That warm sensation remained with me as I remained trapped in an ocean of thick, heavy blankets. But they were soft against my skin, as I noticed how some people had scrubbed me down with soapy water in my conscious and unconscious state, and then coated with a mint jelly ointment. The tight bandages soon began to itch around my arms and legs. It was loud at times, then silent, but my swollen eyelids were far too heavy to lift at times, so I remained in the dark.

And finally, I dreamt of nothing, heard nothing.

* * * * * * *

The soft sound of crackling firewood was faint at first, but grew louder. For a moment, my heart began to beat faster, and as my vision slowly started to come back to me, a dull pain had formed at the back of my skull. When I weakly turned my head to the side, the urge to cough overwhelmed me, and I spat out dark blood on my palm. The hut I was in was tiny; a small hole in the roof allowed a great deal of smoke to escape from the small fire. When I drew back the blankets, I found myself in a clean smelling long sleeved shirt and pants, far too big on me. On a chair next to the bed I was on was a neatly folded jacket, and to my great shock were two polished boots.

After taking in my surroundings, I managed to get up on my feet, using the chair for support. A thin line of white appeared on my face that shone through the thickly woven tapestry, which blocked the entrance. I paused to listen; the silence outside slightly unnerved me. But when I slowly pushed it back, a soft wind met my face. There were a great deal of huts near the one I was in, some with smoke floating on their tops, others lacking. The scent of roasted meat met my nose.

I wasn't sure why I did, but I quietly slipped through the tapestry. The damp grass was soft against my bare feet as I limped forward, the hot sun causing sweat to build up on my bandages. Not a whole lot of people were out, although it appeared to be late afternoon. In the distance was a mirror of endless blue, white sea foam crashing against the rocks down below from a nearby cliff. I settled down on the grass, a lump rising in my throat, wondering if Honda and the baby were in a safe place. Hoping that Svetty had kept her word. What if my child arrived before I could reach them? My fingers tightened around the slippery grass at the thought of not being present at all during their birth. I slowly buried my head in my lap and hugged my knees for a while, solemnly promising myself that I would find them as soon as possible and build a home for the three of us.

Something struck me against my right shoulder.

As I looked up, another item splattered against the back of my head--warm and slippery. When I touched it with my fingers, I saw that they were coated with mud. Several more clods of it landed on my clothing, and the moment I stood up and eventually turned around, startled at the sight of twigs snapping. A small figure in the shadows of the nearby trees was bent over on their knees and was scooping up more when they suddenly froze and stared at me. The hunk of mud gathered in their palms slowly landed on the grass with a heavy splat as they straightened themselves up.

The young'un was a thin girl, with frizzy bright yellow hair, similar to the color of wheat in two long braids that reached her back. She was quite tall for her age, which I would have guessed she was either eleven or twelve. Her baggy overalls were worn, patched up; her shirt streaked with dirt. And yet, her blue eyes defiantly looked into mine, like a lion observing its prey. Yet I could see every resemblance of her father on her face---the nose, the mouth, the cheekbones. Her small hands were balled into fists; she immediately picked up some of the earth and chucked it at me, wildly swinging her arms. Her teeth were gritted.

A deep, lingering ache settled in my chest. I did not flinch, just continued to silently watch her. She did not say a word, and, seeming frustrated that there didn't seem to be a reaction on my part, aimed a rock at my head, before taking off and running through the bushes, her shoes crunching against the dirt, disappearing behind a couple of huts. I stood there helplessly, my heart pounding.

"Adlai!"

The voice was faraway at first, but became more clear, amongst the sound of the waves beating upon the rocks. Rufus was panting, sweat stains visible on his shirt. He leaned forward breathlessly, placing his hands on his knees. From his pants pocket, I could make out the edge of his pistol visible in the orange light. A pleasant smile formed on his face when he finally reached me.

"Don't do that to me. The doctor came to check your temperature and found you gone. We were about to try to get you to eat a little some---" He suddenly frowned. "What happened to you?"

I immediately glanced down at my muddy clothes. "I slipped and fell. Kind of lost my footing." As the lie left my lips, the heavy, achy feeling inside of me deepened. "Nothing to worry about, really."

Rufus sighed and wiped his sweaty forehead. "That is not good. We have to change the bandages because that could cause an infection. You're not even supposed to be on your feet for another couple of days. The good thing is that you are awake. Come on. Let's get you cleaned up."

"How long have I been out?" I whispered.

He cleared his throat, seeming reluctant to reply. "About... three months, give or take."

