DIVERSITY

DIVERSITY- Chapter 29

"A deal?" I sputtered, taken by surprise. Alec had just met me and he'd already clarified that I was a crazy, young girl, who left the protection of her home to escape to a world of disaster, and he wanted to make a 'deal'?

Shooting my eyebrows up at him In astonishment, I searched my mind for a logical reason as to why he suddenly trusted me In order to strike a compromise. Alec did not Input when he noticed my stammering, only rocked back on his heels, shifting his body weight onto his feet and stared out at his friends, observing them wordlessly. I cleared my throat, at last recovering the appropriate question to answer his.

"Why so sudden? I specifically recall you telling me that you did not trust me. What could possibly change your mind In a matter of seconds?"

Alec's Adams apple bobbed up and down In his throat as he swallowed In adjournment.

"Okay, look," He sighed, his brown eyes cutting Into mine sharply, "I have a feeling that you Intend to leave and continue to search for your friend, seen as you have gone to this much trouble. But, I can't let you abandon my company."

I furrowed my eyebrows In confusion while blinking In an effort to try and snap out of an Imaginary sleep, pretending that the words I was hearing were somehow not real.

"What are you talking about, I can't leave?"

Alec switched his gaze from me, purposely averting my fearful eyes, as he tugged his knees to his chest In an effort to distract himself from this awkward conversation. He did not make an effort to reply to my Inquisitive statements, so I plundered him with more.

"Why are reluctant to let me go? You don't even know me. And I am not one of your prisoners, so I may come and go as I please."

"You don't understand," Alec murmured, his eyes becoming foggy and lost, "You have to stay with us. We need your power."

I could not help but gasp In shock at his words. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"I can't tell you, not unless you agree to stay and travel with my gang."

I scoffed furiously. "And why would I agree to that?"

My breath caught In my throat as Alec unexpectedly tore his eyes from the ground and latch back onto mine. "That's where the deal comes In."

I sighed, focusing on calming myself so that I was able to at least hear him out before becoming angry again. "Okay, so what are you proposing?"

The corner of his lips twitched Into a grin, one that I suspected he was not aware of displaying.

"I will take you to Elijas and his gang to find your friend. Myself and my friends will escort you the journey there and provide security and protection whilst we come In contact with the Ferox. In return, you and your friend will join us on our own journey."

I narrowed my eyes at him, getting agitated by the information he withheld from me. "What Is your journey?"

Alec brought his hand up to steady his head as he balanced the weight on his knee, all the while sighing at the secrets he could no longer keep from me. He knew as well as I did that I was one of them now, a Banished, or more specifically an escapee, nonetheless, we were alone In this world together and we had to work as a team to stay alive.

"You are very curious, so curious for knowledge that you want It In the palm of your hand as soon as you are made aware that It exists, and I'm not sure whether to be curious myself or annoyed with your persistence."

I lowered my head with the painful reminder of just how much my curiosity had burdened me In the last week. "You still haven't answered my question," I turned to him, changing the subject forcefully, "Are you looking for something? What Is It?"