It felt strange to be on the move around the forest again, especially after what happened with the Lupas. Owen still sported a makeshift bandage on his arm, but it wasn't like we didn't have a fair share of injuries before that.
Despite knowing that seeking out mercenaries was a better plan and that I was the one who suggested it, I couldn't help but felt tense. There was a feeling in my gut, an instinct, that something bad might happen. I took note of it and shove it aside; if we stayed in the forest, chances us we would die even faster.
Being the ones at front, I can feel Owen and Abigail behind me closely as we act as the spearhead that cut through the forest. Bowen is all the way at the back with Natalie and Oscar with the others protecting Evanna. I kept my senses alert for anything, though Abigail and Oscar would sense something wrong faster than I could. I threw a few cautious look at Abigail. She still didn't seem to be aware of her contribution to Owen's escape yesterday.
Oscar and Abigail detected a group of Hancocks so we did a big loop around them. Those mutated poultries had the sharpest beaks I had ever since. We once encountered a herd during a game of Capture a Flag and we lost half of our crew that time.
However, it seemed that our trouble that day wasn't over.
"Gail, I sensed something weird in the north-east," Owen said. That was nothing new and we continued on as Abigail checked it out, too. However, this time, she stopped.
"No way." She gasped. Owen quickly asked her what was wrong and the rest of us gathered around. She looked surprised and torn between excitement and fear. What could this be?
"I thinkâI think there are P.O.E.s there," she said. The others immediately got excited and after a few rounds of conversation, it was established that these were complete strangers and not someone from the Academy. They could be the ones that were after us, but it seemed farfetched for them to track us all the way here after a month.
"We need to get out of the way otherwise they would sense us," Owen said, frowning. "They're definitely heading this way."
We all turned towards Evanna, but once again, she wasn't able to do much given that we hadn't made a decision yet.
"They're the first people we've run into since the test,"âI quickly said before the others could interrupt meâ"but we should be cautious when approaching them."
It might seem weird for me to say this, but I thought they would all be more cautious and suggesting that we approach these groups outside of the Citybase would be a huge risk.
"Let's not rush into this," Abigail said. She seemed to understand what I was worried about. I looked towards Bowen; he didn't look happy about the situation and I wondered why he still hadn't spoken.
"What if we lose them? You said it yourself, we haven't run into anyone for weeks!" Casey said. Holly and Nate agreed with her. These three together didn't even have enough brains to stay alive.
"I said we should follow them, not approach them." I sighed and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. Before we could continue our debate, it was too late. Then it turned into an argument on where to run. With Bowen lashing out with no input or reason.
"Too late," Evanna suddenly said. I paused midway through my sentence as she looked at each and one of us. "They're coming."
Bowen's first reaction was to run, and I couldn't help but snort at that. That was exactly what we were trying to do and he was the one who hindered the progress.
"We should play this safe," Abigail answered. Annoyed at the situation, I pulled her behind me and took position at the front of the group. Oscar marched up next to me and the silent acknowledgment of all the times we fought alongside each other in the simulation room came rushing back.
"We can't outrun them now," I said to Fred, unable to resist glaring at him. "Might as well get prepared and see what they want."
Abigail suddenly started hyperventilating. I wanted to help her, but it was more important that I stood my ground in front of her when these strangers reached us. Holly would take care of her.
"They're nearly here," Owen whispered. My entire body tensed with anticipation as the shifts in the foliages became evident. They were here.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" a balding man asked. He studied us with a cold gleam and I hoped I was covering Abigail up behind me completely. I didn't like the way he looked at us.
"If you'll excuse us, we need to get going," Owen said stiffly beside me. "Our friend is not feeling too well."
I took this opportunity to take stock of them. There were nine in total, all of them dressed in camouflage grab that and huge backpacks. There were blood and dirt over their gears and clothing. This was a group that had hunted the forest and they are dangerous.
Anger starts building up inside me at the way some of the men were looking at the girls. It didn't take much to deduce what they were thinking. Natalie, whom I didn't realised was Chinese, gasped at what they said and urged us to leave.
"Not so fast," the bald guy said. This was a man who had seen blood and wasn't afraid of it. "Why don't you stay and have a talk? We had never seen you before. You're not from Yunan Citybase, are you?"
Yunan Citybase. My mind tried to locate it but came up short. It was in China, for sure, but I wasn't sure exactly where. I tried to think of something to say or replied that won't give away who we were, but came up short, again. The truth was that no matter what I said, they already knew we didn't come from Yunan Citybase.
"You know what folks, I think they are lying to us," bald guy said. I could feel heat emanating from my body and the urge to throw fire at them, but they were looking for an excuse to fight and I mustn't give them one.
