Th13rteen

Chapter 71

Th13rteen

Chapter 71

*

*

Aurelia...

After finishing up my nightly routine, I headed inside our makeshift little hut, anxiously waiting for Alex. I hated being alone. The fears just invaded my mind too much for my liking, especially when I had a minute to myself.

It took him longer than normal, but he finally stepped into the hut. "There you are." I exhaled the breath I was holding in. "I thought you got lost." I joked to ease some of my stress.

I immediately noticed the weird look on his face. It looked like he didn't even hear me. "Alex? Are you okay?"

His eyes snapped to mine, slightly wide. "Huh?"

"I asked if you're okay? Is something wrong?"

"No. No, everything is fine." His voice was guarded, but I let it go. We've both been getting spooked by little things while being stuck here. I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case right now.

"Alright, if you're sure."

"I'm sure." He smiled at me, but I didn't miss how it failed to reach his eyes.

He crossed the hut, reaching me in moments, and laid down next to me. I shuffled close to him, tucking myself onto his side. "Tomorrow will be a week since we left."

"I know."

"Do you think everyone's okay?"

"I am sure everyone is fine." He grunted.

I could hear an emotion in his voice that leaned in the direction of not wanting to talk about things, so I changed the subject quickly. "I was thinking, tomorrow I can make us some eggs for breakfast, with some fresh blueberries on the side."

"Mm, that would be nice, Doll."

"Doll?" I sat up, a little confused. "That's a new one." He's never called me that before.

"Just trying something new, I guess." He shrugged.

"Okay..." I trailed off, laying back down. "Whatever you say, Prince Hot Tea."

My eyebrows furrowed when he simply grunted in response.

He always calls me Princess Sunflower back, when I call him that.

Deciding to let it go, I rolled to the side, facing my back to him. I was a little disheartened when he didn't roll over as well, to cuddle me.

Something must really be bothering him.

As I debated asking him again if something was wrong, a bright light started to shine in the small, dark hut. My eyes widened when I saw a small hole in the floor, growing bigger by the second. "A portal." I grinned.

We both shot to our feet, keeping to the edge of it. "Who do you think sent it? Where do you think it leads?"

Alex didn't question it as he pushed me forward, wordlessly. I shrieked a little, caught by surprise, as the portal sucked me in, but relaxed once I felt his hand grip my arm tightly. His eagerness to get off the island stole away his caution. I can't lie, I'm relieved to leave too, but the sinking feeling of the Darkness bringing us somewhere was starting to invade my relief.

Within seconds, I landed hard on my stomach, and heard Alex fall down next to me. "That was definitely not a graceful landing." I groaned, sitting up and clutching my abdomen.