Princess of AMBER

Chapter 37

Bryce's POV.

A door swung open of my 'throne' room, right in a middle of conversation I was having with a young girl. Cole's form appeared and he rushed towards, but not to me, rather to a girl in my presence. I could tell, he was mad, by his movements, though, his face still, as always. Cole grabbed her fragile arm and she screamed in pain, giving the impression, that he used a force to hold her, too strong for her to withstand.

His eyes came to me: "My apologies, Bryce. She will not disturb you any longer."

I noticed, there was something wrong with him. Cole's body made a frequent unnatural moves and each time he experienced it, his hold on a girl, made her squirm in pain.

"What happened to you? Are you OK?" I was concerned about my closest friend.

"Nothing to worry about, just a minor malfunctioning of my system. A trauma caused by some criminal. It will pass."

"Alright. Make sure to see Natalie about it, later. She will know how to help you."

He nodded and was about to leave. My thoughts came back to a young girl, with who I was talking earlier. Why was Cole so concerned about her, being near me? Is there something I don't know about him? Does he actually care about someone other, than himself, an exception from his duty oriented mind?

"Cole? Is she your .... ?" I asked and his eyes snapped back at me.

There was no need for him to tell me anything farther that line. I knew the answer.

"Please, say him to leave me alone and set me free! Please! You cannot leave me with this 'man'!" girl pleaded and struggled, in attempt to get free from him.

Before I considered her request, but now being aware of whole situation, I have changed my mind.

"Keep an eye on her! Do not let her get away and disappear! I don't want you to be in the same situation as I am now." I advised Cole and hearing that, he left a room, a girl still protesting in his grasp.

Sharlene have brought a girl and now she looked a bit at fault. She was still wary of me, but I have not harmed her ever again and hoped she will get to used to new me. She is safe here.

Another two years later.

Kyra's POV.

A small resource top-up station was hidden between the rocky cliffs, dunes from around adding an extra secrecy from unwanted guests. Today the store was quite empty, only three or four people had arrived from nearby settlements. I had to buy some food and water for upcoming days.

In years I have gathered materials to upgrade my bike and my outfit too. I no longer have those crappy, rusty glasses. Instead I have managed to buy one pieced, black ones, with a simple computer system and earphones. With those I can be in touch with things happening around, as well as listening to music on a lonely days in desert. My hair are tied in ponytail, clothing is more fitting to a desert environment and nothing of me reminds my old self.

A sound of motor outside snaps everyone's heads to the entrance. It is more like a humming, than a regular motor. It stops and I hear a man outside snicker about my bike.

"Look at this old piece of shit. Where did it's rider got hold of this, in a desert grave or something?" he let out a raspy laugh.

Another laugh accompanied him.

This was not funny. Not everyone can afford to have the newest models. And in fact, my bike came from a grave, if I could call it like that.

I heard the footsteps entering the store and everyone went silent. What is that about? I lifted my head up to look over a shelf and saw three very large man. Two of them were dark looking foreigners and the third one...... Oh no..... It was E-Ono. What is he doing here? I pulled myself down to avoid being spotted.