Hunt

Chapter 49: Clearing the Static

"I'm fine, just a little dizzy is all..." I claim.

Reyna pulls away from me, looking at me with teary eyes. "You are not fine! You collapsed right in front of us!"

Looking from Nyx to Reyna I quickly begin to piece it together, my mind still fuzzy from earlier. "I just bumped my head a little. I've been hurt worse before. We have more pressing matters at hand. What was Markus even doing out here?"

"We're not entirely sure. My best guess is that he was just spying on us when he got caught up in our little exercise." Nyx says, crossing her arms.

"He was in a good position to kill me. But he just knocked me out..." I begin to say, mostly just thinking aloud as I slowly push myself up to my feet. "Pretended to be Reyna..."

"I know he's a good actor. He's pulled that stunt on my dad before..." Reyna mumbles. "But using that trick to get back amongst the pack? I should've seen something like this happening sooner."

Rubbing my temples I begin to pace. My timetable for this training would have to move up. Alongside that we'd have to coordinate some sort of counterattack. What we were seriously lacking is the location on where they were hiding out. "Okay. Let's get back to the others. Clear all this up and get a plan figured out."

As I begin to move from the clearing Reyna stops me, grabbing my arm. "W-wait. You're in no condition to keep going like this. You need to rest. We should really get you home."

A quick shake of my head sends a spike of pain through my temples like a bolt of lightning, causing me to wince. "No. I can't just sit back and—"

"Kyle! You're hurt!" Reyna pleads, interrupting me. "Stop it! I can't stand here and watch you hurt yourself any further!"

Pulling away from Reyna's grip I struggle to steady myself. She was right that I was hurt, but I couldn't just sit back... this rogue faction just landed a serious blow against me. He tried to erode this alliance that I had worked so hard to build... I couldn't just let them get away with that unpunished. I have to push myself, even if i'm injured. My mind races with half complete plans, struggling to connect thoughts to ideas as I grind my teeth.

"I can't just sit back on my ass. Not after what happened." I finally get the words out, grumbling as I search for my gun had gone. It wasn't in my holster, "Where's my weapon?"

Reyna and Nyx share a concerned look, glancing at each other. Finally Nyx reveals that she had it, handing my pistol over to me. She grips it tight as I grab it. "I really have to agree with Reyna on this. I really don't think pushing yourself will do anybody any good." She says, letting go after a tense moment.

"Okay fine! Let's just get back to the others. Let them decide." I say exasperatedly, finally taking my gun from her. Trying to push my headache to the side, I do my best to ignore the pain in my head. I steel my nerve with a shaky breath before starting the trek back towards the rest of the group.

They're right you know. You'll just be a burden to everyone if you don't take a step back. I catch my thoughts siding with the two wolves walking beside me. Subconscious thoughts that I have a hard time ignoring. I know Reyna and Nyx are right, I shouldn't push myself any further. But it's so difficult to choose the logical path when my emotions get in the way...

I could hear Reyna and Nyx talking quietly behind me as we walk, but I'm unable to make out their words. Determined to finish out the day strong I push onward. Yet as if in protest, the world begins to spin again. Blurring to only light and color as I feel myself begin to stumble forward. I throw my hands out in front of me, reaching out for anything to brace myself on.