"Let's back down slowly," Abigail whispered behind me. The men were talking among themselves, probably debating on what to do with us. Evanna gave out a warning too and I knew we must act fast.
"On the count of three, start running," I instructed and nodded towards our right. I kept my eyes trained on the men, but they were too confident that we weren't slipping through their fingers to see that we were walking away.
"Holly, how many do you think you can take down?" Abigail asked. The other girl replied and I could see a plan taking shape as she handed out tasks. I resisted the urge to smile. Despite the situation, hearing her dish out plan was strangely reassuring.
"Stop where you are!" the bald man shouted. Turned out we didn't even need to cue our own exit after all. Everyone turned and ran, I made sure they were all in front of me before moving myself, using the time to send a blast of fire to slow them down.
My glimpse showed me that Holly had successfully taken out the three people, and two of the crew had bent down to check on them. This left four, including their leader, in pursuit of us.
I could just make out Evanna's voice as I hurried towards them while blasting fire to keep our pursuers at bay. One of them waved his hands and I dodged the rock that he sent flying my way. A telekinetics. The others hadn't shown their power yet, but it won't be long.
My second fire blast was blown off course and I sensed the Elemental movement from one of the other men. The leader, who was just hell-bent on pursuing us, created a dent in the ground as he ran. Super strength. The remaining guy hadn't shown any sign of power but I kept an eye out for him, too, just in case. We were heading west, and even with Bowen's occasional help, it was clear that they had the upper hand.
"We're almost there!" Evanna shouted. I couldn't imagine where here was and Bowen didn't hesitate to point that out.
Casey, who was camouflaging us as much as she could with her ability, almost collapsed as she reached her limit. Oscar rushed forward to support her. I gritted my teeth and created a big blast of fire. The forest was too moist for things to catch on fire and it was hard to hit them with so many foliages in the way.
"Keep running," I shouted, debating the merits of staying behind. Unless we could pull far enough ahead for me to set fire properly, it won't be much use.
I could hear people at the front speaking and the sound of rustling had ceased. Did they stop? Why?
Everything became clear as soon as I caught up to them. There were more strangers. We hadn't run into anyone through the last four weeks and here we were with two groups. What kind of dumb luck was this?
The two group appeared to know each other as the girl with the crossbow raised it towards the leader that was moments ago looking at us triumphantly.
"We've some unfinished business with this lot here. I would appreciate it if you will leave us to sort this out ourselves."
"We have no business with you," I quickly cut in. I glare at him, contemplating the chances of him burning alive. Slim if the air Elementalist helped soften the blow.
"Alistair, your group are already on the probation list of the Association for illegal activities," a man in the other group, whom I assumed was their leader, said. "Surely you don't want to get banned from coming out by pulling another stunt?"
"Mind you own business, Trevor. We were just having a friendly race," bald guy answered. That was the worst excuse I had ever heard.
"It'd be your words against ours," Fred suddenly piped up, pushing Natalie behind him. "And it was definitely no race."
The bald man leered at us and I frowned. "It was all a misunderstanding; you have something of ours and we want it back. Why don't we settle it ourselves?" he cooed. My hands clutched into fists as I resisted the urge to slam his face.
"I heard you," Abigail suddenly spoke. Everyone turned to look at her. "You plan on capturing and selling us to the highest bidder."
It was clear on his face that it was exactly what was on his mind. My heart clutched at the thought of everyone being captured and sold and my anger flared even higher. I stole a glance at the new group and saw the icy looks on their faces. This was a clear taboo.
"Even though I have always known you're an outlaw, I never pinned you as the type that would kidnap and sell his own kind," the leader of the other group said. I felt slightly relieved that this other group weren't monsters. Otherwise, we won't have a chance to escape.
"You're going to believe the words of these strangers? For all you know they could be the ones who are planning to kill us all," baldy argued. They had no reputation to speak of and it after some more back and forth, baldy left with her gang.
"Thank you," Abigail said to the other leader. He nodded stiffly and I could see that thy were still suspicious of us.
"If you don't mind, we'll be leaving now," Fred said mechanically, one arm still on Natalie. Abigail looked like she wanted to say something but stop. Natalie or I could follow them to see where the Citybase was afterwards, we should avoid direct contact with them.
"Waitâ" a new voice called out and a guy from this group stepped forwards. He was looking at Abigail intently and I quickly stepped forward and pushed her behind me.
"Are you Abigail Beckett?"
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Second double update for the 12 days of Christmas! It's like super warm in Hong Kong still but hey, I won't complain. What are everyone's Christmas plan?
btw, don't forget about my Christmas/NY giveaway that's posted on Evolution!