Run Away With Me

Chapter 46: Cho.

"I don't want to be that person," I say, walking faster to keep up with them, "but I told you so."

"Wow, really? Right now?" I hold my hands up at Tulka's remark, pursing my lips in contempt. I'm not even surprised at these turn of events, I mean, what else could we have expected?

Emmie is one step into his grave with panic, yet he still holds onto the baby; Emmyl is about to punch something (I think Nao is his first mark) and Tulka has his hand on his pocket knife, so he's probably going to war.

Nao... day by day I'm getting to know him less. At first I expected him to look disappointed or angry, his plan was shit. I even entertained the thought that he might break down crying, his perfectionist self taking a hit.

No, he isn't angry or disappointed or crying. He is giddy.

He has a jump in his step, he's trying his best to not have a large smile spread across his face and he's balling and relaxing his fingers in excitement. It's almost creepy. Nobody else notices this, all of them preoccupied with their own worry.

I run a few steps and come into step with him, eying his expression so I know I didn't see wrong. I didn't. His expression is dancing, his lips trembling and nose scrunching up in an almost cute way.

It's the first time I've seen him like this and I wonder if I've befriended a psychopath that brings other people to their demise.

"Nao?" I call. He turns to me and tries to straighten his expression; he fails so he covers his mouth with his palm. "Are you crazy?" I'm not even joking. My tone is dead serious, mind racing as it contemplates the decisions that I have made.

He releases his mouth from his hold and grabs my wrist, curling his hand in mine and pressing hard. I wince at the pressure, not worrying though since I know this is a way for him to find an escape from his excitement.

His weird and inappropriate excitement.

A little further into the woods we come across a huddle of bodies, all shouting and screaming at each other while in the middle a smiling man kneels, almost delighted to be in between all these rogues.

Emmyl pushes through and Tulka orders them to move back at least five steps. They scream and shout some more before Emmie squeaks, sign that he is either going to faint or break down in a puddle of tears, so they move back.

Nobody wants to make Emmie upset.

I worry for Yaya in his arms.

"Oh, the leaders have arrived!" The man grins, blood trickling down his chin as he opens his mouth. "Hi, are y'all ready to die?"

"Awfully cocky for someone who's practically dead," Emmyl says, expression darkening. He dawns his serious mode, crossing his arms and taking a stance. Tulka follows suit. Nao would've probably done the same, if he wasn't busy trying not to bust a lung.

I tug at his arm and he holds his palm out to me, covering his whole face next.

"Nah, let me be happy, all you blasted rogues will be dead soon."

Nao snorts, several eyes turn to us in question. Nao's expression is straight in a nanosecond and I decided at that moment to cough, making it seem like I'm the one who laughed.

I bite my lip, turning my eyes to the ground and yanking my hand from his. Everybody disregards me and turns to the Enforcer once more.

They all begin screaming at what he said, insulting him and trying to get some kicks in as Tulka tries to hold them back. I stomp Nao's foot, pissed.

If you're gonna have a field day, don't stand next to me.

He doesn't respond, but I see that he's gotten his expression under control. He spares me a glance and shakes his head, as if what I'd done was immature. The nerve this guy has...