OBLITERATE- The Ring of fire

8. Death swings its pix axe

 "I'm here!" Mike came out of the bushes. "Ahh!" He yelled, looking at Kyle's arrow. We were clustering around near the five black cars; apparently speedros- and Mike had just come after 'duty'.

Kyle sealed Mike's mouth. "Idiot,"

Mike shifted and sighed. "No man, I'm Mike. Idiot is the one next door,"

Kyle rolled his eyes.

Mike's wrists were covered with dirt. His shoes had gotten a nice coating of mud and soil. He brushed them off. Mike had a red bird sitting on his shoulder. It had a nice color gradient on its feathers- orange to dark red. Its beak was super sharp. And it had brown eyes.

"Oh," He said looking at me and Misty. "This is Mushy, my phoenix."

"Pheonix?" I asked.

"Robotic phoenix."

"And, her name is Mushy?" Misty asked.

"Yeah, she's soft. Touch her." Misty ran a finger through its orange and red feather. I kept looking at its pointed beak, which was crimson.

"Good morning, Miss Destiny," I turned to face Mr. Smith. He was wearing black shades this time. His arms were crossed around his chest. He eyed Mike's bird. Mike sulked and brushed Mushy's feathers. Mushy cawed at Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith grimaced.

"Good morning," I said, looking at Mushy. "Where to now?"

Mr. Smith took off his shades. "Follow us,"

I held Misty tight, as the officers escorted us into the forest.

I looked behind my shoulder. Kyle was talking with Mr. Smith; most likely wound up in an argument. Celestine caught my glance and grinned.

Inside the forest, it was darker. The entire land was covered by a canopy of tall trees. Sunlight seeped down the branches, causing rainbow lights with the morning dew. The ground was thick grass, and dried leaves, mud and soil were mixed on it. And the sounds- better than any orchestra- thousands of birds chirping at once. Looking closer, I could see flowers of mauve, yellow, violet, red colors- the names which I didn't know, simply because I've never been to a forest. The mix of luminous green and dark greens was formed so perfectly.

"You think this'll go for long?" Misty asked. "Because this place is beautiful."

I inhaled. "Let's find out."

Walking a few more feet, we came across some white tents. The left side, there was a larger white bunker sort of thing. The land was clear, without much trees.

"I can walk alone," I looked over my shoulder to hear Kyle ranting at the officers.

"I have legs. You do know that, huh?" he said.

The officers shook their heads and let him off.

Mr. Smith walked towards us.

"Look," I turned to look at him. "This place is safe, right? Because I don't want-"

"You are safe," Mr. Smith said. He looked behind at Kyle and the others. "Just stick around."

I nodded.

"Sir," said an unknown voice.

Looking back, I saw a teenager. He had blue- very dark, sapphire blue- eyes. His silky black hair was falling into his face, casting a shadow. He was wearing a blue shirt with black denims.

"You," Kyle said, bitterly. He was standing beside me, making a face. 

"Noah," Mr. Smith said, turning to him. "Well done with your work,"