The Companions Are After Me

Chapter Ten

"Your seats aren't very comfortable."
"I know, but you're going to have to deal with it."
"We need to get a seat cushion."
"You'll survive." Avi grumbled as he continued driving straight. I had to find entertainment, there is simply nothing to do. For three or four hours. Sure, it's not that long but with Avi it feels more like six hours that we have to drive. He refuses to turn on the radio and music always makes time seem to go by faster. I left my iPod in my duffle bag that's in the box of the truck.
"Avi-."
"No."
I crossed my arms over my chest and narrowed my eyes, "you didn't ever hear what I had to say."
"Didn't have to." Avi muttered as he moved lanes to get around someone. I grumbled, turning to look out my window. Large fields of all shades of green and gold zoomed by, houses far behind them. A sign passed close to us but I didn't catch anything besides welcome to.
"Are we at Fort River?" I questioned, hopeful. Avi shook his head, making me sigh. Avi sped up a little to pass a few more people and only continued at the high speed for ten minutes before returning to just above the speed limit. Eventually, my eyelids started to grow heavy, I fought to keep them open but at some point, I just let them stay closed and I fell asleep.

I woke up to someone shaking me and fear stretched over me, I went for my dagger and swung only to see Avi jump back and out of the way. His eyes narrowed with challenge and a sliver of anger.
"Sorry." I muttered before yawning and stretching myself out.
"I stopped for gas, go into the store and get something to drink or use the washroom." Avi ignored my apology. I glanced around and realized that we are in fact stopped at a gas station. Jumping out of the truck, I made my way to the bathroom and did my thing.
When I got out Avi had grabbed a large water bottle and now was waiting for me. Scanning the cooler things, I found myself grabbing a Jones. Avi smiled at me as we walked up to the counter to pay. We walked out of the gas station and someone grabbed me by the mouth and waist, dragging me to the side of the building without windows. I struggled but couldn't quite break free, Avi smashed his fist into the guys right cheek, sending him to the concrete. The man shot up off the ground while Avi's attention laid on the guy holding me. The Companion -no doubt- jumped onto Avi's back and rammed his elbow into the back of Avi's skull. The mans grip tightened on me and as he stopped, I took that as my opportunity. Raising my knee into the air, I pound my foot into his knee. His hands fell down to his injured knee and he howled, I sent my boot directing into his nose. The sound of cartilage breaking filled the air along with crimson blood. The companion flopped into the fetal position while I turned my sights to Avi, who took a punch into the the rib cage. I ran over and jumped on the Companions back, wrapping my arms around his neck in a choke hold.
"You spider monkey." I heard him mutter under his breath. He began swinging me around. Bending and diving, trying to get me off but it wouldn't work so he slammed his head back into my lip and it instantly began to sting. As a last resort, the Companion slammed his body down on the pavement and the air I had escaped my lungs. I began to gasp for air but kept my grip as tight as I could. Avi let out a growl and held his fist ready to strike, acting as my backup. I felt the man weaken, air deprivation making him pass out. Soon, his arms went limp and fell to his side. Wiggling out from underneath him, Avi checked his pulse and gave me a thumbs up. Avi's eyes flickered upwards and he raced to the other Companion, sending his knuckles into the mans gut. Avi came over and offered me a hand up, which I took with a thankful nod. His eyes dropped to my lip and he frowned.
"Your lip is split."
"And you probably have a large bruise on your ribs. Or at least, one will be there. We should fix ourselves up before heading out again," I paused, grabbing his hand, "and your knuckles are cut and bruised." Avi chuckled and walked to the truck, opening the tailgate. I hopped on and swung my legs while I studied where we are. Looking around, you could tell that this neighbour hood is old. Some of the houses and the gas station have stained panels from weathering.
Avi placed a first aid kit next to me and unzipped it, he grabbed a cotton swab and dipped it into some rubbing alcohol. His gaze landed on my lip and he got close; when he placed the cotton swab on the swollen cut, it made the corners of my lips twitch as it stung. Avi backed away, throwing the cotton swab on the ground before grabbing the tiniest bandaid I think I've ever seen.
"I don't think I need that, Avi." I said but he ignored me and placed it on my busted lip. I rolled my eyes. Avi helped me down before jumping up himself. He swung his shirt over his head, revealing a nice, smooth six pack. Not too big, not too small. Doing my best to ignore it, I grabbed a jar of goo and opened it. Getting an amount in my fingers, I rubbed it on the discoloured skin over his ribs. I rubbed it in until it was absorbed and cleaned my fingers off. I frowned and Avi furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.
"I'm going to check your head." Was all I said before I stepped up onto his truck. I ran my fingers through his hair, looking for the injury he got from the elbow to the head. He flinched and I stopped.
"Found it." I said nonchalantly and I heard him scoff. Looking at it you could tell it was a goose egg, but it wouldn't need any medical attention. I climbed off of his truck and Avi put his shirt back on. Avi jogged to our drinks on the pavement and picked them up before getting in the truck and driving off. He pulled onto the highway again and we continued to our new apartment. Avi began to whistle and soon after a bird perched itself on the opened back window and sang along with him. I couldn't help but grin and chuckle silently.

We got into Fort a River and pulled into the closest parking lot that had a phone booth. Avi stayed in the truck while I called my parents.
"Hello?" I questioned.
"Hi honey. How what your trip?" Mom asked breathlessly.
"Good, but sleep is the only thing on my mind right now."
"Okay, I'll give the phone to your dad and he'll tell you the address."

Avi pulled up into a parking lot with a tall rectangular building made of weathered bricks. We finally made it! Avi turned the key and pulled it out, turning off the truck and got out. I jumped out, stretched my legs and arms and let out a large, happy sigh. Walking to the front doors, Avi caught up to me and smiled. We entered the relatively nice and clean main office where an older gentlemen sat at the receptionist desk. His hair mostly consisted of grey and white but a few patches carried a dark chocolate brown colour. He glanced up before turning to his computer and doing a double take.
"Ah, you must be my new residents." He smiled warmly and we nodded as we stepped closer to the desk.
"The caller only described the young lady, they were right when they said no one else would come in that looked like you." The old man chuckled before dropping two keys into my hand, "second floor room at the end of the hall."
"Thank you." I smiled and left to go up the stairs with Avi. This place is definitely an upgrade from my last apartment building. They actually clean it! Avi took a key from my hand and unlocked the door, pushing it open. The landing is covered in a white laminate tile and with a step up, it turned into a warm brown carpet. The kitchen set off into a tiny corner. The over all room rather small but open concept. My family had already gotten furniture here and it was set up, all we need is our stuff they couldn't have gotten here.