The Wanderers [Old Version]

Chapter 49: Rise

Petra's POV - One week later

It was midnight, and it was raining slightly. I sat on the wall while Rain and Ghost tossed two dead guards into the shadows at the base of the wall.

Bryn was by my side and Marc stood next to Hannah, a few feet away.

I slid off the wall and sat cross legged next to Nico and Clara. Ghost sat next to me and held my hand. I took Nico's hand and Bryn sat by Clara's side. Rain sat next to Clara and Hannah sat next to Rain. Our circle connected hands.

Marc leaned against the wall and looked at us, but then looked down at his feet.

I closed my eyes, "Lord, we pray that you give us strength in our time of need and help Clara accomplish her part of the plan, Lord. We are sorry for killing your children and plotting against them, but false idols can't be allowed to live in your world. Lord, please forgive us for being sinners. One day we will return to you, but please Lord, don't let that day be before the day that Von returns to you and faces your judgement. In your name, Lord, we pray that we have the strength to accomplish what we want. Amen."

The group said in unison, "Amen."

Clara gave Nico an awkward hug, then crouched and hung down on the side of the wall. The moonlight shone on her eyes and I could see the fear inside her. She nodded, "I'll be alright."

She let go of the wall and slid down to the ground. She hit the ground and looked down at her feet. She sprinted off, running through the dark wasteland.

Nico sat back and leaned against the wall. He sighed, "I fucking hope she'll be ok."

Hannah patted his back, "She will be. She's smart and strong. She wouldn't have asked to help if she didn't think she could make it."

He walked to the edge of the wall and threw up. I rushed to his side and put my hand on his shoulder, "You ok?"

He spit, "I...I fucking forgot to tell her that I love her."

"She knows."

I saw tears running down his face, "I still should have told her."

Ghost walked up and patted his back, "Remember what I said when she fell and ended up in the hospital. She's strong. Very strong. She's determined. It'll take an army to stop her."

Ghost gave me a hug and I pulled her bandana down enough to kiss her cheek, then pushed it back up. She whispered, "I have to go. I'll try to see you tomorrow. I love you."

I nodded, "I love you, too."

She jumped from the wall and landed on a tree, then hopped to the rooftop of the building below. She ran along the rooftop and jumped into the darkness.

Hannah, who was wearing the same black coat that she wore every time she came to us, popped her hood up and climbed slowly down the wall. She smiled as she went down, "Next time I see you, the kingdom will be in ruins, and Von's head will be on a stake. We'll do this. I know we will."

She too disappeared into the darkness. Rain and Marc said goodbye then found their own ways off the wall. Bryn, Nico and I climbed down as well and walked through the dark alleys of the kingdom. Nico wiped blood from his nose, "This reminds me of Lightstone. Except we never plotted to murder your dad."

Bryn shrugged, "It wouldn't have changed me much. I left the same day you did."

I sighed, "As shitty as Lightstone was, and as much as I hated the Royal Guards and your dad, it was still home. That's what New Rome is missing. Living in the sewers doesn't feel like home here. We'll never find another place that feels like home."