Light ➳ TST, Thomas [2] ✓

Chapter {13}

(A/N): I'm so sorry for annoying you with updates.

"How do you know Thomas?" Words rolled off my tongue sooner than I had time to consider them without a second of doubt shattered the silence between me and Jorge's friend, a girl named Devon.

She let out a silent chuckle, air coming from her lips like a type of low hiss as she trudged between scattered vehicles and stone slabs, groups of heavily saddened people, me following close behind. "Used to be his friend, before WICKED took us," Devon sneered that name venomously, lowering her voice so none of the passerbys would take any sudden interest in our topic. "Been close after too, then they dumped me here and separated him." She narrowly avoided a thin man wearing a massive scowl, brows knitted together as he purposely went to ram his shoulder against hers.

She flicked him off as they passed each other, no harm on neither hers or his side, laughing silently when he followed her actions before melting into the crowds. "That's Caesar. A real piece of work." Devon exhaled briefly, let her smile linger for a second as she eased it into a rather stoic expression of impassiveness.

"So, you don't really like Thomas?" I continued quickly, stopping as Devon did which could've caused me to slam into her back if I didn't control my walking.

She balled her fists tightly, gripping them together as if anger bubbled inside her and spun out of control, before she faced me, stoic expression remaining. "World like this, Ari, is all hate." As quick as ever she spun on her heel, almost running through crowded streets, elbowing her way between people who moved robotically, sadly not even caring to lift up their gazes, not bothering to watch their step as they saized only a few feet in their front as if lost a lot in a short amount of time. As if lost the wish to live.

As further we got from bustling middle of the street so did the number of people lessen and so did they look better, happier even with the small amount of time they still got- some as pale as cloud, dragging themselves in the distance just below a florescent tent while the others healthier, more lively yet still murderous looking imprinted on their faces. Loud music thumped in my ears, that however far we still were from our final destination - a party tent - it's sickly tune sounding of death managed to reach us. Just before I caught the full sight of it, Devon stopped again.

"We do this my way," She pointed at a woman, dressed in an outfit that barely covered her legs and stomach, bracelets squeezing the skin of her arms and frizzy hair on her head. "I take care of her, you get there, find your friend, and get out. I'll join you and find Brenda." She gave me a curt nod, searching for confirmation of my agreement within many emotions I've felt then as her lips pulled into an unsure smile, which eventually pushed me to nod back.

Letting a tense puff of air infiltrate my lungs, heat and sand within its constitution I wiped my sweaty hands over the fabric of my trousers and letting them linger there for a second longer, found Devon's gaze staring me up and down intently. "They're too drunk to recognise you." She put a quick hand to my shoulder, giving it a rather rushed, uncomfortable squeeze after which I didn't feel any better at all- my hands weren't shaking nor did I consider my irrational fear as I tried to drop from my mind but something distant that quickly crept up to me. Worry.

Devon smiled briefly, seeing her at ease behind that rushed smile made me reconsider our current situation, pulling in the last threads of courage before my eyes found that tent again, now a sure look on my features. I gave Devon a nod, her lips set into a smirk as she glided away quickly, swaying her hips as if challenging that woman.

I watched them from the distance, settling in my mind a sentence constantly saying to trudge on, move further away from that empty spot over which building towered, a red flag in whose fabric was imprinted a massive letter A. Minutes seemed to seep down slower, every passing one dragging as if it was never ending as I became more and more impatient.