Three months. I hadn't even realized my knees had given out because I found myself on the grass and him attempting to help me to stand up. A fly buzzed around my left ear, and I think he said something else. My mouth was dry, throat tight. There was nothing left. There had to be nothing.

Rufus' voice echoed in the distance, but I was trying to shrug him off me, attempting to walk. A map. I needed a map. I could easily find one nearby. The world around me seemed to shrink and then expand in size, and my feet were suddenly heavy, like logs. Each step was incredibly painful to me, but I didn't care. If I could just figure out where this place was, and calculate how long the journey would take to reach the coral reefs where George and the village members were, I would be able to perhaps make my way back to the underground caves, although the idea of being trapped alone in the dark for so long made shivers travel down my spine.

"Would you listen, please? Stop fighting me."

His stern tone jolted me out of my trance. Both of his hands were placed on my shoulders. When I finally looked at him from behind the curtain of matted hair over my face--he briefly exhaled.

"We've pinpointed the Khonies' location. Three hundred men have been sent down near the coral reefs and are keeping watch over the population. They've spread out. I'm sure you are aware that they do not take well to civilian folk, so we had have to go undercover. They are alive and surviving off what they can." Rufus sighed. "But what I will say is that Baldwin's focus has shifted."

"How?" I quietly asked.

"I don't want to burden you with so many details. You need to take the time to let your body heal. I promise I will explain everything I know to you. But right now, I need you to trust me." As he helped me to my feet, the sky had turned from a deep orange to a light blue. The small campfires in the area had become more visible. "That's all I ask."

"I...I...don't understand."

Rufus studied me. "You may not remember it, but I will tell you. There is a seventy mile dip of fresh flowing water pouring down the streets of Navu and Flanders. Because civilians now have access to this resource, there have been several massacres occurring between the Red Mambas and the city dwellers. They are attempting to seal it off, but more people are resisting them." His eyes slightly narrowed. "If you value the lives of those you wish to protect, I strongly advise that you do not return south. Do not come near them. If you are seen there, they will be executed on the spot. Any group of Khonie or civilians that Baldwin finds you associated with, he will slaughter them. He has specifically ordered his men to do so. He has already bombed eight security wards up north and has captured three cities already, pressing them for any information on your whereabouts."

I stared at my empty hands, my heart racing.

"You created that dip," he continued. "You manipulated solid rock in front of everyone's eyes. Do you understand, Adlai? The officials, the scientists---they are at every corner, waiting. If you move, destruction will follow. You must stay hidden."

"And if I do, more bloodshed will follow. Huey Baldwin will continue to kill, whether I am here or not. I refuse to do nothing and let him take away innocent lives." I closed my eyes. "I refuse to let him threaten yours and everyone else's. I wouldn't be able to live with myself. I can hardly do so now. There are things I can't tell you about myself."

Rufus remained silent.

"No," I whispered, feeling the mud on my hands. "I'll protect every man, woman, and child I see."

* * * * * * *

The doctor diagnosed me with tuberculosis and prescribed me an antibiotic---round green pills that I had to break in half in order to swallow. He was the mustached man who had seen me that morning on the beach, the one who had given me that canteen of water. I hated to admit to anyone, let alone myself, most days I found myself too weak to move. Fortunately, the wounds on my body had healed up, so I no longer had to wear the bandages. It hurt to cough a lot of the time, and keeping down food was impossible, mainly because it would come back up so quickly. But whoever was tending to me would be unbelievably patient, simply cleaning me up. Rufus visited me every evening, and although I was mostly too exhausted to speak, he would always be there.

And slowly, very slowly, my strength began to return, although my joints were incredibly sore. My appetite returned, and as I began to put on a healthy amount of weight again, my thoughts towards where my wife and child was grew. I longed to see them and missed them more than ever each and every day. I wondered what name Honda had given our child, and I dreamt of holding them in my arms every night, so that when I awoke in the mornings my pillow would be drenched with water. I remembered Rufus' warning about heading down south, and knew that I would have to be patient and prepare for the right timing, which I could not rush, although the temptation was strong. Nor did I dare let anyone know that I was soon to be a father in as little in a month, as I was aware that my child would be born soon. I doubt that Rufus would understand.

Though I had been incredibly lonely for as long as I could remember, the kind that I experienced overwhelmed me to the point that I spent most days watching most families work together---their children laughing and playing. Between civilian and Khonie I saw no difference---just human beings. I would never be able to escape it, or coming back to an empty, dark hut. I took long walks when I wasn't supposed to be out of bed and would wake up the next day feeling worse after being exposed to the harsh elements.

