WHERE TO NOW? (M/M) 18+

Chapter 32

Don't Play With Your Food.

Skylar and I talked for hours by the warmth of the fire. After we ate dinner, our conversation seemed to just flow out of us like the breaking of a dam. Overflowing with experiences and feelings we hadn't had the opportunity to share.

Damien didn't join us for dinner. In fact, nobody had seen him since our interaction earlier. I wondered if he was alright, or if he was hurt somewhere and needed our help, but then I remembered he was the strongest out of all of us. He just needed space, I was just being ridiculous.

Daz had ordered the children to get into the van. The storm brewing around us was unsettling everyone, and it put me more on edge to know that if Damien didn't return soon, he'd get caught up in it.

As Kieran talked with Bianca, Daz and Travis in the back of the van, I couldn't help my eyes from scanning along the dark treeline. The rain hadn't fallen yet but it was coming, I could feel it. And when it did, it would be unrelenting.

A cold prick pierced my skin, and I looked down to see a drop of water had landed on my hand. Dammit, it's already here. "Hey, I'll be back in a sec" I said, standing from my place by the fire.

Skylar narrowed her eyes on me. "Where are you going?" she asked.

"I need to find Damien before the storm hits. You should get in the van too, it's starting to rain"

She hummed, "alright, but don't be long" She stood up, turning away from me to walk closer to the van. "If you can't find him, leave him out there. He's a mutant, he'll be fine"

Anger shot through me, my body stiffening.

I didn't understand why she said that. I could hear the disdain in her voice. Something I'd never really heard from her before. Did she not trust him now?

I nodded, knowing I didn't have enough self control to speak calmly with her showing such derision. It fuelled a fire within me, a protectiveness I could barely contain.

I turned away from her, biting my tongue as I picked up my bow and hooked it over my back. I picked up a few arrows before making my way to the treeline.

Daz didn't see me leave, thankfully—I didn't need another speech about teams of two.

It was so dark here on the edge of the trees, so gloomy and foreboding. I could hear the distant rumble of thunder and the quiet call of owls. The crickets seemed to talk to me in the darkness like I was one of their own, like I belonged here.

I stepped over the threshold, keeping my focus on my feet so I wouldn't trip. With every step, the crunch of dry leaves made me cringe. The sound loud and echoing in the silence like a beacon for all predators. I held my breath, and continued to walk.

I wanted to shout out to him, to let him know I was there but I knew that would be a mistake.

My heart thumped with my anxiety. I felt like eyes were watching me, stalking me with every step I took. Following me with the darkness to cloak them.

Barreling feet filled my ears. Hard thumps on a floor of leaves. Even and determined as they got louder, moving towards me with a speed that sent a shock wave through me.

Panic yanked at my chest as I quickly unhooked my bow, turning in the direction of the noise.

Something slammed into me, and we went tumbling hard into the brush. A heavy weight pressing against my body as I was rolled onto my back from the impact. It was tightly wrapped around me, engulfing me. A black mass flew across my vision, leaping over me with an enraged screech that echoed through the darkness.