Uncharted Paths (Sequel to Downfall)

A little village

Robert’s POV

I slowly opened my eyes when I sensed the carriage came to a stop. I looked down at Belle who was sleeping peacefully, snuggling against my chest. It was useless not to wake her up if I moved, so I caressed her, waking her up.

“Hey, morning” I whispered

“Hmm, is it morning already?”

“I believe so. And they stopped right now”

“Hmm, ok” she sat down, rubbing her eyes

“Feeling good?” I worriedly asked

“I’m ok…”

We watched as the door opened and both men looked at us “Oh, you’re awake” they said, looking more tired than ever

“Yes.” I whispered. I sat, groaning because my body was still aching “Your turn to rest now. I can ride for a while”

“Ok” Tom said, falling inside

“Are you ok, Tom?” Belle quickly asked

“Yes, Belle” he smiled “Just want to sleep”

“Robert” Deon said “You can ride for a while, but there's no need to much. As soon as you find a hidden place that you think is isolated, you stop for us to spend some time and think about what we’re going to do next” he said

“Don’t worry. Rest” I said, leaving the carriage.

After some moments I felt Belle at my side, a blanket around her body. She climbed and snugged next to me “Ready?” I said

“Yes, the boys are already sleeping” she whispered “I have some bread and fruit for you here” she handed me

“Oh, thank you Belle” I smiled “I’m starving”

“If we ever stop and make a fire, I will be able to make some soup.” She said

“I can’t try and hunt some animals as well. So we can have meat”

“Don’t you think that’s hard?”

“I have no idea what we can find around here, but I’ll try” I looked at her “Have you eaten as well?”

“I have some here, for me”

“Good” I smiled

We stood silent and watched the places we crossed by. Well, I had no idea where I was heading. But it didn’t really matter, right?

“What are we going to do?” Belle asked me

“I don’t know, Belle.” I honestly said “But we’ll be ok”

“I know.” She whispered “Does Deon want to go back home? I remember he mentioned having some family”

I raised my eyebrow. It could be a start. We wouldn’t stay there, though. I don’t want us to be a bug. “We’ll talk to him”

“Ok…”

“Do you want to go back home?” I whispered after a while

She looked at me “I wouldn’t want to be there if you weren’t”

I looked at her. That melted my heart. It made me feel weird at the same time though.

“I think about what’s going on there all the time” I whispered “Our families, their jobs, how is the city going, what the hell is my brother William doing, what is Bickerton doing…” I said “How’s my little sister…”