Brokenly, Restored

Chapter #8

(Matt's POV)

The wolf pack was an unforeseen obstacle, but it actually quickened our pace. We did not remain at the shelter all night. We are hours ahead of where we would otherwise be. The next leg of the journey should have even better results. I must reach the coordinates.

Choco releases a large sigh when I lead him and Pete onto a road. It slopes down hill for a ways before morphing into paved brick as it leads into a small town. The trees fall away to reveal open ocean.

"Finally! I thought that we'd never get out of that forest", he laughs a little, "So your coordinations are somewhere in this coastal town?".

"That is false. We are at the correct longitude, but the latitude is farther West", I correct him.

"Farther West? There is nothing farther West then this town. The ocean........ Oh god no......". Choco looks back at the water in dismay.

"We're crossing the ocean!? To the next continent? That's so cool!", Pete yells. His body language is very different from Choco's. I do not understand what the various stances mean.

"This is bad. This is really bad. We don't know anything about the other continent! There could be another version of the lab there, just waiting for Matt to wander back for capture", Choco bites the nail on his thumb, looking at the ground. I don't understand the look to his face.

"Liblicen. Home of the Hybrids. Sometimes referred to as the Sorcerer Kingdom after the Civil War. The sentient species are connected to humans by their ancestors, but have evolved due to unconfirmed sources. Their many cultures are diverse and widespread", I repeat some of the information I have, and Pete listens to me, but Choco's face still looks...... not the usual.

"Worried. He looks worried". I shake my head a little, not knowing where the intrusive voice comes from. The other two aren't watching me anymore and are stuck in their own conversation. Worried? What is worried?

"We've already come this far! Come on, Choco! It'd be so fun to go!", Pete smiles wide.

"I feel like this is going to end badly.....", Choco sighs, but he takes off the backpack and digs around inside for a moment. He pulls out a long, black cloak. I remain still as he throws it over me and buckles it around my chin. It's thin and cheap, but casts my face in shadow. Choco likes that it covers up my metal arm and leg. I don't care. If it increases the efficiency of our journey through the city, then I will wear it. Even Pete blends in better then I do.

I let the other two walk in front of me as the road turns to brick. I tower over both of them in my black cloak. Choco once said I look intimidating, but I don't get that. He explained it better when he said it keeps other people from approaching. That, I understand. It is not efficient if we are delayed. I have to get to those coordinates.

The main road is full of shops and vendors. Everything is colorful with banners hanging overhead. It's such a waste of resources. Crowds of people wander from stall to stall, but most move away to give us space. Someone will take a second surprised look at Pete or Choco, see me, and look away again in a hurry.

"Can we go over to that one!? Please, Choco!", Pete tugs on Choco's sleeve, pointing over to one of the vendor shops. He rolls his eyes, smiles, and agrees. I follow both of them over. Why the delay? Those coordinates should be the top priority. I almost object, but then I see Pete's big smile. I remain silent. The vendor is selling some kind of food. His eyes go wide when he sees me staring him down.

"Ignore the big guy", Choco chuckles, talking to the vendor, "How much for three pieces?". The vendor mutters out the prices, and Choco thinks for a moment before he pulls out a few coins. The vendor hands over the food to him and we step back from the booth.

"I haven't had any chocolate in forever! They don't usually sell it unless it's a holiday. Will you try some, Matt? You wouldn't do it last time", Pete offer me a piece of the brown candy. A little hesitantly, I take it from him. There's no logical reason for me to eat it. I get all the energy I need from the solar chargers on my arm. My primary battery is filling back up. I still bring the chocolate up to my mouth and bite off a little piece. It's unbelievably sweet.

"Well, I'll be dammed. He ate it!", Choco laughs, munching on his own piece. "Not too bad, now is it?". I don't answer him, instead eating the rest of the chocolate. It is pretty good. What is good? I do not understand. I follow after the other two as we head for the docks, getting ever closer to the coordinates.