Awakened: The Story of Maxwell Cain

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

18 Wheels of Fun

Max woke up to see Will sitting up, stoking the fire.  He looked deathly pale, but still had enough life in him to smile.

“You saved my life, man,” Will said to Max.  “I can remember bits and pieces when I was drifting in and out.  I see Chloe made it out fine; figured she would.  We have been in worse situations together.”

Max grinned.  “I’m happy to see you awake.  Are you able to stand and walk?”

Will grimaced as he shifted his position.  “Not by myself, no.  But I can bear it with some help.”

Chloe woke up when she heard the talking.  “Good to see you up, Will.  You had us worried there for a bit, but I could tell from the wounds it was all superficial.  You should have full use of your shoulder again in no time, though it will be sore for a while.  You lost quite a bit of blood, but Max took care of that really quick.”

The three of them spent the next few days surviving in the woods while Will recovered from his injuries.  During that time, Max learned a lot of new information about his friends.

Chloe and Will were both recruited by Damon when they were ten years old, and left their families behind.  Chloe did, in fact, grow up with a military family, as she always said she did.  Her father was a high ranking officer in the US Army, while her mother traveled around with her husband from base to base.  Damon had come to her house, presenting the hideout as a special center where select kids could be educated.  He went on, telling them that every student had been tested in regular schools, but only a few of them around the country were selected to participate.

Apparently this same ruse worked more than once, as Damon recruited Will using the same method.  Will had come from a very wealthy family and was used to getting what he wanted, even before his abilities manifested.  Damon had recruited both of them in the same week, and the two students quickly became close friends.  Soon enough, they were sent on their very first mission.  That mission was the guardianship of Max.

They placed Will next door to Max’s foster parents so he could keep a close eye on Max.  Max also learned that his own foster parents were members of the Covenant as well.  Soon after, they moved Chloe to the same school, so they could all work together.  After years of having no incidents, they nearly forgot all about their mission, until that fateful day in high school.

Max was astonished at how much experience his friends had.  He had barely learned of his magic and the Covenant three weeks ago, and they had nearly twenty years of training.  Malachi was right; he really didn’t have to worry about them.

They woke up on their third day in the forest to the noise of Chloe packing up what few belongings they had left.

When the clanging of those items didn’t rouse the two from their sleep, she started talking over her shoulder toward them.  “Well, our plan today is to hike the twenty miles and make our way to the highway.  Will, we will take turns supporting your weight until we get there.”  Feeling groggy, Will and Max got up while Chloe stamped out the fire to prepare to leave.

Helping Will walk was a grueling task.  He was barely able to maintain his consciousness throughout the journey, but was able to grit his teeth and stay on his feet.  It took the entire day, and half the next, to travel the distance.  By the time they heard sounds of traffic in the distance, the sun was high up in the center of the sky, and all three of them were worn out from their journey.

They emerged from the woods and saw a small two-lane highway, stretching off in both   directions, as far as they could see.  They walked down to the side of the road and collapsed on the pavement. The sun beat down on their faces and rose back up from the concrete to assault them again.