Running With Ghosts (H2OVanoss)

Chapter 3

The screamers were overly active that night for some reason and there were more of them. They were either travelling in groups or there were more that were slowly finding their way into the favela.

Their hungry cries echoed below as Jonathan sat on the edge of the window with one leg dangling out. The Asian was finally sleeping after two hours of awkward silences and suspicious stares. He was ambitious, Jonathan would give him that, but he was reckless and that ate at him more than anything. The man was built very well, he was strong, athletic, smart and was a good asset for the tower. But all of that was pointless if he didn't know how to get around properly. It was all pointless if he couldn't keep himself alive long enough to do any good. Jonathan glanced over when the man's arm slid off the side of the bed as he dreamed. At least he didn't snore.

The sun worked its way up and as soon as it breached the horizon, Jonathan slipped back in through the window and gathered his things. The Asian stirred, rubbing his eyes before he sat up in the bed. He perked up when he saw the runner moving around. Evan stood up and stretched with an obnoxious sound. "So."

Jonathan stopped what he was doing and looked over at him. "So, what?"

Evan grinned, "Are you gonna drag me back home to Mom and Dad or are you gonna let me tag along?"

"First things first." Jonathan dropped his bag. "The only reason I'm not hauling your clumsy ass back to the tower this very moment is because they want to give you a chance. Second, I'm betting you do something even more dumb than what you did last night. That will be the reason I take you back to Mom and Dad, because you don't know how to do any of this. So, yeah you can tag along but don't get comfortable because you'll be back to sleeping in a bunk by the end of the day."

Evan clutched at his chest and hissed. "Ouch. That hurt me deep."

Jonathan stared him down, but the guy just continued to smirk at him. So he grabbed his bag and secured it over his shoulder before he went for the window. "Get your shit. Let's go."

Evan grabbed his things and climbed down after him, shielding his eyes from the sun once his feet were on the rooftop beside the guy. "Well. Where to, Angel Boy?"

Anjo rolled his eyes and pulled his map out. Evan saw how much more intricate it was than his own. It was marked with pathways, symbols he didn't know the meaning of, random drawings up the corners. "Just follow me and please refrain from speaking as much as possible."

"Why? It's not like anyone's going to hear us."

Jonathan spun on him. "Rule number one. Do as I say, when I say. You got that?"

"Sure." Evan smiled. "I just don't understand why you don't want me to talk."

"Because I enjoy the quiet." Jonathan pocketed the map and started out at a jog across the rooftops. He gave the Asian a side glance. "Try to keep up."

To Jonathan's surprise, the man actually kept up. He was also pleased that he kept his mouth shut the entire time, but he knew the words were building because by the time they reached their destination, the Asian was restless. They came to a stop before Jonathan slid to the edge and lowered himself down through an open window into an abandoned house.

"So." Evan started once his feet were on the floor beside him. "What's your name?"

Jonathan didn't pay him any attention, instead he let his trained eyes scan the cramped house for anything they could use. He made a beeline for the bathroom where he found supplies in the small closet and behind the mirror.

"I mean, I can keep calling you Angel Boy if you want. Or dude. That's up to you, Anjo."

Jonathan stuffed his bag and turned, "Or you could just not call me anything and shut your mouth. How about that?"