Xylia

Six

The wind howled, whipping against my cheeks and plastering my hair against my captor. The fatigue of surviving rained down on my weary body. I took a muffled breath against their hand, eyes squeezing shut.

Tormented screams filled the air. I stiffened as the body behind me tightened their iron grip. Prying my tired eyes opened, I made out the retreating figures of Drea and the other hunters. Black shadows danced along the line of my vision, then plummeted into a consuming abyss.

___

Blinking away the sleep fuzz, I stretched my stiff arms and legs. A slight tug on my wrist had me glancing at my restrained limbs. What the... Realization had me bucking against the bonds, yet I remained tethered. I huffed out a breath of annoyance.

Someone's coming. Going limp, I struggled to keep my breathing steady as I felt the presence of my captor approaching. Warmth radiated from their hands as they tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. Gross. Suppressing a shiver I kept up the unconscious facade.

A puff of air along my cheek nearly made me flinch. That's it. I launched my head forward, head butting my assailant with a dull thwack.

Shooting my legs out, I coiled them around the body, tripping my captor. Glaring at their prone form, I let out a groan at the identity of my kidnapper.

"Nice to see you again golden eyes."

It just gave me a blank stare.

"I know you can understand me."

Dusting of its sides, it stood up, ignoring my accusations.

"Oh come on," exasperation dripped from my words, "don't tell me you kidnapped me just to play dumb." Its eyes narrowed. I could see the irritation well up in its stiffened shoulders, clenched hands, and hardened eyes.

"Let's just act like a couple of adults, yeah?" Extending my hand out as far as the restraints would let me I continued, "I'm Xylia, and you are?" It shot me another dull look.

"I can do this all day ya know." Giving in, it mumbled something under its breath.

"Come again?"

"Everest," it barked. I blinked back my satisfaction, retracting my unshaken hand.

"So, Everest mind telling me why you brought me here, against my will I might add?" Surveying the cave that held me, I took note of rugged rock that encompassed me; the uneven terrain stood strong, despite the centuries of beating from the elements. Water dripped from the stalactites, streaking down the walls in silent tears. The depressing location seemed fitting for my dreary captor.

Everest shrugged its shoulders, "I felt a connection."

"A connection," I repeated.

"You are simply repeating what I have said."

I choked back a laugh, sputtering out, "Y-you're telling me I was kidnapped and chained because you felt-" I stopped, tilting my head I inquired, "what did you feel?"

At that, Everest's brow creased. He corked his lips together before stating, "That is the matter I am currently investigating."

He felt a connection? I mulled over the possible meanings of its statement. Understanding rushed through me like water...Oh I see.

I blew out an unamused breath, "Ev, buddy, can I call you Ev?" I received a flat stare.

"Anyway, I'm flattered, honestly, it's not everyday I get taken hostage due to a, what'd ya call it? 'Connection', but I think you're going about this all wrong."