Lost Memories

Chapter 20 - Kennedy

Kennedy's POV

The uphill climb was brutal. It was really steep in some places, pretty flat in others and super rocky all the time. We made sure we didn't stray too far from the stream that travelled back downward towards the forest we had left behind just over twenty-four hours ago. We did it because we were all drinking our water at a fast rate, keeping ourselves hydrated as we walked, so we needed to refill our bottles often. The climb had us all in a constant sweat, so we were all smelling pretty bad and we were only a day into the walk.

My hair clung to the skin of my face and my breaths came out in heavy pants. The higher we got, the harder it was to breath. Over the last day, Onix has stuck to my right side and Sterling to my left, while Sade and Annie trail behind us slightly, talking to each other quietly, between their own panting breaths. Occasionally, I noticed that Sade would be holding Annie's hand and her face would be red. I still needed to ask her about that.

Sterling, Onix and I would also talk amongst ourselves, but not very often. We were all in silent agreement that it was far too much effort for us to walk and talk at the same time, especially with the heavy packs on our backs.

Our surroundings were quite desolate. There would be the occasional tree, but other than that, there was no life on the mountainside. The only decent aspect of this walk, apart from the company of course, was the stream. It meant that last night, before eating, we were able to wash ourselves, from the sweat that was clinging to us now.

"Are you feeling okay, Kennedy?" Onix asked, like he did every hour or so. I just rolled my eyes at him and carried on ahead.

"Perfectly fine, Onix. You?"

"I'm fine. How's the bullet wound?" He asked.

"Fine, it's still healing, but I will survive." I stated, walking faster than before. I know he was just looking out for me, but I wasn't fragile, I could cope; seeing as though I have been fore most of my life, before I met him. Sterling was my uncle and he didn't constantly ask me how I was and he would be the one who is most obligated to, because he is related to me. I did admire Onix for caring, it was just getting a bit annoying.

"hey, guys, can we just wait up a bit, we need a quick pee break and water refill here!" Sade called up to us, before scurrying behind a bolder not too far away. I saw Annie bending over by the stream, filling up her bottle and Sade's. I went over to her and began filling up my own.

"Hey, Annie." I greeted, still catching my breath.

"Hey, how's the walking going?"

"Tiring."

"I second that, but we've only been walking for three hours at the most." She sighed, obviously thinking about the rest of the day and the next two days we still have to climb this blasted mountain.

"Once it's done, we wont have to do it again. Hopefully." I said, trying to be more positive about our situation.

"Yeah, now that is something I hope, most desperately. If I have to walk up this mountain again I will shoot someone," Annie agreed, sounding a bit menacing.

"Well, lets hope I'm not there if that happens." I laugh, making her smile. Ha! Target accomplished - mood brightened.

"Right, everyone ready to start moving again?" Sterling called for a few metres away. We all walked towards him, then he turned and lead us back up the mountain.

We carried on for hours, foot after foot, step after step. My motivation was the fact that with every step, the closer we were to the road and the closer we were to the truth of what really happened before I was locked up for no apparent reason.