Fire and Ice

Denver

After I finally agreed to go, Emmaline and Max quickly packed up three bags for us to bring with us.  I grabbed one and looked inside; it had an apple, a bottle of water, a flashlight, some granola, my necklace, a package of bandages, and some medicine.

“Okay, are we ready to go?” I asked zipping my bag up and placing it onto my shoulders. Max silently nodded and grabbed her bag, she still must’ve been upset about Reuben, and personally I didn’t blame her. But why was I coming? To keep her safe of course.

“Before we leave, there’s something I should mention,” Emmaline said, pulling her hair into a tight ponytail, “it’s going to be very dangerous, and we might not make it back alive. At least, one of us won’t”

Max and I exchanged glances, “What do you mean?

She sighed and opened her bag, pulling out a scroll. “It’s a prophecy; I found it before I met you guys. I should’ve mentioned it sooner, but I didn’t know how.”

“Well, what does it say?” Max asked coming towards Emmaline.

She took a sigh and read it:

    “Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice. from what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate to say that for destruction ice is also great and would suffice”

 We all became very quiet until Max spoke up. "Does this mean that the one to die will either be me or Denver?"

Emmaline nodded silently, and then broke the silence "We should go, we don't have much longer until Reuben finds them." 

I grabbed my bag and led us out the door, into the woods to find Reuben.

~

We walked through the woods for what seemed like an eternity, listening to the soundds of the rustling leaves and the animals scurrying around the trees. Max was quiet, for once, probably thinking about Reuben, and Emmaline was walking beside me, keep her gaze down, looking at the plentyful leaves. 

"Denver," Max was finally asking. "How much longer?"  

I looked to Emmaline for an answer and got a shrug in return. Something was wrong with Emmaline, but I didn't know what.

"I'm not sure, what's wrong Max?" I turned my head back and saw her making a face.

"I have to go to the bathroom" She looked like she was about to cry. 

"Max..." I groaned "I told you to go before we left." I kept walking, ignoring her whines of desperation.

"Please Denver. Can we stop for like, two minutes?" Emmaline finally looked up at me and was smiling. 

"Make it quick." I said as she ran off. I hate to give in, but I hate hearing Max complaining for long hours even more. 

I leaned against a tree and opened my water cantenee, taking a long gulp and resting my eyes. How long were we walking for? I wondered. It seemed like hours. Emmaline slid down beside me and I passed her my water. She took a sip and passed it back, wiping her mouth. We sat there a little longer, just enjoying a nice rest and the sounds of nature. My eyes became heavy and they started to close. 

I woke up to Emmaline jerking me and the sounds of crying. My eyes flew open and my hands flew to Emmaline, pulling her off of me. 

"Emmaline! What happened?" Her eyes were red like she had been crying. 

"Denver..." Her voice cracked, "It's Max, she's... she's gone."