Donning Utopia

Chapter 6- Looks Like It's Time For A Montage!

After a very tense lunch filled with silence and occasional hostile glances from Cas, the four of us pack up camp and begin heading northwest like we agreed to. The tension is three-dimensional. The only sounds that ring in our ears are the trees rustling in the wind.

 Azariel insists on retaining the supplies we've managed to get ahold of, but he doesn't seem to be faring well with this decision of his. The poor guy – who's in charge of carrying the firewood – looks like his knees can't take the hike any longer.

 Beads of sweat make their way down his forehead. Azariel's movements are sluggish and heavy, as opposed to Bellami, a few paces ahead of him. She is happily striding onward as if the exertion is nothing but a mild nuisance to her. Bell carries the bivouac parts over her shoulder as she hums merrily. 

 Sometimes she'll glance behind her, and she creases her brow as if someone's following her. Her odd jitters fit right in with her quirkiness, though. I catch her whistling at the towering trees, glancing up to smile at the light, and laughing for no reason at all. 

 Her ease, though delightful to see, unfortunately, isn't contagious.

 Cas doesn't seem bothered by the long trek either, but he has a sour look on his face. I'm tempted to go over and talk to him, but the way he studies me as we walk is weirding me out. It's starting to make me feel self-conscious. 

 He's usually the one that can't shut his mouth. Cas has always struck me as a notable extrovert. And still, right now, at this moment in time, Cas is as quiet as a mouse.

 I wonder how the two of them can be so untroubled by the walk. I'm not doing much better than Azariel. My throat is dry, my legs are sore, and it was almost as if my body refused to cooperate with me.
 I'd tell myself, Go! Go on! We've got to go and find Alphia!

 And myself would reply with, Haha, nope, I'm going to go ahead and stumble and trip over this overgrown tree root, now.

  I yelp as the tip of my foot strikes the root. Suddenly I feel the whole world feeding me dirt for dinner. I cough and gag, and try standing up, but my limbs refuse to assist.

 "Whoa there," Bell blurts as she sets down her stuff against a nearby oak. She crouches and holds out her hand. "You okay?"

 I grunt, getting to my feet with her help. I dust specks of dirt off of my face. "Yeah, yeah, fine."

 Azariel's legs give in. He exhales and sinks next to a tree, firewood scattering around him. Cas shoots me another seething glare before going off to his brother.

 "Hey," Bell whispers to me urgently. "What is up with the two of you?"

 I hesitate, confused. "What do you mean?"

 She angles her head at me, giving me an "Are you kidding?" look. Slowly, it progresses into more of an "Oh my god, no, you're not kidding." grimace.

 Bell throws her hands up in exasperation. "Oh, jeez. You and Cas! It's like you've been playing Hot Potato with him. But instead of potatoes, you're tossing scary stares at each other!"

 "Scary is putting it mildly." I sigh, rubbing my temple. 

 Behind us, Az is speaking to Cas in hushed tones. Cas turns his head to glare at me several times before quickly realizing I'm staring back. 

 Bell gestures wildly at this, waving her hands crazily. "You see what I mean? Come on, Daemon, tell me what's going on. We're such a tight group. Just about two days of being with you three, but I know that!" 

 I want to look away, to avoid eye contact with her. But I can't do that. 

 She takes a deep breath. "I don't – I don't want anything to happen to you. To us."