Ghosts

Chapter 13

Thomas did not want to be that person, but he was overly concerned about Mai following their departure from the bunker. She had been clutching onto the book in question as if her life depended on it, which, in the grand scheme of things, all of their lives depended on it. But something else was off like she had seen a ghost somewhere down in those forgotten halls. From the time they had boarded their boat to the time they reached the northern island, she had breezed through about half of the book's texts, seemingly engulfed by whatever was written inside it.

Whoever this Joseph Seed was, he seemed to have an impact on the people here in Hope County, Mai in particular. He could not wrap his head around how someone could try to harm someone such as she. Rush may not have known her prior to finding her in that fighting pit but he saw the bits and pieces of the girl she had once been shine through on occasion. Her kindness exuded from her willingness to step into harm's way for others, her willingness to just sit and listen highlighted her ability to be understanding. He may never know the same Mai that other's may have known, but if this was the only version of her he would ever have the chance of meeting, he wouldn't change a thing.

As they began their final approach to the island, smoke emitting from the center, no doubt from the village itself. The sound of distant motors gave them a reason to pause, however. Mai quickly shut the book in her possession as she took hold of the crimson red sniper that adorned her back. Thomas began to peer the landscape, spotting four Highwaymen jet skis headed right for them.

"They must be keeping eye's on New Eden." declared Mai.

"Well, best we lose them beforehand," Thomas replied.

He revved up the boat's engine, pushing it to it's maxed capacity as they hurried for the shore. If they were lucky enough, and these were the only Highwaymen they had to contend with, they could lose them in the forested area. Their landing was a bit more tumultuous than he had anticipated as they perched upon the shore. Mai was thrown nearly over the boat, causing him to spring into action.

"Mai!" he called going to her aid.

She was already beginning to stand as he approached, struggling to strap her sniper to her back as she continued to clutch onto the book. Bullet began to rain down on them as she grabbed his hand.

"Let's go!" she shouted.

The two darted for the trees, using them as cover. The continued onward to the heart of the island, not wanting the raiders to follow them directly to the gates of New Eden. Up ahead though there was movement in the foliage. A loud roar coming from an engine was quickly approaching. At the last possible second, a ATV with two more Highwaymen came crashing through. Thomas didn't even need to think before he grabbed Mai and threw themselves to the side, narrowly avoiding getting ran over. Their bodies tumbled until he landed on his back with a loud grunt. Mai's face was buried into his chest, having landed on top of him. She appeared shaken up as she raised her head. The two shared a glance but were interrupted as the ATV began to circle back around.

Thomas watched in awe as she sprung into action. She propped herself up, reaching for her sniper as she straddled him unintentionally.

"Stay down" she ordered as she raised her weapon. One, two shots fired. Thomas raised his head slightly, catching a last minute glimpse of the two Highwaymen bodies falling from their ATV. The ATV itself veering off to a random direction before presumably crashing. She stood up, helping him get to his feet as well.

"I'm going to get better look from up there." she said pointing to one of the trees, "Those Highwaymen from the lake can't be too far behind.

"Mai wait-" be began to protest.

She was already working her way up the trunk of the tree by the time he uttered the last syllable of his sentence. Perched like a predator awaiting their prey to step into their trap, Mai steadied her weapon in the direction from which they came. Thomas held his weapon at the ready just in case. Mai shots rang out once more. Two shots, leaving presumably leaving two more left. Her gun fired off again. One more. The echoes of her shot filled the suspicious silence that followed. She looked down at Thomas, strapping her weapon back.