Legend of Valcron

Chapter Six: Lost Together

We tried to locate any sign of the way back, but the roads were messed up by the dust and rubble. After about an hour of Xander pretty much carrying me, I stood on my own.

"Hey! We're getting somewhere!" He said.

I smiled. I tried to walk but fell again. I attempted to grab Xander's arm which only brought him down with me.

"Oops! Sorry!" I said.

He smiled. I loved seeing him smile. I knew he was in pain, but he would do anything to keep me safe and happy. He stood. He knew that I couldn't walk now. So he picked me back up. He helped me into the forest. As we walked, we came across a small patch of tents.

"Hello?" Xander called out.

No reply.

"Hello?" Xander repeated.

He set me down on a log. Then, he walked over to a tent.

"Hello?" He shouted.

He unzipped the tent.

"Empty!" He shouted.

He checked the rest.

"They're all empty!" He told me, sitting down next to me.

"That's odd," I said.

"I guess we'll stay here then!" Xander exclaimed.

That night we slept in separate tents. He gave me the bigger one. Inside, it could fit about ten people. I laid down on the blankets there. Eventually, I fell asleep.

I woke up to a loud bang.

"Elise?!" I heard Xander shout.

"I'm fine!" I said.

A few minutes later, Xander was in my tent, sitting next to me.

"What do you think it was?" He asked.

"Fireworks, or gunshots. Maybe someone was hunting?" I said.

"Or..." Xander trailed off.

"What?" I asked.

"Oh! Nothing!" He answered.

The bang came again, louder this time.

"Okay! What is that?" I asked.

"I think we should move!" Xander said.

I suddenly had this feeling that something was coming at us. I braced myself.

"What are you doing?" Xander asked.

"I...I don't know!" I answered.

I stopped bracing. I still felt like something was coming. I was scared. A few minutes later, Xander went out to check out what was going on. I watched him while he was searching. I crawled out of the tent and sat against a log. I suddenly saw an orange light in the sky. It drew closer. Then I got a better look.

"LOOK OUT!" I screamed.

Xander looked at me, confused. Then there was an explosion.

I woke up in the tent.

How did I get here? I thought.

I tried to move, but I couldn't. I just sat there. Suddenly, the memories started rushing back. The rocket. The explosion. Someone's scream. I don't think it was Xander's. Maybe...it was mine.

"Elise?" Xander's voice made me feel safer.

I tried to speak, but all that came out of my mouth was a small breathy squeak. He walked up to me. He looked down at me. He didn't look hurt at all.