Broken Promises

chapter 21

“I think it’s time we split up.” The words flow out of Athena like trickling water. She doesn’t have time to take her words back when Jason removes his warm hand from her cheek and the cool breeze begins icing it once again. The look on his face is pure hurt and betrayal. He almost looks as if he’s about to cry and the guilt begins eating a small pit in her stomach. She inhales a soft breath and closes her eyes so she doesn’t have to look into his sorrowed eyes any longer. But the truth is, does she even want to split up? She knows it’s best for them but she can’t picture herself anywhere but by his side. What is going to happen to them if they’re the last two? Her eyes snap open when she feels herself moving involuntarily. She sees Jason’s strong arms as he throws her over his shoulder and she’s left to stare at his tight t-shirt sticking to his back from sweat.

                “Jason, put me down.” Athena calmly demands. He snickers as he takes his free hand and smacks her on the rear end.

                “Relax because we have a long journey ahead of us.” She lets out a long sigh.

                “You know how much I hate to be lifted.” She replies in a sing-song tune.

                “I know, that’s why I’m doing it.” He retaliates in the same sing-song tune. She rolls her eyes and looks at the axe dangling precariously in her small hand.

                “You know, I could stab you right now if I wanted to.” He glances over his shoulder at her and she notices the muscles in his back flex as he takes one of her legs and moves it around his waist. In a flash, she’s looking into his eyes as she wraps her arms around his neck. She nuzzles into his neck and inhales his scent. He slides his fingers into her hair and gently pulls her to look at him again.

                “You wouldn’t do that. You love me too much.” And with that, she finds her lips crashing onto his.

                Jason pulls back first and she finds herself whimpering inside. She didn’t want them to break apart but she understands this isn’t the idle scene to kiss in. He sets her down gently but interlocks his fingers with hers tightly. It’s almost as if she tried running away his grasp would never loosen.

                “Come on we need to go find the careers.” They begin strolling over the freshly green grass letting the sounds of the woodland creatures absorb them. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees Jason staring at her with a childlike smile plastered onto his face. A small smile appears on her lips before she has a chance to stop it. She glances at him and he turns away abruptly as if pretending he was never staring at her at all. She punches him lightly in the arm and he shrinks back dramatically pretending he’s severely injured. While his eyes have slightly closed, Athena takes the opportunity to slide her thin leg in front of his as he tumbles onto the ground. She begins laughing at the strands of grass sticking out of his now disheveled hair.

                “You’re going to pay for that!” He hollers as she begins sprinting through the woods with Jason on her tail. She knows he’s going to catch her so she slows her pace considerably. He reaches her and picks her up to spin her around in his muscular arms. She’s still giggling but her breath hitches in her throat when she hears the voices. She opens her eyes to see them standing in front of the two people whose faces haunt her dreams at night.