The Mysterious Quest

Chapter Nine: Mud Battles and Star Gazing

We had made good progress towards the mountain. There weren't any more appearances from the monsters. For the masked figure, he hadn't said a word. We kept him under surveillance from the two Ethans. He didn't like co-operating and would often try to escape, only to be met with tall Ethan's strong, iron-like grip. Yet he still wouldn't say a word. It was starting to make me think that he knew something that I didn't know, but I just brushed it off as over-reacting. Only if I knew what I know now. "We have been travelling for so many days Jake, when are we going to stop?" Eliza whined. "Fine, just because you have been whining this whole time, we will stop," I said, exasperated. Eliza cheered. We stopped beside a river where I sat on a rock and took off my shoes. I cringed when I saw my feet, there were a few blisters on the bottom of my feet. I tiptoed to the river, trying not to walk on my blisters. I sat on the edge of the river, dipped my feet in the water, and oh, that felt soooooo nice. Eliza hopped to me and dropped her feet into the water. "What's up," Eliza asked me. "The sky" I answered sarcastically. She glared at me. I looked at her, she smirked, and in one swift action from her foot, she splashed a piece of mud onto me. "Hey!" she laughed. I bent down and picked up a piece of mud and threw it at her, to which she ducked and stuck her tongue out at me. So instead of trying a ranged attack, I scooped a piece of mud and smeared it on her arm. Her eyes widened, then a glint in her eyes made me worry. "Sorry?" I said, but it came out more of a question. I was pushed down on the ground, she got on top of me, and grabbed mud off of her arm, and smudged it on my forehead. "Have a taste of your own medicine," she said, with a triumphant look on her face. I pushed her sideways and stood up quickly, which caused her to fall in the water. I heard her try to yell at me before she collided with the water, but she was too late. One loud splash later, a soaked, and angry Eliza emerged. "Jake Allens, what did you just do?" Eliza asked, eerily calm. "Me? Oh, I didn't do anything, what are you talking about?" I said. Before you could even say 'Zeus!' Eliza lunged at me, pulling me by my ankles, into the water. I saw Eliza giggling, swimming away. I caught up with her and lifted her out of the water and dropped her onto my shoulders. "Jake! Put me down right this instant!" Eliza squealed. I answered with, "I don't think so! Get down yourself!" , "Okay," Eliza said. Then she put all her weight forwards, pushing me down to the ground, and she landed on top of me. When she realized what position we locked eyes. We both started to lean in when little Ethan yelled, "Hey lovebirds! Go get a room!" Eliza blushed profusely and quickly got off me and started to run away. Ethan looked at the other Ethan and they both snickered, walking away. "Hey, you two! Make yourselves useful and create a fire instead of sticking your nose in other people's business!" I yelled at the two Ethans. I saw both of their heads perk up and look at me before grumbling and walking away to build the fire. I looked around for Eliza but she was gone already. I frowned and joined the two Ethans with making the fire.

~~~~~~~~~~-----------~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Time skip to dinner :P

We were all sitting beside the fire and were having dinner, which was some soup, using some wild herbs and some that we brought along with us. I had just finished my first bowl when the taller Ethan had finished his third bowl, and now he was asking for a fourth. Ethan stood up to get fourth when Eliza stopped him, "Uh, I don't think so, you have had three bowls when Jake has just finished his first!" Eliza scolded. "It's, fine, Eliza, I don't think I am going to have another bowl," I said. Ethan looked at me and shrugged at me and stated, "Your loss" and he continued to devour another bowl of soup. I rinsed out my bowl and spoon and went to sit on a rock and stargaze. I was looking at my favourite constellations in the sky when I heard someone sit next to me. I turned, expecting to see Eliza when I saw Derek instead. "Hey man, I would like to apologize for snapping at you yesterday, I don't know what got into me," Derek said solemnly., "Yeah man, it's fine, we still bros?" I responded jokingly. Derek chuckled and said "Of course, pound it!" and we bumped fists, repairing our friendship and bro power. We sat there for the rest of the night, refusing any offers for the watch until it was dawn when the Ethans took care of it. I slowly crawled into my tent and I saw Eliza sleeping there, she looked so peaceful when she slept. This time I made sure not to sleep near her. I laid down on my pillow, and slowly the darkness overtook me, bringing me into the dreamworld. I fell asleep dreaming of a certain blonde-haired girl.

                           I woke up and immediately regretted staying up late, or should I say early with Derek, talking about random stuff that has happened. In our lives, or how the Perry Johanson series is better than the Harry Otter. (A / N No offence to Harry Potter fans, that is my second favourite book series!) "Ugggh" I grunted. I turned and saw Eliza looking at me, stifling a laugh, "Morning grumpy" Eliza teased. "That's mean" I spoke, my voice extremely groggy. Eliza laughed out loud and immediately slammed her hand against her mouth, realizing that she might have awoken up the others, her eyes still crinkling in amusement. "I'm going to go get ready" I muttered, Eliza silently chuckling behind me.

A / N    Well, I managed to get another chapter out, it might not be that good because almost half of it was written during free time during class :/ but, all that matters is that I published it! BTW thank you guys so much for 120 reads, I really appreciate it! Remember, don't forget to favourite, comment, and share! I hope you guys have a great rest of your day or night, keep your stick on the ice, PEACE.

-Maroon

EDITED