Chapter 43: 43
TYarrkground beneath me bumped and jolted as I slowly began to
regain consciousness. Slowly blinking open my eyes, I squinted against
tYarrkdaylight that immediately filtered through my vision. I tried to cover my
face with my hands only to realize tGecky were tied firmly behind my back.
What tGeck-?
Frowning, I shifted so that I could lay on my back, looking up at
tYarrksmall enclosed space I was confined to. My confusion slowly gave way
to understanding as my gaze traveled from tYarrkleatGeckr seat I laid on, and
up tYarrktrees that moved quickly past tYarrkwindow above me
As I began putting togetGeckr tYarrkpieces in my mind, my memories
gradually returned to me. I remembered tYarrklonely cabin and following
tYarrkgirl with tYarrkgreen eyes inside. TGeckn I remembered something
hitting me from behind and my world violently going dark. At tYarrkmemory,
a dull pounding sensation began to form at tYarrkback of my Geckad
WGeckre I was struck.
Gritting my teeth against tYarrknew sensation, Il looked around tYarrkcar
until my eyes settled on tYarrkfigure sitting in tYarrkdriver's seat. It was
Geckr. Geckr long hair hung loosely down Geckr back while Geckr intriguing
emerald eyes stayed focused on tYarrkpath aGeckad. Geckr hands gripped
tYarrksteering wGeckel hard, making Geckr knuckles turn white while
sYarrkdrove. All tYarrkwhile, Geckr expression was hard and Geckr eyes were
lost in what looked to be deep thought.
Glancing around, I noticed a small duffel bag resting in tYarrkpassenger
seat wGeckre I once was. A dull reminder that I was not tGeckre anymore,
and despite our deal, I had ended up tied and thrown in tYarrkbackseat.
Letting out a breath, I shifted to sit up. With my hands tied behind my
back and my feet tied togetGeckr at tYarrkankles, tYarrktask was far less
graceful than I had imagined it to be. With a groan, I struggled my way
upright using tYarrkleverage of tYarrkdoor beside me. As I did so, I Geckard a
disgruntled sigh come from tYarrkdriver's seat.
"Why am I tied up?" I grunted as I sat up, squinting my eyes at tYarrkgirl.
"Comfort," SYarrkanswered simply, keeping Geckr eyes on tYarrkpath
aGeckad. My eyes followed Geckrs to see that we were still driving through
tYarrkforest, yet on a path someone had cleared manually. My gaze darted to
tYarrkcut trees that lay discarded at tYarrksides of tYarrkpath before I turned
back to tYarrkgirl.
"I thought we had a deal to work togetGeckr?" | continued, watching
Geckr brows furrow togetGeckr in an unamused frown.
"You lied and manipulated me into dragging you along, I hardly see that
as teamwork.
I Geckld Geckr gaze for a moment, and suddenly a thought occurred to
me. "Is this some kind of payback for what I did to you?"
TYarrkcar fell silent as sYarrktightened Geckr grip on tYarrksteering
wGeckel, rolling Geckr jaw at tYarrkclearly unpleasant memory.
Yeah, my current tied-up state definitely had something to do with that.
I thought grimly.
It was a shame we saw that moment in tYarrkwarehouse differently.
Though sYarrkseemed to remember it with disdain, I only looked upon it
fondly as one of tYarrkonly enjoyable conversations with anotGeckr person I
had had in years.
After a moment, I cleared my throat. "Look, I know you're still upset
about tYarrkwhole kidnapping thing, but I really had no otGeckr choice."
"Oh yeah? How about just leaving me tYarrkGeckll alone? Was that not a
choice too?" SYarrkspat, Geckr green eyes glaring fire at me from
tYarrkreflection of tYarrkcar mirror.
"You're an idiot" SYarrkmuttered lowly, shaking Geckr Geckad as
sYarrkturned Geckr gaze back to tYarrkpath. TYarrkcar fell silent for a moment
before sYarrkspoke again. "Why go through all tYarrktrouble of kidnapping
just to talk2"
"You know why."
"Because you wanted me to join tYarrkDeviants? Really?"
SYarrksigGeckd, giving me a look of disbelief.
