Rowan: The EcoPan

The Riot Of Eden

"G, what are they doing here? Who do they want revenge on? Me? Aaron?" I ask, my heart wildly beats against my chest.

"You," G says and she pulls out a knife. Lachlan steps in front of me using his body as a barrier to keep me safe. She has tears in her eyes and her hands shake. "Lachlan, step out of the way. I don't want anyone to get hurt but Rowan has to. I'm sorry."

"I thought you didn't know who I was," Lachlan gasps not budging from his protective stance.

"I lied," She admits. "I know who all of you are, Aaron told me."

"Aaron wants me dead?" I ask.

She shakes her head as more tears pour down her face. "He wanted you broken. I used the information he gave me to kill you. What happened was your fault."

"Muijiza, please. You don't want to do this," I beg as I look at her from behind Lachlan.

"No...I don't. But I have to. I know that it truly wasn't your fault. I know that you have the best intentions for humanity but my people...my people...they need blood."

"You'll have to kill me first," Lachlan says and she gives him a pitying look.

"Oh, Lachlan. You know that can be arranged," She whispers. I go to cry out something but it's too late. She throws her arm back and flings it forward sending her knife flying at Lachlan's abdomen. Before I even know what happened Lachlan has stumbled back, his hands grabbing at his stomach. Rook goes to attack her but before he can she hisses, "Run! My people won't think I'm a traitor now. I wish you all the best of luck. I hit Lachlan where it won't be lethal, he'll be fine eventually. Go! Go find safety. Harmonia was already attacked."

"Harmonia was attacked?" I shriek as I support Lachlan who's still looking down at the knife that is hanging out of him in horror. She nods, still crying. She truly didn't want to hurt us. She's on our side.

"Yes, but I don't think they killed anyone. They might have injured some of them or burned a few homes but they were mainly just looking for you. Still, you should hurry," She says her eyes flickering at the horizon where the crowd of people comes closer. "Goodbye, brave Rowan. May we meet again."

She runs towards her people who are still far but coming closer every second. Rook grabs Lachlan, slinging Lachlan's arm around his shoulder. He supports most of Lachlan's body weight and we're able to jog to the forest with Lachlan grunting every step. My heart breaks seeing him in so much pain, but others could be hurt worse and there's nothing I can do for his pain but pray that he survives. In the middle of the forest, there's a huge oak tree with the side opened out like a door. But who opened the hypertube for us? It could have been G, or Carnelian if he can somehow see the trouble we're in. Earth forbid it was Aaron trying to lure me back to Harmonia. We get into the hypertube and it starts moving. Lachlan extends a bloodied hand to me and I take it trying not to cry. The knife still hangs out of him.

"Are you okay?" I ask. He nods.

"When I get a doctor I'll be okay. Let's just get there quick," He says with a wince. I brush his hair out of his face. Sometimes I wish he wouldn't hide his pain. The door to the hypertube opens and we're about an hour away from Harmonia. Rook supports Lachlan as we go as fast as we can. Lachlan bleeds a little more with each step. We could leave him here but he could bleed out before we can find him again. I won't risk that chance. After the stressful hour that seems like forever we finally reach Harmonia and what we find is worse than we imagined. Smoke is filling the valley from all the burned structures. People run around with tears streaming down their face, calling out loved one's names. It's chaos and I think some of G's people might still be here. I gag on the smoke and push forward.