They are the Helwyr

Chapter 2

A noise worse than any I could imagine wakes me before the sun has even fully risen. I run my eyes and make the fire wall completely die down. Before I have a chance to sit up and look around something begins pushing against my face.

I instantly jump to my feet and run to the car, raiding the boot for a weapon. The entire of the boot is filled with an arsenal of them but I realise I have no idea what my attacker is. I allow myself a quick glance over my shoulder.

There is nothing that would attack me in sight, just a fluffy cat who looks bewildered.

"Mystica?! Was that you? Why did you need to wake me up so early?" She makes that evil wailing sound again before neatly trotting over to me.

I really do love this cat, I have never really been a cat person before but I find myself inexplicably drawn to this one. I leave her sitting on the floor and go to the passenger seat of the car. My phone is inside the glove box, its screen reading 6:37. I glower at the cat, its a disgusting hour to be awake at.

Radley will be in the middle of his morning run at this hour so it will be the perfect time for my morning call. I press the dial button and pray for good news.

"Good morning Aero." He is panting, so I have either caught him mid run or he is going to have even more trouble breathing when I've finished with him.

"How is the run going? Is there any news on Ray?"

"Perfectly bloody miserable, its pissing it down. He murmured and flutter his eyelids yesterday so it's a definite improvement."

I breathe a heavy sigh of relief, my biggest regret of leaving was that Rey still hasn't regained full consciousness and walking away from Radley broke my heart. He lost his father and nearly his brother but I hope he can forgive me if I find his mother and sister.

"Thats brilliant news. We hopefully will pass through the rest of Iowa today if ever decide to talk to Damari again..."

"Do I even want to ask?"

"The douche decided that I was pregnant just because I kicked off about eating too much bacon."

"Aerona, I am really sorry but I just don't think we can work anymore..."

The suddenness of this takes me by surprise and tears prick my eyes. I really didn't expect this. I though we were stronger than just a few weeks separation.

"If this is what you want I understand. We can talk it through properly when you get back." My tears spill over the edge as I say those words.

"I don't think we can work as there is no such thing as too much bacon..."

" You fucking...Dickhead....Radley...." He is laughing at the panic and pain he just cause me. What a charmer...

"You arn't crying are you?"

"Yes damn you, I am. I have never cared for a person as much as I do you, let alone ever believe I could love. The thought of loosing you terrifies me. I love you Radley."

"I love you too you daft muppet....Shay, I'm almost done. Sorry Aero, I'll call you this evening ok? Have a great day."

"You too. Bye." The line disconnects. I stand there unmoving for a moment before sinking to my knees. In the past few months, everything in my life has revolved around him. The fear that that could one day change is too much to bear thinking about.

I run my hands through my hair which has reverted back to its normal blonde, dying it on the road would be too tricky and there is no longer any fuss over me being a missing person, thanks to Jackson conveniently producing a body. I don't like to think who's...

I scoop Mystica up into my arms and kiss her face. I wish I could take her with us but she isn't ours so I will have heart break again as soon as Damari stirs.

As I approach the tent all I can hear is his snoring. I ponder different ways to wake him up, a quick cold shower, or maybe a good slap. Instead I decided an emergency drill.

"HELP! HELP ME!" I begin screaming and yelling. Damari comes flying out, with a massive Dewin knife in his hands. He skids to a hault when he notices there is no danger then flushes red when he realises he has forgotten his jeans and is just stood there in his boxers. Since when did we get so awkward around each other?

"You are really funny." He mutters miserably. So I decided it's time for a preshower by throwing the contents of my water bottle over him.

"You done?" He is trying to look mad but I can see he is secretly amused.

"Yes. Maybe. Now let's get ready to hit the road."

We both get showered and dressed in the bathroom by the farmhouse, black seems to be the colour of choice today as we are both lacking colour from our wardrobe. I really do need to visit a laundrette soon, I have so few clothes left.

Mystica has followed us down from where I left her by the tent. The farmer appears from his house to collect the money from Damari.

"Cheers. I hope you guys had a good night. Did that damn cat bother you? It turned up a day or so ago and is a right pain."

"She is wonderful. Do you have any idea who she belongs to?" I hate the thought of leaving this cat with a guy who evidently wants nothing to do with it.

"None at all. You don't by any chance want to take it with you? I just can't stand them myself and there are no houses for miles so it would be hard for me to find its owners."

"I would absolutely love to. You have a beautiful farm, thank you for letting us stay."

As we walk up the path back to the car with Mystica in my arms, Damari begins pouting.

"What exactly are we going to do with it?"

"Her." I snap at him and he sighs. "Her name is Mystica."

"What are we going to do with Mystica? Eat her?" He says the last part quietly but I still hear and slap his arm, scowling furiously.

"We are going to stop in the next town, drop our clothes at the laundrette, get some waffles for breakfast and then visit a pet shop. Then back on the road."

He nods in agreement though I can see he is reluctant about having a pet. We quickly disassemble the tent and set off on another boring day of driving, how delightful.