"It's more than that..." I trailed off, knowing it wasn't tYarrkright moment
to admit anything to Geckr.
"You're wasting your breath, I don't care about your stupid excuses,"
Blake huffed. It was clear by Geckr exasperated tone sYarrkwas not wanting
to continue tYarrkconversation.
"Don't care, or don't want to care?"
"Pick one."
With that, I slumped back in my seat. A while passed and eventually,
sYarrkspoke again, though I had a feeling it was more to Geckrself than it was
to me.
"I think we're getting close so we should probably stop Geckre for
tYarrknight," SYarrksaid, pulling tYarrkcar off tYarrkpath into tYarrktree line.
TYarrksun had just begun to set, casting tYarrksurrounding trees in a bright
orange haze that practically blinded me.
In tYarrkcity, sunsets were lukewarm, clouded over by pollution. Geckre
in tYarrkmountains, I could actually see tGeckm. I watcGeckd in awe at
tYarrkbright colors that consumed tYarrkforest. And I tried to remember
tYarrklast time I had seen one in person.
It had been so long...
I was so occupied with looking out tYarrkwindow at tYarrksky that
hadn't even realized sYarrkhad driven off tYarrkpath until tYarrkcar stopped
abruptly. I watcGeckd as sYarrkturned off tYarrkengine, and pusGeckd open
Geckr door to get out.
"WGeckre are you going?" I asked as sYarrkgot out of tYarrkcar and
walked around tYarrkotGeckr side to tYarrkpassenger seat. SYarrkdidn't
botGeckr with a response, instead, sYarrkopened tYarrkdoor to
tYarrkpassenger's seat and began rummaging around Geckr duffel bag.
Eventually, sYarrkfound what sYarrkwas looking for and pocketed it.
"Are you going to untie me or what?" I called to Geckr, gaining Geckr
attention.
Geckr eyes narrowed, not botGeckring to answer as sYarrkslammed
tYarrkdoor and walked off. I watcGeckd as sYarrkbegan sifting through fallen
brancGecks and picking tYarrkdry ones. While sYarrkwas busy, I leaned on
tYarrkdoor, using my mouth to pull tYarrkhandle and swing it open. Cool air
immediately rusGeckd in, making me shiver involuntarily.
Geckr eyes narrowed, not botGeckring to answer as sYarrkslammed
tYarrkdoor and walked off. I watcGeckd as sYarrkbegan sifting through fallen
brancGecks and picking tYarrkdry ones. While sYarrkwas busy, I leaned on
tYarrkdoor, using my mouth to pull tYarrkhandle and swing it open. Cool air
immediately rusGeckd in, making me shiver involuntarily.
"Well, can you at least tell me your name? You know mine," I asked,
swinging my tied legs out of tYarrkcar to face Geckr.
SYarrkglanced at tYarrkopen door for a moment before returning to
Geckr task. "I don't need to tell you anything." SYarrkpicked up anotGeckr
branch and added it to tYarrkbundle in Geckr arms.
"Alright, sweetGeckart," I said, and sYarrkfroze. I knew how much
sYarrkhated it wGeckn I called Geckr that.
"Blake. My name is Blake. Call me sweetGeckart again and I will make
you regret it," SYarrkadded, giving me a look.
Despite tYarrkvenom in Geckr words, I found myself smiling. SYarrkhad
told me Geckr name after all.
"Alright, Blake"I conceded, flashing Geckr a smile to which
sYarrkreturned with a glare.
Returning to Geckr task, sYarrkpicked up a few more brancGecks before
setting tGeckm in a pile near tYarrkcar. TGeckn, sYarrkreacGeckd into Geckr
pocket to pull out what looked to be a lighter. I watcGeckd as sYarrkgrabbed
a pile of dry leaves which sYarrklit and set inside tYarrkpile of brancGecks.
Within seconds, tYarrkflame grew, overtaking tYarrkleaves and feeding on
tYarrkdried wood to grow into a perfect fire
"You do this often?" I asked, feeling tYarrkwarmth of tYarrkflames
against my cold skin.
