The Dark Side

Chapter 16 - Vincent

The group of Stranglers never went by, leaving us all confused. By now I just pace back and forth while Vincent explains where the hell he went, "So, you're telling me that you 'held a sugar cube too far to the side, causing your horse to bolt in the opposite direction'?" I question.

We're still where we were waiting for the Stranglers to go past. But, as clarified, they haven't shown any signs of showing up.

Vincent nods, "You left because of a small sugar cube?" I repeat in other words. He seems to contemplate this, before nodding again.

"Then why didn't you get rid of the sugar cube?" Drew asks. He sits against the fallen tree stump.

"Hm. Didn't think of that," I spin around with such suddenness, it almost makes Vincent trip backwards from where he stands. I'm about to get really pissed, when he continues, "But! You're just lucky I came back for you two!" He points out. I roll my eyes.

"Where's your horse than?" I ask him suspiciously, "How did you get here?"

"I traded her in," He simplifies.

"What?" I exclaim.

"I. Traded. Her-" He begins slowly, just repeating what he said.

"She heard that, Vincent. But, what did you trade Violet in for? How could it be so important as to get rid of your horse?" Drew cuts him off from his line of sarcasm.

"Well, it seems you two had the same idea." He says, stroking his short beard mischievously, whilst raising an eyebrow at the both of us, "And who's that guy that ditched you two?"

Previously, I had asked where Jake went. Well, turns out he left. He snatched up Drew's horse and rode off into the fog- that clears ever so slowly right now- He said something about going to have 'One powerful base' to Drew, before disappearing. The thing is, I don't think he's telling me the whole story.

"That 'guy' is actually an asshole and deserves to drown in his own blood." Drew says carelessly, shifting into a more comfortable position as he leans against the tree trunk. I narrow my eyes at him and he shrugs, "Jess, he ditched us. He left you to die. Why does it matter to you so much?" I move my gaze to the ground and stop pacing completely.

"While we were on his horse he asked me if I would be his girlfriend." I say quietly.

"What did you say?" Vincent asks sounding deeply worried.

"Yes." I mutter.

"Shit." Vincent curses. Drew's gaze drops to the ground and he just stares, as if deep in thought. His usual smile is a noticeable frown. He sighs. "Jessica! Do you not know how dangerous that is?" Vincent yells. My eyes widen and I step back as he comes uncomfortably close, his hands are balled into tight fists. He sighs, "C'mon, we're going to Sector 6." He orders, turning around.

"What? No! We just came from there! There is a reason why we left, you know!" I object.

"Too bad. That kid sounds crazy to me! I know what he's planning to do." He says darkly, "My God, teenagers can be so stupid." He mutters under his breath. He begins marching away angrily. I glance over at Drew once more.

"Hey, you okay?" I ask him. He looks up at me again.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He mumbles, standing up.

Once we've started walking with Vincent- and I've given up trying to convince him not to make us go back to Sector 6- I notice Drew slow down a bit, so I do the same, walking perfectly beside him.

"Drew, seriously, what's wrong?" I ask him, genuinely worried.

He doesn't turn to look at me, but keeps his eyes on the ground with every step forward, "Nothing." He simply says.

"There is something wrong, and I can tell. I can always tell." I sigh, "You can tell me anything you know." I whisper loudly. Once he doesn't answer I continue, "Is this about Jake?" I ask him.

He pauses before answering, "Okay. Yes. Happy?" He says sarcastically.

"Drew, I've never seen you act like this, so obviously it's important. Please, tell me what's going on with you." I say calmly, before raising my voice, "I'm just sick of your stupid little secrets! We're supposed to be friends! I feel like I barely even know you anymore! But, you know, if that's how you want this to be then so be it!" I quicken my pace to walk ahead of everyone.

I cross my arms over my chest and keep my head down as I walk, while thinking.

I don't understand why Drew is acting so... Different after I told them both about me and Jake. In fact, after Jake all together. He doesn't like like me, does he? No. He doesn't. Why do I think such stupid things? We're just friends. Best friends.

~-*-~

"Okay, you know what?" I turn to face Vincent as I stop in my tracks. The two stop and look at me expectantly, "I'm not going back there," I decide. Vincent seems to 'darken' from my simple decision, "I'm not going back to Sector 6. This is all pointless! My father is going to murder me if he sees me again!"

"Jessica, we are going to Sector 6." Vincent states darkly.

"Yes, you are, but me? No. Not happening." I place my hands on my hips.

"You are most definitely coming. No matter what you do, or say, you're going to come with us. And, don't you dare make this hard for me." He takes a step closer to me.

I narrow my eyes at him, "Make. Me." I mutter darkly. Yeah, sure it's super immature, but there is no way I'm going back.

"You've brought this upon yourself." And with that, Vincent goes to grab me by the arms to hold them behind my back, but I simply dodge him off to the left. I then lower my body and in one swift motion, I sweep my leg around and he topples backwards to the ground. I stand back up and nod my head to Drew, seeing if he'll actually come with me. I honestly hope he does. I don't know how I'd ever survive without him.

He sighs. I guess he feels the same way, although he's still angry with me. He returns a quick nod.

I catch Vincent about to grab me again, but I quickly run to the right. A completely opposite direction to both ways. I glance over to see Drew following, "Sorry, Vincent! I get you're my uncle, but you can never force her to do anything!" He calls to Vincent, while running backwards with me. He shrugs, "Plus, I could never survive in this world without Jess!" He chuckles and turns forward, running with me. I turn my head to him while running as I let out a breathy laugh. I guess he forgives me?

"I could say the same for you." I laugh. He smiles back at me.

"Jessica! Drew! Get back here!" I hear Vincent yell at us, but we keep running, while he chases us.

"Sorry, Vincent!" I shout back to him.

I feel bad for leaving him, but there is absolutely no way I'm going back to Sector 6.

~-*-~