The Hunting

Chapter 30

It's been a day since my conversation with Don and I still haven't been able to talk to Jaiver yet. Granted, there hasn't been a chance to talk to him alone. Currently, we are walking. In the far distance, I can see weird rock formations. I'm guessing those are the canyons. If so, I need to talk to Jaiver soon. I'm currently walking next to Don and Nate, who I have been hanging around for since we've been walking. I've watched them argue back and forth multiple times. Their friendship is a lot like Nate's friendship with Tatum. Actually, now that I think about it... Don is a lot like Tatum. They are both very loyal, like to tease, but when it comes down to it they want everyone to get along. I miss him. Nate must've noticed my gloom and he pipped, "What's wrong Arden?"

I brushed him off, "Nothing is wrong Nate, I am just thinking back."

Nate looked at me solemnly and nodded knowingly.

Don looked between us, "Is there something you want to share?"

There was a moment of silence, Nate shook his head. "Not now Don, but eventually."

Don didn't speak another word to Nate and me for the rest of the walk, every once in a while however, Don sent quick glances towards us. For the rest of the day, we kept on walking. Finally, after what seemed like forever, we were in front of the canyons. There were tall, jagged and had a reddish tinge to them. There wasn't really any vegetation, except for two plants. One looked like a small tree without any leaves. It was tall had what looked like green branches and it looked like it had small black pointy things coming out of it. The other was short but wide. The leaves were thick and fanned out. It almost looked like a bush. I'll have to ask someone about the plants. I tried to see if the canyons ended, but the canyons stretched far as my eye could see. I sighed. I am exhausted, I really hope we can sleep a little before Jaiver and I go into the canyons.

It seems like Calum must've read my mind. He stopped and turned around abruptly and waited for us to catch up. The first set of rock formations was about 300 yards from us. When we got to him he started to speak, "Alright, it will not be too long until sunset, Jaiver and Arden you will need to rest up before you go into the canyons. You too can stay here and rest, the rest of us will search around the area for supplies. We will be back after a while and we will all protect you. You'll want the cover of night to sneak into the canyons. Alright?"

Jaiver and I nodded. Pietra handed me her bedroll and without another word, Calum waved at the others to follow him. My eyes trailed them until I knew they were out of earshot. I whipped around to look at Jaiver, who was setting up his bedroll. With a huff, I rolled out Pietra's and muttered, "We need to talk."

Jaiver grunted as he lied down on his bedroll, "Yeah, we do."

I was not too far behind him. I laid on the bedroll and looked up to the sky, the sky was starting to orange and pink. The sun was going to set soon. I glanced toward Jaiver, who was in the same position I was. I sighed and looked back toward the sky. I don't even know what to say. Jaiver and I sat in silence until I heard him sit up. I glanced at him to see that he was sitting, facing me. I rolled over on my side to face him. I looked into his eyes, he was looking in mine. I see the sadness in his eyes. Finally mustering up the courage to speak, I sighed again, "Listen, whatever is happening needs to be fixed before we leave into the canyons and I cannot do all of the talking. So, what's up with you?"

Jaiver looked at the ground and then looked me back at me, "I want those scavengers dead for what they have done. I got frustrated when you-" he trailed off for a moment and then started again, "I was pissed off when you didn't agree that we should kill them. They almost killed you and it doesn't make sense to me that you don't want payback. At the end of the day it is your choice, but where is that fire?"

I raised my eyebrows, "What fire?"

He ran his hand through his and let out a frustrated sigh, "The fire the night we first met, you were going to kill all of us for Nate. When you fought Pietra, you were not going to let her walk all over you. When you kicked all of our asses in hunting. Where is that fire?" He raised his voice. "They are going to kill you if you don't kill them first!"

I sat up and looked at him. I scowled at him, " Jaiver, I am trying to talk this out with you, but you raising your voice is not helping. Now tell me, what is really wrong?"

Jaiver, "I'm sorry. I'm frustrated and I'm directing it towards you and that isn't right. I'm putting pressure on you to do what I want you to do. At the end of the day killing someone is your choice to make, not mine..."

"And?"

He continued, "And this whole situation is just reminding me of before Remmington got kidnapped. Remmington has always been the guy that wants to make peace, not war. Even when we started fighting the scavengers, he would knock them out rather than kill them. I am just worried that if we don't finish them off, there are still going to be problems. I couldn't protect Remmington from getting captured or you almost getting killed. I know that I am standoffish, but I care a lot and I don't want anyone else I care about getting hurt. I'm sorry that I've hurt you; I am just worried."

I put my hand on his shoulder, "I understand that you worry, but that doesn't mean you have to push me away and get grouchy with me just because I don't agree with you. Also, I'd like to add that I wasn't planning on killing any of you the first night we met. I was just there to protect Nate because I care about him."

Jaiver brushed off my hand off of his shoulder, "Oh... I see. I should've known."

My eyes widened, "No, Jaiver. That is not what I mean. I've known Nate for a long time. Even though Nate and I have our differences, protecting one another is just something that you have to do during these times. Now, I want us to put this whole thing behind us, so we can focus on not letting those we care about get hurt. If we are upset and angry we will not be able to do what we need to do. Okay?"

He nodded, "Okay."

We sat in silence until the others got back. They started a fire and we munched on the little rations of jerky we had. Calum told Jaiver and me to rest. Without any argument, I walked to Pietra's bedroll and laid down. It didn't take long for me to fall into a dreamless sleep.