The Zodiac Cycle

NO 3.24 I Caught You

"alright, it's time to move out." Ash told the group hiding behind him in an alley. 

the team found their way to the right side of the castle and started climbing. they had hooks and the like to scale it easier. As they got higher, Ash fell behind a little, running out of breath. he pressed his forehead to the cool, rough stone to catch his breath for a second. 

"Ash?" he heard Nolan's worried voice call, and he looked up to see the merman looking at him apprehensively. "are you doing okay?" 

when he looked up, Ash could see how far they still had to go, and he shuddered, a wave of irrational fear rolling over him and making him dizzy. he gripped the hooks he was using harder, hoping the climb would end quickly. 

Ash hated heights.

ash attempted to nod, but couldn't finish, as the movement made him nauseous. he pressed himself further against the wall, shutting his eyes and waiting for the wave to pass.

"guys!" Nolan called up to the others. 

"It's fine!" Ash called up to him. "just give me a second."

"you sure?" Alex asked. there were guards at the top of the wall supposedly, so Alex was climbing with the rest of them to stay out of sight. 

"yeah." Ash took a deep breath, his arms starting to tremble. "I just need to-" he gathered the courage to pull one of the hooks out and attempted to wedge it higher.

but it wouldn't go in, and his other hand slipped out of its handle as well. 

and Ash fell off the wall.

he let out a scream and saw the others faces contort to that of shock. Alex screamed something, but the quick rush of air passing Ash's head drowned out the sound.

Alex leaned back, releasing their hooks as well, and twisted shooting down to follow Ash. 

"Ash!" Alex shouted, reaching a hand for the terrified human as the ground got closer.

"HELP!" Ash did the same, but their hands were not close enough yet to touch. 

second passed as Alex neared, but the longer the fall, the closer the sudden stop of death. 

"If anything happens to me, I want you to lead the team until the next Leo is ready." Amber clasped her hands behind her back, completely serious.

Ash looked at her in apprehension. "why me?"

Amber smiled "because I trust you to guide them with a level head."

Ash crossed his arms. "let's hope I never have to."

she nodded, then Mark called out from behind her that it was time for the riot. she told him she was coming then turned back to Ash. she held her hand out for him to shake. "see you in a couple days?"

he looked at the hand for a second before spreading his arms out to her.

she looked surprised before laughing. "cheesy much?"

"give me a hug now or never get offered one ever again." he growled. 

"okay, okay." she giggled and wrapped her arms around him. "good luck."

"you too."

Ash closed his eyes, the roar of the wind drowning out all the other sounds.

I'm sorry.

he felt something warm and strong wrap around his wrist and pull him into an embrace.

It was Alex.

Ash's heart skipped a beat as he desperately wrapped his arms around the siren, gripping the fur around their neck and screaming again.