Sky Dust

Chapter 21

Sunset came fast. The village was nowhere to be seen, and Spencer stopped to look around. He was tired beyond his own comprehension of the word, but there was nothing to help him.

Why had he agreed to do this?

Vivia was standing in front of him, looking impatient.

"Come on, we haven't got that much left."

He turned around and followed. It was hard to get into the even faster pace when his feet hurt. He wanted to kneel, but he didn't allow himself to.

This is what being attacked looked like.

This is what war looked like. It was war, he realized. The war between his country and the Dapheni, and he had betrayed Elaset. Much worse, he was proud of it.

"Stop!"

Vivia flinched around, clenching her fists. Spencer was paralyzed, but as soon as he acknowledged the situation, he also turned around. The man who had said that was apparently one of the three people with green and purple badges. They were now dressed more appropriately for the weather.

"Do you have any-"

"No!" Vivia punched the man in the ribs, but he managed to take hold of her hand and untie the pouch. Vivia kicked his leg and ran away, a bit of dust falling out of her pouch. She stopped to tie it back up.

Spencer rushed to pick the dust up, but the man was faster. One of the others came up to Vivia, but Spencer lightly hit him in the chest. He didn't seem to mind.

A blue object caught his eye, and he came closer. It was the invisibility device. He saw Vivia, and she just nodded as he slipped it into his pocket.

"Give it to me," one man's voice said. Spencer started trembling. He decided that the easiest thing to do was obey.

He reached into his pocket and took the device out. The man grabbed it before Spencer could make a plan of success.

"Stop!" He commanded. Spencer looked at Vivia, who was frowning at him.