Hunter

Chapter Thirty Four - Regrets

My eyes were wide, watching Jasper's fear dissipate. He looked over at Aiden and I failed to see that anger that was once there. The spell had been broken. But, the automatons now knew where we were, and they were beginning to attack. I stood up and hammered the first robot I came across with the hilt of my sword.

"There's too many of them!" Aiden yelled as he ducked a blow and shifted in the opposite direction.

"We have to get out of here!" Jasper screamed.

"We can't just leave Dee!" I wasn't going to leave my best friend in a cave where she could be left for dead. I advanced on to the next robot, parrying a blow before slamming my sword through its body. Aiden was catching his breath, hiding behind a rock, six automatons heading his way. Jasper was surround by more than ten, and I had about the same amount gaining on me. They just kept coming. I felt like they were materializing out of thin air, and I didn't know what to do.

Well, I did. I didn't want to be the one to have to make that decision, but I did it anyway. I did it even though I knew I shouldn't have.

"Jasper! Grab Dee and make your way out! Aiden, clear the entrance as soon as Jasper is close enough, then follow him and make sure you're all safe!"

"But Dee said--"

"I know! Just do it!"

Jasper rolled away from a swipe, heading to grab Dee. He was limping badly, and he had several cuts on his body. Aiden's hands were raw, as he evaded the robots that were attacking him. I headed over to where he was, trying to give him him that extra moment to get to where he needed to be. I attacked two automatons, blocking an attack with my blade horizontal. Aiden cleared the way, his flames engulfing the room as he helped Jasper carry Dee out of the cave. I slashed at the midsection of the robot in front of me, and threw my sword. It impaled the two robots that attempted to follow them out of the cave. Now, I was weaponless, and I depended on my abilities. I tried to focus as I stepped back. I lured all of the automatons in one direction, all of their guns raised. Once they all surrounded me, I grabbed a wave full of water from the stream. I pulled it over all of them and swirled it around the cave, pushing all of the automatons into the water. While they were slightly disoriented, I got down on one knee and shut my eyes. My hands rested on the earth, and I could feel the cave, I could feel the rocks. I grabbed the ground and concentrated.

The ground shook steadily at first, before significant tremors started rattling the cave. Rocks fell all around me, and I could feel the cavern move. I focused even more, and I stood. My hands reached up into the air and then pulled down, bringing down the roof of the cave with them. I opened my eyes, watching automatons being smashed by large rocks. Quickly, I made my way out of the cave before I was next. I ran, dodging falling objects like I was playing Donkey Kong. I sprinted as fast as I could, my lungs on fire. I was almost there, and I could see the exit.

As my foot landed on the ground, I was pushed forward by the impact from a shot that hit me right in the back. I tumbled to the ground, pain coursing through my body.

I had reached another moment where I just wanted to give up and lie there. My vision swam in darkness, and my body wouldn't fight back. It couldn't. I was about to give into the darkness.

I would've if I wasn't lifted up by two pairs of hands.

I would've had I not been supported.

I would've, if there weren't so many people counting on me.

I fought to make it out of that cave, but what happened after that, I'm not too sure.

* Ω *

When I woke up, I didn't immediately know where I was. The medical center in Arcadia had been completely destroyed. The whole place was in shambles, large chunks of the structure missing. Sitting up in the bed, I realized that Arcadia wasn't the only thing that got a beating. My entire arm was wrapped up, and so was my torso. My ankle was in a brace, and I had a bandage on my forehead. I climbed out of my bed, wincing, and noticed that Dee was next to me. She was breathing steadily. Quietly, I stood and headed to my mother's room, knowing that everyone would probably be there. The walk to her door was long and taxing. My body ached with every step I took. I thrust open her door once I made it there. Only Jasper and Aiden were present. Jasper immediately came up to me, helping me to a seat. Jasper's skin was pale, and his limbs were marked with bruises. Aiden's hands were wrapped up and his body was littered with abrasions.

"Hey." I panted, feeling slightly better with some help. "Where's my mom?"

"She's out trying to gather resources and dealing with casualties and injuries. All her resources were depleted in the fight."

"What happened?" I asked sitting next to Jasper and across from Aiden. Aiden didn't look at me once, his head kept down the entire time. He looked angry and tired.

"Arcadia was attacked by automatons too. Your mom said right after we left for the cave, she came over here and they had already started pillaging."

"Hephaestus," I said.

"That's what we were thinking, but why would he do that? The automatons that we fought in the cave were obviously targeting Aiden. I don't think he would intentionally try to kill one of his descendents."

"What did my mom say about it?"

"She's not sure, but we definitely know one thing. Whoever attacked us in the cave were the same people who launched the attack on Arcadia." I didn't say anything, trying to take it all in.

"What about Dee?" Silence. They were both silent. No one said a thing, and I was about to speak again when my mother entered the room.

"You're awake." After those words, I realized that I didn't ask my usual question.

"I always wake up."

"And you walked up here all right?" I pursed my lips

"Yeah, why?" Her eyes shifted momentarily

"The shot to your back triggered a paralysis in your right leg." I chewed on my bottom lip.

"Yeah, well I'm fine. What about Dee?" There was another long silence. My throat closed up when no one responded. "Well?"

"She is yet to wake up." All I could hear was my heart thudding in my ears. My eyes were open, but I couldn't see anything. I felt numb. I stood and left the room. Jasper called after me, but I kept on walking.

"Hayley, wait!" I moved faster and faster with each step, and as I was about to break into a run, Jasper grabbed my hand and pulled me into his chest. I bawled as his hand rubbed up and down my back. I was sobbing like a two year-old, as I struggled to get out of his hold, but he wouldn't let go. I felt all of the pain that I bore as I lay on his chest. Not only physical pain, but emotional. It hurt me, more than I ever thought it would. I always thought that I was be doing the right thing, but I never did. I always ended up messing up, one way or another.

"Get off of me!" Jasper released me from his hold and I wiped my tears from my face. Sobs wracked my body as I stared at him with my blurry vision. I wanted nothing more than to be wrapped up in his arms. I wanted him to comfort me the way I knew that he always would, but I didn't allow myself that luxury. I didn't deserve it.

"Hayley-"

"Don't tell me that it's not my fault, because it obviously is and you all know it!" He didn't respond.

"You were just trying to do what was best."

"And how did that work out?"

"Hayley, I'm trying-"

"I don't care, Jasper. I just want to be alone." I stormed away from him, heading towards the water.

"Hayley wait! Don't you-" I stepped into the laker and created my own bubble where I could be alone. I trod on, going as deep as I possibly could. I sat on the ground once I had reached the lowest point. Dee had warned me. She had warned all of us not to move her body. Not only did I fail to protect Aiden and Jasper, but I had failed Dee. I had failed my best friend, and who knew when she was going to wake up, if at all. Steady streams flowed down my face, and I didn't bother to brush them away. I would've done anything at that moment to get her back.

I was a failure.