Gaia gasped and came to an abrupt stop as she clutched her side and fought to catch her breath. She had hoped that the hunters would leave her be and continue their journey to Imogen, but they had chased her for a couple of miles until she had veered off the trail and tumbled down a steep ravine.

Damn them, she thought as she glanced back up, scowling as she saw how far she was from the main trail. Why couldn’t they have just left her alone? Lives were at stake and though she didn’t care much for this specific mission, she didn’t think Isla would be very happy to find out she had failed.

Gaia rubbed her bruised spine and shook her head. She couldn’t think like that. Isla trusted her to carry out the mission, which was exactly what she was going to do.

It would be difficult, but she would be able to do it. Somehow. The fall would delay her quite a bit, but if she hurried, she still might be able to make it to the safe house by nightfall.

She rolled her shoulders back and tied her hair into a loose bun, biting her lip as she tried to figure out where to start. The steep hill was slick with mud and wet grass. There weren’t any holes or ledges to put her feet on. Gaia sighed and glanced around her. Unless she wanted to go down a route that led in the opposite direction, she didn’t have a choice but to try to climb up the ravine.

Deciding to take a running start, Gaia jogged a few meters away from the hill, wincing as a streak of pain went up her side. She ignored it and stared at the ravine for a second before sprinting towards it. She managed to curl her fingers around a rock sticking out of the wet dirt and planted her feet on the soil. A startled cry escaped her as her feet flew out from under her and she landed hard on her back. Gritting her teeth, she got back up to her feet and went again, adjusting her pack and her bow on her shoulder.

The next few tries ended with the same result and Gaia decided to see if there was another way. Her attention landed on the route she had seen before. It could branch off to another trail where she could go back up. It would take the same amount of time to take this trail as to try to scale the ravine. It was worth a shot.

She didn’t know the forest very well, but she was familiar with this sort of terrain. The rebel camp was located on a woody island and she had lived there almost her whole life.

Not many knew where the rebel bases were. There was one in Zodiac - the capital of Rae - and another in the Azure Isles. She had been born in Imogen, though she barely remembered the town. She had joined the alliance when she was seven years old.

It was strange that she had been taken in so willingly. From the ones she had encountered, the rebels did not mingle with outsiders. It was too risky.

The only reason she was alive and not dead on the streets was that the rebels had taken pity on her. She had been close to death and half-starved when they had rescued her.

Excluding Isla, no one knew her background or where she came from. She was grateful that the General had kept her lips closed about it. Gaia hated sympathy. It made her feel weak and helpless; she had promised herself years ago that no one would make her feel that way again.

Most of the rebels had hard pasts and barely any were willing to share. That was fine with her. Everyone had memories they were running away from.

She hardly trusted the rebels. Anyone could sell her out. She was even careful around Isla, though the woman had filled in the gap as Gaia’s mother.

There was the only downside of the alliance: she had to depend on others for her safety. Gaia didn’t trust easily. She was independent and did things herself. That’s just how she was. There was no way to tell who would turn her in. She was too important to the alliance to get captured. She knew too much and if the government managed to torture the information out of her, the rebel era would be over.

It was a bloody world, full of war and conflict, and somehow, Gaia had found herself as a vital piece in it.

The girl flinched as a low branch hit her ear. She could only hope that she was going the right way. The tall trees shielded the sun, and she couldn’t tell which direction she was without it.

It wasn’t long before she came upon a river. Gaia ran towards it and sank to her knees, gulping down the cool water. She splashed some on her hot face and sighed in content. After she was done drinking, she dug into her back for her canteen and filled it for the rest of the trip, not knowing when she would find another water source.

She should be at the house in less than a couple of hours, but there was no telling if she would get delayed. The obstacles from the earlier part of her journey proved that even the simplest things were unpredictable.

Gaia tilted her head up to study the sky. It was beginning to get dark and she could see the sun starting to set. She quickened her pace, turning east. She was right where she should be. Isla had told her to turn left where the river split. She only hoped that the General was right. It had been years since either of them had left the island and nearly a decade since Isla had come to these parts of Rae herself. She loved the woman - Isla was an excellent leader and had great strategies - but even Gaia had to admit that Isla tended to make a few mistakes when a map was involved.

Gaia’s stomach growled and she rubbed it, licking her lips as her gaze wandered over the dense trees. Any animal that had been in range most likely had been scared off. She didn’t have the time to build a fire to cook the meat either. Perhaps she could find some plants or fruits. It would be harder than hunting, but she didn’t feel like killing.

