Chapitre 73: Tempers

Worried about this breaking into an actual fight, I try to step forward and defuse the situation. "Guys, calm down. Cruz, I understand why you're concerned but I promise you, my safety isn't a concern around Thane. Thane, can I talk to you for a moment?"

They glare at each other for a few more silent seconds before Thane turns around and says "Lead the way." I glance to Cruz and slightly nod my head before walking off with Thane. I glance to Thane to see him easily walking through the path, like a true predator.

To others, he may look like he's just taking a stroll but if you were to look closely... He moves without a single noise, sure footing, and eyes and ears open to any possible dangers. He moves like a predator. It makes me feel much better about this...

I keep an easy pace with him and ask "Do you remember the place Oasis that I told you about?" He silently nods and turns to look at me as I say "Well, I feel like we should go there. They're more understanding and open about their differences. I feel like you and I would fit in better there."

He watches me for a minute before asking "And your parents? What about them?" I clench my fists and sigh as I say "I've thought about them for over a year... I thought of ways I could possibly sneak in and see them again but I will have to leave once again. It would be like losing me twice..."

I slow my pace and Thane does the same without a word. "I thought about breaking them out and taking them with me but the fact that it's safer in there hasn't changed. I don't like it but I know they're safe inside the City. They have the medical supplies my mother needs and..."

I try to find the right words but I can't. I want to see them. I want to hug them, to talk to them, and tell them all the things that have happened to me but isn't that selfish on my part? 'Surprise, your daughter isn't dead but you can't see me ever again. You'll spend the rest of your lives wondering if I was alive or dead, or worse...'

Thane's deep voice breaks me out of my train of thought as he says "If you want to go back to Oasis, we'll go there. It's not safe for us to remain here with the others. It's only a matter of time before the City finds out we really aren't dead and will want us to return. If we were to return like this... it won't end well for us."

I nod in agreement and ask "When do you want to leave?" Thane looks up at the morning sun and says "The sooner, the better." I nod as we start to head back to the base. When we finally make it back, I don't see any signs of Cruz.

We pull Titus into his office and let him know what we plan on doing. We keep Oasis out of the conversation but he knows we're leaving. He was angry and against it at first but after explaining our reasons to him, he reluctantly agreed.

An hour later, Thane and I stand at the front gates of the base with our bags full of our stuff and a few supplies. Conner tears up and tries to keep us here but he knows it's not gonna happen. Troy surprises me when he hands me a small bag of suckers and says "I don't like them so you and the evil monkey can have them... When you run out, you can always come back and get more."

He awkwardly clears his throat and walks back to the base without looking back. CheeChee excitedly grabs at the bag so I open it and pull one out for him. He rips the wrapper off and then puts it to my lips.

I sigh and roll my eyes as I open my mouth and wet the sucker. Some things will never change. Happy with my actions, CheeChee kisses my cheek before putting the sucker in his mouth. I look around for Cruz but when I still don't see him, I figure he's pissed and pouting.

Titus clears his throat but his eyes remain glossy and red with emotions as he says "You two be careful out there. If something happens, come back here immediately. If you're hurt or you need help, come back... even if you're just hungry... come back. You two are still one of us... always will be."

I nod in thanks and Thane does the same. After waving bye to the both of them, Thane and I start our walk. After about an hour or so, Thane turns to me and says "We haven't been followed. Which way?"

I nod and point to the Northeast as I say "This way. I don't know how to explain it but it's like my body knows how to find familiar places or places I've been before." Thane nods in understanding as the two of us silently tread through the woods.

Ever so often, we would stop when he heard something but so far it's been nothing but animals and nature moving around. As the sun starts to lower, we come across something that has Thane on edge.

He lifts a hand and points to tracks in the dirt but when I see the several footprints, I lower myself into a crouch and start looking around us. The tracks are fresh. Whoever left them, they just came through here and judging by the tracks, it's multiple people.

Thane sniffs the air and looks to the front of us with a serious look on his face. As I move closer to him, CheeChee stays silent on my shoulder. Thane keeps his sight on the bushes ahead of us as he whispers "All male. Ten or more."

I raise my eyebrows and try to see something but I just can't. Thane leads the way and as we get closer, I can hear faint voices. After finding a bush to hide behind, we look out at the men setting up camp.

Ragers. Suddenly, I remember the Ragers I escaped from a while back. That's right... Their base is about a day's walk from here. As if thinking the same thing, Thane tilts his head and motions for us to keep going.

I nod my head in agreement and go to leave but something catches my eyes. More like someone... It was the freak who kidnapped me!

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