UNDER EDITING 𝐺𝑅𝐴𝑉𝐸 𝐷𝐴𝑁𝐺𝐸𝑅 | 𝐴𝑃𝑂𝐶𝐴𝐿𝑌𝑃𝑆𝐸 ✔︎

Motives

(Jasper's POV)

Sitting criss-cross-apple-sauce while drawing in the dirt with a stick was about as fun as this was going to get. Noah was obviously more cautious than me, so he didn't dare look away from the woods ahead.

"Noah we can switch if you want?" I offer while stretching and standing up. He shoots his head towards me, eyes wide. "No no, that's okay. It's just better that I don't let my guard down."

I huff out a quiet laugh and shrug. "Whatever you say." I attempt to go back to sitting down but Noah stops me. "Actually, can we at least talk about something. It's way more boring when it's quiet."

"I don't see why not. What's on your mind, Ashwell?" I smile while laying down, hands behind my head. Noah goes back to looking at the woods. "I was just wondering... why do you think Carlos is doing all of this?" He plays with his arms a bit but continues to stare ahead intensely.

I sit up and lean back on my elbows slightly. "It's hard to say. He hasn't been terrible to us, I mean, what even is this job?! And I honestly don't know what he's doing with Lexi and Cooper, but it probably isn't any worse than us... hopefully."

Noah sighs and turns to me. "How long do you think we'll be stuck here? I was really getting used to our little creepy cabin in the woods with frequent bear attacks." He groans sarcastically while plopping down next to me. I laugh at his tone slightly.

"It could be awhile. If I'm being honest, I wouldn't hate coming back here." I rub my neck sheepishly. Noah shoots me a surprised look. "Really?" He says in a shock.

I nod slowly. "This place was probably one of the safest places we were ever involved in. Of course the bunker was safer but we are basically dead if we go back there. This place never did us any harm, other than the fact that they killed our people."

Noah rolls his eyes. "What, so that's just no big deal then?" My eyes shoot wide at his tone, realizing how I worded it.

"No no, c'mon Ashwell you know I didn't mean it like that. I'm just saying that Carlos didn't exactly know that those were our people. We were never one of his targets until after we exposed him."

"So you're saying that maybe he'll just let us stay because it was just a big coincidence? I mean, even so, how could you trust him after what he did to our peop- our family."

I didn't mean to get Noah upset. I give him a sad smile before stating, "I wouldn't use the word trust. I just feel like there are strength in numbers. The more people, the better chance at survival. And if Carlos even considers letting us stay, risky or not, I think I would say yes."

Ashwell rests his head on his hand and sighs. "You're probably right. I just hope that he does it soon. I'm done with standing out here for nothing."

I laugh a tad bit at his annoyance as a creaking sound is heard. Noah and I both glance over to see the gates opening up, revealing Carlos and Jay.

"You boys seem to be pretty high alert." Carlos huffs with a laugh. I only just noticed that we were basically sitting across from each other and gossiping like little seven year old girls do.

We both stand up. "We were just... talking I guess." Noah mumbles.

"Enough about that, we're going back inside. Jay, please tie these blindfolds around their eyes." He gestures the pieces of cloth towards the other man.

Noah steps a bit closer to me and grabs my hand unnoticed. "I think we have just figured out everything, boys." Carlos finally says with a smile.

Oh boy.

A/N- OKAY SO IM BACK IN DIRECTION AND I ABSOLUTELY KNOW WHERE I WANT THIS STORY TO GO NOW SO DON'T WORRY!!!