The Dark Side

Chapter 25 - Still Not Back

As soon as he begins putting pressure on the trigger as he pulls it, I step back. I jump off the roof of the place. I'm just lucky it was built so short. We hear him become angry. "You'll die out there anyway! All of you will!" He yells in anger.

As soon as I actually land on the ground my injury burns with pain. I quickly grasp my side. I look up to Drew, "Told you I would be fine." I smile.

"Barely. How's your side?" He asks.

"Fine." I quickly say. He looks at me doubtfully. "I mean it." I say, letting go of the right side of my waist where my injury was quickly. I do notice that the bandage is bloodied again though. That's strange. I got it stitched up. I lift up the side of my shirt and glance at it quickly. "Well, shit." I mumble. One of the stitches must've snapped.

"Damn it, Jess." Drew sighs.

I glance over at Zachary and Conner. Zachary speaks to him in an angry tone, but seems to soften a bit when Conner speaks next quickly. They didn't notice. Good. "Just, don't say anything about it." I quickly say, fixing up my shirt again.

"Jess, we-" He begins, but I quickly cut him off.

"No. Just- Please, Drew. Don't." I plead him.

He sighs and looks down at me worriedly, his white-dyed hair hangs slightly in front of his face. "Fine, but if it gets any worse- any worse, we have to tell them." He says quietly.

"Thank you." I whisper and hug him.

"Alright. Let's get back to camp." Zachary says, grabbing a canister of gasoline, as I let go of Drew and grab one myself as we all nod. Each one of us hold one canister each.

As we leave I glance back at Sector 6 for the last time. For all I know, this is the last time I see the place, before the IX arrives here and destroys it with ease. I turn my back on the place and we disappear into the forest.

~-*-~

We arrived back at camp, but it was empty.

The others still aren't back, and it's been five hours since we all split up. Me and the guys sit around the fire, awaiting their arrival that doesn't seem to be approaching. I stand up and look around at the other three as I speak, "I'm going to get them." I state.

"No, you aren't going back to the Strangler's cave. You were already caught once, you won't be getting caught again." Zachary says, shaking his head.

"Exactly. I won't be getting caught. I'm good at sneaking missions. I've got this." I say, grabbing my pistol from where I left it on the ground, beside where I was previously sitting. I shove it in my jacket pocket.

"Jess, no." Drew shakes his head, standing up from where he sat.

"I'll be fine." I give him a reassuring smile.

"How many times have you said that today?" He asks.

I shrug, "Well, I haven't died yet, have I?" I raise an eyebrow at him expectantly and tilt my head to the side a bit as I speak.

"Wait, you were caught by Stranglers?" Conner exclaims. Everyone's attention turns to him. "Is that how you got injured?" He asks.

I sigh, before turning to walk away, "I will be back soon. It's a short walk anyway." I say and before I can even begin walking I feel Drew grab my wrist.

"Jess," He begins.

"I can handle myself, Drew." I give him another reassuring smile, and he looks like he's about to say something. I hesitate, before stopping him from objecting with a quick kiss that only lasts a few seconds. We both blush lightly.