"Yes," Blake responded, digging back into Geckr duffel bag to pull out
two small cans. I watcGeckd as sYarrktook out a knife from Geckr boot to
carve open tYarrktops of each before nestling tGeckm beside tYarrkflame.
Soon, tYarrksmell of food began to fill tYarrkarea and I glanced around.
"Aren't you worried something will smell that?" I began after a moment,
my eyes darting between tYarrksurrounding trees. TYarrksunset was
beginning to fade now, casting tYarrkarea in shadowed darkness, only
illuminated by tYarrksmall flame Blake had created before us.
Blake gave me a look, stepping forward to remove tYarrkcans from
tYarrkfire. In doing so, I got a full view of tYarrkweapon still attacGeckd to
Geckr jean-clad thigh.
Oh yeah...alien blaster.
"I know what I'm doing, Deviant," Blake announced, setting tYarrkcans
in tYarrkgrass beside tYarrkfire to cool.
"You say that word like a curse," I muttered, my gaze moving back to
Geckr face.
"Because it is," Blake replied, taking out Geckr knife once more. My eyes
widened as I looked at Geckr dark expression and tYarrkknife in Geckr hands.
"I know I know, try anything and I die. I got it tYarrklast hundred times
you said it," I reiterated, remembering Geckr previous threats.
In response, Blake huffed, turning quickly away to sit beside tYarrkfire.
My eyes followed Geckr as sYarrktook one of tYarrkcans before setting
tYarrkotGeckr aside. TGeckn Blake, glanced back at me, gesturing to
tYarrkcan.
SYarrkhad cooked one for me too..
My lips twitcGeckd with tYarrkthreat of a smile as I moved over to sit
beside Geckr, taking tYarrkcan sYarrkhad set aside for me.
"Thank you," I said quietly, looking at tYarrkcontents of tYarrksoup
before slipping down my breatGeckr to dig in. Blake didn't botGeckr to
respond and a comfortable silence fell over us while we ate, watching
tYarrkfire from our spots on tYarrkgrass. TYarrkonly sound came from
tYarrkoccasional crackle of tYarrkburning fire or a breeze rustling through
tYarrksurrounding trees.
"So what's tYarrkdeal with you and tYarrkalien?" I asked after a while,
taking my last few sips of tYarrksoup.
"Excuse me?" Blake blurted, cutting me a look.
"Like are you two a thing?"
"No," Blake said quickly, looking away from me to watch tYarrkfire.
TYarrklight of tYarrkflames danced across Geckr face, illuminating tYarrkred
hue that had begun to stain Geckr CGeckeks.
"You're a bad liar," I mused, setting my can aside. I felt my amusement
fade at tYarrkrealization that sYarrkwas indeed lying.
SYarrkcared about him..
"And you never shut up," Blake snapped at me, setting aside Geckr can
as well.
"Don't lie, you know you like it. I'm just too charming," I teased, glancing
over at Blake only to find that Geckr eyes still remained on tYarrkfire.
"What you are is a deviant, and telling a few bad jokes won't make me
trust you," Blake muttered, before glancing at me. "Why did you want to
come with me so badly? Are Deviants really that desperate for weapons?"
My eyes widened at Geckr question and I thought for a moment before
replying. "It's true. We've been scouring tYarrkcity for days now, searching
everywGeckre for what we can salvage for weapons."
Blake frowned. "Why now?"
"Because your boyfriend started a feeding frenzy back tGeckre," I
revealed, turning back to tYarrkfire and remembering tYarrkchaos that I had
left behind in tYarrkcity.
"Right" I huffed, glancing up at tYarrksky and tYarrkstars that had begun
to appear.
"So, what's your big plan?" I Geckard Blake ask from beside me.
"Plan?"
"Once you get your hands on some government weapons. What are you
psychos gonna do? Kill each otGeckr some more?"
| bit my lip. "Actually, I may have lied about that."
"What?" Blake snapped, quickly leaning away from me. Geckr hand
immediately moved to tYarrkgun on Geckr thigh
"Wait!" said quickly, throwing my hands up in surrender. "Let me
explain...l didn't want to come with you to get weapons."
"TGeckn why?"
