Wither Skulls

Chapter Eleven

The Master's POV

I slipped the skull over my face, letting it settle properly before placing the black hood back over my head.

I could sense something was wrong.

Something in the air.

It was smelling of it.

"Master, Jennifer is leading The Order towards us. They stopped to rest and are waiting out daylight." A guard announces, kneeling down in my presence.

That couldn't be the problem, that was exactly according to the plan.

"And the bitten?" I question, my voice booming through the room.

The man shivered, his nervousness adding to the air.

"She is moving onto stage two as we speak Master." He answers, voice slightly shaking.

"Perfect." I smile.

Chapter Eleven- Ice Cold

Petra's POV

I couldn't feel my arm, it was almost like I had been sitting against a block of ice for the whole night.

Which when I opened my eyes wasn't too far off.

Jessie was curled up next to me, shivering, as she seemed to be painfully asleep.

She was cold, way too cold for a normal person to even be capable of living though.

But this was the bite, and this wasn't just any cold.

Quickly I wrap my arms around her, resting my head on top of hers, hoping to warm her up a bit while she slept.

I could feel her shivering in my arms, trying to move closer to me to keep warm.

Though no matter how close she got she didn't get warmer.

I couldn't explain why I found myself hugging her so tightly, but something in me needed to protect her at all costs.

She'd do the same for me.

"P-Petra?" Jessie chatters, her eyes opening as her body shakes from the freezing temperature only she can feel.

I continue to hug her, not wanting to let go.

"I'm right here." I mutter, letting her head rest between my shoulder and my chin, her emerald orbs staring up at me.

"W-hy is i-it so c-cold?" She asks, tightening herself into a ball against my side.

I nuzzle my head on top of hers, not knowing what to say other than the truth.

"The second symptom, remember? Cold as packed ice?" I whisper, noting that everyone is still asleep.

She slowly nods, shivering again shortly after.

I kept my arms around her, not daring to let go for even a second.

Lukas woke up, looking disoriented from sleep as he rubbed his eyes.

"What time is it?" He yawns, freezing when he saw Jessie curled up against my side as she shivered.

I hush him silently, gesturing Jessie, who seemed to have dozed off again, even with her intense coldness.

"I-Is she okay?" He chokes out in a whisper, crawling over to sit in front of me.

I shrug, looking down sadly at her shaking form.

"I'm not sure. I know its a symptom, but its just so... I dunno. Scary for her." I mutter, unaware of my eyes filling with concern and worry.

Lukas tilts his head to the side.

"Not trying to offend you or anything, but I don't think I've ever seen you care this much about anyone." He points out, making me feel a slight anger catch in my throat.

"I've cared about people before." I retort, making him raise his hands in surrender.

His blue eyes are filled with fear, and that makes me worried.

"That's not what I meant. I know you care about people. I meant you've never cared like this." He corrects, making me look down at my arms wrapped protectively around Jessie, losing almost all feeling in them with how cold she is.

A sigh escapes my lips as I gaze down at her.

"I'm just wondering why you want to protect her so badly. Like we all care about her, but we're getting her that cure." He says, being optimistic.

I shake my head.

"There's so much about this plan that worries me. For one, this Master guy isn't gonna just let us walk into it's fortress or whatever, take a cure and leave," I pause, closing my eyes for a few seconds, "It wants me dead, you heard Jennifer. And I'm guessing if he wants me dead, he wants you guys dead too."

He shakes his head, looking down at Jessie, who still shivers.

"Would she let you think those sort of things? Blaming yourself?" He asks, voice low and suggestive.

He gets up, going back over to his original place to sit down.

"Because, knowing Jessie, and how close you two are, she wouldn't let you blame yourself for something that's out of your control." He mutters, closing his eyes.

My eyes drifted down to the fire, feeling slightly torn between the different questions running through my mind.

Does Jessie blame me?

Will she be afraid to be around me once we meet the Master?

Will we find the cure?

Why do I care so much about her?

This was the first time I've ever really noticed the awkward feeling in my stomach as I looked down at her.

This... What's... I...

It felt like a rock had landed in my throat, and butterflies were trapped in my stomach.

What's wrong with me?

....

Indeed. Anyway, sorry for the wait. Been slightly busy with school and other things. Hopefully this chapter wasn't a complete failure as I took at least a day or two between writing it and finishing it. Anyway, I'll try to update soon... Stay classy Crafter's.

-Fox