Seeker (Completed)

Problems

Chapter 26

I can't breathe, I can't breathe! My dress is too heavy, the waters too fast. In desperate situation it is of the up most importance to maintain calm. That is the key to survival. Well, mother, it is difficult to maintain calm when you are drowning! Tons of water is rushing around me and I'm helpless and I hate it. That's when I feel the water around me suddenly push me upwards and oxygen fills my lungs. I cough and splutter and I can see in the distance Justin standing on the bridge, concentrating on keeping me above the water. Nick on the other hand is fending off Thorn and Zack is fending off Erik. I grab a floating log just in time as someone attacks Justin making him lose concentration and leaving me to be carried away by the vicious waters.

I try to think of ways to get out of the rapids but I'm so cold and exhausted that I doubt I have enough energy to use my element ability. I feel the wind pick up heavily and I know Erik must be upping his game. I should go and help but I don't know how I can when all I can do is cling to a log. Then the weirdest thing happens; I see a black dog swimming towards me. I must be hallucinating. I've stopped feeling cold a while ago; I'm just numb. My vision is blurring but I hear heavy panting and feel warm fur brushing my skin. I think I see trees at the edge of the river. I have to get out before I freeze to death. Break. Break! I feel weak but anger at the unfairness of it all wells up inside me. I've been through everything only to freeze to death even though I can control fire. The absolute bitter irony of it all. I won't stand for it. GOD DAMMIT BREAK! There is a cracking sound of splintering wood as a tree up ahead falls across the river. With the last of my energy I grip onto its edge and try hauling myself onto it but I can't and I black out.

My eyes blink open and I feel warm. I'm next to a fire but there is no one around me. Strange. I move closer to the fire; absorbing the heat. My fingertips are still ice blocks so I stick them into the fire, glad that I can't burn. I hear a rustle and swing around to find Thorn emerging from the shadows with a rabbit in hand. "Well look at what the dog dragged in."

He lets out a low growl. "Well he also dragged your sorry ass out of the water so you should be a bit more grateful."

"Well I stitched you up so I guess we're even."

"You were the reason I was bleeding to death in the first place!"

"Well if you hadn't been there I wouldn't have stabbed you so ultimately it's your own fault."

"That logic makes no sense."

"Yes it does. It's Layla logic and therefor makes perfect sense." He then went on muttering words like 'ungrateful' and 'deranged'. His fingernails extend into claws and my eyes widen. "Relax, I'm just skinning the rabbit." I point out that it would be easier with a knife and unclip my dagger and toss it at him. "Well if you had given that to me earlier life would've been a lot easier."

"I was passed out." I defend myself but he just goes on muttering to himself.

While the rabbit's cooking I decide to break the silence. "Why aren't we ripping each other's throats out?" Well, I never said I was a good conversation starter. He gives me a curious look. "I'm being serious here. That's what we're meant..." That's when everything comes crashing down on me. I killed people. I recall watching my arrows fly and the bodies collapsing at impact, the feeling of my sword plunging through someone and hearing the suction as I ripped it back out of his body. I saw people die, saw Sam die. I look down at my hands; who would've thought that these little things killed...what? 11 people? I know I was trained for it but it's still a shock. Layls, get over it. They tried to kill you. They were the enemy. And here I was staring another enemy right in the face.

"What's wrong?" He asks as he notices that I trailed off mid-sentence.

"A lot of things." Was all I could reply as I contemplate on what to do: I could run away, fight him or stay. Since he's not attacking me, there's a fire, food and due to the fact that I'm exhausted I decide to remain but be cautious. "So why aren't we? Ripping each others throats out I mean."

"Well nothings stopping you."

"But what's stopping you?" He seems to have an internal debate, deciding on what and what not to tell me. "Well you see," He starts off, his voice has taken on  a cold edge. "We jump to find Tristan's last stone and every time we do we end up in the same time zone as you and your friends, the waterfall then back to the present and now wherever the hell this is. This causes me to come to the conclusion that one of you guys are carrying it. So if I tear you to shreds and you happen to have it but I can't find it then I'm stuck in this god-forsaken time zone forever."

"Well IF your theory is true then how do you actually plan on getting the stone?"

"Well that's for me to know and you not to. See, so there is no need for me to kill you...yet anyways." People do not intimidate me easily (and though I'd never admit it) Thorn does.

There is a sudden, overbearing pain in my arm and my skull and I shriek because of it, clutching my head. Nick! I immediately let my barriers down. 'Nick?' Layla! Are you okay? I've been trying to get through for hours! What happened? Tell us where you are and we'll come and get you! 'Calm down. I'm absolutely fine, you don't need to come and get me. I've got a fire and food. Get some rest and I'll meet you at the bridge as soon as I can.' Okay. Okay. I'm just so glad you're alright. Oh just by the way keep an eye out for one of the Titans – the werewolf one. I shoved him into the river. He probably drowned or bled out hopefully. Just be careful. Oh God. He could easily delve into my mind and see Thorn is with me. 'Okay Nick. Love you. Bye.' I quickly put the blocks back up, he's probably put off by my sudden disconnection but whatever.

I open my eyes to find Thorn kneeling next to me rubbing my back. "What are you doing?"

"You just screamed and sat there rocking back and forth cradling your head for the last few minutes. What was I meant to do?"

"Were you actually trying to be comforting?" I laugh. He scowls and removes his hand. "What the hell was that anyway?"

"Bad headache. I've had them since I was young." I shrug. "Something smells like it's burning." I say as I sniff the air. Thorn jumps to the fire and yanks off the rabbit. "Now look what you've done! You made me burn the food!" He yells at me and I can't help but flinch. Then without even thinking I launch myself and tackle him to the ground. I don't even know what purpose I'm trying to fulfill by pissing off a werewolf but hey I'm Layla Winters. "Stop blaming me for all your problems." I yell at him. He easily overpowers me and pins me to the ground. Note to self: while wearing a dress avoid starting fights, it's very difficult to maneuver in them. "You are my biggest problem." He says intently, almost with a hint of sadness.