The Anomalies

Chapter 20

The meeting is over and the crowd has long since dispersed, but I remain. Unable to move from my spot, unable to process what has happened. I hear footsteps slowly getting closer, but I don't have to look up to know who it is.

The owner of the footsteps clears his throat, "We are leaving now. Zarha helped pack your things, I have them right here."

Mateo steps up to me and sets the small bag at my feet. There's nothing of any importance in there. Three pairs of standard issue Aequalis brown shirts and pants were the only things I owned. My soulmate necklace taken from me by Elijah, when I first arrived.

I don't say a word as I bend over to pick it up. If I'm being honest with myself, I don't even want to bring it. Anything connected to this place, only holds painful memories.

I follow Mateo out of the building, and into the night. The sky is clear with a full moon casting its light on the land below. It'd be a perfect night to lay under the stars if I wasn't being held hostage.

"Why are we leaving in the middle of the night?" I question.

The King stops walking and looks back at me, "It's the safest way to return to Cordova unnoticed. No one connected to the Defiance is safe right now, Aequalian armies are everywhere."

I nod and we continue our walk to wherever he is taking me. We pass the tree where I first saw Mateo, the barracks, and the hangars getting farther and farther away from the base. I can't help but feel relief when I think that I will never have to come back to this place again.

Mateo finally stops at the edge of the forest and whistles. A few beats pass before four black horses emerge, only two with riders. As they ride closer I make out a man and a women in all black uniforms, with green sashes.

"Iris, I'd like to introduce you to Lady Avalon and Casper. My most trusted soldiers and confidants."

The man and the woman nod their head at me in acknowledgment. Mateo grabs the reins from Lady Avalon and guides the horse to me.

"Get on." He pets the animal and instructs.

I hesitate, "I've never ridden a horse before, I don't know-"

Before I can get my last word out, Mateo grabs me around the waist. Lifting me up and setting me on the horse. I grab onto the horse scared that I'm going to fall off. He hands me the reins and I watch the two other riders, copying them. The King leaves my side and jumps onto his own horse.

He grips the reins and heads for the tree line, the others follow. For a split second I panic, until my horse starts moving. Following the others, all on its own.

The three Cordovians immerse themselves in conversation. My mind blocks it all out, too numb to join in. I don't want to join in either, these people around me aren't my friends. I could try to escape, but where would I go? The world outside of Aequalis is a complete mystery to me, my only chance of survival is to stay with them.

The sun has begun to rise and I'm able barely staying awake. Keeping my eyes open is becoming harder and harder, it takes everything in me to stay on the horse. The unending number of trees all pass by in a blur.

"We'll stop here to rest, no fires, it will give our location away." Mateo orders and steps down from his horse.

He makes his way over to my side and extends his hand to help me down. I ignore it and hop down myself. Brushing past him, I direct my attention towards the small stream in front of me. I bend down to splash some water in my face, trying to wake myself from this horrible dream to no avail.

A shadow falls over the water beside me, " Mateo says you're Aequalian, this must be quite the change for you."

Lady Avalon splashes water onto her face and smiles at me. My only answer is a nod, leaving her behind at the stream. Casper and Mateo are unpacking their supplies, I lay down in the grass a few feet away from them. Closing my eyes just to rest for a moment.