into my stomach, each blow an attempt to incapacitate me. Gasping for air, I refused to yield.
He shoved me to the ground, his weight bearing down on me. I aimed my weapon quickly, but he grabbed hold of the barrel, redirecting it towards the sky. His free hand clenched beneath my jaw, pushing my cheek into the mud. Sweat mingled with dirt on my brow as I clenched my teeth together. The pistol wavered between us, threatening to turn against me.
"Stop fighting it, sweetheart. You're no match--"
Suddenly, a splatter of crimson landed on my face, and the man collapsed on top of me. Pushing his lifeless body aside, I scrambled to an upright position, my weapon still trained on the source of the noise.
Apollo.
Lowering his pistol, he jogged towards me, his voice trembling with a mix of concern and relief. "Are you alright?"
I nodded, my trembling hand wiping the blood from my mouth as I managed to speak. "Thank you," I whispered, my words ragged and breathless from the exertion. My eyes darted to his victim, taking in the gruesome sight.
Apollo crouched beside me, offering a comforting touch. "It's alright. It’s over. We're okay." His hand briefly brushed against my cheeks, wiping away the blood. Rising to his feet, he extended a hand, helping me up.
Confusion filled my mind as he swiftly zipped up my backpack and handed it back to me. "What are you--" I began, but he cut me off.
"We can't stay here. It's too dangerous now. They might have others come looking for them," urgency laced his words. "We need to keep moving through the night. I won’t be a sitting duck and neither will you." His resolve was unwavering.
I couldn't argue with him.
Silas:
Ivy and I finally reached the safehouse in the early morning hours, the remainder of our hike shrouded in an unspoken tension. The events that had taken place had done a number on her. I could see the weight of it in her eyes, but I knew her resilience. She was strong. A quality that I had become accustomed to since day one.
However, the incident had heightened my senses, making me aware of every small noise. We approached the secluded house nestled in the woods. Its wooden exterior, chimney, and front porch gave it a rustic facade that seemed to blend with nature.
As we neared the front door, I raised my hand, silently signalling for Ivy to cover me.
"I'll sweep it. You cover me," my voice held firm in its command.
"Copy that," Ivy responded.
With practiced precision, I swiftly cleared every corner of the house, ensuring our safety. Exhaustion began to seep into my bones, threatening to pull me into a deep slumber. I collapsed onto the worn leather couch, fingertips massaging my temples to alleviate the beginnings of a tension headache.
Meanwhile, Ivy settled into the armchair, shedding her jacket and releasing her tattered hair from the hair tie. As the adrenaline subsided, my eyelids grew heavy, tempting me with sleep.
Fighting against the pull of exhaustion, I shifted my gaze to Ivy. The soft morning light filtered through the windows, casting a gentle glow upon her bloody dirt-streaked face. Dark circles formed under her eyes.
"You need to get cleaned up. You look like hell. I’m worried about you," I found myself blurting out, unable to suppress my concern for her well-being.
She nodded, emitting a tired groan as she rose from the armchair. She made her way down the narrow hallway and into the bathroom, the sound of running water replacing the silence.
In an attempt to keep myself alert, I began to explore the safehouse. The traces of dust that settled on the surfaces and furniture spoke of a reminder of the absence of recent visitors.
Continuing on, I found myself in a back bedroom, where a full-sized bed occupied the space. With a swift motion, I released clouds of dust from the pillows and blankets, watching as they danced in the sunlight that streamed through the window.
Settling onto the bed, I positioned myself near the window, my gaze drawn to the large birds perched in the nearby trees. They stood motionless, their presence seeming almost unnatural. It dawned on me—they were cameras, surveilling the outside and waiting to alert us to potential enemies.
Ivy’s throat cleared behind me and broke my spell. I turned to see her clutching a towel wrapped around her body. I closed my eyes and she chuckled a bit.
“Damn… sorry. I should’ve waited—“ I stuttered with an apology.
"No, it's alright," She interrupted, allowing a brief pause before continuing. "Are there any clean—“
“Yes- uh drawer on the left. I’m sure something in there should work.” I stuttered once more. Keeping my eyes shielded, I listened to the sound of Ivy rummaging through the drawers as I made my way out of the bedroom and into the bathroom, eager to wash away the grime that clung to my body.
The hot water cascaded over my tired muscles, washing away the dirt that had accumulated. Leaning against the shower wall, I let the water soothe my senses, attempting to find a moment of calm in the chaos that had consumed my life.
Restlessness and exhaustion intertwined within me, a heavy burden that refused to leave me be. The sting of betrayal lingered in the air I breathed. With every step and turn, I found myself waiting for the ground to crumble beneath me. Trust, a commodity that once carried stability for me, threatened to crumble.
"You alright in there?" Ivy's voice permeated through the bathroom door, her knuckles lightly tapping against it.
Startled, I snapped back to the present, scrambling to regain composure. "Geez yeah, I'll be out in a second."
"It's alright. Take your time. I just got a bit worried…. You've been in there for 30 minutes," she replied, her voice laced with understanding.
My eyes widened in disbelief, suddenly aware of how lost in my thoughts I was. Hastily, I shut off the water, a tinge of guilt in my voice. "Sorry. I didn't realize how long I was in here."
Ivy's reassuring voice soothed me. "Like I said, it's alright. I found some MRE's in the freezer. Chili with beans. I'll start making a pack for you." Her footsteps faded away as she made her way to the kitchen, leaving me standing there, struck by her thoughtfulness.
A smile tugged at the corners of my lips, a rare moment of warmth. I appreciated Ivy's kindness, her ability to provide comfort relieved some tension building within me.
A reminder that I had someone I could depend on.
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