Subject 305-b

Chapter 14

Athena and Reyna looked exhausted, Nic not so much. He hardly got tired anymore and he had only slept because it felt normal. Athena kept glancing over at him, sweat dripped down her face. Every now and then Nic would throw Reyna's arm over his shoulder when her limp got worse. The cotton lining only helped so much. The storm clouds above them darkened and the lighting became more frequent. Athena made them stop after about a hour of walking so she and Reyna could rest.

Nic walked around the area anxious to get moving he hated waiting in one place to long. Athena walked over to him and her face was more relaxed and she didn't look as tired.

"You know planting season is during the spring." Athena joked.

The grass where Nic had been walking for the past ten minutes was worn down and in some spots dirt was kicked up. Nic smiled and shook his head, he didn't even notice before.

"I can't stand still, well not for long anyways." Nic explained.

"Well if you're hungry Reyna cooked up some food." Athena smiled and patted Nic on the back.

Nic walked over to them and Reyna handed him a plate. Athena and Reyna where talking and laughing but Nic could sense something or someone watching him. He used his power of sight and looked around and nothing stood out. Then a tree moved, wait trees don't move Nic thought. He stared at the direction of the tree and it moved again but this time it moved to a whole different position. Then more started moving heading towards him. Athena must had noticed it to cause she stood up sword drawn. Nic was glad to have her by his side because she looked pretty dangerous despite her beauty.

Then about ten six foot men jumped out. They lacked hair and had camouflaged skin and each held a bow made of tree branches. One, that Nic thought he might be a leader, walked up to face him. Instead of Nic he went over to Athena.

"I remember you," he said to Athena, "actually I remember all of you." He said clearing his throat and looking around.

If she could Athena would have stared a hole through him, full of anger and hatred for the man that stood before them.

"Sad you all do not know my name but I know each of yours." He rubbed his hand down Athena's face and winked, "My name is Albero."

"Really," Nic said "Tree? Well that's creative."

"They are spirits of trees, working with Jake no doubt." Athena commented.

"Pretty and smart, that's hard to come by." Albero said grabbing Athena's hand all Romeo like and kissing the top of it.

He was seriously about to punch this tree guy in the face, but Athena must have noticed that look and shook her head. Athena smiled and blushed at Albero, he went to kiss her other hand but before he could Athena kicked him in the stomach sending him flying to the ground. All at once five of the men launched themselves at Athena and Nic. He swung his sword in a circle and dodged one of the tree spirits attacks. Athena had Albero pinned down with her foot and was sniping the tree spirits. She hit one in the knee but it got back up and ran towards her. Athena was faster she notched an arrow and released it hitting him in the forehead. Nic locked blades with one and head butted him, which knocked it to the ground and then stabbed him in the abdomen. While Athena took four more out, Nic fought with the last four. They were fast but Nic kept up with them watching their movement and countering each strike. Athena ran up behind Nic, he ducked down and she jumped onto his back. He launched her into the air and she landed on two of the tree spirits stabbing both of them in the neck with her daggers. When she stood up the last two tree spirits took off. Then simultaneously Athena shot her bow and Nic fired his shotgun. Both projectiles found there mark. But they must have missed one because one ran at Athena. She was about to draw her bow when it fell to the ground. Athena looked over at Nic and he shook his head. Athena smiled, Reyna who was standing in front of them had shot the tree spirits in the back of its head. Nic looked over at Athena, who was panting, and walked over to her.

"That was awesome!" Athena exclaimed through breaths. "How did you do that?"

"I'm not sure," Nic replyed, "it was almost like I sensed your movements."

They walked side by side over to Albero who was tied to a tree. He looked like he was kneed in the face. Knowing Athena she probably did. There was blood dripping from his nose and his eye and lip was swollen. Albero looked up and gave Athena a crooked smile.

"Why do you and your people work for Jake? What did he offer you?" Athena demanded.

"Seven years ago you were both trapped on Jakes ship." Albero stated spitting out blood. "Both for very different reasons."

Albero the tree glanced over at Nic, he must had sensed Nic's worry and smiled.

"Nic I'm surprised you don't remember me. I was the one that started up the George. Remember?" Albero asked.

Nic's breath fastened, Athena looked over at him her expression almost killed him. Her eyes where full of surprise and anguish. Nic stared at the ground, and kick the dirt at his feet.

"Yes girl it's all true, subject 305-b lied to you." Albero stated.

"Why didn't you tell me?!" Athena demanded pushing Nic's chest.

"I did not want to put you in danger!" Nic yelled. "Also I didn't want you to think anything less of me."

"Nic my people attract danger, and I would never think any less of you if you had just told me, Nic I do care about you! "Athena yelled back at him.

"You...you care about me?" Nic asked almost in a whisper.

Athena looked around, she had not meant to say that out loud but Nic needed to know. She had know something was different about Nic, especially when he healed her wound and Reyna's, but now she knew. Albero was staring at them both, waiting for something to happen. Athena couldn't help but to wonder what they would do with Albero. Athena had grown up with him. He was a good person but easily manipulated into thinking certain ways, and being head of the tree spirits he could make them do anything. Albero could make a good ally but it would take some time to convince him to be on their side. Nic noticed her facial expression and nodded his head like he read her mind.
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