The Elements Trilogy: The Primaries

Chapter Twenty: Steel

"Oh God, what is that smell?" Evalynn wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"That would be a mixture of sweat, blood, and dead animals." I answered back cheerfully.

Skylar and Diamond made gagging noises behind me. "Anyone got any soap or shampoo in the bags Bryner gave us? We need to bathe. And soon!"

We all stopped walking to search. Evalynn found 3 bars of soap, and Diamond discovered 3 bottles of shampoo.

"Thank you!" Evalynn sighed with relief. "But where are we bathing? Cause I am NOT washing up in that filthy river!"

"There's a development of houses, just up that way. About 7 more miles," Jamie said quietly. "We could sneak in and shower."

"It's the middle of the day." I snapped. "We're not breaking in during broad daylight."

"Now hang on." Diamond held up a hand. "Jamie has a point."

Jamie looked pleased; I was furious.

"It's the middle of the day, so everyone will be at work or school. It's the perfect time to break in and shower."

"I'm in!" Evie said. "I am done smelling like a bag of smashed assholes."

Skylar choked on the granola bar she was eating, and snorted. "That's got to be the best way to describe body odor ever." She said as we continued walking.

I was in the front, and I felt someone come up behind me. I looked back to see Jamie, hands still tied with rope, wrists rubbed raw from the hours of chafing. "What do you want?" I asked irritably.

Jamie shrugged. "Just curious as to why a young guy like you has gray hair. And about the peculiar metallic hand print on your cheek."

"I don't have to answer any of your questions." I snapped.

Jamie shrugged again. "Alright. I'll just ask Skylar why you have silver stuff on your cheek and nose."

My hands flew up to my nose, the food bag falling out of it. Jamie grabbed it, and I felt a flicker of appreciation for him before I remembered he had tried to kill my sister.

"Didn't you know about the nose?"

"No.." I whispered, horrified.

Evalynn touched my shoulder. "Troy?"

"How long has my nose been steel?" I rounded on her.

She took a half-step back. "I-I don't know."

"Skylar!" I bellowed. She tore away from Diamond and ran up to me.

"What?"

"My. Nose." I glowered at her.

Her eyes widened. "It must've happened when we were walking...how'd you find out?"

I jerked my head towards Jamie, who was standing there awkwardly.

Skylar turned to face Jamie. "Thank you." She glanced down at the still tied wrists. "Do your wrists hurt?"

Evie and Diamond caught up to us, as Jamie blushed. "A little."

Skylar took off her backpack, and began working at the knots. I stopped her by putting my hand over hers. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

Skylar rolled her eyes. "It's fine! Jamie will have to shower anyway!"

I narrowed my eyes, still wary of Jamie and his intentions.

An hour later we made it to a road. "Concrete!" Evalynn said dramatically. She leaned down and kissed the road.

"We've only been in the forest for two days. And one of them we spent in a huge freaking cabin!" Evie remarked.

We followed the road for about 15 minutes till we reached a development. We split up into groups of 2, each with a bar of soap and shampoo. Myself and Diamond, the Parker twins, and Skylar and Jamie.

I grabbed Jamie's arm as the girls spread out into different houses. "Remember what I said." I growled.

Jamie's eyes never left mine. "Eye for an eye, right Tin Man?"

I angrily shoved Jamie away from me, and stalked after Diamond. "You okay, Troy?" She asked.

"Fine." I grumbled. Suddenly, she grabbed me by my shoulder and spun me around to face her.

"No, you are not fine! You're being rude, mean, and arrogant towards Jamie, and everyone else! And you're the one who asked Jamie to come with us, so stop being such a... douchedick and man up!" She sputtered.

I was shocked. Diamond hardly ever said anything rude towards anyone. If she was rude, then god knows I was. "I'm sorry. But Skylar acts like she trusts Jamie!"

"Maybe she does! Or maybe she just feels that Jamie needs protecting!"

"From what!" I cried out.

"You!"

I froze, in the midst of picking a lock on a back door. "Me?"

"You almost killed Jamie twice. And you threatened to mutilate Jamie how many times!"

"Jamie almost killed you, Evie and Skylar." I reminded her.

"Jamie never took a swing at me. I just panicked. Plus, Jamie didn't attack until Skylar brought out her sword."

The locked clicked, and the door swung open. "Hope there are no dogs." I muttered ignoring Diamond's comment. "You can shower first." I said, handing her the stuff.

She studied me. "You're a very handsome boy, Troy. Don't let your personality spoil it." She then flashed me a grin, and set off in search off the bathroom.