Peaked

Chapter 4

A beacon of light pierced through the mullioned panes of glass, bathing the black and white tile floor in a crisscross of iridescent colour; illuminating the darkened room. I wake suddenly, every thought in high definition. My eyes take in every ray of light and without a doubt I know I've slept too long. I peered at the alarm clock on the vanity table and it beeped: "Sunday 18th July, 2028, 5:45 am."

I groaned and expeditiously pulled myself out of the velvety and silky bed covers. After all, all this was just temporary, the real battle begins today. I swiftly changed into a fresh pair of jean shorts and a sweatshirt, pulled on my sneakers and descended down the stairs. I dashed into the kitchen, to find Mason preparing breakfast.

"Goodmorning Alyssa, sleep well?" Mason asked with a wide grin stuck onto his face.

I don't understand how someone can be so positive in the morning!

"Yeah I slept well thanks Mitzi," I yawned.

Mason chuckled, "I can see that."

I gave a half smile and hunched myself onto the kitchen counter. Mason placed my breakfast in front of me: fried eggs sunny side up with a glass of succulent orange juice.

Mason glanced at his wristwatch, "Speed up Gem, it's best to leave early. The Qekehs Bush is much safer right now."

I chomped my food as quick as I could then assisted Mason with the dishes. Once we were done we had begun our journey. I ventured off, but this time not alone. Just... with a Friend.

*~*

2 days later...

Our limbs are drained of energy, our throats are shrivelled and we are almost deplete of resources. We are still 25 miles away from the Qekehs Bush, but I signed up for this and I am paying the price for this. As for Mason you ask? Mason hasn't even whined about the unpleasant smells throughout our journey and is not even complaining about how thirsty he is. He walks over the damp heath like he is wading through treacle. He heaves his legs against the gale, against the pressure building on his chest and hitting his face like it intended to go right through. With eyes squinted to let in only enough light in to navigate, he never slackens his pace.

"Gem, are you okay? Do you want to take a rest for five minutes?" Mason panted.

"Mason, I don't need the rest, I think you do. Please Mason have some water and eat something- you look like you are about to slump," I implored.

He finally gave in and flopped down onto a boulder leaning his head against it. I zipped open my backpack and handed a water bottle to him. He gulped down the ice cold water in seconds and then pulled out a granola bar from his pocket and started to chew on it. I feebly fiddled with the locket on my chest which had a picture of me and Mike. Tears had started to pool my eyes, but I prevented it otherwise I would be dehydrated, and our supply of water wasn't a lot.

Mason unfolded a map and studied it with a hard glare. Then he faced me and showed me the map.

"Here we are, south of the Quekehs Bush about 25 miles off. This is the cynosure of the Bush. The Peaked normally roam around 15 km away from the cynosure. Now, the Peaked have strengths and weaknesses. You probably know their strengths. They come near you if there is blood, they only have good eye vision in the night. Their weaknesses: Their visibility deteriorates in the daylight and the only way to kill it is a shot straight into the eye of the Peaked," He explained.

I study the map and the contours of it. Then nodded.

"Alright then, let's go. We are not far off now," Mason added.

I briskly got up and followed Mason until I abruptly stopped in my tracks.

"What?" he asked with concern.

"Do you hear that?" I asked.

"Hear what? Alyssa?"

"Gunshots," I whispered.

Senses sharpened with adrenaline, I hold my breath, straining to hear with every ounce of my concentration. Not quite silent. Cool air whispered through the isolated desert. My ears strain to hear more sounds, more clues as to where the gunshot originated from. I gasp. Another gunshot.

"Mason, Rebels twelve o'clock," I muttered.

"Stay low," he whispered.

We both crouched down behind the boulder. I squinted my eyes, and in the distance I could see some Middle Eastern gypsies. I followed their gaze and saw that they were aiming their gun at a young woman with her child. I am shocked, I shifted my glance to Mason and mouth to him: "What do we do?"

"Alyssa, we can't save them- we will get caught," Mason whispered with concern.

I shook my head, "No, Mason. I am not leaving that young woman and her child like that. I have already watched so many pretty faces being killed."

I shrugged off his arm from my shoulder and quietly crawled out from behind the boulder.

"Alyssa! Stop! Come Back!" Mason hissed. But I ignored him.

I felt a stone cold stare aimed at my back and I steadily turned around. But in a blink of an eye...

*BANG* the bullet fired at me.

Am I already dead?

~*~