Dimension Travelers

Chapter 22

As we walk, I can't help but remember the way Firefly looked with the arrow aimed at Seth. I remember watching their battle thinking: She doesn't stand a chance. She really didn't. I mean, even if Seth and Rick didn't have weapons, they still would have beaten her. Then I remember seeing the anger in Rick's eyes as he was about to kill Firefly. Luckily, Seth stepped in. I don't know what I'd do if I had watched her die. I may be "as tough as nails," but watching people die is a whole other can of worms. I can't stand it. I know that Seth can't stand it either.

Now, as we walk, the pain of my injury is increasing. Standing up was hard enough, but now, we have to find a cave that is far away from Firefly so she won't be able to track us. I insisted that I was fine, but my face said otherwise. I knew it was killing Seth that I was hurt, but there wasn't anything anyone could do.

As I think of this, I remember the kiss. It was unexpected and totally random. And yet, somehow, it wasn't at the same time. The feelings of anger, lament, affection, and alarm come flooding back. I can't decide what to think of my feelings.

Should I be mad? Well, if so, then what am I mad about? Oh yeah, that he said we should focus on the mission and push our feelings aside. Should I lament it? I mean, it took all this to get the true feelings to come out. But I still feel affection for him; I always have, but this is a new kind of affection. And I'm still alarmed; still in shock over it. Not that it's a bad thing, exactly--just shocking. I never thought something like this would happen.

We finally make it to another cave. We all sit down and just try to relax; or, in my case, soak everything in. We don't dare make a fire for fear of being noticed. Instead, we just sat in a circle. We don't say anything for the longest time.

"Why'd you stop me? She's a direct threat to our mission." Rick says. There is bitterness in his voice.

"You know why. I told you back there." Seth says.

"Rick, killing her would only make Hammer angrier and it'd give him more reason to kill us. If Seth hadn't intervened, Hammer probably would've killed us. We can't exactly complete our mission if we're dead." I say.

"Why are you on his side? Because you like him?" Rick asks. He sounds like...like me...

"No. I'm just saying what would happen. Think about it."

"I have thought about it! And, if I had killed her, there would be nothing Hammer could do about it. Besides, Seth shot an arrow at his arm and leg. He won't be goin' anywhere for awhile."

"Just let it go, Rick. It doesn't matter. As long as Firefly doesn't break free, we'll be good to go." Seth says.

"No we won't. In case you've forgotten, Chloe's still hurt." Rick says.

"So? I can manage." I futilely protest. Who am I fooling? I'm about as useful as a rock...And why does Rick care about my well-being all of a sudden?

"Are you freaking kidding me? You can barely stand up, much less fight! There's no way you're going anywhere."

"Whatever. You've made your point." I say.

"We should all just get some rest. It's been a long day." Seth says.

"It's probably almost dawn by now. Who knows how long we've really been here." Rick says.

We're silent.

"What now?" I ask.

"Don't know." Rick says.

"We should probably stay here for awhile." Seth says. "Since you're hurt and all."

That makes me mad. But what can I say to that? It's true. Truth hurts big time. There's nothing that I can do about it. I mean, it's not as if we have some magical healing plant or something.