Requiem

Chapter Ten:

Once again, I am being carried. 

Only this time, I’m draped across Sebastian’s back like a blanket –or maybe even a backpack. He doesn’t seem to be very happy about it, but at least now he’s stopped grumbling under his breath. My chin rests on his shoulder, eyes locked onto the gray landscape in front of us. He is quiet, but I can hear his heavy breaths. 

Jasper and Monique walk in front of us, conversing lightly. Last time I was paying attention, they were talking about Jasper’s nonexistent school career and Monique’s position as head cheerleader. 

I’m so bored. 

“Sebastian?” I murmur softly, still watching the trees as we crunch through them. They’ve started to grow even thinner, which gives me somewhat high hopes in that we’ll reach the dome soon. He grunts in response. 

“I need a nickname for you.” 

He pauses for a moment. His shoulders are tense, the muscles on his neck strained, and my gaze lazily shifts his way. Jasper and Monique don’t notice our pit-stop. “Sebastian is just fine,” His gaze darts back to meet mine, eyes ice cold.

“It’s a mouthful,” I snicker, adjusting my arms around his neck, “I am going to call you Sebby.” 

He twitches. 

“Hey,” I remind him, “It’s better than Teddy-bear.” 

Sebastian shudders.

I can’t fight a small smile –my lips ache from the effort to keep it off my face. I bury the lower half of my face into his shoulder, inhaling the warm smell of cinnamon that seems to waft off of him in waves. He readjusts his grip on the back of my knees so I don’t slide off his back and continues forward without a word. 

“Can we stop and rest for a bit?” Monique slows to a stop in front of us, head twisting to shoot a pleading look towards Sebastian, “My feet are killing me and I’m hungry.” 

“I’m perfectly fine,” I lift my mouth long enough to comment idly, grinning at the dirty look she flashes my way. Jasper chuckles lowly, eyes locked with Sebastian. Said male sighs and dumps me onto the ground lazily. 

My butt hits the ground with a solid thump and I let out a cry. 

“That hurt!” My fingers curl around a small rock and I chuck it at him. Sebastian easily dodges it, expression vaguely amused, and Monique appears at my side. She squats down and pulls my foot into her lap, fingers working at the vice-like sock. 

Jasper nods towards Sebastian, “Shall we go collect firewood, Teddy-bear?” 

Sebastian grunts. Jasper receives an annoyed look, but Sebastian ends up following him nonetheless. They disappear within the dead trees, becoming one with the forest of gray. I watch Monique’s fingers, lips pursed.