Crumbling Down

Chapter 6

Kert

It's constipating. The submarine too confined to breathe. I want to be by the beach, just like the woods. Smelling the nature, and seeing things it has to offer. Mika told me the journey to Erie is in 8 hours. But for now, all I see is water around me in my room. I couldn't sleep or relax at all, so I mainly replayed the scenario over in my head. Its all my fault, I should've kept my abilities in check. Now, Natasha won't see you the same. Never. Never. Someone knocked, and I welcomed in.

"Sorry-uh, what's your name?", Mika asked.

"Kert...", I said solemnly. She nodded and closed the door behind her.

"I don't want to admit it, but your position isn't as bad as mines," she pointed out. I wanted to ask her about it, but she changed the subject, quickly.

"How do you do it?", I asked. She turned her head.

"What do you mean?", she reluctantly asked.

"You have empathy for me and you shouldn't," I replied. Mika shook her head.

"It's who I am. Regardless, I believe in listening to other people". Empathy, what a trait I yearn.

"No, really, how? I let my anger get the best of me", I admitted, the bedsheets oddly cold. Mika sighed as what would a teacher do when their students don't understand.

"Get some rest and Kert?", I looked up, confused.

"I know there's more to you than that," she smiled and closed my door, leaving to my thoughts.

---

For the first time, I saw the pale blue sky. After hours in the deep waters, more than I can handle, we are anchored. Avery comes to my door, alerting the news. People got out of their rooms, and the entry opened, fresh air relieved my lungs. When I finally got out of the confined metal, I saw the other submarines on shore, empty.

"I know its confining, but we got to keep moving," Mika hasted. The beach closed off as we walked to the nearby woods. Can ranges of trees be this close to the beach? I yearn to be alone in this rebellion I joined. The woods reminded me in Soto when I could temporarily forget the rebels, the decline, and much of everything. But this is Erie, and if we get caught, things will get deadly.

"So where are we going? And wheres the rest?", I asked Mika, who shrugged and looked at the GPS for the further directions. Whats with them following blindly on orders?

The woods were tremendous but with a rough hour of walking, multiple cabins, small, and it couldn't sustain many people.

"Mika is there something else the rebellion is good at organizing that I don't know about?".

"Keep walking," she advised and with me, clam shut, we walked to the small cabins, closing the distance.

Then, the cabins changed, the illusion replaced by a vast base, capable of holding thousands. I gazed in awe. No wonder the rebellion held hundreds of wielders and benders. Without them, they wouldn't have gotten this far. Even people who don't have abilities helped as much. Ammunition, supplies, and chores finished effortlessly. We headed in, and Natasha was standing by the entry, rooms among rooms spread the place.

"Glad you're here. Everybody here in counting?", She ignored my presence to gaze at Mika. She nodded, the GPS shut down and became a lump piece of metal.

"So, what now?". Natasha looked at me but narrowed her eyes.

"Please, not now. And Mika, instruct your group to do their daily schedules". Mika nodded, and walked down the halls before turning the bend and disappeared.

"Nash, I want to talk to you," I reached to grab her arm but pulled away.

"Not now Kert, all I will say is we'll stay here for a few days," she dismissed me. Natasha left out to do what business she's doing.

Before we go out to the deadly place of Erie, I'm not going to lose her from my emotions again.