I believed what killed me the most inside was the look of terror in the young'un's eyes when they saw me. I was not sure if they knew who I was or not. I was not sure if it mattered because my appearance seemed horrifying enough. Due to being ill all the time, and with Rufus being occupied with other matters, I knew I must've looked a fright with my sunken eyes and matted hair. A couple of young boys playing swords with twisted sticks took off screaming when they spotted my shadow, crying and running to their parents. I then decided to take these walks at night, where few people were likely to see me.

The beach offered me some of the companionship I so desperately craved, although it was as empty as I was. Wet sand clung to my fingers, what remained of my memories. The sharp scent of salt filled the air.

In the midst of my loneliness, I applied more of myself to the technique I had taught myself while being trapped in that cave. During those evenings, when the stars were bright and the ocean was calm and still, concentrating on the boulders and rocks around me allowed them to lift them up off the ground and throw them amongst each other, causing them to break and shatter apart. In the darkness, a large crack spread across the surface of the cliff, before falling apart. I soon was able to acknowledge that each and every living thing in it had water--the plants, the trees, animals. When I lifted the clear spheres of moisture from their roots, they wilted and dried up. The earth and mud and rocks. Like palm trees obeying the wind, they swayed to the movement of my fingers, the heaviness in my skull, the fire deep in my mind.

* * * * * * *

The steaming bowl of gruel and oats was warm against my palms as I scooped up small clumps and shoved them in my mouth with my fingers. As I was hunched over, chewing quietly, there was a small knock near the threshold of my hut. Two shadows crept over on the ground, but I did not raise my head, though I watched them from my peripheral vision, under my matted hair. Rufus and the doctor stood side by side. Their faces were a bit pale; and dark circles sat underneath their own eyes. No doubt the long meetings they hosted in the main hut during the night had interfered with their sleep schedule. Rufus briefly smiled, his blonde hair sticking up, ruffled like birds's feathers.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"I'm alright," I whispered.

There was a moment of hesitation. "Good. That's very good." He eagerly gestured towards the mustached man next to him. "This here is William. You may or may not remember him, but he's--"

"I know."

They both gave a sideways glance to each other as I got to my feet and quietly limped towards them, ignoring the pain traveling down my legs. I slowly extended my left palm to the doctor, which he shook.

"It is wonderful to see you standing on your own two feet," William said. His voice was extremely deep, and he frowned as he studied my frame, as my clothing hung onto me like a tent. "You're still underweight, so I would suggest you eat a little more. Healthy, nutritious meals. I don't see any problem with you going up and about. Just make sure to take it easy." His eyes glowed in the dim light. "You've only just recovered, you know."

I did not look them in the face, because I was afraid of what they would find if I did so. A faint smile formed on my cracked lips, because his words almost made me burst out and laugh. What I wanted to ask him was what made him so so sure. Before he could open his mouth, I stepped closer and placed both of my hands on their shoulders, the leather material of their jackets cool against my skin. They appeared quite startled.

"Let...let me help you." It came out of me in a rasp. "Let me come a-and help you."

William stared at me. "Are you sure? Maybe wait a few days. I don't think that it would be pract---"

"I can assist the men you have down south."

Rufus sighed. "We've talked about this."

"Then I'll be out of here by first light."

A look of indignation crossed his face. "Did you not understand what I had spoken to you about before?" His voice rose. "What a selfish, stupid idea. You set one foot down there, you put everyone's lives in jeopardy. I've already explained it you as clearly as I could. Right now, the Red Mambas are burning down cities and people's homes and shops, shooting down children to the ground like cattle. Looking for you. And only you."

"And they will continue to do these things once I'm locked down in a lab," I gently replied, lowering my arms. "I just want to help you both. Take it as payment for what you have done for me here. What good will it do to have me stay here, cooped up in here? It would be even more self centered of me to---"

"You've done all these things, and yet continue to make such a mess," Rufus interrupted. "You didn't listen to me the first time back in Portia, when I told you to stay put. The people who you were with in Selva, they all were executed. Slaughtered. I had merely days to take my family and flee, because Baldwin knew I had been involved with you. We were homeless for six months after our home was burned to the ground. Jane passed away a year later. If you had---"

"If you had never taken my mother and I down to Jova that day, things wouldn't be where they were now." My face was hot. A thick layer of ice suddenly spread out and crackled across the ground, extinguishing the fireplace, but I didn't care, ignoring the blood traveling down my nose. "At least you still have your family. I will never see mine again. You allowed these officials to take away the only person I had in the world. You're just like the rest of the blasted Red Army. All you want is control, control, control. Everything has a bloody system, and if you step out of that system, there is no alternative. You're no different than its psychopathic dictator. Why do you pretend to be?"

