The Other Side

Chapter 14: Mitch

     *2 months later*

     It's been two months since I've been a Rezmence. Scott has taught me to fight and we are now equal opponents. Avi thought that I should be put to use and given a job, now here I am as part of the  battle strategy task group. I've been on a few scoutings, but nothing really happend. Just a whole bunch of sweaty people walking for hours. I've moved out, I have my own house now, me and Scott talk less. He's been acting strange ever since the party. But we are friends, nonetheless. I've finally adjusted to the way the patron people work.

     "Mitchie, Mitchie wake up!" I jumped out of bed at the familiar voice. 

     "Scott? What are you doing here? HOW DID YOU GET IN MY ROOM?!" I questioned. Gaining volume by the end. A smirk tugged at his face.

     "A magician never tells. On a totally unrelated topic, you should really lock your windows." After a pause he spoke again. "The Warriors have to go to the main room. There is some news, a surprise scouting or something. Get ready."

     For a second, he sounded like the old Scott. Other than the fact that he couldn't look at me. "I haven't seen you in a while, now. How's life?" He gave me a look. "Alright, alright. I'm going."

     When I finished getting ready for the day. I walked around the corner to find Scott sitting on a chair, waiting for me. I walked past him and put on my shoes. Naturally, he followed. We walked out in an uncomfortable silence before I finally said "What do you think the news is?" He kept his gaze forward or to the ground. I missed the deep blue of his eyes. I haven't seen it directly in a long time. Even a death glare would be nice right now.

     "They probably just saw a Drembled wandering around. We'll just have to wait and see, I guess." By the time the conversation ended, we had arrived at the main room. We leaned up against the wall and waited for the announcement. After a few minutes, of small talk with Hoy, Avi approached the front of the room.

     "We have great news! We have located our biggest threat's bunker. The Rezmence. I want you all suited up and ready to go in 15 minutes. Remember, think first, act second." Everybody cheered. Hooting and yelling. It took me a minute to process that. But when it embedded itself into my brain, I was in a complete panic. Scott must have done the same because he grabbed my hand so tight, it hurt. He pulled me into the room to get ready, we had to whisper and act like we weren't talking. We hoped that the hum of everybody else's conversations would mask ours. 

     "Hoy, I don't think I can do this. Those were my people. I grew up with them. Oh god, what about Kirstin? I can't let her get hurt, we need to do something. Please Hoy, please." I begged.

     "Mitch, I know you're in a panic but if we are going to save your friend, we need to keep as calm as possible, okay?" I sucked in a sharp breath, but nodded. "Alright, here's the plan. We walk there and as soon as we get inside, you walk me to your old room. We will find Kirstin and bring her back. We will need to bring an extra battle outfit for her. ... Mitch? I'm sorry, but this is going to be dam awful." I put on the goggles as he did the same. He looked at me, but I couldn't see his eyes. He couldn't see mine. I was crying. My face showed no sign. But he could tell, he brought me into a tight hug. "I'm sorry, Mitchie. I'm so sorry. Don't cry."

     "Alright, get into line! Everyone have their weapons? Let's go!" Mr. Nev screamed. I checked my pack of knives once more, as did Hoy. This is going to be like a knife to the throat. That is how it should've ended. The knife that once plunged into the throat of one of Scott's allies, should been in me. He saved me and he shouldn't have. Everything would have been so much easier. For the both of us. We did as instructed. And once again the large doors that separate us from the outside opened. The heat wrapped around us like a blanket. That's when it hit me. 

     "Hoy? What If we die?"

     "We haven't died yet, we won't die now." He reassured me, but I could hear the doubt in his voice. 

     After a few excruciating hours of walking, Mr. Nev called for a rest. I sat crisscross. A memory flooded back into my head. I sat alone, played with a rock and hummed to a song that I didn't know the words to. I was alone, and scared and not hopeful. So much has changed since Scott. I am not alone. I'm not scared because I know he will always be on my side. I feel so much more full. I love Scott. He taught me the lyrics to the song that gives me hope. And- wait. What? Go back a few steps. I love Scott. That must've been a mistake. I do NOT love Scott. 

     "What you thinking about?" I looked up to see my reflection in his goggles. 

     "Just a memory." I told half the truth. Close enough. "Can you sing the song. Please." I rested my head on Scott's shoulder. 

     "All of my life been running. Paying the price for living. How do the young survive, we're never satisfied. Only if I could listened. When the lights go down, in the middle of the night, where will I run to? When the lights go down in the middle of the night, where will I hide? When the lights go down in the middle of the night, where will I run to? When the lights go down in the middle of the night, where will I hide?" Scott was cut off by a voice signalling the end of our break. We both huffed in exhaustion. But stood anyway to continue our journey. 

     We barely spoke to each other for the rest of the trip for the sake of saving our breath. But we would brush our hands off of the other's just to say that we were still thinking of each other. It made my face a deep red each time. When we got to the point where I started to recognize my surroundings. I told Hoy that we were getting close. He nodded and grabbed my hand, we were in the back now, so nobody really noticed. He squeezed it a few times. I replied by doing the same. When we saw the Rezmence base, Scott looked at me and raised his eye brows like as to say, 'are you ready'. I didn't respond.

     Am I ready? I could turn and run. What about Kirstin? I don't really have a choice. I have to be ready.

     The whole patron army stopped. They waited. For what? I'm not sure, I don't think anyone knew for sure. Patron and Rezmence are just about equal in fighting skills. So, if you win or lose is up to fait. "Well, go!" A voice called from somewhere at the front of the crowd. There was a hesitation, but we all ran. I grabbed Scott, and we ran, hand in hand. Ready for what fait has to throw at us.

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     A/n: okay guys. What do you think? I'm writing 2 more chapters, I think. Happy ending, sad ending? It's up to you. The first comment I get will have it their way. I love you all! Thank you!

                     -LinesOfBlack 😉