Soaring Over The World (Soaring Saga #2)

**Chapter Fourteen~Steps That Don't Work**

"Okay, don't all thank me at once," Lennox said sarcastically after a moment.

"But... why... what are you..." Audra stammered.

     Lennox shrugged. "You guys told me to leave, and so when I started seeing more of those creepo panther people, I bailed with my parents. They booked our regular trip out here early-- six months early-- because we didn't want to stick around and find out their intentions. We stayed at the hotel you guys just got a map from, and then when I saw you as I came out to get some lunch, I decided to take my dad's gun and follow you--"

"Your dad has a gun?!" Ari exclaimed.

"Uh, he's a police officer and our town was subtley being invaded by strange creatures."

"Fair enough."

     Audra was the first to stand. She got to her feet, jogged over to Lennox, and gave him a light hug, almost knocking his glasses off.

"Oh-- well-- um-- what--" he stuttered.

"Sorry for any weirdness we caused, and thank you for scaring off that griffin," Audra explained, letting go of him, "I wish you could come with us."

"Oh! What if he could?" Ari exclaimed.

"Um, what now?" Lennox made a face.

"Hear me out," Ari explained, walking closer, "You have a gun. You have inside intel with what's going on with human society. You have direct access to the authorities. You also seem pretty cool, and pretty strong, and pretty smart. Plus, you already know, so why not go the whole way? Come on, you could help us!"

"I'd rather not go around trying to stop some bird people conspiracies and possibly dying along the way," Lennox replied simply.

"Oh, come on, man!" Ari continued, "You could have the chance of a lifetime right here! Live a little! Be a hero!"

"Probably not," Lennox stated, "I'm sorry, but my family's waiting. I just came here to make sure that crazed griffin didn't eat tourists or destroy a famous monument. Saved you too? Cool beans. But I didn't come here to save the world with you guys."

     Lennox was about to turn away and go back into town when Audra looked like she had an idea, and she leaped in front of him.

"Wait!" she told him, then looked around him at us, "The Terrus said there would be seven of us. Remember?"

"When?" River asked.

"The morning after Roxy disappeared, when Ari, Cirocco, Neil, and I were staying at Neil's place, and then when the Terrus had come over? They were all vague about wanting us to connect Avians and humans? They said 'You four, soon to be seven'. However, in the prophecy, it says 'six heroes of the age thirteen wield the light never seen'. So the prophecy states only we can access Essence, but there's someone else, who must not be able to. In that case, that person would probably be a human. Right?"

     I let that sink in. She was probably right. It made so much sense. 

"Can someone please explain what the heck she's talking about?" Lennox asked. 

"Probably," I replied, "But you'll have to agree before you hear anything else. We need to know we can trust you before we go dragging you into this."

     We waited for a while for anyone to respond. Lennox bit his lip, thinking.

"Fine. I'll be a backup support for you guys, so only contact me if you really need some help," he agreed. A few of us cheered or smiled. 

"By the way," I asked, "Do you know a way to Memphis from here?"