Panic Mode

Search and Rescue

The next morning, Ace's arm was numb. Asher had rolled over and slept on top of it all night. If today had been a normal day, Ace would have probably been mad, but at this point it didn't seem worth it. He yanked his arm from under Asher, waking him up. He shot up and mumbled a few words before looking at Ace.

"What time is it," He yawned and rubbed his eyes. Everyone had seemingly grown numb to what had just happened, conditioned by the frequent attacks and killings. It would seem that they would continue on as if everything was normal. After all, it was one thing to see the flames and nothing else, just like how they showed it in the morning news. It was another to be in the moment, to see the pain and death in their home. Ace looked at his watch.

"It's five in the morning." Ace stared blankly at him. "Congratulations, you just slept for fourteen hours." Asher yawned again and stood up before wincing in pain. He collapsed to the ground and looked at Ace.

"Aren't you gonna help?" He asked, groaning a bit. He rubbed his back. Ace had forgotten that he would be getting his wings.

Ace frowned, "how? I can't make it stop and all of the first aid kits are back in the city." Asher shook his head and laughed.

"I know that, I mean help me walk." He hobbled to his feet, using a tree for support. "I'm going into the city to find a way to get out of here."

"No, you're staying here," A voice said behind them. Both of them turned to find Anna glaring at them before yawning. "When I got my wings, I was in so much pain I could barely walk, let alone hike all over a city as big as Flowersdale in that smoke." Asher groaned in frustration, but sat down when Anna have him a hard stare.

"I agree," Ace grumbled. "I should go instead."

Anna nodded, "I'm going with you." Ace stared at her in shock. Anna shrugged and grabbed his arm, dragging him out of the woods.

The walk down the main road was silent. Neither looked at the other as they trekked down the middle of the road. Ace's hands were sweaty, as they always were when he was nervous. He cast several quick glances in Anna's direction before she finally stopped by the entrance to the city. Behind them was a single stretch of road, cutting straight into the flower fields that surrounded the city and the woods that circled them further beyond. In front of them was the city, burnt and silent.

"Look," Anna snapped, "what's your problem with me?" Ace's eyes widened.

"Did you really just ask that?" Ace asked. Anna groaned and there was a small flash of light stemming from her back, flickering as her brown wings appeared, poking through custom-built holes in the back of her shirt. Startled, Ace stumbled back as she flew into the sky. He glared at the figure above him and stomped into the city. If she was going to be like that, he was going to do this himself.

The city was worse than he had thought. It reeked of burning paint, rubber, and corpses. Half burnt furniture was thrown into the street, still smoldering, the smoke spiraling into the dark sky. Frowning, Ace walked down the street, occasionally looking over his shoulder for signs of the attackers. Out here, he wasn't hidden by the tall trees or sunflowers anymore. When he felt safe enough, He marched down the street, thinking about Anna furiously.

"What's my problem?" Ace shouted at the empty street. He should be the one asking Anna that. He growled and kicked a rock. It went tumbling down the street and stopped in front of the bar. Ace sighed again and walked to the rock, picking it up. He sat down on the curb and stared straight ahead into the alley. The sun was rising.

"Hey," Anna said as she fluttered down next to him. Ace grunted to acknowledge her. Anna scowled and kicked his foot.

"Stop it," He shot up, staring at her straight in the eye. He was sick of it, and decided that Anna couldn't push him around anymore. Besides, fighting was the last thing they needed right now.