Genesis : Knights of Salvation Series
Chapter 25: Camping out

For the past hour, Orion has been giving orders to all of us to get our camp set up. For someone who seemed to watch and listen, Orion sure can be bossy. Enyo decided that staying in the valley tonight is better than trying to get through the valley and the fork is too dangerous in the dark. Apparently, we are safer here cloaked by the valley walls from the forsaken. I finish tying the horse’s reins near the tunnel. When I turn around Harrison is standing right in front of me both surprised me and causing me to run right into his chest. I back up having to adjust the angle of my head to look him in the eyes with surprise.

“Sorry I didn’t see you there.” I smile. Harrison’s left hand falls on my shoulder as his right-hand goes to my bandaged forehead. Just as he touches the bandage I back up a few feet. I can’t have him near my blood.

“Don’t do that.” I get after him slightly. My hand touches my injury making sure my bandage is still secure. An absent-minded frown fell on my face.

“Why won’t you let me look at it? I am the medic on the team!” He says flapping his arms slightly. He’s not upset, he seems to find it stupid that I’m not letting him look, but also just more flabbergasted. I try not to laugh at his face, as he looks like a child I just took a toy from.

“I told you it’s a small cut! I’m fine.” I tell him slightly tilting my head and giving a determined glare, insisting he forgets about it. The thought of infecting Harrison or anyone on the team made my stomach twist up in knots.

“Fine! But if you start feeling nauseous or start bleeding again I’m looking at it.” He finally gives in. I just shake my head at him in acceptance. Clare has set up both of our bed rolls as all of them are put out in a circle. Orion said it’s because it’s best to have the whole team together in one area. The sun is already setting allowing orange and purple rays to take over the sky. Foxglove is sitting on her bed roll on the left side of mine while Clare is on my right. Talon, Orion, Enyo, and Harrison’s bedrolls make up the rest of the circle. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“Talon,” Enyo calls to him as he pulls his flask of water from his pack on his horse.

“Yeah.”

“You will have first watch.” Enyo starts ordering out.

I make my way to my bedroll, sitting down gently. Clare’s scribbling away beside me in her little black book. Her hair is pulled up tight into a ponytail falling gently down over her left shoulder. We haven’t really spoken since our argument earlier. In fact, since then most of us haven’t said that much. All except Talon and Harrison, who don’t seem to get the small amount of tension in the air.

I know Clare’s pissed at me, and she has the right to be. I’m not stupid but I acted rashly without thinking about what could have happened. I won’t apologize for saving Foxglove’s life but the small guilt that it could have been far worse won’t leave my mind. I know if I die this will all have been for nothing but I also know that I have about an 80% chance of dying when I’m exposed to the virus. I won’t die with their deaths on my shoulders, especially knowing that I could have saved them.

I’m torn from my thoughts as I gently rub the inside of my wrist when Orion speaks up.

“It’s best we don’t have a fire tonight.“Orion sits down on his bed roll crossing his legs under him. Orion has taken off the top of his uniform and his boots placing them directly to the side of him. I just nod my head when Harrison pulls my attention to him as he plops down between me and Foxglove lazily.

“I have a question, Clare.” He lays down on his side, his shoulder holding him up slightly. Clare’s head lifts lazily from her book giving him her attention.

“Go on.” She lazily says finishing whatever she’s scribbling.

“We know why Aspen is on this trip, but why did you come?” He nods his head towards her. She closes her book as it’s beginning to get too dark to write or even read.

“A year ago when we found out Aspen could get us the cure, I was appointed by the Director and the President to watch over her. I have order’s to make sure she secures the cure and get her back to them to retrieve the cure.” She says it so matter of factly as if she has rehearsed it day in and day out. It’s the truth after all, but sometimes I wish she saw me as a person rather than a blood bag.

“Why would they appoint you? I mean no offense but you wouldn’t be my first choice to protect my daughter or the only person who knows how to make the cure like Aspen.” He says shrugging a bit.

Clare tilts her head to the side, “I was chosen because of my understanding both of the political and the medical sides of what this mission needs. I also know the importance of getting the cure back inside the walls. Plus, I’m trained in medicine, fighting, and .. Well, I’m great company.” She finishes with a smile. In truth that isn’t a lie but she forgot to say she is here to make sure I play my part even if she has to force the virus into my veins. So I can see how that would make it hard for us to be friends.

“Really?“Harrison asks surprised. She squints faking being offended.

“Why would you say that?” She says gently placing her hand on her chest.

“Sorry, it’s just you don’t really scream...fighter to me. I can see the rest though.“He says shrugging again.

“My father is the Honor judge, he likes to know I can defend myself when needed. It helps with my job in the government as well.“She explains. Harrison just nods accepting her explanation. The rest of the group comes to sit in on their bundles while Talon sits farther away armed and watching for any signs of being forsaken.

I lay down on my back taking in the hundreds of stars lighting the night sky. We all grow quiet as most of us settle in for the night. Far off an echo of wild animals cry out followed by a few screams of forsaken farther off. I feel like a normal person would feel terrified to be out here at the whims of the forsaken and the animals. Yet I don’t feel scared or even terrified with the knowledge of the wild animals around me. What does that say about me? Any sane person would be shaking in their boots but I don’t feel anything. Am I really a regular human if the thought of the forsaken doesn’t scare me?

Or could it just be the fact that I’ve come to terms with my future and that fact I most likely won’t have one?

“How are you feeling Foxglove?” Harrison breaks the silence.

“Yeah, The pains have gone down. I’ll be ready to limp around by tomorrow.” She jokes.

“I have to say something,” Harrison speaks up.

“Yes.“Foxglove answers groggily.

“I know Aspen’s actions were very stupid... and I mean stupid!” Harrison begins.

“I get it.” I cut him off rolling my eyes slightly more to myself.

“What I mean is that although it was super stupid. It was pretty hardcore.” He laughs out. I can’t help but smile at his words. At least someone thinks what I did was good.

“Thanks, Harrison, “I speak up.

“And stupid. We all agree about that.” Enyo speaks finally. I lift my head scowling at him. When I look across at him he’s leaning back on his hands. I tilt my head and scowl at him. But when I expected a hard-set face, and for him to still be upset he has a joking sly smile.

Enyo’s hair is messy and unkempt but there’s a sense of humor in his eyes that I haven’t seen before. Something in my stomach stirred and I let an easy smile fall on my face. I lay my head back down.

“I think you all just jealous that I can say I did something hardcore.” I taunt back with a laugh.

“And stupid.” Foxglove joins in and almost immediately we all break out in laughter. For the first time in a long time, I laughed. Who would have thought I would be enjoying being in danger outside the walls and then safely inside.

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