Crumbling Down

Chapter 13

Kert

In the bright morning after the long night, I finally got out of that suffocating tent. People around me were flattening the tents out, and Travis handed me dry bread.

"Do you always pop out?", I asked. He chuckled. That isn't an answer.

"It's a coincidence, but no. Since I mostly get the supplies with my crew, that's why I pop out, a lot", he added. I nodded, eating the ridden bread and drinking the last water bottle we have. Natasha was leaning on a metal crutch and was talking to Mika. Natasha then turned to look at me, with narrowed eyes. I quickly looked away.

With the trucks built again, we drive out the woods, with mountains giving way. Roads were still right to drive on, but it's much more dangerous with curves and edges.

Of course, the journey would take much more hours, and I had the urge to pee. The road was traveling down.

"I need to go take a whiz. I have to get off", I said, trying to open the back of the truck.

We headed to the lowest of the road and parked as I let it out beside the edge.

"Gross dude," someone said.

"Don't look then," I yelled back. I finished my business and hopped back inside.

"Am I the only one who needed to use the bathroom?", I asked as the truck kept moving in motion.

"No because we're immortals," the same voice replied.

"Well, there wasn't a bathroom," I shot back.

"They did. Right where the previous truck, torn to pieces. People who can do metal thingy fixed it to a working system", the guy replied, his hazel eyes narrowed.

"Both of you, enough bathroom talk. We have two hours of driving left, and pee is not my topic starters", Travis retorted from the driver's seat. We both sat in silence as I drowned to sleep, dreaming of Mika's lips.

--

A dramatic jerk made me thump my head against the wall. My injured arm twisted to the side, causing an inhumane sting. I groaned in pain and Travis stared me down.

"What?", I sneered.

"Attitude much?", He laughed heartily, and I narrowed my eyes. He cleared his throat, his brown-white hair toppling down.

"A-Anyway, we're here. Poltlemus", Travis gestured toward the castle, peaking high miles away. The city, located in the surroundings of mountains. Where did Mika use to live? I heard Poltlemus was a grand country but consist mostly of mountains. A grey-unattractive building perked farther than the city, with hills supporting it.

"Well, put this on. We don't get time to waste", the same who debated with me about pee, handed me a large hoodie to cover my casual clothes. I put it over, the arms of it were too big for me.

We got out of the street, and there, I saw another truck parallel to ours. Mika, along with the others, hid their faces and wore different asserts, not to get caught. Then, my dear sister, Natasha, gathered all of us.

"Today is the day. We meet the general and we solitude the plan. We have to split up again", Natasha frowned beneath her hoodie. Others grumbled and murmured.

"I know. But we don't want to get caught. Mika's group will go West, while my group will go East", Natasha stated as she hastily pointed to other people which one to join. Natasha then looked at me.

"Kert, you'll go with me. Now, let's depart", she commanded, and Mika's group went out the street, and they were gone. I stood, my mind swirling with confusing thoughts.

"Natasha wait. How come I got chosen?", I reached for her arm, but she pulled away.

"Quiet. I already can't stand you. Let's get to the general without any problems", she hissed lowly, and some people of the group were warning me. They think I don't know my sister well enough.

But she was gone for five years. Anything can happen.

In silence, the group dispersed into the massive crowd. Markets and merchandise flowed into the streets.

"Get your rice and beans. Meat for only a low price when you get two!". My stomach rumbled, but I squashed the feeling down and headed further into the street. At first, it seems natural. People didn't look twice at our disguise. Natasha's navy hood was still showing through, and I was far behind her. Since the crowd was dense and urgent, we walked through in clumps, so we don't lose each other.

With Avery and Travis with me, along with a few others, we were making progress. But now, nerve-racked my brain. My stomach was dropping, and I felt sick. What's up with me? I pushed it down, telling myself I'm getting paranoid for no reason. We will be fine.

That's when the cops started ramming down the crowd, shoving people. They are questioning of the murders of the officers the other day, and my nerves doubled. Natasha was right near the cop, and people were blocking my view.

"Avery, I need to get ahead. Something isn't right", I whispered to him, and he nodded as I slowly pushed the crowd away, getting closer to Natasha.

I finally saw her, and she knew it wasn't right. Her metal crutch in the way as she was trying to get out of the crowd. But, the cop accidentally bumped into her, causing Natasha to fall and the hoodie came off.

The crowd made a massive space between Natasha and the officer, who gaped in awe. Natasha's silver hair was messy and disorientated, as well as her reaction. My heart dropped low. The officer closed the distance.

"Well, isn't it the traitor of her precious dying kingdom, Soto? Or the next damn Heir after Isana", the officer snarled and spat right next to her.

"You ridden pig. Don't you ever call me that", Natasha spat, but the officer laughed, her voice low, like a man?

"Aren't you funny? So funny to invade a territory? You'll know I'll have you under arrest and possibly, execution. I'm sure Queen Isana won't mind", the officer grabbed Natasha by the hair and tied her hands with cuffs. The crowd cheered, and I couldn't believe my ears. My sister screamed, and tears escaped her eyes.

"Let go! Someone help me", she screamed and thrashed. I wanted to dash in and punch the officer in the throat. But, Avery pulled me back.

"No Kert, it's too late," he whispered gently, but I shook my head over and over.

"That's my sister. I can't lose her. I promised that", I cried, seeing Natasha trying to conjure water, but nothing came out.

"Awe, sorry princess. Those cuffs, made for ability wielders like you", the cop spat Natasha again and took her away from the crowd. They went back to their business as if it's an everyday thing.

"N-No," I slumped beside Avery, my heart ripped from my chest.

"We got to move," Travis came to me, and the others were there. I shook my head and cried on Avery's shoulder.

" I can't--."

"Dude, those people will suspect something if we stand here," Avery added.

"Okay, but where to go? Natasha was the only one with the GPS", I declared. Avery smiled and shook his head.

"Nope. Not the only one", he sneakily showed a working GPS, pointing the next direction. I nodded, and with Avery helping me find my steps, we kept walking.