On the Horizon: Where the Wind Blows

Chapter Eight

Muffled voices.

There's something soft under me. I groan.

I open my eyes but everything's blurry. There's a man's figure above me.

"Nate?" I mumble.

"No, Arwen it's Dad."

My vision clears, and I sit up. I'm inside the Lark's house. Mrs. Lark looks panicked, and Ruthie and Opal are sitting across from me, my parents leaning over me.

Then everything comes back to me.

"Nate!" I yelp and jump to my feet, but stumble just before Ruthie grabs my arm to catch me.

"Arwen, don't you even think about going after him-"

"ARE YOU INSANE OF COURSE I'M GOING AFTER HIM!"

"Arwen we know okay, he saved your life but-"

I cut Opal off. "Exactly." I growl. "He saved my life, now I have to save his."

"Arwen," My mom argues. "Last time you went north you almost died."

"And if it wasn't for Nate I would have." I snap. "I owe him my life. I have to save him."

"Arwen, don't do it." Mrs. Lark pleads with me. "They need you here."

"No." I snarl. "I'm going. Call me stubborn call me stupid, call me a reckless teenager with no sense of direction, I don't care I'm going after him!"

"It's definitely not because you kissed him right before you left?" Emily asks me.

I flush red. "What? No, where the heck did you get that idea?"

"It's not an idea, it's a fact." Kyle argues. "He told us, we had to interrogate him but he told us."

"So what?" I snap. "I'll see you when I see you."

"You're arm." My dad argues.

"If I can survive with a broken wing I can survive with a shot arm." I snarl.

"Thank you." Emily says suddenly, when I turn to face her, she's crying. "Please, you will save him?"

I look at her sternly. "I'll die before he does."

I turn to Mrs. Lark. "I'm going to need a few things, do you have them?"

"I've only got guns and first aid kits," She winces.

"I need some warmer clothes," I think, "Some gear, and some backup."

"You'll find all of it in Orlando." She says.

The memory of Orlando comes back to me. "Oh no." I laugh. "I'm not facing that-"

"He owes me a favor." Mrs. Lark says sternly. "Let him know Nate's gone and I told him to help you."

I sigh, and nod. "Alright, fine. But he can't even fly."

Mrs. Lark grins. "Oh?"

"Huh," I mumble. "Alright, I'm leaving for Orlando."

I turn to face Ruthie and Opal. "Hold the fort, k guys?" I ask, they nod.

"I want to see you alive when Nate comes back." Mom demands.

"You will." I nod.

Then I take out my shades and slide on my face. I grab my gun off the table, and head out the door.

I'm not breaking my promises.