Somewhere Under the Stars

Chapter Twelve: Maverick

    Ren sheathes her sword and starts to run, " Hurry! Follow me!" she shouts over her shoulder frantically. I look down, searching for the locket. I had to find it, or else all of this would be for nothing. I get down on my hands and knees, looking for the small necklace. From behind me I hear Ren sneer, " What are you doing?" 

    She runs back to me and kneels down beside me, " Maverick, you idiot! We're going to die if we don't get out of here!" 

    " I know! I'm sorry! I have to find the locket!" I respond, helplessly. I search the rocks for the locket. Out of the corner of my eye, I see something bronze. " Got it!" I say as I lunge for the necklace. I grab the locket and shove it in my pocket.  "Let's go!"

    Ren grabs my hand and we start to run. I risk a glance over my shoulder and see the babirusa climbing up the rocky slope. It stumbles over the top and snorts as it regains its footing. It looks at me with blood red eyes and charges. 

    Adrenaline courses through my body and I start to run faster. Ren looks back at me and sees the babirusa. It's gaining on us quickly. Just as its about spear me in the behind, Ren pulls me out of the way and the babirusa charges past us. 

    Ren and I tumble down into a ravine and I land hard on top of her. The breath is knocked out of us. She groans and I try to apologize, but I can't breathe. We lie there for a minute, catching our breath.  I roll off of her once I can breathe again and she sits up, breathing heavily. 

    " Sorry," I mumble. 

    " Shh," she whispers as she stands up and staggers behind a tree. I get up and sneak over to where she is. " My classmates. They're close."

    We hide behind the tree, waiting for Ren's friends to pass us. I see the flash of a sword and I can hear voices. Ren stiffens and I try to make myself invisible. 

    " Where'd they go?" asks a stern, masculine voice. The question is answered with various answers, but none of them know where we are. The Halcyon hunting us start down the sloping hill, towards our hiding spot. 

    " Make a run for it, Maverick. I'll hold them off and catch up with you later. " Ren whispers as her hand goes to her sword. 

    "No. You're outnumbered. And isn't being with a human and shooting your own kind treason?" I mutter. She nods solemnly. I'm about to suggest that we both run for it, but the boy who talked earlier spots us. 

   He grins devilishly and draws out his sword. " There you are, Serenity. We've been looking all over for you." 

    Ren draws her sword as well and steps out of our meager hiding spot. " What do you want, Cayden?" she asks, her voice monotone and flat. But her eyes betray her, she hates this boy with a passion.

    " It's not about what I want, I'm afraid. It's about what the government wants. Security cameras got an interesting video of you with that creature."  He spits out the words like they're acid, "They sent me and our fellow classmates to come get you. They have some questions." 

    Ren smirks at Cayden. " You know, you guys really put the ass, in classmates. And you won't take me back there. Not while I'm still alive. "

    Cayden shrugs, " So be it." Then he charges.