Rufus looked so stunned that his mouth was slightly agape. William's eyes had fallen on the frost that had settled in the dirt. Silently, I looked down, breathing heavily, before pushing past both men and stepping outside in the late morning light. The heat was gentle against my skin, and I didn't even know where I was going, nor did I care. I frantically rubbed at my sweaty forehead, trying to ignore the stinging sensation going through my cheeks. The sound of a dog barking in the distance echoed in my ears, followed by a child's happy, eager laughter, who tossed it a stick.

I kept walking until the grass turned into sand under my bare feet and the salt water lapped around my ankles. Bright yellow and pink starfish lazily hung on the coral reefs. The cold sensation made shivers travel down my neck and spine, and I studied my reflection for a few moments, before I spotted Rufus' next to mine. I didn't look up.

A long silence passed, before he spoke.

"I want to apologize. I shouldn't have lost my temper like that. I didnt mean what I said."

I didn't say anything, watching the thick white sea foam gather around my bruised toes.

He took a deep breath and roughly scratched his graying hair. The years had been unkind to him--deep wrinkles sat across his chin. "You are right. I acknowledge that this is my responsibility. The things that happened, they were not your fault. You were only a child, under the care of adults who have failed you, including myself. And I..." His voice cracked. "I have to live with the thought of doing that. I'm not asking for your forgiveness. I know I don't deserve it. I only wish to keep you safe. It's a promise I had made to your mother."

A lump gathered in my throat.

"I wanted you to fully regain your strength and settle down for a while, before I could tell you these things," Rufus continued. "I initially believed you had been killed, since I kept searching and searching for years. When we found out that you had been taken back into the lab, we had sent a few of our guys to go undercover to find a way to lead you out. That was the original plan, but when they sent troops into the underground caves, we knew you had fled down there." His eyes were slightly red. "The last thing I need is for you to be taken there again."

"I'm sorry about what happened to Jane," I softly replied, before turning around. "I didn't know---"

"Fever came as quickly as it took her. Nothing I could do but bury her and be strong for Mary. She needs me. That's all that matters." He sighed and gazed at the mostly blue sky, as if trying to make sense of it all. "She'll be eleven this coming spring. I'm teaching her everything I know; what basic tasks I've learned in the army. How to shoot a gun. To hunt. To use a knife. Little things. Because I won't always be here to help her. It pains me to be away from her. Most of the time we don't get to see each other, since I'm often busy."

I couldn't tell him that I had a young'un on the way, which was one of the main reasons I wanted to return south so incredibly bad, to look for them. At least not yet; not until I felt certain.I did not ask him more about my mother--I wanted to withhold myself from that information until I was in a better state of mind. But due to the expression on his face, I knew that it was anything but good.

I wish I hadn't done that. I remembered her frightened face as she had held onto her stuffed bear that rainy evening. I wish I could take it back. I'd give up everything to do so.

"It is. I don't despise you," I said. "I really can't bring myself to--I wouldn't be standing here had you not helped me. I simply want to return that favor. There's no use fretting about what we could've done and didn't do. It's pointless to point fingers at each other. What's done is done. There is only now. I understand your concern, your fears. I only ask you to trust me." My gaze fell upon the coral reefs and towering rocks around us. "Please."

Rufus bit his lower lip, as if pondering my words. His blue eyes were a lot paler in the light, with a bit of green around the irises. They seemed to slightly sparkle. Finally, he spoke. "What I really came here was to tell you this. We leave with a few people in two days. You think if I gave you a map, you could space out a decent trail for us?"

I faintly smiled, causing him to grin.

* * * * * *

It was a rainy, cold morning.

A bullfrog landed on its hind legs on a branch. Large puddles reflecting the gray sky littered the chocolate earth. The sensation of wearing boots seemed so strange after years of going barefooted that it seemed as if I were sliding down a slippery slope, so I decided to go without them. I packed clean clothing, a blanket, half a loaf of hardened bread, and several rounds of ammunition. There weren't many firearms to go around, although William did provide me with a rifle hanging by my too big jacket. I had been told to meet with the others in the middle of the camp near a clearing.

