Lend Me Pandora

Chapter 5: Shades and Amaranths

Lord Chale stayed by the door as everybody shuffled behind him in alarm. The guests stared around wide-eyed until Satia and Faran began thrusting packs and things into their hands. The girls stared at the packs and boxes in their hands.

‘What are these things?’ Sofia asked as Faran loaded her arms with more things.

‘Supplies.’ Faran said shortly.

‘I’ll hold them off.’ Aiden said as he went past Chale through the door.

‘They’ll see him!’ Kaye exclaimed.

‘The cottage is protected with a wall. The Amaranths can’t see us but they can sense and smell our presence.’ Satia said. ‘Now follow me through the back door. We’ll escape from there.’

‘You said we’re invisible to them!’ Lez exclaimed.

‘If we don’t disappear, they’ll lead Sylar here.’ Faran said flatly. ‘We’ll regroup at sunrise. Everyone, spread out!’

Taraha nodded at her and suddenly grabbed Raven and Kaye with her. ‘I’ll take these two. I’ll be settling North.’

‘Hey- what- where are we going?’ Monique questioned her.

‘We’re heading north.’ Taraha said. ‘Let’s go.’

‘Raven! Kaye!’ Sofia shouted as Taraha carried the two in her arms on the either sides of her waist.

‘We don’t have time for your dramas!’ Faran exclaimed impatiently as she grabbed Adrianna and Monique on their collars. ‘Satia can you take three?’

Satia nodded and took Sofia, Lez and Gen’s hands. Lord Chale ran towards Aiden’s side and looked down at the hill where a large pack of Amaranths are trudging towards them. Behind them, three lights shot off into the air and zoomed off to different directions. Megan ran out of the house.

‘Can we hold them off?’ she asked as she looked down at the moving pack.

‘Not at this rate. If we show our magic, we’re going to be traced no matter where we go.’ Aiden said. ‘The Orbs have departed?’

‘Safely to different points, yes.’ Megan answered.

‘We’ll take it from here then.’  Aiden said. ‘If we can use brute strength, so be it.’

***

‘Oi! Bring us down already! Kaye’s gonna be sick!’

Raven’s eyes watered as Taraha flew in the air in the absence of wings, holding them both on her either sides. The packs Raven held in her arms tightly were both hers and Kaye’s since the latter fell useless when they shot into the air. They were several feet from the ground and the wind was chilly as they rushed North away from the others. Kaye was holding her hands over her mouth, her eyes popping every now and then as the threat of vomit rose in her throat. Taraha’s face was serious. She heeded no attention to Raven’s please. The moment the others shot off into the sky towards different directions, she knew they were in immediate danger.

They passed over several towns and now are rushing towards the seaside. Taraha dropped a few meters towards the ground and Kaye held her mouth tighter as they surged to the ground rapidly. Raven gritted her teeth as she braced herself for a rough landing but it surprisingly didn’t come. Taraha landed them all on the ground safely.

They looked around and saw themselves surrounded with trees. The breeze caught and the smell of sea floated around. Taraha began walking towards the sea as Raven helped Kaye regain her balance.

‘Where are we going?’ Raven asked loudly as they followed Taraha through the woods.

‘Towards the sea.’ Taraha said stopping to face them. ‘Our priority is to keep you safe. Bring your friend to the shore. If we don’t hear from the others in an hour, we’re escaping to open sea.’