One Bright Spot -- The Revisions

14

∞Christal∞

I couldn't tell you how long we sat there crying and comforting each other, but by the time I finally dried my eyes, it was clean that the Lieutenant was running out of patience with we blubbering females.

Tough rockos.

Vailnor's men lift Teddy's body and place it in a glass case that seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

With one man at each corner of the case, they lead our procession into a foreboding entrance that the pilots had set us down in front of.

I don't want to go in. I'm afraid I won't come back out.

Some soldiers light torches and hang them in what I believe is another cave. Our shadows flicker on the walls and the ground; the only noise to be heard is our footsteps echoing around us.

Though I walk with every one of my friends and enemies, I feel as though I walk alone. Kota has Janessa by his side, in such close proximity to one another their arms brush the other's with every step. Josh and Theo are leading Carmila who is in shock. She doesn't even blink when she stumbles and the boys have to help her stand. I know that either of them would leave her to walk with me, but she needs them more than I do.

I peek over my left shoulder at Ethan who is walking several paces behind the rest of our group. His eyes are on his feet.

Watching his footing?

Possibly.

Plotting against our little family?

Also possible.

Then it occurs to me that he might be missing his friend. He has no one to comfort him since I helped turn our group against him.

Then I make a decision. A terrible decision, really, that I will most likely regret somewhere down this adventure's road.

I shorten my steps so that Ethan can catch up with me. I manage to disrupt the soldiers walking behind me and earn several dirty looks as they shoulder past, toting their large guns.

My throat is tight with all of the things I'd say if we weren't stuck in such awkward silence or getting closer to our impending doom.

I open my mouth to say something when Ethan bursts out with words of his own. "You are the most confusing and infuriating person I have ever met. Do you know that?" He stops walking and faces me.

"I", I don't get to finish.

"One minute you're letting me sling you over my shoulder and the next you're elbowing me in the ribs and saying that you don't trust me. I don't know whether to pursue the mystery or to give it up entirely, but we need to reach some understanding before we go too much further."

I am momentarily stunned. I don't think I've heard him say this much at one time. "I", I try to begin again.

"I know that I should have told you about Matthew, but I didn't think it was a relevant piece of information. I thought we had something between us and if I had known that my brother would drive a wedge between us, I would have said something sooner. So... are we okay? What are we?"

I look away for a moment while I search my thoughts. Every part of me wants to say that we're fine. Except for my gut. A little nagging tells me to say 'no'. So I do.