Destined To Die

Chapter 13 - The Hand That Guides

-13-

-The Hand That Guides-

Dawn brought low light over the campsite, a fresh layer of snow settling over the top of their makeshift shelter. Akane had gotten barely an hour of sleep, thankfully free of any dreams. He woke first, keeping a close eye on Abigail as she slept. It was strange to see her again after so long, the rage burning underneath but at a far lower intensity.

He all that she'd done, every lie and manipulation, but for all that, he couldn't find it in himself to hate her as he once had. He too had done terrible things under Kento's manipulations, things that still made him sick to think about and haunted his sleeping hours, but was that really any excuse? To see the fear in her eyes, the pain as she'd laid herself bare, something had changed.

He didn't take his hand off the hilt of his sword as he watched them both, Sabbath's emerald eyes peering out from beneath Maddy's thin jacket and staring at him as the embers of the fire burned low.

"What do you think?" Akane asked softly, looking to the cat.

Sabbath gave no reply, simply blinking slowly and letting out a low purr. Akane held the familiar's gaze for a long moment, before settling his eyes back on the sleeping witch across from him. How much of anything she said was true? Was all of this just more lies?

He pulled himself upright in the cramped space, having to stoop to avoid hitting his head on the ceiling. He poked Maddy gently with the toe of his boot, stirring her from her slumber. She awoke with a jerk, hair a tangle as it spilled out from beneath the hood of her jacket. Abigail's eyes opened slowly as well, stirred by the sudden noise and movement.

"We need to move," Akane told Maddy quietly, "I want to put as much space between us here as possible."

Maddy nodded, sitting upright and brushing the snow from her back, Sabbath yowling quietly and jumping out of her jacket to land lightly on the packed snow beneath them. Abigail reached into the heavy backpack she'd brought with her, what looked like a mountaineer's kit, and slowly pulled out a thermos in plain view of them both. Akane watched her closely, studying for any sudden movements as she muttered a few words under her breath, steam rising from the top as she unscrewed the lid.

"It's soup," she said, holding the thermos out to Maddy, who made no move to reach for it.

Akane and Maddy shared a mutual glance, staring down at the witch.

"It's not poisoned or anything," Abigail added, taking a long sip and swallowing with a weak smile, "Just tomato soup. My cooking isn't that bad. You need hot food."

Maddy paused for a moment, before reaching out to take the drink from Abigail's outstretched hand without a word. Akane didn't stop her.

"Where are we?" Akane asked, eyes glancing down to Maddy as she took long sips from the canister, wrapping her hands around the warmth.

"Scandies," Abigail replied, "Scandinavian mountains, far north of Norway."

"Fuck," Maddy muttered, "Norway doesn't take Euros."

"We'd need to exchange currencies," Akane replied, "That puts us out in the open."

"There's a boat nearby," Abigail said quickly, staying seated as the others dusted themselves off, "It's not much, but it's a way to get across the sea and head south."

"We're not going with you," Akane dismissed, "We head east. Get far enough inland and we can reach Russia, disappear into the far north."

"You'll never make it," Abigail argued, "You can't outrun these people, Akane. They'll find you and Maddy wherever you go, they're probably already on their way here now. You need to come with me, it's the only way."