Ghosts

Chapter 16

It had been four days since Mai and her buffoon companion left to travel up north. The way there was without saying a treacherous one. Ethan had no other way to prepare her other than to advise her to be alert at all times. If not even those Chosen could make it up there anymore, than what chance did this girl stand? The North held something of great importance after all. Something his father had chosen to keep from him but felt it in his decree to bestow upon others. It made sense that his father would make his self-exile there. It made sense that he would somehow find a guardian to ensure no one got past following his own passing.

Something in his heart told him that Mai would be successful. From what he understood, she was a warrior. She was bred to fight. Perhaps she would be the one to put this Judge down. He was ashamed to admit he was a bit relieved that it would be she who went North and not himself. He knew not how to fight. He knew he had no chance against whatever the Judge was. But he knew he still had to try if he wanted any chance of New Eden finally letting go of the idea that his father was still alive.

Mai would find Joseph's remains and she would return back to New Eden and they would wipe out the locusts once and for all. He lied awake in his hut, staring up at the ceiling, thinking about the Takoda girl. She was unlike anything he had ever seen. Her eyes were of interest alone but the rest of her was truly a sight to behold. Scars marred her face but it was like they were bringing your attention to her eyes and ample lips. Her fire like hair had been separated into two braids, reaching down to her waist. He tried to imagine what her hair must have looked like free from its restraints. Wild, untamed.

Ethan shifted uncomfortably in his bed, feeling an ever-growing tension down yonder. She was kind in their conversations, and she seemed more than interested to hear about his own feelings and struggles, despite having just met. He felt foolish saying this but it felt as if he had known her all his life. The ease in which the words flowed alone could atone for that. The tension began to grow, a dull pain beginning to emerge.

The Seed boy fought against the urge to act upon his most primal instinct, sealing his eyes shut. He began to take deep breaths in an attempt to alleviate himself. But all he could picture were his hands gently running through Mai's long mane as he looked into her eyes. He imagined his hands drifting down to her shoulders, pulling down the straps of the shirt she wore. Pulling until she was exposed to him. The pain became unbearable, causing Ethan to bite down on his lip until the metallic taste of blood graced his tongue.

Unable to resist any long, he reached his hand down, grasping the aching body part into his hand. Relief came nearly instantaneously as he began with a slow stroke. A few minutes in it became more rushed.

"Mai..." he uttered, his climax already near. He gripped the cloth beneath him as his hips bucked, "Oh Mai..."

With a very vocal cry, he reached the release he had been craving for. He lay there, panting finally feeling that he could fall asleep with ease. God seemed to have other plans however, as he heard the other's begin to emerge from their shelter, pandering about outside.

"The Shepherd has returned!" one man cried.

Ethan shot up immediately, both panicked and relieved. He quickly exchanged his clothes for a fresh pair and plunged his hands into the bowl of water that rested beside his bed. He adjusted himself, making everything was up to par before Mai would be able to lay eyes on him. Emerging from his hut, a crowd encircled the entrance much as they had upon the day Mai first arrived. Once again, Ethan had to fight his way to the center. He was ecstatic to see her and whatever proof she had brought with her. Finding an opening through the crowd, Ethan stumbled through, ready to denounce his father once and for all and ready to align himself with Mai and her forces.