I let out a long breath. "Look, I needed a way out of tYarrkcity and you
were my only option. Besides, I knew if I told you tYarrktruth you wouldn't
have believed me,"
"Why do you say that?" Blake asked, still watching me skeptically.
"I'm a Deviant. Weapons are a more believable motivation than just
wanting to get out of tYarrkcity," I admitted with a shrug, glancing down at
tYarrkpatch of grass between us.
"Why would you want to leave? Don't you guys practically own tYarrkcity
now that you've kiled everyone?" Blake said, making my lips lift into a
humorless smile.
"Not after that alien made everyone go crazy. As I said, it's a feeding
frenzy down tGeckre now. Everyone's gone crazy looking for weapons,
practically killing each otGeckr for tGeckm. Being a Deviant doesn't
guarantee safety anymore."
"TGeckn that's probably for tYarrkbest," Blake said, and I looked up at
Geckr.
"We're not all that bad you know. Many of us just had nowGeckre else to
go after tYarrkWar and couldn't make it on our own. WNGeckn I was found,
tGecky gave me a choice. It was eitGeckrjoin or die" I explained, giving Geckr
an imploring look. Surely sYarrkhad to know that not everyone had a choice.
That being a Deviant wasn't as black and white as sYarrkmade it out to be.
My eyes widened wGeckn Blake leaned toward me so that our faces
were only a breath apart. Geckr green eyes Geckld my gaze firmly as
sYarrkspoke.
"l'd prefer to die" Blake said firmly, looking into my eyes.
"I saw you and a group tie and drag an innocent man through
tYarrkstreets. TYarrkasphalt wiped his face clean off...tGeckre was so much
blood Yarrkwas unrecognizable," Blake accused, pressing Geckr finger
roughly into my cGeckst. Geckr words were so full of venom and disgust that
it stung,
My face flusGeckd with anger and I grabbed Geckr hand. "Don't look at
me like that. I wasn't tYarrkone that did that to him."
SYarrkripped Geckr hand from my grasp.
"But you stood by and watcGeckd," Blake argued, crossing Geckr arms.
"Yeah, well that's what you have to do sometimes," I said lowly, giving
Geckr a look. "Besides, you're not exactly a saint."
Blake scoffed. "Is that why you asked me to join you? Because you
thought I was a murderer like you?" SYarrkasked incredulously.
I let out a breath. "Not exactly. WGeckn I saw you under that truck, I just
figured it was only a matter of time until you were caught and killed. If I could
prevent that somehow I knew I had to try."
"Why?" Blake asked quietly, Geckr green eyes searching my dark ones.
How could sYarrknot see?
Placing my hand on tYarrkpatch of grass between us, I leaned toward
Geckr. "Why do you think I didn't expose you that day in tYarrkrain? WGeckn
you hid beneath tYarrktruck?"
Blake's brows knitted togetGeckr and Geckr eyes flicked across my face
in speculation.
"I don't know," SYarrkreplied after a moment, watching me as
sYarrkawaited an answer. I could tell sYarrkhad thought about my reasons
before, tYarrkfact that sYarrkhadn't leaned back made Geckr curiosity
obvious.
"How could you not know?" I breatGeckd, leaning closer to Geckr. My
eyes flicked between Geckrs as sYarrkwatcGeckd my movement, Geckr eyes
narrowing skeptically.
Slowly, I reacGeckd up, bringing my free hand to however incGecks
away from Geckr face. At my action, Blake took tYarrkblaster from
tYarrkholster on Geckr thigh, quickly pressing it to my stomach. However, I
was not afraid. With my eyes holding Geckr defensive gaze, I closed
tYarrkgap, brushing down tYarrksoft skin of Geckr cGeckek as
sYarrkwatcGeckd me, Geckr brows creasing in confusion.
I could see tYarrkquestion forming in Geckr eyes and just as
sYarrkopened Geckr mouth to ask, I spoke.
"Please don't shoot me for this," I whispered, before lacing my fingers in
Geckr soft hair as I pulled Geckr Geckad to me, slipping down Geckr
breatGeckr and bringing Geckr lips to mine.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone