Nigeria

Chapter Seven

Sorry for the long wait for whomever's reading this. I've been crazy busy (and procrastinating). I've been in college, and had a crazy grad year.

This chapter is dedicated to an amazing person MissCrazygirlyoudontknow :) (you made the cover  at least a good year ago)

She's the one who made this awesome cover for this story, and I am so very grateful for it :)

Anyways... On with the story :)

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*Recap of last chapter*

"Tomorrow, I'll know how to continue on, with, or without, Chase. I will get my revenge for my family. I will end this once and for all." I whispered to myself. I closed my eyes briefly, one last time, and then stood up. I picked up Chase's bow and arrows, walked past the surrounding trees, all were covered with holes from the arrows that I had spent three hours shooting, and walked back to the camp for the night.

***

I woke up early the next day with the morning sunlight when it was just rising over the surrounding mountains. Everything was so peaceful, and radiantly glowing with an orange hue. Even Chase looked peaceful for a moment, but then his lips started quivering, and he started forming words with his mouth. A nightmare had taken over his sleep.

I reached out my hand to wake him but decided against it; whatever was haunting him in his sleep he had to face alone, and you never know maybe it was a problem his subconscious was trying to sort out. I heard brains do that every now and again.

My own mind brought my own problem to the front of my mind. How was I going to figure out what I wanted to know? How could I confront the only person who's kept me safe since the Caz'ar, and accuse him of being a traitor? It made sense that if somebody wanted to kidnap somebody else so they could get rid of them, but I couldn't rap my head around the fact that Chase was somebody like that. It was impossible. I shook my head as if that were the only way to clear it.

No, I thought, I would ask him where we stood, and confront him of the meeting with the Worell. I would then ask if surrendering me was the only way to get what he wanted. It all sounded nice and dandy in my mind, but actually forcing the words out of my mouth was another story.

Chase mumbled beside me bringing me back from my dark thoughts. I turned around to see him slowly sitting up. Here's my chance. I thought, as I slowly turned to face him.

"Morning," Chase managed to say while releasing a great yawn, "How are you this morning?" He yawned again, and brought a fist to his eye to relieve them of the sleep stuck in the corners.

"I could be better, I guess," I said. Chase looked at my groggily, and confused.

"What's gotten into you lately, Ni? Yesterday you just kind of went off to shoot arrows, and left me here," Chase said, offering to start the conversation. He turned to face me so he could look at me properly. Not that you've been in tip top shape either bud. My mind whispered. I might as well get this done and over with.

I know. That was all I said to him. I watched his face as it slowly digested what I had told him. It went from confusion, to realization, and finally it went blank.

"How long have you known?" He asked in his usual withdrawn voice. I hated it. It was emotionless, as if he didn't give a crap about anything. I hated it because I knew he did care, even though my theory rejected that.

"Since the beginning! I overheard your conversation with the Worell. You're really prepared to surrender me for Nadine?" I asked slightly aggravated. I didn't expect my anger to start coming out now. I slowed my breathing so I could control it. No point getting mad when I'm trying to find a solution. The problem isn't the answer, only a variable.

"What did you expect me to do!?" Chase blurted out, throwing his arms above his head.

"To use your head, not your heart!" I shot back. Obviously the anger didn't want to stay contained. I breathed deeply while Chase just looked at me, seething.

"You don't understand," He managed through gritting teeth.

"I do understand though! You don't think that if given the chance I would do my damned best to get my family back! I understand perfectly! You just have to use your head instead of your heart," I spoke faster to cut off whatever Chase's comeback was that he so desperately wanted to say. "My old man, well I guess old uncle, once told me that the only thing that should control your actions and decisions is reason. Not your faith, not your heart, not anything other than reason. He said that reason is the only thing that is concrete, like reality. What is, is, and what isn't, isn't. You can't start putting faith in your hopes, and wishes. You have to deal with the reality of the situation and think. You have to use reason."

Chase sat there looking at me for a moment, then at his hands that were clutched into tight fists.

"I'm sorry, Nadine, this is going to delay our meeting," He whispered softly to himself. When his eyes looked into mine they were full of determination. "What is reason telling you to do now?"

"How do you kill a Worell and Slagrus without dying?" I asked, smiling, a tint of menace in my eyes.

"Chase! Are we there yet?" I complained loudly, really trying to ham it up. Chase just rolled his eyes lazily at me.

"Almost," He said, hoping it would shut me up. Too bad for him though, because my plan didn't allow me to be quiet.

"So when we get to this 'friend' of yours, what are we going to do?" I asked him, leading my horse, whom I had the courtesy to name Flash, away from the tall grass lacing the pathway.

My nerves on the inside were in complete conflict. I didn't know whether the plan would work or not, or whether they'd even show up. Chase had assured me that they would, but that still didn't calm the nerves. I bent over in the saddle to reach my boot. Pretending to scratch my leg under my boot I checked to see if my hunting knife was clear, and that it wouldn't get caught in the soft leather.

Chase turned slightly to pat Flash on the nose, and met my eyes. They're here. He easily swung his right leg over the back of his saddle, and walked over to mine, grabbed my leg and pulled me out of my saddle roughly.

"Chase!' I protested loudly. What the? That wasn't part of the plan. I thought; my face paled. What if he changed his mind? What if he played me a fool?!

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this is all I can write right now. Like I said, currently in college and have a lot of homework and studying to do. No promises that I'll post anything again, but I will continue trying

I also apologize if it's poorly written. I wrote this a long time ago and but don't have time to really go over it. I just wanted to at least post something

Mick