Legends of Darkstalkers and Nightriders

Chapter 27: The Hopeless Dork

Emma's POV:

Seth and I walked through the trees, looking for something to bring back for breakfast. The air was colder than it had been the day before and I rubbed my hands together absently for warmth.

I studied him as we went. "Are you really Sadie's brother?" I asked. "You could just be a plant from Alvin."

"I'm not a plant," he said firmly. "I have no desire whatsoever to help Alvin."

"A plant would say that."

He sighed. "I'm too tired for this right now," he said, rubbing his face. "How's your shoulder?"

"Still hurts, thank you for shooting it," I muttered.

"Sorry for asking," he said, falling silent as he followed me.

I smiled and softened slightly as I looked over at him. "I'm just being bitter, ignore me."

He smiled back. "Me too. I get cranky when I'm tired."

I laughed. "Yeah, I've noticed."

He chuckles. "What can I say, I'm not a morning person."

I looked over at him again, taking in his features. He looked a lot like Sadie. "Are you afraid of me?" I asked curiously.

"No," he said. "Should I be?"

I shrugged. "Everyone is."

"So? I try not to let what everyone thinks effect what I think about things. If that makes sense."

I nodded. "You'd be one of the first," I said, quiet in thought for a moment. "But people are right to be afraid, I'm dangerous. Or at least I can be."

"Everything I've seen so far tells me that you're only dangerous when you have to be."

"I lose control sometimes," I commented softly.

"Who doesn't?" he said with a shrug.

"Only difference is, I cause a lot of damage when I lose control. Normal people typically don't."

"It's okay," he says. "It's not like you do it on purpose, right?"

"Right..."

"Then don't beat yourself up for it."

I smiled slightly, looking at him again. "If you're a plant, at least you're a nice plant," I teased.

He chuckled. "Okay, what can I do to convince you I'm not a plant?"

I thought for a long moment then shook my head. "I don't know," I said finally. "Guess you'll have to figure it out." I studied his face. "You do look alike," I admitted. Without thinking, I reached up to brush my fingers against his face.

He froze and watched me.

I locked gazes with him and pulled my hand away a moment later. "Sorry."

He smiled. "For what?" he asked.

I smiled back. "Touching a stranger's face without warning probably isn't the most polite thing I could possibly do."

"Well I can't really blame you, can I?" he teased. "I mean, I am pretty good looking."

I laughed and lightly pushed his shoulder. "You wish."

"Oooh, thanks for puncturing my ego." He grinned.

"Thank Thor, someone had to," I retorted.

He laughed and turned away. "Come on," he said. "I know where we can find some food."

I turned to follow him.

He led me through the trees before pausing and looking around.

"What is it?" I asked, watching him.

"I haven't been up here in forever, let me think for a second," he said, studying the trees around us. "I think it's that way.....but then again......" He trailed off.

"Wonderful," I muttered. "Well, let's just pick a direction and try it."

"Okay," he said. "After you."

I continued in the direction we were going, as Seth followed along behind, a steep cliff to our right. Without warning, the ground under my feet gave way. I shrieked in surprise, landing hard on a ledge about ten feet below. I grunted in pain, touching my ankle.

"Emma!" Seth cried out as I fell. "You okay?"

I sat up, taking in my surroundings. If I hadn't landed on the small ledge, I would have plummeted straight to the bottom. "I'm fine," I said, standing. I winced at the sharp pain in my ankle when I did so. "Help me up."

"Okay, hold on," he said. "I think I saw a long branch back the way we came. Don't move."

"Oh yeah, 'cause I was planning on just taking a stroll down here," I said sarcastically.

I heard him chuckle. "I'll be right back"

"You better," I warned.

"You know," he said slowly. "Now that you mention it it would be easier to get rid of your friends. Maybe I will just let you starve down there."

"Seth! I swear to Thor I will kill you!"

He laughed. "I'm joking, Emma, relax." He disappeared from view.

I rolled my eyes, leaning back against the cliff wall to wait.

After what seemed like hours, he reappeared. "Grab on," he called down, lowering a branch down to where I stood.

"Finally," I said, tightly grabbing hold of it, and carefully, he pulled me back up to safe ground.

"Took you long enough. Gods, what, did you write a novel while you were gone or something?" I teased.

He chuckled. "Thought about it," he said. "Are you sure you're okay? Nothing broken?"

"I'm fine," I insisted, getting to my feet and straining to mask my grimace in pain.

"Where does it hurt?" he asked, suddenly serious.

"My ankle, but it's nothing. Don't worry about it."

"Let me see," he said. "Sit down."

"I said-"

He stepped closer and scooped me up, holding me against his chest.

I squeaked in surprise. "Hey! Put me down, I'm fine!"

"Um, no," he said. "I'm not taking any chances."

I groaned. "I said it was nothing, I can walk."

"And I said no," he replied starting back the way we'd come. "You're brother's probably already going to kill me for letting you get hurt. I'm not exactly looking to give him a reason to do worse. I like me the way I am, thank you."

I rolled my eyes. "You're hopeless."

"Why thank you," he said, with a cheeky grin. "I try so hard."

I smirked despite myself, looking up at him. "Dork."

He laughed as he carried me back up to the camp.