It had begun pouring harder when I headed out, and drops of cold water had leaked down the edge of my helmet and spilled down onto my hair, which was plastered to my face and soaked sleeves. The sound of giggling filled the air.

Rufus' face was pink with laughter, as he began twirling, running in circles, helmet off, halfway collected with water, as it was lying in the ditch. I remained behind a tree, slowly crouching on my knees and resting a hand on the bark. Upon his shoulders was the little girl, her arms stretched outwards as if to touch the sky, her cheeks apple red. She had on a buttoned coat and striped pajama pants, which were coated with mud, her long legs dangling by her father's shoulders.

When he suddenly held her upside down on his shoulder, Mary released a high pitched squeal of delight, laughing with glee as she watched her braids hang in the air. Rufus finally scooped her up in her arms, and she wrapped her arms around his neck as he placed a kiss on her cheek. They both leaned their foreheads against each other. Despite the large smile on her face, I could see the deep distress in her large blue eyes.

"Don't go," she whispered.

"You know I have to," Rufus whispered back. "I'll be back as soon as you know it. You will see."

"I can come with you," she whispered louder. "Nothing can ever scare me. I'll be brave like you."

"When you're old enough and a bit bigger. But right now, you must do as you have promised me. You need be a good girl. Mind Stephanie, and continue to practice your letters and numbers. And I want you to at least finish reading a book every week."

Mary's eyes widened. "How about now?"

"What?"

"A minute has passed. That is sixty seconds. That means I'm older, right?" She grinned. "I shot a possum the other day. Just the way you shopped me. I wanted to show Stephanie, but she nearly had a heart attack when she saw it. She wouldn't let me bring it inside. So I gave it a funeral."

Her father chuckled. "Don't be giving people such a fright. It isn't a very polite thing to do."

"So, can I come?"

"You know the drill, buttercup." He squinted and glanced up at the sky. "You'll catch a cold out here if you don't hurry back and get dry. And Stephanie won't be too happy to find that you've got your pants all dirty." When he set her down, he knelt in front of her and reached into his pocket. "Think you could hold on to this for me in the meantime and take good care of it? I'm counting on you."

The girl gasped with excitement as she reached out and caressed a bright pink stone with her hand. When she smiled, a large gap was present between her two crooked teeth.

"Is it a crystal?"

"Not quite," Rufus grinned. "Archeologists refer to this as an agate stone. When you hold it up to the sun, light will pass through the surface and shine through. It's like a mirror, since it is translucent."

"What is an a-archeo--"

"Mary!" A shrill voice echoed in the air. In the shadows, a short, chubby women stumbled through the grass, wearing a thick white robe. The latern swung from her left hand like a church bell. "You'll freeze to death out here. Come inside!"

"But what does that word mean?" the girl pleaded.

"Haven't you been using the dictionary I've given you last year? All the answers you seek are in there." Rufus straightened up as William came into view. "When I come back, I'll ask you for the definition. And I'll give you some more words for you to have memorized clear and through."

"Mary!"

"But, Dad, that book is boring." She rolled her eyes, but carefully pocketed the stone. "Why can't you read it? It's supposed to be for old people like you. Oh hello, Mr. William!" When she waved, her sleeve was soaked with water. "It's good to see you."

The mustached man chuckled. "Why hello, young lady. I see that you are an early riser."

"I sure am," the girl boasted, sticking her thumb into her chest. "I can wake up earlier than anyone here. And I can drink black coffee with cream or sugar, just like you guys. Old folk don't like anything sweet."

Rufus gave her a tight, quick hug. "That's not true. Those things are rare--wouldn't mind to have some sugar in my coffee once in a while. You have no business to drink caffeine for any reason. And you better hurry back, before Stephanie strains out her vocal cords."

Mary shrugged. "I wouldn't mind, honestly. She yells too much and sounds like a dying hawk. I've never even heard her talk. Have you?"

Her father gave her a stern look. "Mary Agnes--"

"I-I mean, I'm..." The child spun around and held her left arm out. "I'm coming, Miss Stephanie!"

Quickly, she placed a kiss on Rufus' face and took off running, her hand in her pocket to make sure that the stone would would slip out onto the grass. Once she was out of sight I finally stepped out from the shadows. Rufus' back was facing me, but when he turned around, he politely smiled, dumped the water out of his helmet and placed it on his damp blond hair. Gone was the color in his face; a ghostly white replaced it. His shoulders were slumped over again. Williams stared at me.

