Wilting Flowers

Chapter 10

Their next destination was coming pretty quick, but so was the afternoon. "Time flies when your having fun," Edric said hoping to lighten the mood a bit. Hunter replied without thinking, "Being stuck with you in the forest is not my idea of fun," he said, but stopped once he realized how that might have sounded, "Oh- I didn't mean it like that, sorry Ed," he said giving him a look of sorrow. Edric perked up, "It's alright, I mean hey, at least we got out of there right?" He said smiling sheepishly. Hunter turned his head half way, his side profile visible as he gave a nod and small smile. The two came to a slow stop, Hunter eyeing the water carefully, he was about to touch it when his hand froze. He got up slowly, "Edric, pass me that stick," Hunter said quietly. The taller could already feel the tense atmosphere, he nodded handing the stick carefully to the shorter. The blonde cautiously put the stick on the water and watched as is slowly dissolved. "Great! Just great!" Hunter shouted grabbing at his hair and pacing in circles. "Hey, you need to calm down," Edric said, placing a hand on the other's shoulder. Hunter flinched slapping his hand away advancing towards him, "How am I supposed to calm down? This is important! I cannot. Mess. This up." He said pacing, Edric understood, if it were his family he'd freak out too, but Hunter seemed more stressed about messing up than his actual Uncle. "We're just going to have to find another way around," the blonde muttered thinking rationally this time. The thing is- Hunter was stressed about his uncle, the trip, Edric's safety...the black tourmaline for Titan's sake, that was another thing! Hunter knew he could get some from the place they were headed, but he didn't exactly know if there was any left. Maybe he was being a bit too hopeful? The shorter pulled out the map revealing another path not far from where they stood, which branched off onto the short route he was trying to avoid, great. Yes that would be quicker and the only option they have, but was risking Edric's life really worth a stone that might not be there? Hunter frowned shaking his head, his uncle needed him and if a stone is what he needed then a stone is what he'd get! Hunter would make sure of it! Besides, he was trained well, he could protect Edric himself. "Okay, here's the plan. We are going to take the shorter route, it might be more dangerous but-" "I'll protect you!" Edric cut in, smiling proudly. Hunter blinked rapidly, "You'll protect me?" He asked, "Well yeah, why do you ask" Edric said, "Uhm, no reason, in that case we will have each others backs," Hunter said, closing up the map. The two turned and made their way down the path. He felt giddy and his ears went warm at the thought of Edric wanting to protect him, it's not everyday some hot guy wants to risk his life for you, but Hunter couldn't count on it. It was always every man for himself, at least that's what his uncle told him. He didn't know for sure if Edric was capable of protecting them, so he had his guard up at all times just in case. The two came to a stop, Hunter letting out a huff of frustration. Edric's expression was unreadable, "I guess the people who came here before us didn't reach their final destination huh?" The taller said nervously backing away. Hunter glared at the cliff's edge like it would do anything, the bridge they needed to cross, had clearly collapsed, and not long ago either, Hunter could tell by the frayed ends that is had recently been messed with. If only they had gotten there sooner! Edric on the other hand was hoping Hunter would say they could try another route, but the blonde stayed quiet. The shorter's eyes landed on a single rope that stretched across the large gap, without a word he pulled on it, tugging and pressing before turning to look at Edric. "We're going to cross," Hunter said, Edric giving him look of confusion as he eyed the broken bridge. Hunter stepped aside, the rope coming into view, "This way," He said. Edric swallowed hard, "Hunter, are you sure? This doesn't look stable," he said. "It's the only way, if it makes you feel better," Hunter paused, unsure of what he was saying, but it just came out, "I'll go first." Edric's eyes widened, "No way. No no no, you are not going on that by yourself." Edric said. The two stood in silence, "We could go together?" Hunter suggested, "No, we might be too heavy and then it will snap for sure," Edric replied.  "It's already highly unlikely that we will make it to the end without falling," Hunter said, "So we've got nothin to lose right?" Edric said smiling. Hunter frowned, feeling guilt overcome him. Edric was risking his life, but why? It wasn't his family member at risk? Maybe it was because Edric didn't know the way back? Maybe he actually cared about Hunter? The blonde didn't understand, "You don't have to come you know," Hunter said quietly, "What? Of course I do! What kind of gentlemen would I be if I walked out on our date?" Edric said trying to make light of the situation. Hunter smiled at the attempt, it made feel a bit more at ease knowing Edric was still able to have fun, even when they were going to possibly be dead in the next 20 minutes or so. "Let's hurry before I start shitting bricks," Hunter muttered, Edric laughing in response. "What the hell man," he said between laughing. But underneath the joy and laughter, they could both feel their stomach's churn at the thought of falling to their death.