Reminisce With Me

Chapter 18: Liar Liar Pants On Fire

Dave watched me attentively, searching my face for answers. I couldn't pull my gaze away from his. I suddenly heard someone grunt from behind and before I could turn to see who had been shot, Dave pulled me against him. He began walking as my feet dragged in front. Normally, I would have let him push me, but in this moment, I was infuriated.

I elbowed him in the stomach before kicking him in the shins. Dave staggered backwards and before I could calculate my next move, Aiden's scream sent my heart racing.

"No!" he yelled and I watched him as he fell to his knees, linking his arms behind his head.

"Aiden," I whispered, my voice no longer audible. As I was about to run towards him, Dave shoved me over. I stumbled on the uneven ground and went flying through the bush. I gasped as I tumbled down a hill, the rocks scraping my cheeks.

I closed my eyes shut, dirt flying around me. I finally hit the ground below, digging my nails into the dirt for a firmer grasp. My head throbbed as I laid on my back, my vision slightly blurry. I forced myself to sit up, tears pooling in the corner of my eyes. There were barely any trees around me, mostly hills and logs. It appeared as though people had camped out here in the past. I could hear a stream nearby, but wasn't able to see it.

I stood up and stared at the rocky hill I fell down from. I knew I wouldn't be able to climb it and reach Aiden and Noel. It was too steep. I suddenly felt helpless and I dropped to my knees, breaking down. I cried into my hands, wondering whether Aiden was shot. I couldn't believe my stubbornness could have possibly led to Aiden's death. To make this experience even worse, I didn't understand how Dave found his way into the past. My emotions were spiraling and I was no longer able to contain them.

"Aubrey."

I pulled my hands away from my face, his voice startling me. I turned around and there he was: his jacket had muddy stains and his jaw and forehead was smeared with dry blood. Without thinking it through, I rushed towards him. I threw my arms around his neck and continued crying. He hesitated before hugging me back.

"I, I thought they shot you," I stuttered. "I was so sure I lost you."

"You didn't," he assured me and I peered up at him through teary eyes. "But..."

"But what?" My panic was back.

"Noel was shot," he whispered. "He was on the ground when I saw him last."

"Aiden, we have to find him," I said, walking towards the hill. He pulled me back, shaking his head.

"He's gone, Aubrey."

"No," my voice wavered. "We need to find his body so Helen can have closure. He might not even be dead. He could have been shot in his..."

"Aubrey," Aiden cut in, looking at me in the eye. "Rick's men are still out here. It's not safe for us to go. We need to rejoin with Kim, Micah and Skylar before finding Noel."

I nodded, sighing loudly. "This is a bullshit mission and a bullshit firm. You guys really couldn't get a normal nine to five job?"

Aiden seemed offended and he backed away. "You guys? Aubrey, this is who you are too."

"Whatever," I said, my fear replaced my anger. "I'm going to grab wood."

I began to gather wood from the edge of the hill. Black Onyx jeopardized people's lives for men like Rick Hoffman? I didn't understand when a stranger's life became more valuable than your teams, your "family" as they call it.

Aiden had started a small fire, low enough for people to not notice. I threw the remaining pieces in. It had become dark and to my surprise, I was finally able to see the sky above. Aiden sat on the log, the orange reflecting off of his eyes. I took a seat next to him, the silence lingering a lot longer than I hoped for.