She sighed as her mind wandered over to the dog she had shot. She didn’t care for any kind of unnecessary murder. Too many innocent lives had been lost already. But, there was nothing else that she could have done. She would have torn her apart otherwise. Gaia felt bad for the dog, but she did not regret it.

It had been a long time since she had killed. Gaia didn’t like going out with the hunting parties. The fast deer and squirrels were good practice, but it left a dull ache in the pit of her stomach whenever she shot one.

She hunted occasionally - when the rebels were short-handed or needed help - but she didn’t quite love or enjoy it like some of the others did.

She knew most thought she was odd for the lack of interest, especially as a rebel that was training for war, but it was one thing to murder innocents. It was a whole other thing to kill on the battlefield.

Gaia adjusted the strap of the pack and rubbed her aching neck. She was hungry, tired, and thoroughly miserable. She wouldn’t be doing Isla any more favours that included hiking through an uncharted forest.

The girl reminded herself that she would be saving two lives. Two Uniques that would otherwise be dead or captured. Though the journey was tough, it would be worth it.

Gaia walked for a little longer before sitting down on the side of the path. The pink sky stretched above her and a cool breeze sent flyaway hairs into her face. Gaia took out her hair and ran her fingers through it, frowning as several strands came out. A lot of her hair had been falling out recently. She had delayed getting it checked out by a healer. It was probably nothing. Most likely just malnutrition or anxiety.

She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. It had cooled down quite a bit without the sun and though the girl had a jacket, she was starting to get cold. Deciding to start back up before it became completely dark, Gaia forced herself to stand up and continue walking.

Her stomach was growling by the time she reached a tall slope. Drained of energy, she groaned for a second, considering the option to just curl up in a ball at the bottom and finish the rest of the journey tomorrow. Her shoulders sagged and she stared at the ground longingly before sighing, remembering Isla’s instructions. The safe house was supposed to be at the top of a hill. It could be this hill.

Despite her aching legs, Gaia ran up the slope, encouraged by the possibility of supper. She nearly collapsed in relief as she reached the top and took in the scene before her.

A small cottage took up most of the small clearing. There was a small stream running beside the house and a large garden filled with plants and vegetables on the other side of it. Gaia carefully walked closer, her grip tightening on her bow. She hoped that there would not be trouble, but she was still not certain that this was the house she was looking for. She would rather be safe than sorry.

When she was only a few feet away, the wooden door slammed open. She jumped back as a young, blond-haired boy walked out, a bag hoisted over his shoulder. Gaia froze as his azure eyes landed on her and his jaw slid open, the bag sliding out of his hands. He probably didn’t get many visitors.

He stared at her in shock for a moment and Gaia hesitated, unsure of his intentions. She didn’t want to startle him and hoped that they would be able to keep the peace. She didn’t want to have to be the first one to resort to violence.

She watched as the boy’s hand slid down to his pocket, where a hilt of a dagger was barely visible above the dark fabric. Her arrow was on the string instantly and the boy flinched, his hands flying into the air. He backed away and his eyes widened. “Who-who are you?”

His voice was quiet and filled with fear. Gaia didn’t answer and shifted from foot to foot, chewing her lip.

“I think the better question is, who are you?”

The boy’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

“Does Frank Bridges live here?” She inquired, ignoring his reply.

He glanced behind him at something inside the house before his hand shifted back towards his pocket. Gaia tensed. “Don’t move.”

The boy locked eyes with her and his hand shook as he moved it slowly, centimeter by centimeter until his fingers were wrapped around the hilt.

“I just told you not to move!”

“Who are you?” The boy inquired. “How do you know Frank?”

It was clear that he was buying time and Gaia’s heart started to beat faster. “Put your hands in the air, or I swear I will shoot.”

He said nothing and Gaia shook her head and stared at him incredulously as he continued to inch his hand into his pocket. “Do you have a death wish?”

The boy’s hand whipped around the hilt and the metal blade glistened in the moonlight as he yanked the knife out. He was quick, but she was faster. Gaia let the arrow fly and it found its mark in the center of his chest. A perfect shot.

His eyes widened and the weapon fell out of his limp land and landed with a loud thud onto the doorstep. His eyes rolled back into his head and his knees buckled before he fell onto the ground, a red stain blossoming on his white shirt.