Soon after my agreement to join Casey and the others, Blair went into the woods, and came back out with nuts and berries for lunch. As I was eating, I saw Casey walk over and sit next to me. I glanced away as he smiled at me. I couldn't get why he was being so nice to me, despite the cold looks that I would give him. Was he that stupid?
"So, Nova. I think, since you're one of us now, maybe you'd like to know more about us."
I didn't answer, but I was interested. When I lived in Xera, I never saw or heard about any of them, despite the fact that Xera was a small village and you were supposed to know everyone.
Casey took my silence as a sign to keep talking. "Alright, so let's start with me. I'm 17, almost 18, but I got sacrificed on my 16th birthday. Before that, my life was just as bad as after I got sacrificed. Maybe, even worse. My mom died of exinta when I was only 10 years old, so it was just me and my dad. He was a nice person, but after my mom died, he changed.
"He became a lot more abusive and mean. Sometimes, I would run away for a day or 2 because I wanted to get away from him. When I was sacrificed, he didn't even care. And, to be honest, I didn't care either. Sure, I would be killed. But, at least I would get away from him, you know?"
Casey fell quiet. I couldn't help but look at him. In the pale sunlight, he looked less like a grown teenager, and more like a little boy. Before I could say anything to comfort him, he started speaking again.
"When I was kicked out, I didn't know what to do except survive. I survived by finding shelter and food. But, what really scarred me was my first encounter with the Reaper. I was able to survive, but I got a scar along my left leg.
"Not long after, Blair was sacrificed. When she lived in Xera, she didn't have a family. She was living in an orphanage, where she would get into a lot of fights. When she was sacrificed at 16, most people were glad to see her go, on account of her tough behavior. But, when we first met, she wasn't so bad.
"Then, Leon got sacrificed a few months afterwards, at 15. I don't know about his past, and neither does Blair. He isn't the type to open up immediately to people, as you saw when you met us. But once you get to know him, he is a really great person. He joined our group, and we survived together.
"Finally, Kiana was sacrificed just a few months ago. She was one of the only children sacrificed below 15. She's only 10. We don't know about her past, either. But, it must've scarred her, since she doesn't talk. The whole time we've known her, she only spoke once, and even then she was quiet so we didn't know what she said. After finding her near the gates, we took her in, and became the group you see now."
Despite myself, I couldn't help but stare at him and the others. I never knew a group of people who never met in Xera, but seem like they've known each other for a long time. They seem like I could trust them.
Then, I remembered. From my encounters with people in Xera, I had come up with a rule. Never trust anyone. I've lost count of how many times kids who were my "friends" betrayed me, ridiculing me from their towering mansions. They have all reminded me countless times that they were destined for greatness, while I was destined to be killed by a monster.
So, that's why I remained silent. After finishing his food, Casey finally left to join his other friends. I can hear their hushed conversation, although I pretend to not listen.
"How's she doing?" Blair whispered.
"She seems fine. But, she doesn't talk that much." Casey answered.
"No surprise there. She's just like Kiana." Leon grumbled.
He started to say more, but Blair shot him a withering look, and he fell silent.
"So, when are we leaving for Syren?" Blair asked.
"I'm not sure. Maybe we could leave before sunset." Casey suggested.
For some reason, I found myself standing up and walking towards them.
"I think we should leave right now." I said.
Blair looked at me. She knew that I heard their conversation. "I agree. The earlier we leave, the earlier we find shelter before the Reaper comes out."
Leon shook his head impatiently. "I call leaving tomorrow morning. Then, we would have more daylight time to travel."
While he was talking, Leon glanced smugly at me, expecting me to argue. But, Blair beats me to it.
"Nice idea, Leon. But, I think that just gives the Reaper more time to find us. You saw how close it was to our hideout. It's following our scent trail. Sooner or later, it's going to find us. We should leave before it's too late."
Casey nodded. "I agree. We better erase any trace of us being here. I'll go get Kiana."
As Casey left, Leon stood there, gaping. He then cast a withering glance at me and stomped away. Blair walked, and stood next to me.
"Don't worry about him. Leon's a bit protective of our group. He's not open to new people." she whispered to me.
I nodded, looking at the place where Leon once stood. I would've been mad at him because of the way he was acting, but I've seen that look before. Watching people going through their daily lives had its benefits. It makes it easier to read people.
…
A few hours later, I looked around at the hideout. The fire was put out. The food scraps were discarded. It looked like nobody was ever there.
I walked towards the group, who were leaning against the trees.
"Ready?" Casey asked as I approached.
I nodded.
"Alright, let's go." Blair said.
As we left the cave, I looked up at the sky. The sky was still blue, but there were tinges of pink and orange mixed in with the blue. In less than a few hours, night would appear. I was scared to see what would occur when that happened, but I kept myself in check. Now was not the time to show fear.
I walked to the middle of the group, where Blair was walking, Kiana on her back.
"So, how long do we have to travel?" I asked as I slowed to match her pace.
"It depends," Blair replied, careful not to trip, "Hopefully, we'll make it to the lake in the late evening."
"The lake?"
Blair nodded. "Around here, there used to be a hot spring, but now it's just a lake. Lakes are the best place to go to because there's food, water, and a bunch of abandoned lake houses to sleep in."
After she said that, I suddenly remembered my school days in Xera. The teacher would talk on and on about the people before us. Before Xera was ever established. The world before was a lot more expansive. People lived everywhere, across the country and even across the continent. But, the recent discovery of the Reaper forced people into hiding, forced them to abandon their homes. I sometimes wish that I could see what it was like in those times, to see people who didn't fear for their lives everyday.
I slowed down, going back to the end of the group. Soon, Leon was walking next to me, looking straight ahead with his arms crossed. I could tell that he was trying his best to ignore me.
After a few moments of silence, I said, "So, how are you doing?"
I catch Leon glance at me, startled. Then, he goes back to staring straight. "I'm fine." he said flatly.
For some reason, that answer is not good enough for me. "Something on your mind?"
Leon was quiet for a while before saying quietly, "I know what you're doing."
Before I ask what I'm doing, he continued. "You're trying to get me to talk to you. Let me save you a lot of wasted time and effort by saying it's not going to work."
After that, he walks forward, leaving me behind. I sigh. If only I can figure what his deal is.
Suddenly, we stop, standing in the tall grass. The only sounds were the leaves rustling and the grass scratching our legs. But, as I listen more, I hear something so faint I had to lean forward to listen. It was a growl.