Cruel Fates

(7) Angel

Ace nor Serena were close to me but even I can sense the tension between them. I couldn't help but  wonder: what happened between the two of them while Ashton and I were talking? Recalling our previous — secretive — conversation, I couldn't help the way my head dropped down to stare at the dirt path we were walking on.

This little journey of ours can get quite tricky, more so than it should have been. A number of things can and probably will happen during the duration of this trip. Secrets, that were never spoken out loud, can be revealed. Secrets that neither Ashton nor I were willing to share with Serena and Ace. If things were to take a sudden one-eighty, for whatever reason, I wouldn't know what to do. Ashton is also worried about any potential events. While, we do undeniably want to find that city, we are very hesitant. The burden of this secret is way too heavy to share with another soul, not in this world. Definitely not in this world, to put more empathize on it.

Ashton shared the idea, while we were discussing, that we can effortlessly break away from the group and go off on our own. It's easy, really. It's Ashton's turn tonight to keep a look out, so while Serena and Ace are asleep, we can make our escape then. I know, we were the ones that first brought up going to the city in the first place. But, I couldn't shake off the feeling that if we were to stay, something was going to happen. Something that would be, undoubtedly, very massive. So, I told Ashton of how I felt about this whole thing and the rest is explained.

Ashton walked silently besides me, observing the peaceful, still scenery. I can feel, after a few seconds, him turning his gaze to look at me, a bit worriedly. Or at least, from what I can see from my peripheral vision. "Do you still feel that same gut feeling?" He inquired, reaching his hand up to scratch his head a bit.

"Honestly, yea, I am," was my response to him. I turn my head to him and smile slightly. "But, " I continued, " I'm pretty sure it'll go away once we break off from the group. At least, I hope so."

"I feel that there's gonna be a but in there somewhere, so out with it," he crossed his arms, looking at me with a brow raised and head tilted.

I swung my arms behind me as I walked a bit ahead of him. "Well, I just feel guilty, that's all. I mean, I had Serena join our little group not so long ago and now we're just suddenly taking off and leaving her alone with some guy she barely knows as just some ally - if she even considers us as allies."

"Look, Angel, Serena can handle herself, especially against Ace. You don't have to worry about her. If she were listening in on this, she would probably bash your head in for thinking that she couldn't handle herself," he chuckled lightly, in turn, causing me to smile too and the anxiety to slowly dwindle away.The feeling was still there, just lurking, but it was enough for me to at least relax a bit. I'll feel guilty for a while, but in the end, it's really everyone for themselves. Maybe, in another life, things could've been different. If we were to cross paths with them one day, I hope whatever resentment they may or would feel wouldn't be enough for us to duel. That's something I hope would never happen between us, especially against someone as strong as them.

"I guess you're right. Thanks, Ashton." I grinned widely. Ashton reached with his left hand to ruffle my hair, making me slap his hands away in attempt to salvage my hair. "Ashton!" I shrieked and ducked. I glanced back up to see him grinning down a predatory smile. I gulped and dashed away towards where Ace and Serena. I know we were going to separate and basically abandon them but I don't want to part without at least being on good terms with them, even if that's likely to change. For now, I'll just enjoy this moment and go with the flow. "Serena! Ace! Please save me from the beast!" I cried out, running behind them to use as human shields. Ace and Serena both quirked their eyebrows at me and back at the fast approaching Ashton.

"Give her up guys! She's my prey!" He called out, his arms stretched out in front of him ever so ready to trap me in them. I hid a smile behind my hand. He always did know how to make me feel better.  Serena rolled her eyes and turned to look back at Ashton. Ace had stepped away, not willing to participate in our little game.

"Fine, I'll protect you. Only for now, though." Serena drew out a dagger in place for her sword.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. It doesn't have to come down to this," Ashton rambled, waving his arms in front of him but I can see the playful expression on his face.

"It doesn't?" Serena inquired, leaning her weight on her left leg and resting her right hand on her side.

"It doesn't." he confirmed with a nod of his head.  Serena tapped the side of her blade against her cheek, pretending to dwell on it. I glanced at Ace, who was watching quietly. To others, he seemed to be uncaring that he could 'potentially' die but I can sense the amusement and radiating off of him.

Maybe we should stay, I mean it wouldn't hurt to. But, at the same time, who knows if it's safe. Staying would mean risking ourselves but leaving also means we leave behind our only friends in this country. Safety comes first, I guess.

With the that thought in mind, my smile slipped off my face and turned into a frown. It's sudden but tonight we will find out if we decide to stay here or not. Ashton and I will have to continue our conversation later when we're away from Serena and Ace. But, for now, I guess I'll just enjoy the moment while it lasts.

----------

After spending half the day messing around, nightfall finally came. About half an hour of goofing off led us to an old, rotting shack in the middle of this forest. The walls were barely holding up, the roof was gone and on that note it smells horrible because of the slowly rotting away walls, but it was better than nothing.

While Ace and Serena surveyed the area, Ashton and I managed to formulate a plan that may or may not work. Ace, our real main concern, is someone who rarely catches a wink of sleep. That means, trying to break off from the group may prove to be difficult. So, the only thing we can do is send both Serena and Ace off to find some dry sticks, twigs and other materials to build a fire pit. From there on, we can only hope it'll keep them occupied long enough so that we can leave.

"Do you have everything prepared?" Ashton murmured, shuffling close to me, his eyes darting across the site for any signs of the other two. For a split second, I felt a twinge of guilt flash my being but I immediately shook it off. Serena and Ace can take care of themselves. We'll reunite with them one day, hopefully at least. And if we do, maybe we will have the courage to explain everything to them.

"Yea," I murmur back, toying with my fingers and rocking back and forth on my feet, "are you ready, Ashton?" He nodded and stepped away from me and back to his original position besides the bags.

"It's now or never. We can't let this opportunity pass us by." Ashton hauled the bags to him, slid one on his back, and handed me what would be mine to which I grabbed and slid it on, too. I listened in one more time for the sound of Ace's or Serena's footsteps and when I didn't hear them, I reached for his hand — giving it a small encouraging squeeze — and pulled him along into the safety of the forest's darkness and its massive trees.