Crashing

Chaper 6: Race Against Time

Aoi's POV
Stumbling over yet another tree root I couldn't help but long for more light than what the trees allowed to peak through their branches. When mom and I first began planning our hideout I hadn't expected to ever need it or have trouble reaching it. I came to restock necessities once a month for nearly half a year with no trouble, but it was always during the day, the journey was much easier then. Suddenly Riko grabs my arm and tugs me down with him, unprepared I watch helplessly as I collapsed into an ungrateful heap on the rocky ground. After getting over the initial shock I realized why we stopped. The usual sounds of wildlife were absent and everything was still. Immediately I halted all movement and tried to find the cause of their unease, secretly hoping it was only a small predator. As we crouched small lights soon became noticable they were swinging wildly off in the distance searching for something, rather someone. Me. It seems they finally realized their hunt was a wild goose chase and circled back to deal with us.

The dancing lights doubled and soon surrounded what I can only assume is Riko's cabin. Thankful for the distance between us and them I released the breath I had been holding and dragged in the crisp air to satisfy my burning lungs. However, this relief was short lived. Suddenly there was a flash of light that was followed by a roaring boom. Everything seemed to spring into action. Animals cried out and tried to escape the flames that were quickly spreading from the explosion. You could hear the cheers and laughter of the culprits even from miles away and I couldn't stop the shiver that traveled down my spine or the goosebumps that exploded across my skin. Abruptly Riko pulled me to my feet and began running towards the mountain. His tight grip never faltered, forcing me to chase after him in fear of being dragged. Risking a look back I watched in horror as the lights began to group up and continue their search with more malicious intent than before. The inaudible echoes of shouts barely reached our ears from this distance, however, it was enough for a cold chill to travel down my spine leaving goosebumps covering my skin. Whipping around I double my efforts in keeping up with Riko hoping to escape the mob still searching for me.

Tree branches reached from the darkness whipping and snagging at us as we pushed our way through the overgrowth. Riko's pace didn't relent even for a moment despite the welts forming over our bodies. All previous stealth was forgotten and replaced with a need to get as far as possible from the monsters tracking us, we could only hope that our trail would be mistaken for a animal's. We continued like this for what felt like hours but couldn't have been more than thirty minutes. The slightly rocky slope we had previously been traveling beside was replaced by untamed brambles under the impressive canopy of the trees that allowed for no light to trickle through. Our breath came out as fast pants leaving my lungs starving for air. We were still miles away from the hideout and at this pace it was clear we'd be exhausted before we ever reached it. Fear quickly engulfed me as I realized this. Gasping I called out trying to get Riko's attention, " We need to slow down!" Slowing, I tugged my hand loose from his and all but fell into a heap on the ground trying to pull enough oxygen into my lungs to ease the harsh burning that followed each exhale.

"If we keep this pace we'll be too exhausted to reach the base of the mountain and they'll find us," I tried to reason not knowing if he had stopped, " they will kill us."

Finally able to breath normally I risked a glance up. Relief flooded through me as I spotted Riko leaning against a tree a few feet ahead of me. Pushing my body off the ground I start towards him, brushing the dirt from my palms. He was eerily quiet. Quickly scanning our surroundings I lean next to him, tense and waiting for something to strike out at us. "Are you alright," I whisper hating how loud even that sounded in the quiet wilderness. Awkwardly, I awaited his answer as the silence seemed to thicken to the point it was suffocating. Finally his smooth voice broke it. My startled gaze locked onto his face trying to read what was underneath the stoic mask. "That was my grandfather's cabin," he stated simply before shaking his head. Almost as if to clear the dangerous thoughts within from making an appearance. Before I could offer any words of comfort he pushed off the tree and motioned for me to follow. "We need to keep moving."