Our Time Bomb

Chapter Fourteen ~ Tick Tok

The clock ticked and tocked. My vision blurred as I watched it, thinking about the image it implied in my mind. It reminded me that the time I had before Jefferson found me out was limited. That was back when he'd come so close to finding out who was that night in the restaurant on our first date. He thought the Shadow Nation had captured me. Poor man, he probably felt guilty beyond words after leaving me.

How an I going to show myself to him again without any suspicions being made from Jefferson or the Shadow Nation?
I thought to myself; It was a tricky situation.

I decided to avoid him completely, despite how much it hurt me. It was the safest way, being with Jefferson was much too risky. It was sweet while it lasted, but we were two people on completely different paths. If my people found about how close I'd been to him, they'd question my loyalty. If Jefferson found out that I was the very person he was trying to lock up in his prison, then he'd have no choice but to do so.

All logical reasoning told me to stay away from him. So for awhile, I did. Until one day...

I was out hunting some wild meat in a private part of the forest that belonged to a powerful margrave. It was illegal to poach in this forest, but that was the very reason I was doing it. The margrave had previously caught some of my men and sent them off to the Gyardicans. I haven't seen them since.

On that crisp evening, I was with four of my most trusted huntsmen. Martinel, Cole, Nickolas, and Syra."

The five of us crept through the trees without making a sound. Syra was close to my side as we kept our eyes peeled for any sign of movement. I wore my traditional Shadow Nation attire. It consisted of a short dress that fell to my knees, and tall leather boots with cross stitching decorating every seam. My cape blended into the pastel night. The dark makeup around my eyes and the markings on my forehead and cheeks signified my leadership role.

Syra suddenly touched my shoulder, "There... Something moved."

The men and I scanned the area, not seeing anything. "Where?" Nickolas whispered, getting down low. We all hid behind a dark thicket and peered in the direction that Syra soon pointed in.

I drew my bow and rescanned the area with a sharp eye. I almost expected something to jump out at us.

Then it caught my eye, a whirl of movement caught my attention. I pointed my bow in the area that I saw it.
"There..." I whispered.

They all drew their bows waiting for whatever it was to come out of hiding.

"I'll go forward, Cole crept out soundlessly from behind the bushes. There was a small clearing of leaves and a tree or two. Then I saw it, ropes blending in with the trees. I hoarsely whispered to Cole to go no further, but it was too late. I gasped as he was swept up into the air in a woven trap. He yelped with surprise. My men shot to their feet with surprise, their eyes locked on their friend suspended in the air. I held my arm out, motioning them for them to stay put with a finger on my lips.

I waited to see who would come out after their trap had sprung. A voice suddenly rang out, "Come out, or I will shoot your friend!"

I felt sick to the stomach, that voice belonged to Jefferson. I whispered to my men, "Go! I'll stay here."

They obeyed and stepped forward.

There were several Gyardicans besides Jefferson there and they came out as well.

"I am the Captain of the Guard, and if I'm correct, you're poaching in a private section of the forest, is that correct?"

My men didn't say anything, but stood there.