Lowell

Chapter 6

The two hid in an abandoned town for a long time. It was safe. Or at least safer than large cities where everyone could see them. Hanna hated the abandoned town though. It scared her. The fear of monsters was ever present. Lowell always tried to assure her that nothing could hurt them. That all was fine.

But, that couldn't be true. Not when monsters were so close.

Here in this small abandoned town in the middle of nowhere, they were safe and that was all that mattered. Living in a city was dangerous. Not even guild cities were guaranteed. It exhausted Hanna living without people. "Lowell..." She whispered as she leaned against the wall of a building. He was lying in front of her like a readied shield. "Can't we just go to one town. Just one?"

Lowell looked at her in she assumed was confusion. Sometimes his face was hard to read. Lowell was used to solitude and quiet. To him this was nothing, but Hanna was a social creature. "You know why we can't. People will recognize us. Remember our faces." He leaned into her. "We're safe here. I've been speaking with Kronos. It won't be much longer."

"You keep saying that!" She yelled. "You keep saying it! But, how true is it?" Tears started welling in her eyes and Lowell panicked. He was never sure what to do when Hanna cried. "I'm so lonely here!"

Lowell became hectic and tried to think of anything to say. "I'm here! Doesn't that count for something?"

She glared at him through her teary eyes. "No. It doesn't!" Hanna curled on herself. "I want to talk with others. You may be fine staying here, but I'm not."

Lowell knew it was a bad idea to take her into town. They were only here because at this time they had no direction. But, maybe it be best. If they stayed low and left quickly nobody would know. "Capua Torim isn't too far from here." And it would make her happy. All Lowell ever wanted when he looked at her was for her to be happy. "We can visit and then figure out where to go." He kissed her tears away and she smiled. Deep down though he knew it was a mistake. He could have left her side in the city. If he did that then nobody had to know.

The rain poured down and fists collided in fury. The two boys tussling in the mud furiously. Yuri throttled at Flynn's throat and looked for the first time felt without any doubt hatred. "This all your fault!"

Flynn turned back and forth before finding himself on top of Yuri's small body. "My fault! How is any of this my fault?" He punched the halfer furiously. "You're the one who got us into the mess in the first place."

Yuri kicked his shin and the two flipped again. "It wouldn't have happened if you hadn't been stupid."

Flynn punched Yuri's gut and used this as a chance to stand up from the mud. "You're just mad that I'm right." Flynn spat a mix of saliva and blood out into the rain. "Stupid halfer." Yuri looked up at him from the mud. "I hate you! It's all your fault we're stuck out here." Flynn looked out at the surging river and hissed. "You're such a loser. No wonder your parents left you."

He smirked for second before reacquainting with the grown. "Take that back!" Flynn got up from the mud again and lunged for Yuri's waist, but the boy held strong and hit Flynn's back repeatedly in rage. Flynn fell and stayed down. "My Mom loved me! I know she did." Yuri recomposed himself. "Olive said so." Flynn panted and Yuri held out a hand that he denied. "Whether we like it or not we're stuck out here. I hate you, but if we don't get back home Miss Norien will cry." Flynn continued to glare. "I don't want that. So, let's work together."

Flynn smacked the hand away and stood up. "Fine, but I still hate you."

"Fine by me." Yuri spat staring out at their surroundings. "Any idea where we are?"