The Glade and Its Glitch: Book 4 Escape

Chapter 12

 Protector sent out two patrols. After her meeting with Wu, she wanted more eyes watching the border. He'd been able to get very close to the border, and Protector didn't want anyone near the border. Much less the ninja. It seemed that much of the Glade had forgotten about Glitch and Huntress. Although, no one could forget their enemy or their missing leader. But their focus had shifted to the ninja.

Skylight and Supernova had been sent out as one of the patrols, and Flora and Brandon had been sent out in the other direction. Flora was Acorn's son, and Brandon was the apprentice of a man named Mover. Supernova waved goodbye to the masters of plant and telekinesis, before speeding up to a jog to catch Skylight.

"TJ! Wait up!" She panted, "I have little legs."

TJ chuckled and paused so Skye could catch up.

"Thanks," Skye slowed once she reached TJ. "Whatcha thinking about?"

"Hmm? Uhh Kiki."

"Why do I feel like you're lying?" Skye tilted her head and eyed TJ goofily.

TJ laughed in defense but trailed off when he saw Skye was serious. "I'm thinkin' about Glitch."

"What about him?"

"We used to be friends. Like Protector and Wu used to be friends. What went so wrong? For us and for them. Protector seems to hate Wu now. And Glitch kinda seems to hate me."

"Yeah. I guess history has kinda repeated itself."

"Maybe," TJ shook his head, "I dunno." He saluted a hidden group of Glade warriors in a tree. Not only were troops sent out to walk the border, but other troops watched weak points from above. He and Skye were passing by the bonfire pit, where the Glade spent many nights telling stories and singing. Not so much anymore, they were pretty busy preparing for war. But they would use it again, and when they did, they'd need it to be well protected.

"I'm sure we'll figure it out. But also we kind of do know why he's mad. Just not why he's specifically super mad at you. He hates all elemental masters and wants them destroyed."

"Yeah but why does he have such genuine hatred for me? We used to be friends. You'd think he'd show a little bit of remorse."

"Can villains show remorse? Or do they show remorse?"

"I mean I'd assume so? Glitch didn't seem particularly happy when I mentioned his dad being ill."

"Maybe there is still a bit of love in that cold dead heart of his."

TJ snorted with laughter and shook his head. "If Glitch were here he'd be at your throat."

"He always was a very violent person wasn't he?"

"Sometimes. But he could be pretty sweet. Sometimes."

TJ and Skye continued to walk the border making small talk occasionally. There was one point where they heard a noise and quickly ducked into a cluster of bushes. But it turned out it was just Kata. She's gotten stuck outside of the border and had been going berserk trying to get back in. TJ let the gibbon sit on his shoulder and he and Skye continued patrol.

"Hey, Skye?"

"Yeah?"

"If it doesn't work out in the end... If Glitch wins, I want you to know that I'm glad you're my friend." TJ looked down at Skye with soft eyes. It wasn't often he got emotional. But lately, he'd been thinking more about what would happen if the Glade lost. If they didn't make it

"We're going to win TJ, don't say that."

"But if we don't-"

"Have some faith TJ."

"I have faith, I'm just nervous."

"We're going to get Carrie back and then we're going to defeat Glitch. Don't say anything like that ever again."

"Yes ma'am." TJ grinned and took Skye's hand in his.

Her face flushed and she looked away from TJ.

They finished their patrol and an hour later they were back in the Glade. TJ and Skye switched out with Acorn, Sunbeam, and Dani.

"Kiki's supposed to be getting ready for bed." Sunbeam told TJ, "Dinner is out on the table. Put everything away when you're done and you can head to bed."

"I got it, Dad. See you in the morning."

Niko hugged his son before heading out on patrol. He wouldn't be back for three or so hours, night patrols were longer, so he'd get back when everyone was asleep.

TJ and Skye headed back to the King's tree house. When they got upstairs Kiki jumped on top of TJ. He picked her up as best he could and carried her to her room.

Skye started making two plates. One for her, one for TJ.

"You're supposed to be in bed," TJ said as he opened Kiki's bedroom door.

"I'm not tired. I want to see Dad come home."

"He'll be here in the morning, Kiki. You can see him then. Goodness, you're getting heavy." TJ dropped her onto the bed. "Do you want me to tuck you in?

"TJ I'm twelve years old."

"Is that a no?"

Kiki pursed her lips. "No..."

"Hmm, then I guess I'll have to tickle you in!" TJ fell forward and started tickling his little sister.

She shrieked with laughter and Skye could hear the two siblings laughing from down the hall.

TJ eventually went still and stayed lying on top of Kiki.

"TJ, get off," Kiki groaned, "You're heavy."

"Did the mattress say something? I thought I heard something." TJ rolled over and pretended Kiki was just a mattress.

"TJ no it's me! Help! Skye!"

"Don't make me come over there!" Skye yelled from the kitchen.

TJ's face flushed and he hopped off the bed. "Goodnight Kiki."

"Night TJ. I love you."

"Love you too."

TJ left the room and headed down the hall back to the kitchen. Skye handed him a plate and they sat down on the couch together.

"What were you doing to her?" Skye laughed.

"Being a big brother. What else?"

"Oh, my master." Skye rolled her eyes.

"What? If my Dad was giving her a hard time it'd just be him being a dad. I'm just being a big brother."

Skye narrowed her eyes.

"Technically I'm older than you. Do you want me to act like your big brother?"

She laughed, "I think I'll pass."

TJ took a bite of his food. "After we finish eating, and cleaning up, I'm going to tickle you like you've never been tickled before."

"Oh really?"

"Oh really," TJ leaned over to touch his nose to Skye's.

She blushed and smiled. "I'm looking forward to it."

He laughed, "Me too."