Evolution

Chapter Twenty Eight: Gran

As sunset neared, I found myself walking beside Jesse at the front of the group. If I was near Jesse, Ronan wouldn't talk to me, and I doubted Talon would too.

Orange and red swirled in the distance, end of day near. The weather was warm, which meant Creatures distanced themselves from the open road. My shoulder hurt, and I didn't need to put any more pressure on it by fighting off Creatures.

I was in my own little world, thinking about Leo, about his smile, his laugh when he and dad wrestled on the living room floor when a body appeared alongside me, dragging me from my happy memory

"I think we should talk" Talon remarked

I sighed and kept my gaze ahead "I don't" I told him bluntly

I had nothing to say to him, not now, not ever.

"If we're going to be travelling together, I don't want it to be like this" He continued, signalling between us

"I don't care what this is like" I spat back, signalling between us like he had

Talon gave a sigh and unexpectedly, he grabbed a hold of my bad arm, pulling me back

I grit my teeth and pulled my limb from him, but he only tightened on me, keeping me in place

Jesse had fast noticed and had stopped, turning to face the confrontation, and soon the others had too. Jaxon looked bored, as did Talon's friend. Ronan was ready to step in, but before he could, Jesse did

"I suggest you let go" He warned, standing beside us both

Talon looked up at him briefly before looking back to me "We need to talk" He urged again, this time with more force

"Let go of me Talon or I swear to god I'll-"

"Now's not the time or place, we need to find shelter before the sun sets" Jesse cut in, sensing my threatening tone and stiff position "Now, let her go"

Talon stared directly at me, his eyes firm as I readied myself. I placed my right hand on my belt where my knife sat, waiting for the moment his nails dug into my skin. I wasn't afraid of hurting him, in fact, I would take pleasure out of it.

Finally, as the air around us grew thick, Talon let up, releasing my arm as I pulled away dramatically

"Touch me again.." I warned him shaking my head, my fingers tapping on my knife suggestively

I wasn't one to make empty threats, times had changed, and so had I, Talon was yet to discover that. If he dared touch me again, I would not hesitate in using force

A minute was spent in stare-down mode before we moved. Like earlier, I kept by Jesse's side, hoping it would deter any kind of conversation. Jesse didn't like conversation, and neither did I, which made us the perfect pair.

-

"There" Jesse spoke, lifting the silence with his words
He was pointing into the distance, towards the right of the wide street

"What is it?" I asked, squinting through the darkness

"A farmhouse" He responded, leading the way

I didn't respond, none of us did. We had found sanctuary for the night.

Personally, I would have continued through the night. It was hot, sticky, which meant there would be small chance encounters of Creatures. They hated the heat, in all forms. But with the others, it seemed impossible. If it weren't for Jaxon having the cure, I would have waited until they were asleep, and taken off on my own. But that cure, it was my responsibility. I needed to make sure it got to the Canadian camp in one piece.