Spencer

Chapter 16: Mud and Smoke

Elouise
Mud

My legs were caked in it, my body and hair was drenched. Leaning against the tree my breathing was shallow,a consequence of my lack of fitness. I had lost Atticus about five minutes ago that boy could run.

The wind whistles around me and I was trying not to cry. I was lost, I had no phone and there was someone who randomly set fires loose in the woods.

Wiping my hand across my face I shook myself lime a wet dog and continued to run in the digestion I watched Atticus go in.

My feet sunk into the soft dirt as I foolishly ran deeper into the woods. Going against every bone in my body isn't calling Atticus' name as I knew he would lecture me about it.

My eyes were forward never looking in any other direction until my foot got caught in the mushy earth and I fell forward. Rolling over and looking at the ground I screamed when I saw what had tripped me.

A dead bird was tied to a rock, the words 'it's a sin' written in the poor animal's blood. All I could think is

What the actual fuck.

Covering my mouth with my muddy hand and scanning the surrounding woods to make sure I hadn't attracted any; fire setters or bird murders.

"Kingsly" looking over my shoulder Atticus was standing behind a tree, he looked exhausted. His hair was drenched and tussled.

"Atticus" I breathed as he walked over to me. He extended his equally dirty hand, lifting mine up and grabbing a hold of his he pulled me up.

The rain poured onto us as we stood in a somber silence.

"Are you alright?" He looked into my eyes, he was even more dazzling then before

"Not in the slightest" I looked up at him "are you alright

Atticus chuckled "not in the slightest"

For once there was no hatred or annoyance in his tone, it was entirely sincere. I studied his face through the rain drops clouding my vision. Before anything could happen Atticus shifted the attention to the bird rock.

"What the fuck" he moved away from me and squatted beside the poor animal

"I know right" I said with a shiver.

"Someone's trying to send a message" he tilted his head then looked up at me through his hair "Kingsly I think there's a war brewing"

"Pardon?" Atticus stood up and walked over to me

"There's someone in the underground that wants something, and I think there after your friend"

"Why do you think like that, Alexander said no one even knows she's back" Atticus huffed at me he shook his head, water droplets fell to the floor

"News spreads fast, someone has ratted on Alexander and now the underground is aware of Spencer's newly returned heiress." He stood up and looked away from the animal

"Well is Octavia aware there's a plot against her?"

"Would you want to be aware that someone's after you?' he raised his brow, biting the inside of my lip I pondered his question. 'As I thought, let's start to head back no one will find us in this deep' Atticus didnt even wait for me to agree, with his hands in his pocket he just started to walk away, with a groan I followed him once again.

Once Atticus and I were standing in front of the now burnt warehouse, he pulled out a box from his pocket watching from the corner of my eye as he pulled out a cigarette and lighter. Soon the smouldering remains weren't the only thing smoking.

Atticus huffed; the gray smoke rose into the rainy sky.

'Want one' Atticus nudged me, he obviously had sense of my starring. I had never smoked before, it didn't seem like my kind of thing but if it meant impressing Atticus and him thinking I'm tough I'll give it a go. I nodded, he made a surprised sound and handed me a lit cigarette.
Looking at the object in my hand I did what he did, placing it to my lips and inhaling, then I removed it from my lips, breathing out I began to violently cough startling Atticus.

'Jesus are you okay?' he looked at me with a slight smile, I shook my head as I coughed the smoke out of my lungs 'Have you ever smoked before or is it your first?' his smile grew as he realised the answer to his own questions

'Take your cancer stick' I managed to say between coughs, Atticus laughed.

'Okay Kingsly' I blinked realising my coughing fit had finally ended

'That's awful how can you do that?' I shook my head as I felt normal again

'You get use to the burn' he puffed smoke into my face, making me scrunch my face in disgust 'Well just your luck I see our ride.' opening my eyes I looked in the direction atticus was, Mr clearie's car was speeding towards us and the burning building.

Screeching to a stop a frantic Mr Clearie jumped out of the car.

'Oh my god' he looked at Atticus 'what happened here?'

Atticus stomped out the cigarettes

'The rat again' he paused 'They left a message, I think there after the Spencer girl'

'Get in' Mr Clearie jumped back into the car, exchanging looks Atticus and I got into the car as well. 'Alexander has to know about this' I gulped, I no longer feared for my safety I feared for Octavia

Authors note: yes that is home boy Atticus at the top. I love him so much <3