Ghosts

Chapter 14

The next two days flew by without a hitch. Mai was perplexed by how fast her wound had healed following regular regimens of the salve New Eden had provided her. The people here were wary of her at first but they quickly began to open up to her and Thomas, showing them around and allowing them to participate in activities such as their sermons, basket weaving, or even just watching over the children that resided there. With Mai being the one who found the Book of Joseph after all, she was paraded around like a celebrity.
Ethan himself would accompany her on her hourly walks the final day they were in New Eden, assuring that her wound was well enough for her to finally take off on their trek. The amount of time she had spent with Ethan in the short span of two days was something that seemed to irk Thomas quite a bit. Mai couldn't help but feel childishly giddy in seeing him frustrated in such a way. She had never seen him flustered so she wanted to relish in it every way she could because, well, frankly she thought it was cute.

Mai could not pinpoint what it was about Ethan that made her feel at ease. It could just be that they were cousins, unbeknownst to him. Could also just be that it was nice to have someone there to project her own feelings onto. To be able to talk to someone who had no expectations of her or already established beliefs. He had been thrust into a position of power whether he wanted it or not, much as she had been. These were experiences and feelings that she felt she could not share with anyone, not even Carmina. With Ethan though, everything just came out smoothly, perhaps sharing a bit too much about herself. The most important detail out, however. Her lineage. There would be a time for that conversation later on. Or so she hoped so.

Once she felt confident enough to continue, they gathered their supplies and weapons and began their trip north via a motorboat supplied by New Eden. She would have to explain to her Uncle's what happened to their boat but that was a battle for a different day. Right now, the plan was found proof of Joseph's death, bring it back to Ethan, and have his aid against the Highwaymen and hopefully finding her mother.

It was the wee hours of the morning, about halfway to their destination. According to Ethan, Joseph had headed up North into the Whitetail mountains. Rumor had said he set up shop at the remains of the dam that once stood there but aside from the Chosen, few had actually seen it for themselves. They would travel up there as part of their trial to become Chosen, however, the last addition to their ranks was nearly two years ago.

Someone or rather something had been keeping intruders at bay, including those from New Eden itself. Some called it a guardian. Other's called it the Judge, as if it was keeping those unworthy away. Whatever it was, Mai hoped they didn't have to face it themselves. Thomas seemed to be quiet most of the way up north, making Mai wonder if he was second-guessing seeking out help from New Eden or if he was just on the lookout for this mythical Judge. Her vote was on the former.

"You okay Rush? You're kinda giving me anxiety." Mai finally piqued.

Mai sat idly at the front of the boat, watching Thomas' brow raise up, "What do you mean, Cap?"

The sole fact alone that he was referring to her as Cap instead of her name made her roll her eyes. Following the reveal of her birth name, Thomas only referred to her as Cap under different circumstances. One, if he was annoyed, two if they were talking business or strategy, or three, he was being a little brat.

"You've been acting a bit weird since we left New Eden." she began to elicit, "Do you not trust them?"

Thomas' face scrunched up, debating if this was a debate that he really wanted to have right now, "This...Ethan Seed kid. Something about him just doesn't sit right with me. That's all."

Mai pursed her lips out as she stood, carefully navigating her way towards him. She was not going to lie, she was a little offended by his comment, but who was to say he was wrong. Mai had known Ethan a whole of two days, clicking just like that. Yeah it could have been just an act, but Mai knew in her gut that he was being genuine.