Setting Fire to the Stars (mxm)

Chapter 23: Storm

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Lauren
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Strands of my brown hair whipped into my eyes as we sped down the deserted highway. Dark grey clouds drifted overhead, a tell-tale sign that a storm was brewing in the distance. I increased our speed in hopes that we might be able to outrun it.

The black motorcycle rumbled beneath my body, the vibrations of the machine a comfort in this quiet world. The muscles in my legs had begun to tingle with a familiar numbing sensation which, according to Tobias, was part of the whole roadtripping experience. With my lower body half asleep, I shifted atop the uncomfortable leather seat, attempting to massage some feeling back into my legs.

We'd been driving on the road for a while now, leaving the cover of the dense forest far behind us. We rode out on the black strip across a vast field of green, the smell of fresh grass heavy in the air. Even though I didn't have a GPS or Google Maps at my disposal, I knew a bit about the surrounding cities and major highways. One of these roads has to lead us back to Elyria. Gripping the leather-bound handlebars, I couldn't help but feel anxious. We were too exposed, too vulnerable to an attack that neither of us would be able to fight off.

As if sensing my anxious thoughts, Synth shuffled in her seat behind me. I knew she was probably thinking the same thing, watching the sky in case any enemy ships decided to make an appearance.

My eyes squeezed shut as a wave of pain washed over me, leaving me nauseous beyond belief. The uncomfortable headache from earlier was steadily getting worse. Before, it was only a slight annoyance. Now the pain was so intense that I was struggling to see straight. My throat was parched and I realized that I hadn't eaten in what felt like days, nor had I had a single sip of water since escaping the Vesphirae.

Fucking Christ, I feel like my head is gonna explode.

"Hey, can you pull over?" Synth called out over the wind, patting my arm to get my attention.

I shook my head, pushing the bike to go faster. We needed to keep moving. Who knew when the Lyriassians would catch up to us? I couldn't afford to be weak right now. Better to suck it up and get someplace safe than stop now.

"Lauren, something is wrong. You are swerving all over the place," she yelled, her hold tightening around my waist. "Please stop for a second."

Shaking my head, I kept my eyes on the road.

"I mean it. Pull over or I am jumping off."

"Oh, for the love of—" an angry huff left me as I begrudgingly slammed on the brake. The tires wailed at the sudden deceleration while the engine thundered like a great discontented beast.

Screeching to a stop in the middle of the barren road, I beat down on the kickstand with my heel and tore the key out of the slot. The machine instantly quieted, leaving only the chittering of birds and moans of the wind to fill the dreaded silence.

Stepping astride the black machine, I closed my eyes against the dismal sensation of falling that overwhelmed my body. White-knuckling the handlebar, I held on as the world tilted beneath my feet. This sensation was the same as when the Hunters had previously pursued Peter and I through the woods.

The first attempt to capture me had resulted in our assailants being bound where they stood, unable to move thanks to my unexplained powers. I'd lost consciousness then, overcome by an unspeakable amount of pain like nothing I'd ever felt before. Now, that same dizzying agony pulsed through my body with an animosity that was difficult to bear.