Brokenly, Restored

Chapter #4

(Choco's POV)

There honestly isn't that much that needs to be packed up and taken with us. We use Pete's small school bag, stuffing in a few extra clothes and a coin bag along with his thin school books. I'm definitely going to quiz him along the way....... not that I can really help with the math, but I'm sure Matt could if I can convince him.

By the time the sun was fully risen, Matt didn't even warn us before he walked right out of the house. I scrambled to walk at his side with Pete right behind. Matt glances at us following, and it's honestly more than I expected from him. We're just following him. I don't know where he's going or how long it will take, but Matt obviously knows.

It's early, but there are still plenty of other people wandering the streets. Vendors are setting up their shops and night guards are switching out for some much needed rest. They all look at our strange party walking down the street. Their stares make me really self conscious. Pete sticks really close to me, but Matt couldn't care less. He stares straight ahead and walks down the dead middle of the street.

He didn't stop when we went through the city gates, either. A few of the guards must have been confused at our lack of horses or weapons. Hunters would take a weapon and return by nightfall and travels would be riding horses out to a different city. We're neither of those. Matt just keeps walking down the road I would say that he looks determined, but that's not the case. He just didn't seem to know any better then to follow orders. The first few hours weren't so bad. It was all relatively flat roads surrounded by forest or fields. It only got bad when Matt suddenly veered off the road and to the right, plunging into the trees.

"Matt!? Where are you going?", I almost trip over a tree root when I hurry to follow after him. Pete quickly moves up between us.

"Following the coordinates", Matt replies blandly. He's not out of breath or tired at all from the trek. Pete, on the other hand, I am starting to see slowing down. It's not like we got much exercise in the lab. I'm definitely not used to hour long hikes.

"Could we stop for a little while?", Pete asks, "Or maybe just slow down for a bit?". Matt doesn't react right away, but it surprises me when he stops for a moment. Pete yelps when Matt pulls him up onto his back and then keeps walking. He's giving him a piggyback ride! I almost laugh out loud. Pete is frozen still at first, but he eventually lets his chin drop onto Matt's shoulder.

So, we walk on. Matt cuts a straight path through the forest, only diverging if he's about to walk into a tree. His steps are steady and unfaltering even with Pete's added weight. It's kinda scary to see how much strength he actually has. I can only plod along after him. The sun is at its peak in the sky when we reach a river. I take one look at the rushing water and feel my stomach clench. None of us know how to swim, and the current is flowing so fast that I bet even Matt would get washed away. My feet are killing me.

"Are we going to find somewhere else to cross?", Pete looks down at the water nervously. He was put down only a few minutes ago.

"A bridge was built here", Matt doesn't sound confused or surprised at not seeing it, but he does look up and down the bank.

"A bridge?". I don't see one, but I listen instead. I can feel the feathers of my head and tail fluff out a bit in concentration. Ever since getting out of the lab, I've noticed that I'm pretty good with directions. I listen close to the water for an sort of disturbance. Where do the birds chirp about something strange? Where have trees been cleared out for space? It's there! "Upstream. We missed the bridge. It should be just around that bend", I point. Matt doesn't argue and walks along the bank. I almost wish he would have.

The bridge is nothing but a few planks roped together. It's a rope bridge that sways in breeze, and I can even see a few rotting boards. Matt doesn't even stop to give it much attention.

"Hey! Hey, wait a minute! Don't you realize how heavy you are? That thing looks like it'll break any second. You'd sink like a rock", I grab Matt's arm and yank at him until he stands still.

"I can go across first, Choco", Pete walks around us, "I'm the smallest, and the lightest".

"Don't you dare! We can find another way across!", I snap at him. Pete slowly, almost mockingly, tests his weight on the first plank of the rope bridge. It holds. He carefully puts his other foot down on the next. I'm practically holding my breath as Pete slowly crosses the bridge. It dips and creeks with his weight, but nothing gives way, and steps onto the opposite bank without any problems.

"Ok..... I guess we are crossing here", I give Matt an a nervous glance. "Wait until I'm across, and then you can try........ Just be carful, ok?". He doesn't give me any kind response, just watching and waiting. I heave a massive sigh before approaching the bridge. Pete made it look easy. Showoff. I step onto the bridge and tense up as it gently sways. I step again and regret it the moment my foot leaves the bank. Still, no planks break under my feet and the poles don't slip out of the ground. It's only a tense minute or two until I'm across.

Matt has stepped on before I've even turned all the way around to watch.