Help from the OtherSide

12. Frenemies

Deccan's POV

With Liam off my back, my knees reminded me to make a sacrifice to the Gods. 

We spent an estimated few hours walking in the middle of an unknown tropical forest. The intense heat began to take a toll on me.

 Ever since Liam found the comfort of being carried around; he constantly whispered his requests to me. 

Occasionally Grant would oblige on my behalf and carry him a little distance before dropping him like a sack of wheat. If that weren't enough, he recommend our piggyback services to the girls. 

Yumiko was considerate enough to not ask -- maybe because I was sweated like a pig, but Amelia's puppy eyes would be illegal to ignore.

After the two passengers had their fill of break-Deccan's-back-for-free,
I actually had to sit down to catch my breath.

"Come on, don't be lazy we have a lot to cover today." Liam joked holding nothing but the thin Map.

 I on the other hand, carried a lot more which could also be one of the reasons I snapped.  Sticky sweat down my back, forest heat and irritation together formed a bad combination and he learnt it the hard way. 

My lips curled and eyes narrowed at his comment. Something was making me uneasy from inside and it brought out my worst frustration. I dropped my bag on the ground and sized him up. He was tall, but not as tall as me. 

Sensing threat, Liam stepped back. He watched my face in surprise and before I could comprehend what was happening, I grabbed his shirt collar and yanked him towards me.

The girls shrieked, roughly pushing us away from each other. Amelia and Yumiko promptly took Liam away.

"Woah-- DUDE WHAT THE HELL?" Grant put a hand on my chest holding me back in place. Fatigue washed over quickly, swallowing every trace of anger I felt.  I sighed and crouched on the ground, my head bent low.

" Sorry." I muttered.

"Would you have actually beat him up if we weren't here to stop you? " Grant furrowed his brows and looked at me like I committed tax fraud.

"I haven't been like this in years. My temper-- it's coming back . . ." Words tumbled out of me. 

I thought I left my old angsty, short- tempered self  left me for good.

"What's wrong Deccan-- You don't seem well. Is something troubling you ?" Grant's demeanour suddenly.

I can't let this happen again. 

I cannot allow some strangers I've known for a while to scrutinised every action of mine based on my cracked soul.

I am stronger than this.

"Nothing  you need to concern yourself over." I snapped. It was rude on my behalf, but at least he understood to end the conversation.

 I got to my feet and brushed myself all the while ignoring Grant's peculiar gaze on me. Like he was trying to figure out the key to this lock.