Dark Everglades: The Rising Sun [BOOK ONE] {BEING RE-WRITTEN}

Alexandra

Alex's POV

"How about we just find a map? Does that work for you?" I ask Arina as we continue to walk down the road.

We're fighting about how to get to 45th street. Arina and I don't get along at all, and i can't blame her. We're totally different people.

Sidriel is just as powerful and mysterious as I thought. Tall towers of metal buildings, streets half filled with people in hoods and riding flying motorcycles as transportation.

I've been so lost in thought I didn't realize Arina stopping before I slam into her. I would flap my wings if it isn't for the stupid cloak she made me wear.

Arina slowly turns towards me, her head tilting and her eyes being shielded by sunglasses.

"We're missing someone," She starts and my eyes widen.

I turn around with a gap. "Uh... Where's Ethan?"

Arina steps in front of me, looking all around. "God damn it Ethan..." She whispers, her eyes shining awkwardly through the glasses.

"Where did he go?" I ask and Arina throws her hands in the air.

"Heck if I know!"

Some Cidediens hesitate, looking at us and I cower slightly. "Arina be quiet. People are looking."

"I swear to Nala, if that boy is still alive-"

I kick her in the shin and she yelps, a tail growing on her backside for a quick second before it disappears. She glares at me. "You're going to pay for that."

"Yeah? And while you do that, Ethan is probably lost or getting hurt. But go ahead, continue to throttle me, I'm ready." Arina stares at me, her mouth slack and I wait patiently. "I can feel Ethan's aura beginning to dim."

She rolls her eyes. "Anddd we're back. Come on, use your nose to sniff him out."

I straighten and tilt my head, closing my eyes. "It's very distant, but follow me."
                              ***
We're walking for hours on end, and the sun begins to go down. Arina is trailing behind me protectively as the city begins to turn a bit barren and... Dangerous.

"I don't like this," Arina whispers, and I slow down my steps, the feathers on my arms fluffing a bit.

"Me either..."

The lights of whatever city we are in begin to dim, and darkness is soon compelling us.

I slowly take off my hood, Arina doing the same and taking off her glasses.

I stop suddenly and Arina stops as well, sensing my hesitation seconds before it happened.

"What are you two pretty ladies doing this far in Enerland?" A dark voice asks and I squint through the dark, not seeing much but a couple of figures a few feet away.

"So that's where we are? Well we'll be on our way now," Arina says, turning on her heels but I don't move.

"What about Ethan?" I question a bit too loudly, and Arina tenses.

The figures laugh. "Ethan? I know an Ethan. Walked by here a couple minutes ago."

I smile. "Oh that's great! Can you take us to him?!"

Arina grabs my winged arm with such force I almost cried out. "We're getting out of here now. We'll find another way to get to Ethan," She whispers tensely and I frown.