Eladea: A Hopeless Age

Chapter 20: Liam

Chapter 20: Liam's POV 

WEEEEE 20 CHAPTERS LETS GOO

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A

s soon as we got high enough we sped away from that horrible place, the sounds of fighting being blown away in the wind. I immediately remove my heavily patched jacket and wrap it around Kate who's shivering in her undergarments. After the adrenaline is slowly pumped out of our systems, we sit in tense silence. But as the sky grows darker, so do my thoughts. 

I should have done something. I'm the leader of this quest, I'm supposed to protect everyone. So why can't I protect Kate? Some other dude, though very hot and steamy, had to come in and save the day. Why can't I do anything right? 

"Liam?" I look up to see Reid staring back at me, his big, soft, crimson eyes taking me in. 

"Yeah?" I say, my voice small and shaky despite my attempts to steady it. 

"Are you okay? You're too quiet." He says gently. I nod, trying for a smile before breaking eye contact to stare at the passing trees. I mean, I am fine, aren't I? 

We land a few hours later when the sun began to set below the horizon. I slip off the side of Amber, her cat-like eyes peering at me. I look back at Kate who wraps herself tighter with my way-too-long jacket, her face is dusty and dirty from the arena. Reid stands beside her, his hand placed gently on her shoulder as he offers her a blanket. I clench my teeth and turn away, trying not to let my emotions overflow. 

Thankfully, no one talks to me for a while. They stay in their huddle for a long time, not even sparing me a glance. They understand. I just need time. I sit with my back against a tree, watching the three talk. I should have protected them. They're my responsibility. 

Finally, as the laughing dies down, Reid stands and makes his way toward me. He plops down next to me with an over-dramatic grunt. We both stare at the girls, a comfortable silence falling between us. 

"So," He begins, turning to me. I reluctantly turn to look back. "Wanna go prank Kate?" He asks with a mischievous smile. Immediately, at the word "prank" my face lights up. My previous thoughts dissipate and are replaced with ideas and schemes. 

"My, my, Reid. Being out here has changed you. You never suggested pranks before. Ever!" I say with a laugh. He just looks at me with a soft smile on his face. 

"Oh! What if we do water! No, she doesn't have any clothes on yet,  that might be a hypothermia issue. Especially since it's such a cold night. Fireworks! We don't have any fireworks. Feathers with a sticky solution! We don't have a sticky solution or feathers." I say, ticking ideas off on my fingers. 

"What if we just do a bug," Reid says finally, not breaking eye contact. 

"Reid! That's brilliant!" I laugh. "You go get a pine needle and put it in her drink and when she looks down to try and pick it out I'll put a bunch on her back!" I get up excitedly, sprinting farther into the forest before Reid can even say anything. 

Once we're prepared, Reid makes his way back towards the group and I creep upon them in the shadows. 

"How is he?" Kate asks, looking back the way he came, but it's too dark to see much.

"Frustrated. Stressed. But that's to be expected." Reid says in his usual low and soft voice, shrugging. I falter. Is it really to be expected? 

And then I see it happen. With a sly hand movement, he slips a piece of dead grass into Kate's wooden cup. I creep up behind her, trying not to make a sound. I look up and try not to jump as I meet Amber's eyes. She squints but doesn't say anything. Raising an eyebrow, she looks away and continues what she was doing. I breathe out a sigh of relief.