I knew the questions he wanted to ask, but he didn't. My mind was racing, and the guilt and heaviness only weighed heavier upon me when I noticed Mary's tiny footprints in the mud. There was nothing to do, or nothing to say as we silently descended into the shelter of the dark trees.

* * * * * *

Thunder rumbled in the distance, and we drank from the puddles in the ground to stay hydrated. It was difficult to navigate through the sharp rocks and tangled bushes, and many times William slipped and fell. But we simply helped him up and carried on until the rain calmed once more from above. The mud rose and coated our feet, and the map in my hand became so damp that the printed ink began to bleed against the wrinkled page. When we selected a small spot and decided to rest for a while, the sky was slowly growing dark.

Several gunshots rang out, causing a hole to form into the trunk of a nearby tree. There was heavy shouting, and the smell of smoke burning filled the air.

The earth shook so hard rocks broke apart and fell upon my head. It was suddenly very, very hard to breathe, and I found myself wheezing. Rocks shattered on the ground like hideous crystals. Groggy with sleep, I frantically struggled to sit up, coughing in the dense smoke. The sky was pitch black. What once resembled a tree was now a pile of rubble and splintered wood. Ashes and cinders filled my lungs, and the sound of machine gun fire peppered in the distance. Fighting back the nagging pain in my bad leg, I began to crawl on my hands and knees through the crumpled, torn roads. I coughed uncontrollably. Dozens of fires were burning amongst the piles of rubble.

Licking my dried lips, I slipped off the strap securing my rifle hanging from my right shoulder and reloaded, shakily pushing up the magazine cartridge up. My vision was blurry as I tried to locate any new soldiers in my mist. The bandoliers slung across my chest glowed in the faint orange and red light. Another blast echoed in the distance, throwing me off my feet. As I paused, crouched on my knees, I could make out frantic footsteps coming my way. My head was starting to hurt already, but I managed to slow down my breathing. As my left index finger curled around the trigger, the shadows grew closer. William began to crawl on his hands and knees, scooting further behind us.

My heart skipped a beat. Slowly, I lowered the weapon. Rufus' face was smeared with ashes, and he clutched hissack tightly to his arms. His shirt was torn across through the middle, his nose bleeding. Panic rushed through me when I saw how exposed he was in the open.

Before he could open his mouth, a fiery blast erupted from one of the crumpled buildings. I somehow managed to throw myself on top of him, and we tumbled head over heels in a ditch as more concrete and rubble rained upon our heads. A thick layer of it had settled over us like a blanket. After it was somewhat quiet again and the gunshots in the distance were muffled, I released him and leaned my back against the dirt, breathing heavily. William tugged on his helmet.

Rufus weakly sat up, coughing. His now dark hair and eyebrows were covered in dirt. "Damn bastards," he muttered, reloading his weapon. "Can't even let a man sleep for a moment."

Another explosion of dirt and rubble shook the ground only a few feet away from us. As we ducked again, the sound of bullets ringing out echoed in my ear. The dirt in my eyes made them sting and become all watery, and I coughed heavily again, spitting on the ground. Williams gritted his teeth. Mud and debris coated his shoes, and he leaned his head against the ground, gasping for air. When I sensed the vibration in the earth, my palms began to tingle. As I slowly slipped down the small slope, Williams raised his head.

Coughing heavily, I kept moving forward, my hands slippery on smooth wood on the rifle. I could see their red uniforms, hidden in the trees. When Rufus and William caught up to me, I slowly took off my satchel, and dropped it to the ground with a small thud. The moment I handed my rifle to Rufus, I could sense the pressure in my veins.

"Hold onto that for me, please."

"Adlai, get back here," Rufus yelled. "Get back."

My ankles sank into the damp mud, but I could hardly hear his voice in my ringing ears. When I turned around, the straps of my helmet dangling in the air, I saw how stiff and frozen the two men were. I focused my gaze on the soldiers rushind towards us, scrambling on the ground like insects, arms and legs spread out. It was difficult to see through the smoke, the small fires that had taken form around us. William shouted once more, his words invisible, before settling down again once more. They raised their weapons again, but I gestured for them to put them down. William began to protest, but his friend immediately pushed the rifle downwards, his blue eyes wide.

I gave them a solemn look.

Rufus remained still.

And soon, I could feel the earth's sweet heartbeat.

"They're mine," I whispered.

When I slammed my left bare foot against the ground, a large, gaping crack rapidly spread across the surface, leaving a jagged line that left large chunks distended up into the air.