Immunity Fire

Chapter 34

Natalie saw herself alone walking on water with a beautiful moon sky filled with stars. The large moon was touching the horizon and she felt so close to it that she could give it a touch. She walked slowly feeling a peaceful heaven around her. As she was about to touch the moon, it brightened into fiery colours and it blinded Natalie. The moon turned into the sun. Then the water turned into lava and she sunk like quicksand. She was screaming whilst slowly burning alive as she went further and further down. She was about to look at death in the eye. Then she woke up.

Natalie was panting loudly. She was relieved that it was only a nightmare but she was haunted that she actually even had one. She felt as if she thought she was brave but she began to question what she really thought of herself; was she brave or stupid; stupid enough to get herself into a situation that could possibly kill her. She started to think that protecting Alex came at a price; herself. If she never joined on the journey then she would be the same person she was for three years. She didn't want to blame Alex for the nightmare, but she was still hurt from him calling her a bossy know-it-all who knows nothing of friendship; especially after all that she learned about it.

She noticed that Lucas was sleeping by her, snoring loud enough to not hear her wake up. Although, Natalie saw that Alex wasn't sleeping at all; she saw him sitting on a log nearby looking at the dark mountains and the starry night sky. She could read that he couldn't sleep either and he seemed to be feeling scared. She got up quietly and sat beside him.

"Couldn't sleep either?" Alex asked.

"It's just like the first time we met, remember? We couldn't sleep on the ship and I came to you..."

"And warning me to not trust anyone and scaring me into training hard?" Alex giggled.

"I know," Natalie giggled too.

"I'm sorry what I said to you the other night."

"It's okay, you were frustrated and not thinking straight."

"Like when you gave me that slap in the face?" Alex teased.

"Well you did have it coming," Natalie rolled her eyes. I'm sorry about what happened there, finding out about Barlows being your father and all."

"He's not my father," Alex replied, "I never had one. If he were my father, he would have been there."

"I'm angry with him as well but I understood he was trying to do the greater good."

"No he wasn't! He lost his mind when he lived here with Rorgoth. It's because of him the world is on the brink of war. I don't even understand why he planted those Resurrecters in the first place. It's like he planned Zain's death and sent me out to get him back or something."

"Well we will know tomorrow."

"Seriously I wish he wasn't my father, nor do I even want one at this point."

"You are actually lucky enough to even have one; one who actually wanted what's best for you."

Alex never thought he would hear Natalie say that after what happened at the temple.

"My father is dead, and it is better that way."

"How come?" Alex asked.

"My father molested Lucas in his sleep... right in front of me. My parents had an arranged marriage because my mom was poor and my dad was rich. He used to beat her up and rape her until she had me and Lucas. I found him drugged and getting molested by him. When he saw me he came after me to assault me. In self-defence I killed him with a kitchen knife. My mom saw me kill him and we buried him under the house. Mom killed herself after what she witnessed and Lucas hated me for it. He also began to question himself for years about something neither of us could understand; possibly what he wants for his life."

"So that's why he was what he was when I met him?"

Natalie began dropped one tear from her red warm cheek, "Exactly. That's why I didn't believe in friendship; because I never had time for it and I never had someone who wanted to help before; it's as if no one cares."

"I care," Alex responded. Natalie was surprised to hear that from Alex; from anyone for that matter.

"I guess it took you a long time to actually find that special person to actually want you; now you have me and Zain; somehow you got Lucas to love you too. I never had friends before but only Zain. I never cared if nobody wanted me because having at least one is all that matters; it's meaningful that way. We don't want a Chuck and Kahn in our lives,"

Natalie giggled, "I guess you could say that it is worth the wait." She smiled.

"I'm sorry about what you had to go through then."

"Thank you."

"And I'm sure you must have been traumatised after what happened at the temple."

"Yeah, well, I survived. We all did."

Alex gave Natalie a hug, "Thank you for coming along with me."

"I would do anything for you."