Destined To Die

Chapter 6 - Old Prague

-6-

-Old Prague-

Akane crouched at the far side of the room, on his haunches with his hands resting on his knees while he waited. Maddy stirred finally, getting up and almost falling off the couch in her still disoriented state. It was the best Akane could do not to laugh as she regained her composure, sitting up with a yawn.

"Lunch is on the table," Akane said quietly, gesturing to the coffee table set up in front of the small TV, which neither of them had bothered to use.

Maddy's stomach growled, the hunger hitting her like a truck, along with a splitting headache.

"Thanks," she croaked, reaching forward for a pair of sandwiches wrapped in brown paper.

"Extra bacon, no tomato," Akane said before she could even ask, and that brought a small smile to her face.

"You're a saint."

There was a bottle of peach iced tea next to the sandwiches, condensation pooled around the base. It was almost lukewarm at this point, but she didn't care.

"Are you feeling alright?" Akane asked, watching as she tore into the food ravenously.

"I'll be alright," she nodded between mouthfuls, "How long have I been out?"

"Seven hours," he replied, looking out of the window at the early afternoon sun, "I've been keeping watch, no sign of trouble yet."

"Well Jun can wait until I've finished eating at least," Maddy muttered, rubbing her temple with one hand while she polished off one of the sandwiches.

Akane tossed a pair of cheap gas station sunglasses over, which landed on the couch beside her. The took them thankfully without a word, slipping them on to dim out the bright light.

"When you're done, we need to move," Akane said, setting his eyes back out through the window, "No telling how far he is behind us, or what his next move is."

"Don't suppose we could just live in a shitty little motel until we die of old age?" Maddy asked, gulping down mouthfuls of iced tea.

Akane said nothing.

"Yeah, didn't think so," Maddy continued, getting to her feet.

Her laptop and books were already packed, duffel bags lined up beside the door. Akane slipped an identical pair of cheap sunglasses over his eyes as well, obscuring whatever features he could. Looking at him now, it was hard to recognise him as the same person that had come out of the statue those years ago.

"We'll be able to go to ground in Prague," Akane said after a while, "Maybe even get a lead on Jun."

"These people you know there, who are they?" Maddy asked, getting to her feet and gathering up the scraps.

"Witches," he said the word with a slight tone of disgust, "They needed harpy talons; they paid well."

"And you think they can help us?"

"Maybe," he shrugged, "Abigail knew about the Leylines that got us to you in time, maybe there's one around that we can use to slip away."

"Smart thinking."

Akane nodded, stepping down off the chair and grabbing both duffel bags. Maddy grabbed her pack, and as Akane opened the door she was suddenly very thankful for the cheap sunglasses. He walked over to the car, holding both bags over his shoulder and waiting while she walked over and dropped off the keys to their room in the small office. A small part of him couldn't help but be amazed.