ULTRAVIOLET [✔]

[10] The river

LISA POV

Turned out the fog was different down by the river than it was in the forest. It was still playing tricks on all of their minds though. Apparently they were no longer seeing creatures while feeling deeply terrified. Now they were all freezing. Like really really freezing. I however, did not feel a thing. I felt the wind that was carrying the fog across the moving waters of the river but that was it. I was not shivering like they all were.

I felt bad about the fact that I was the only one who was not affected because of my 'natural shield' as Jennie had called it. Also I felt bad that Jennie couldn't do anything to protect herself with her own powers. She had kept skin contact with me throughout our continuous drive along the path of the river.

Now it was near evening and there wasn't the slightest indication that we were getting out of this fog any time soon. So Jackson decided that we make camp by the river before it got really dark. We stopped when twilight was slowly turning into darkness and hurried to put up everyone's tents and get a fire going.

At first it seemed to be impossible to start a fire because all the wood that J-hope and I gathered was really damp. Gladly Jennie stepped in before we got too frustrated.

"Let me." She shoved me to the side with gentle hands. I granted her without commenting and watched the little witch hold up her palms towards the fire, concentrating. I saw the blue colours in her eyes flare up beautifully while she seemed to dry the firewood. J-hope seemed mesmerized too.

"Try again now." she nodded to the boy next to me.

"Can't you do it with your powers?"

"Conjour up a fire out of thin air? No. No I can't. I'm not... I can't control fire." Jennie resumed to saying, squirming a little for words. I watched her from the side while J-hope gave it another try to get a fire going.

Jennie had refused to tell me which element was hers to draw power from when I had asked about it some time back but I think I had an idea. She stood there shivering while J-hope managed to spark a flame.

"Is it really that cold?" I asked with a nod towards her. Her head whipped around in my direction.

"No, it's.... fine." She shook her head but wouldn't meet my eyes.

I slightly opened one of my arms for her "Come here." I invited her in. I couldn't help myself. I wanted to protect her all the time. Be close to her all the time. Seeing her freezing like that, tugged at my heartstrings. A feeling completely foreign to me up until now but I couldn't ignore it. I didn't want to ignore it any longer. I had tried to shake it off when I slipped back into my tent last night after I slept with her. I had tried to ignore the feeling and the witch herself during breakfast on the morning after.

But then I let her ride with me on my motorcycle and my resolve crumbled. I knew I wouldn't tell her what she actually was to me but with her dainty hands wrapped around my waist snugly and her head resting on my back, I decided that I could at least carefully show her that I cared for her and not treat her like an asshole all the time just because I was scared.

"It's ok, I'm good." the little witch gave me a short-lipped smile before looking away into the fire, ignoring my outstretched hand. Who was stubborn now!? J-hope raised an eyebrow towards me playfully and mouthed the word 'women' quietly. I only sent him a dark stare that meant he should mind his own business. The fire was now going strong so I left for my tent without another word. I felt Jennie's eyes following me though.

I rummaged through my things and found what I was looking for. It was my warm winter coat. I carried it back to the fire, intending on giving it to Jennie who did not seem to have any other warm clothes. But when I got there again, only the guys were sitting around it.