Dimension Travelers

Chapter 46

As we ride back to the camp, I can't stop wondering if something bad happened here. When Rick mentioned the alleged assassins, I flipped out. But, knowing Chloe, they were most likely alive. I keep looking in the distance, hoping to see a horse riding up to join us. There was word of a horse in the desert that was dying. It had a spear in its side. They were saying it was possibly from the legendary Sharp Shooters. They were assassins. Does that mean they're the ones who attacked Chloe? They are a group of fierce warriors that normally live in the desert. But now, I guess they live in the castle.

Rick and I don't talk at all. He just keeps his eyes on the desert. The wind has gotten colder. I'm getting tired. I can't imagine how Chloe and Jared are doing it: riding in the desert for half a day.

Once we get back, we enter our tent. We sit on our beds. We didn't want to wait to take out Eclipsa, but Sandi did. She thought it would be best to wait. But, by then, it would be too late. Rick and I have a secret plan: sneak out of camp, get into the castle, and kill Eclipsa. We received news that they found something to heal Firefly, so now she will be able to help us with our original plan after all. However, she will not be released until tomorrow. We want to leave the next day at noon so no one will see us. We will be back before they notice. Well, that's what we are hoping will happen.

* * * * * * * *

We have been riding for hours. No sign of anything. What's worse, the wind has gotten colder and stronger. We are still wet from yesterday. Now we will definitely get sick now. My chest feels heavy with mucus. I haven't started coughing yet, but it's only a matter of time, though.

A few minutes later, as I predicted, I'm starting to cough. So badly, that I have to stop the horse. I feel weak, though not from lack of food, but from something else. I don't know what. Jared isn't much better than I am. He's been unnaturally tired this whole time. (Should I be concerned?) This all happened as the days wore on; the lack of sleep, little food, long hours riding, the weather. It was bound to happen.

"We need to...stop and rest...This is ridiculous." Jared says. Poor guy, he sounds exhausted.

Through coughs I say, "Yeah, I know. And I'm sorry...but there's nowhere to stop."

"There...hasta be..."

I turn around. He's trying hard not to pass out. "Are you ok? I guess we could stop for a while."

"That'd be nice."

So I get down, and then help him. I rummage through the saddle. I find some nuts, water, horse food, and a tent. A tent?! Who in the world gave us a tent? The old man...I look at it. Just the press of a button. It wasn't big enough to hold a horse, but that's ok. He doesn't seem bothered by the wind. I set up the tent. It pops open; all set up and everything. Jared and I climb in. Luckily, it hasn't started raining yet.

Jared lies down on his back. He closes his eyes. "This is ten times better than a horse."

I manage a laugh. "You got that right."

Then I start to cough again; a lot harder than last time. We don't have any blankets; nothing to keep us warm.

Jared sits up. "Are you ok?"

"Not exactly." I reply. The coughing stops.

"Hopefully we'll get to this...weapon before we die in this godforsaken place."

"Now there's a thought. Dying here."

He glances at me. "Maybe we should sleep now. It's been a long day."

"I'm not tired."

"That's a dirty rotten lie and you know it."

"I don't wanna sleep. I can't."