W*tch

Chapter 8: Traversing with a Stranger

NOVA

Part of me felt like it was wanting to explode. Leaving the forest didn't seem right because the moment I stepped out of the tree line, a feeling of impending doom filled me. My feet were already aching from the smooth stone path. Yes, it wasn't ragged but it paled in comparison to the grassy land in the forest. The land was so green and all you could see for what seemed like miles was lush grass and a long stone road. Very far off, you could see the glint of something. It could be tall buildings or it could be towers of a fortress. I couldn't really tell and that terrified me. Maybe Hayden was right about be cautious here. I mean, I had no clue where we really were and blindly trusting a stranger probably wasn't my smartest idea.

I glanced over at Hayden, who was slowly trailing behind. As if he couldn't get too close to Theo or something would happen. He looked angry but there was this small piece of worry mixed in there. I felt bad that I had dragged him into this. 

Hayden's anger made me glance at Theo. He wasn't looking at us but I could feel a overall sense of joy pouring from him. He seemed extremely happy to be with us. Part of me worried that this was leading to something bad and I had to silently shake off that feeling of dread. 

My silent tremors must have alerted Theo because instantly he glanced over at me and gave me a warm smile. It sounds weird but that small little thing filled me with warmth and my heart squeezed in my chest.  

"You're safe with me," Theo whispered. He slowly took my hand and I could hear Hayden sigh from behind us. Clearly annoyed that I had allowed us to work with this guy. 

However, my whole body ignored him as Theo's touch pushed out all of my dread. The only little voice left that was apprehensive was one that sounded liked Zoey. I could hear her now telling me that I need to be careful. That I'd be the perfect kidnapping victim because I was falling right into their trap. But, Theo didn't look like a bad guy. Actually, he looked like a well dressed guy who had a kind heart and deep green eyes that you could just fall into. 

"Where are we going?" Hayden spoke from behind us. Annoyance lacing through his words and cutting smoothly through my happiness.

I rolled my eyes and looked back at him. "You could be a little nicer," I spoke back. 

Hayden pulled to a stop. Looking me over in confusion. This pause annoyed me and I was already getting tired of attitude. 

"Seriously, Nova," Hayden spit out.

I was getting ready to bite back but Theo cut me off. "Hey, we should keep going. I'd hate to be stuck out here in the dark."

"You didn't answer my question," Hayden stated.

"We are going to Aurelis," Theo said as if we understood what he was saying.

I gave him a confusion look. No entirely sure what he was talking about. I didn't even know where we currently were so it all felt like gibberish to me. I could only assume he meant the shinning thing off in the distance.

Theo laughed, taking in my confusion as if it was something he was used to doing. Part of me was confused about how a stranger could feel this way. But the other part didn't want to question him. Hayden, however, seemed annoyed by the presence of him. Like Theo was here to foil some plot he had which thoroughly complexed me. This was not the same boy I grew up with. Yes, I never really spoke to him in full but the feeling in my stomach was telling me he was off.