Of The Sea : John Murphy

The God Of Mischief Returns

"Murphy!" I struggled, pushing up off the ground and kicking up dirt as I ran.

I reached the top of the small hill which obstructed Bellamy and Jasper's view from the other side.

I let out a breath of relief and let my eyes flutter to a close, "Murphy." I sighed.

He stood at the base staring at me, his emotions seemed scattered and his expression blank. "Why...?" I asked.

He looked down at the ground and shook his head. "I had to."

I took a step down towards him with a frown which I had never worn before. "No, you didn't."

I finally got in front of him and pulled him in to me. "I'm sorry." I whispered.

"For what? I'm the one that killed those people, the one that pushed you away when I knew you could help."

"I'm sorry I lead you to this." I pulled away and dipped my head, my neck stopping me immediately. "I regret everything that I've done, I hope that you don't."

He shook his head, looking pained for once. "Seeing you like this, I already do."

He extended his arms and pulled me close this time, squeezing me tight.

I held on to the warmth of his body and sighed with content but also sadness. I wasn't sure how I felt in that moment, it was all so numb. And it seemed I could no longer read Murphy, he had a wall up that couldn't be seen but felt instead. This world was changing him fast, and I wasn't so sure if it was for the best.

"Let's go home." I suggested.

He looked behind me and shook his head. "I think I should be on my own for a while."

I furrowed my brows and grabbed his arm forcefully. "What do you mean? Stay out here?"

He sighed and looked at me wearily, like even he wasn't sure about his decision. "Yeah."

I shook my head violently and tightened my grip. "No way, what if Anya and her people get a hold of you or worse, the forest swallows you whole."

He shrugged, that I-don't-give-a-shit-what-happens-to-me attitude back like the beginning. "I'll survive, something will happen and I'll get out alive like always. Besides, I can't have you running around for me, you have your people to take care of."

I tensed my jaw and clenched my fist. An unknown feeling burn in my stomach and it flipped into my chest as I took a swing at his face, connecting firmly with his cheek.

His hand shot to his freshly bruised face and winced. "I'm not sure if I can say I deserve that one or not."

"You're an idiot." I growled, my face burning with rage. Or was it something else. "You best return to me in three days or I'm sending out a search party of one, me, and I'll hunt you down and beat the barnacles out of your ass if you haven't rounded up a good enough excuse for your disappearance." I continued, narrowing my eyes as I fisted the collar of his worn out shirt.

He stared down at me and his eyes made a promise that I'd see that face again.

"I wouldn't call three days a while." His voice lowered to a level that made me regret striking him, though I didn't quite know why I did it in the first place.

"You'd be rather surprised."

He nodded. "Fine, we have a deal."

I tightened my grip on him and jerked him slightly closer. "Damn right we do." There was a gap in time but without a single ounce of restraint, I tugged him into me and planted my lips firmly on his. He exhaled gently against my lips and his hands dropped to his aides from being held up defensively. His lips pressed against mine and his hands started to welcome themselves before I shoved him back. "Don't forget it."

I tossed him a knife and Bellamy's ax then turned away before any minds were changed.

"I won't." I heard him mumble, almost subconsciously the way his voice drawled.

From there I broke into a jog, back towards the sea to lead my people like I was meant to be.

My legs burned by the time I reached home base and the gates swung open upon my arrival.

"Chief!" Voices would call.

"We've been worried sick!" Another would cling to my side.

"Step aside!" A more dominant one over ruled. "Give the woman some breathing room!"

I flashed a beaming smile at the man barging his way through the crowd. "Áki, you're looking well."

He nodded, clapping me on the shoulder and guiding me through the oddly larger crowd. "The sickness cleared quickly, good thing there was no trouble."

I smiled and nodded. "Thank goodness for that." I checked my surroundings again and noticed a definite change. "Áki, are there more residence or am I going mad?"

"Ah, yes, about that-" He began.

"The platinum princess has returned!" An unmistakable voice announced across the small swarm of warriors.

"Ah, right." I chuckled, shaking my head. "Leo, you really shouldn't have."

He clutched his chest in pain and raised a stern eyebrow at me, his reaction almost comical. "I bestow you with men and women worthy of your command and give you a name that will be remembered through the generations... And you still can't call me Loki? Gods, Thea, you really are difficult."

I shrugged and grinned, shoving him hard. "Come on, numb nuts, we don't have daylight to spare, let's get all hands on deck shall we?"