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Chapter 18

Chapter 18

“Shit” protested Ben, as they fell into a pile of twigs. “What the hell happened Mallor?” Ben was fuming, his face looked menacing, and his words were cut with anger.

“Ben!” Bailey said gasping as she rose to her feet, Ben was still holding her hand, but paid her no attention “Ben!” she snapped again trying to get his attention. didn’t work.

“Mallor sorry sir, sorry sir, hit a wall, we hit a wall”

“What do you mean we hit a wall?” Ben was outraged, his face looked feral. Bailey had never seen Ben look like this.

“BEN” she yelled and tugged his hand. Ben snapped his glare at Bailey, the force of it hitting her dead on, but she didn’t budge, she held firm.

Bens face softened, as his eyes focused on her. Faster then she would have though, he had pulled her into his arms, her blonde curls whipped around his head, and brushed against her face with the force. His hug was so tight, he was crushing her, but she held firm she was so happy he was here.

“Oh god Bailey, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have-” Bailey pulled herself out to look at him and she smiled, a real and genuine smile.

“Ben, calm down, I'm fine” she pulled him into another hug and kissed his neck. He embraced her and Bailey felt like she would melt into him. They had been through so much and now finally, he was here. Ben pulled away and began to look her up and down, taking in the state of her clean clothes, and army boots. He scrunched his face, not sure of whether to yell or cry.

“They didn’t hurt you did they?” he spun Bailey around and looked along her back and legs, Bailey felt silly. So she smiled.

“Nothing I couldn’t handle” she laughed, remembering her knockout punch she gave Kheelan.

“Oh thank the gods” he said pulling her back in for another hug.

Bailey figured that they should get a move on, she didn’t want to be out in the open in case they came for her.

“What were you saying to Mallor earlier, and what does he mean by a wall?” Ben released her body but took her hand, apparently he didn’t want to let go, just as much as her.

“Right! Mallor what happened, where are we?” Mallor looked back and forth between Bailey and Ben, a shameful expression encrusted his soft face.

“A wall sir, a wall”

“What about a wall?”

“you feel the glamour, yes, the glamour. It stopped us, it stopped us. Mallor can't get through, nope, nope can't get through” Bailey pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly expressing stress and exhaustion. He sighed and looked back to Bailey, who just looked calm.

“We have an unexpected travel plan” he stated “We can't get through the glamour, they know your missing and now we are stuck there. However there is a trod across the sands that can take us back. We just need to reach it without dying.” Ben caved to grave look, his eyes scrunching closed as he squeezed Baileys hand. But again she was calm.

Bailey had never been this calm, and she couldn’t figure it out. Something had changed in her, she didn’t look at this like a downside, all she saw was that Ben was with her and they were staying that way. Forever.