Marked by Fate title will change to Illuminated

Chapter 19

PG strongly cautioned in this chapter.... just so you know.

Chapter 19

The terrain was rough and rocky, as the three of them made their way across. For Mallors size he was doing very well, he would hope over fallen logs and big boulders with ease, while Bailey that was another matter altogether. Her long legs were good for the logs, but her arms we not very strong and she had troubles with the big rocks, and cliffs. Ben never protested or made a sound as he helped her over her obstacles, he seemed to be happy to help, but Bailey knew she was slowing them down.

They walked for hours, up and down rock cliffs and over broken trees. It was hot to the point of passing out. Luckily Ben had packed himself a bag of water and edibles for the trip, he also had a small tent and one blanket and pillow just in case. He was a monster trekking through the lands, he never stopped and never seemed to get tired.

Bailey tried her best to stay focused, but she hadn’t done hiking like this, in well, ever. She stayed mobile for several hours until finally she couldn’t move anymore, and fell to the ground with a thud. Her body was exhausted. The boots she was wearing were very helpful, in that she didn’t cut her feet, but they were heavy. She had discarded her sweater about a mile after walking, and Ben had put it in his satchel.

Ben came walking up to Bailey as she lay slumped and crumpled in the dirt. He handed her water and she downed it. The terrain had changed along the way, the once magnificent rock formations gave way to compelling forest. The green here was dark and murky, the brown corroded and dead, it was a haunting place. Mist crawled along the grounds and the humidity had made her hair puff out in the now loose bun.

“Don't worry we can rest” his voice was full of concern, and torment as he watched his love collapsed on the ground, panting like a dog. Her breaths were sharp and cut. Ben sat down next to her and put her sweater under her head, but Bailey found energy and slowly lifted herself to a sitting position with Bens help. Just as she was erect, she collapsed her head and shoulders into his chest with a thud. Ben let out a huff of air, but didn’t say anything as her body collapsed on him, he just held her, stroking her hair with the tips of his fingers.

“We will rest here a while, if you can sleep I suggest you do. We still have a long way to go, and its near 2 now” Ben continued to stroke her hair gently, as soft snores escaped her. In seconds Bailey had drifted off, and was now limp but holding tightly onto Ben.

“Sleep my love, I'll be right here” he whispered “Sleep”.

Mallor came over but not to close, he stood 20 feet away, as he watched Bailey fall asleep, he took note of her. Her power was developing, and the spans was approaching. She needed to wed before they take affect, or serious consequences will occur.

Ben told Mallor to let them sleep for 2 hours, that would be enough time to make it to the edge of the forest by dark. Ben shook Bailey awake, needing for them to leave, when all of a sudden Ben got a fist full in the nose.

“OUCH, SHIT, Bailey, what the hell?” Bailey bolted up right, on her feet in seconds, looking around, when she spotted Ben, holding his nose. Blood was seeping through his fingers and out the bottom.

“Oh god, Ben I'm so sorry, are you OK?” she asked kneeling back down beside him. She ripped off one of her sleeves and held it to his nose, Ben looked shocked.

“Damn you have a hard hit, where did you learn that?” he asked with his voice muffled from holding his nose. Bailey chuckled.

“Well my big brother used to pick on me when I was younger, and he would scare me awake, and so I developed a hitting thing, don’t worry your not the first to get hit.” Bailey laughed, at the memory of the ride home from the air port, and how she hit her brother. Bailey immediately felt a twinge in the pit of her stomach, but right now she couldn’t spare any feeling for home, she needed one again to concentrate.