The Gifted

Chapter Eleven: Caverns

Hi guys! So so so sorry for the late update. Midterms were insane and then spring break hit! But I'm back and regular updates should be the norm again! Hope you enjoy the latest chapter!
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I looked over at Evelyn who was trying to keep her horse's face away from the apple she was eating.  I told her to move so she didn't have to fuss over him but she refused. She liked the horse far too much.

I looked around at the small space all of us shared last night.  It was a tight fit, but large enough for a small campsite.  If we had to do this again, I made a mental note not to be next to Enoch, he snored worse than a bear in hibernation.  However, his ability to fall asleep anywhere in a matter of minutes was something I envied.

Kane, Sir Devon, and I were busy packing up the few things we had pulled out last night. The only one left was Enoch, who was still happily snoring not five feet from me. Going up to him, I tried shaking him awake, but a mere grumble was his only response.

I felt eyes on me and noticed Evelyn watching my antics.  With a smirk in her direction, I grabbed the edge of the blanket Enoch had twisted around himself and, without hesitation, yanked the fabric out from under him. The boy gave a shout of frustration as he was tossed out of the warmth of the blankets and into the cold mountain air.  He looked up at me, slightly dazed and irritated. "Gods Flint, you didn't have to do that. I was getting up."

I heard a snicker from behind me and turned to see Evelyn unsuccessfully stifling a laugh. At least the kid was good for something this morning.

A breeze blew by and a shiver ran through my body.  The air was getting colder since leaving Stoneherst.  It was autumn but it felt more like winter already. This winter was going to be a bad one.

We rose with mountains now as we traveled and I was loving every minute of it. The feeling of looking over the distant land was amazing.  It made me feel free.  Safe.

However, I guess heights couldn't be enjoyed by everyone.  Once we got to a certain level, I noticed Evelyn fidgeting in her saddle.  The trail we were on was so narrow we had to go single file along it. She looked at the rock cliff to her right and immediately stiffened, her head shooting back to look forward at Sir Devon.

I looked at the rock cliff myself, but I saw nothing wrong with the sea of green trees below, which could only mean one thing.

A smile played at the corner of my mouth, "alright there Evelyn?  You look a little tense." I tried to hide the humor in my tone but I knew I wasn't doing a very good job.

She turned to glare at me, "I'm fine. Thank you."

I couldn't help myself, I let the grin go. She was trying to keep up appearances but it was so obvious she was nervous.  I wish I knew where she got her stubbornness from.  James was stubborn but I had a feeling she was more so.

"And here I was beginning to think you were fearless."

Evelyn turned back forward and I could practically sense the eye roll, "disappointed?"

"A little relieved actually. After what happened in the fire I was starting to get concerned that you had no fear. That, and I just gained a slight confidence boost."

It was the truth.  She didn't react how normal people would have in that fire.  Almost being sold into slavery would have shaken anyone.  Not her though.  I watched her for days afterward, thinking maybe she was just in shock, but it almost disturbed me more when I realized she was fine.  What had she gone through in her life to be able to react normally in that situation?