Ashes of Vile

32

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
Unwanted Company

"WE'RE GOING WHERE?" Cassidy said with a booming voice, unable to grasp the reality of the words Lilac had just said. "We are going out the wall. The rest will hold down the fort while we are gone." She said casually.

"Are you insane? Why would you agree to this?" Cassidy exclaimed. "Why wouldn't I? If anything, it's the safest place for you."

They're on the way to this side of town. Oceanna won't stop searching all of Ashgrim until she finds you, Cassie. It's our safest bet. Lilac tried her best in assuring her. "So what if she finds me? It'll be much better than facing whatever's out there."

"Have you forgotten what it was like for the two of us sitting by the window and talking about how we wanted to truly see the world? Where'd that spirit go, Cassidy?" Lilac questioned.

"It's just," Cassidy breathed out, "It feels like we're going over the top in just a short span of time. I never expected this outcome."

Lilac stopped mid track and Cassidy who was following closely behind abruptly stopped as well. "I warned you about the risks." She looked the most serious she had ever been her entire life and that kept Cassidy from tipping her over the edge again. She munched on the packed sandwich as they silently walked amongst the shadows of Ashgrim quietly and still. "What about your siblings, Lilac?"

Cassidy had expected the subject to be a sour discussion but all she got from Lilac was her continuous insistence that they'd be fine and they'll survive a few days without her. Cassidy shrugged in response seeming she was casual about the situation and voluntarily stepped forward to join them. They were a far distance away from the walls when they arrived in one of the posts of the guarding watchmen assigned in the protection of the barriers. But there was not a single watchmen inside. Instead, they were greeted by Sung Mi, Chase, Inez, and August's presence. They were more cold and distant than usual which Cassidy interpreted as their substitute attitude of being nervous or guilty. But they certainly weren't the kind of people to feel those kinds of emotions.

"Are you ready?" Sung Mi raised her backpack higher and was immediately ready to bounce. "Wait," Chase commanded. Sung Mi rolled her eyes. "What's the rush?" Inez said with an attitude. "There's barely anyone around. It's the perfect time to go." Sung Mi explained. "I was being sarcastic." Inez responded. "Yeah, I picked up on it just now." Sung Mi dropped her backpack and faxed the angry looks being thrown at her for carelessly making unnecessary noises.

Chase eyed the door and just in time it opened to reveal Maeve. She entered and quickly closed the door behind then really looked at all of them, her eyes lingering a little longer on Chase. "You all need to be very careful." She said as though she were talking to a bunch of children. Sung Mi groaned and said, "Can we go already? I'm getting pumped."

Maeve ignored her comment and looked at Cassidy. Her eyes the drifted away to everyone else, "Nothing happens to this child." Cassidy coughed at the mention of her being a child but Maeve continued without noticing, "She is to stay alive. That means actually making sure she's fed and watched over."

"And—" She was cut off by Chase's voice, "You're not coming?" Maeve shifted her attention towards Chase giving him a meaningful look. "When you're going?"

"That's just petty." Chase grumbled. "Petty? I'm only looking out for your sister. Nothing personal. Either I go or you go. Because in no way am I trusting Zakeen or Devin in taking care of Lace."

"Abourne can take care of her." Chase raised his eyebrows, slightly threatened at the sudden authority push of Maeve and her mistrust in Chase's ability to secure his sister's wellbeing. "Abourne's off and about doing Blaque business."