Isolation

Chapter Two: Tree

"S-sorry for shoving you. But ugh... better than what would have happened if I didn't."

Walker cocked her head. Why did this human save her? Why would he risk his life for her?

Wordlessly, Walker took the boy's hand. It was warm and soft. It felt nice and welcoming. He pulled her effortlessly to her feet. The boy was a little shorter than Walker, but only by a few inches.

"Thank you."

"What are you doing out here?"

The two laughed as they spoke at the same time.

"Thank you," Walker repeated.

The boy reached behind his head, scratching it casually. A soft red blush crept onto his pale, but lightly tanned cheeks.

"It was nothing, really. But what are you doing out here? It's dangerous."

"I..."

What could she say? This boy evidently didn't know who she was. If he did, he would have let that tree flatten her.

Walker wasn't a fool. She knew she was hated as Jasper. Walker had a lot of time to dwell on that. She was the enemy. Not that she cared, but Walker knew humans would want her blood.

However, she didn't have a chance to come up with an excuse.

"Walker! Walker!"

Jasper! Horror hit Walker at full force. Jasper did not sound happy.

The boy scowled, looking behind the trees then back at Walker.

Walker grabbed his hand, pulling the boy away from the clearing.

She couldn't let Jasper find him. Jasper would kill him instantly. And it would be bloody if she was still in her berserker temperament. Walker could not have that image burned into her mind.

This boy saved her. He didn't deserve to die at the hands of Jasper. Her mortality, maybe. But, not after he risked his life for her's.

"You need to hide."

"What? Why? Whose that?"

"No time. Hide. Be quiet. Stay down, please," Walker pleaded in a frantic whisper. She squeezed the human's hand to emphasize her point.

The fear in her eyes and voice must have been enough for the boy. He nodded though he was scowling. He disappeared into the trees.

Walker sighed.

"I am here, Jasper," she finally answered when she felt it was safe to reveal her location.

Jasper's heavy footsteps approached. The trees shook with the force of Jasper stomping through the woods. Birds flew away in fear. Walker almost felt envious of them.

Jasper emerged covered in blood and mud. Her hair was streaked with red, a mess of dirt and sweat. The look on her face was lethal.

Walker swallowed hard.

"Why did you wander off, Walker?"

Walker.  This wasn't going to end well for her.

"I was looking for cover."

It was the absolute truth. However, Walker felt like she was lying. And she knew Jasper didn't believe her. Jasper stepped toward her, and Walker had to use all of her willpower not to retreat.

"You were just looking for cover?"

"Yes. There was an explosion and I ran." Walker kept her gaze steadily on Jasper's face.

She was not lying. She wasn't trying to escape. She was looking for cover. There was nothing to hide. No. That was not entirely accurate.

Don't look over there, Walker instructed herself. Keep your eyes on Jasper.

Jasper was searching her face. Her eyes darted around, looking for a crack in Walker's mask.

I am telling the truth. I am telling the truth.

Jasper's arm lashed out, her hand wrapping around Walker's neck. Walker lifted off her feet, and Jasper sent her flying into a nearby tree. Walker's body crashed with a hard thud before falling to the forest floor.

"Oh, Rebecca. Rebecca," Jasper taunted.

Walker remained on the ground. An act of submission she was all too familiar.

Jasper yanked Walker up by her arm and slammed her back into the tree again. Jasper pinned her to the solid trunk.

"I was worried, Walker. I come back to find you gone. That scared me. You upset me."

"I..."

"Tut. Tut. I don't want to hear your apology. It bores me. You want to go home right?"

Walker's breathing picked up. Her chest was so tight it hurt. Her body was screaming from being slammed on the ground earlier and into the tree. Tears pricked at her eyes. She felt utterly hopeless.

Jasper squeezed Walker's arms, eliciting a cry from her.

"Answer me, Rebecca. Don't you want to go home?"

"Yes."

"And didn't I promise you I would return you home?"

"Yes."

"What happens if you disobey me or don't fulfill your end?"

"You... I..."

Jasper grinned.

"You do remember, don't you? Good girl."

Jasper drew Walker back and smashed her into the tree again. The moment of empathy disappeared from Jasper's face and was replaced by a deadly serious glare. Jasper brought her face close to Walker's cheeks. Her breath was hot against Walker's skin. Jasper reeked of blood and smoke.

"Don't you ever do that again, Rebecca Walker. I don't care if it's raining fire, or the hounds of Hell chase you. Don't you ever leave me again or your new home will be a casket. Understood?"

"I understand, Jasper."

"Good girl. Lets go home."

Home. What was home anymore?