Nobody's Hero (A Black Veil Brides fanfiction)

Chapter 20

I nearly toppled over on the log Ashley and I were perched on, just barely catching my balance on my hands as the new information settled into my mind. Home? We were going to my former home? Did Anthony know?

"H-Home?" I slowly started shaking my head. I couldn't go back there. "Does Anthony know we're going back? Or did you keep this from him too?" I gritted my teeth, trying to stay as calm as I could.

"Yes, he does. He's known for a very long time actually." Andy muttered from the other side of the fire, glancing at me over the dancing flames. "If you want to help us rid the world of F.E.A.R once and for all," He rose to his feet, now towering over both Ashley and I as he came around to stand before us. "You will fight whether you like it for not," He huffed, completely disregarding my statement from earlier. "All mighty Wild One." His tone turned into a mocking one as he walked away from us, going to check on the still-sleeping soldiers as the sun continued to rise in the distance.

I sighed, frustrated with the blue-eyed leader as his back grew smaller and smaller. When he disappeared from view, I turned back to the flames. I could sense Ashley staring at me curiously as my hand extended toward the light. I hesitated for a moment, not sure if I could handle the heat. After some encouragement from the Wild One next to me, brushed the pads of my fingers against the heat. The tongues of fire licked at my hand, slowly crawling into a ball in my palm as my arm retracted. I held the flames in my hand for a moment, letting it die out.

"Well, you're definitely the Wild One." The Deviant chuckled, nudging me with his elbow playfully. "I've never seen anyone handle fire like that-not even CC." His eyes wandered over my shoulder. Following his gaze, I turned to see CC standing with a group of girls around him, playing with some of the elements he had at his disposal. He created little houses in the sand, miniature twisters rolling around as the buildings formed with the flick of his wrist. Once the town was complete, CC made the twisters grow to to be level with the girl's knees. They ran away from the dust devils, squealing as they were chased by Christian's powers.

I turned away when I felt the heat of the fire vanish, seeing that Ash had put it out and was now stomping on the charcoals that were left. I looked down at my feet not wanting to continue the journey any longer. I don't think I could bring myself to harm anyone that I could have associated myself with every day. Complete strangers were one thing-they meant nothing to me. People from my old city...I couldn't do it. I couldn't bear to think that my family could die because of me. 

"Jess?" My eyes refocused on Ashley's face, taking in his concerned expression. "You're, uh.." He gestured down to my feet. I looked down to see that little wilting flowers had grown around my shoes, their color draining as my sadness and frustration set in. "I didn't want to have to tell you," He scratched the back of his neck. "I knew it wouldn't help anything, but I had to go along with whatever Andy wanted." Ashley reached out and put a hand on my shoulder, reaching up to wipe away the stray tear that had managed to find its way out. "Please don't stay mad at him-he just wants to fix what's wrong in the world. You just happen to play an important role." He pulled on a lock of my hair lightly, smiling at me before he offered my hand. 

"I won't fight unless I need to." I murmured, taking his hand. "I hope he realizes that." I looked out to where the leader was talking to a small group of people, instructing them to clean up and get ready to move on. 

Ashley gave me a sideways glance, tucking a few stray hairs back behind my ear. "I'll talk to him, don't worry." He squeezed my hand reassuringly before walking away from me to help a few people pack up their things. I stood there for a moment, watching as my friends stood in a little circle, talking and laughing as if nothing was wrong. 

Anthony stood with his back to me, throwing his head back as he laughed at something that Jessica had said. I couldn't understand how one of us could be completely falling apart while the other was perfectly content with the world. How could he have known all this time and not told me? Doesn't he realize there are still people that I care about that live in 1781? I wasn't alone like he was. I left my family behind to go with him. 

As if he could sense my gaze, he turned and met my eyes. I couldn't tell what expression was currently making its home on my face, but from the reaction I got from Anthony, I could tell it wasn't a happy one. He said his goodbyes to the group, looking back at me worriedly as he walked over to where I stood.

"What's wrong?" He cocked his head to the side slightly, shoving his hands in his pockets. 

"You fucking knew we would be going back?!" I seethed. I crossed my arms over my chest, leaning away from the man I called my best friend. "How could you not tell me?" I was hurt. I was angry. I was frustrated. 

Most of all I felt betrayed.

"Because I knew how you would react and I didn't want to hurt you like that!" He threw his hands up, walking closer to me. "I didn't want to see the long on your face when it clicked that you would most likely have to destroy our home." He ran his hands through his hair, tugging on the ends as he looked up at me with sad eyes. "I didn't want to see the hurt that I would've caused." 

I bit my lip, looking down at my feet as I shifted my weight from foot to foot. "You still should've told me." I looked back up at him from under my bangs.

He sighed, reaching out to me before letting his hand fall to his side. "I know and I'm sorry." We heard the sounds of the Legion starting to leave, the sound of dozens of pounding feet against the ground. "Please forgive me?" Anthony stepped towards me, brushing the hair away from my face. "We need you Jess. It's not just Andy and the other Wild Ones-the world needs you." 

I allowed him to take my hand, leading me to where our friends were standing. They greeted me with open arms, not at all afraid of what they had seen me become before. They started onward with the rest of the army, the Wild Ones making their rounds as we joined in at the back of the pack. Anthony stayed by my side, keeping a comfortable arm around my shoulders in attempts to keep me together. I turned away when Andy came to speak with some of our little group, still unable to look him in the eye. I overheard that we would reach the city by nightfall, allowing us time to prepare ourselves for the final fight and what comes after. I shuddered at the thought of going back to that place. 

Anthony felt my body stiffen. "Don't worry Little One," He rested his head against mine, placing a small kiss to my hair. "I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."