Our Time Bomb

Chapter Thirty-six ~ First Battle

Back to present (Erika's pov)

My nerves are pulsing with that nervous expectancy that thrills me every time I feel it. Something is about to happen, I just know it. All around me is dark and foreboding coldness, but I can feel a tension that isn't always here.

My eyes avert back to Jefferson, I fold my arms and study him.

He gets a call. I watch him quickly respond by holding a finger to his ear, "What is it?"

I strain my ears lest I should hear anything, but I do not.

"You serious?" his voice is urgent and his hand desperately runs through his hair.
"everything is barricaded? Villagers are safe?... Good..."

He pauses for a moment, listening to the caller (Probably a general)

"Alright, are you sure this is necessary? We can't defend them off?...  No? Very well... I suppose I haven't a choice do I? Tell them I will be there in a matter of minutes."

He removes his hand from his ear and his arm falls to his side with a heavy sigh. "Erika..."

I smile, "Yes darling?"

"This isn't over... But I think you know what's going on don't you?"

My heart skips a beat, "my people are here aren't they? That's why you're so afraid."

His eyes get glassy for just a moment but immediately they harden, "Correct, now I have to let you go, otherwise they will take over the Guild. If only I'd known....

I laugh in his face, "It is about time. I am so done with being here."

I begin to walk towards the door but he catches my wrist, "Not just yet."

He places me in front of him, "Erika, so now we will officially go out there and be enemies. Promise me one thing... Promise you'll stop them from harming anyone here... Please."

I search his earnest face, reading his true intentions. He really does want to do the right thing, it's evident. "Very well." I say.

"Let's go then." he says, opening the door.

Already, I feel my weakness slipping away from my body. I am so close to freedom, I can almost touch it with my fingertips. I can nearly feel my sword at my side.

Even now, Jefferson hovers close to me even as we quickly climb the many flights of stairs. It's as though he is still protective of me. Either that, he is afraid that I will momentarily turn on him.

I note the lightness of my steps compared to his heavier ones. Will I ever walk this close to him again without the two of us trying to kill one another?

Before we reach the great massive doors of the Guild, I look up at him, "I'm sorry it had to be this way."

His face is straight, "So am I..."

With that, he once again takes my wrist and opens the door.

For a second I struggle but I stop, paralyzed by the blinding light of the outdoors. A wave of air hits me like a refreshing ocean wave.

My eyes adjust as I walk with Jefferson down through the courtyard, full of Gyardicans. On the other side of the courtyard and surrounding the whole guild... Are Shadow Nation. They truly did come for me!

The courtyard fence is like a dividing line. Bars separating two wild beasts that are overcome with tension and would do anything to kill each other. They have also another factor that is separating them from breaking loose and out of control... Me.