Through the Ashes

Chapter 7

"Why do you have so many weapons?" Godspeed questions.

"Well, you can never be to careful in this world," I answer, pulling a leather bag out of my closet and dumping a few select weapons into it. "I mean, just look at what the hell happened to me today! Am I going to stay at your little hideout or at my house?"

"It would be much safer to stay at headquarters and we all recommend it. If you don't, it could get you everybody else killed." I sigh and lean against the bed, dropping my head between my arms. He recovers quickly, "But if you choose, you can stay a few days at home before you stay at headquarters permanently."

"Yeah. I'll do that." I sill grab a few of my favorite clothes and trinkets and throw them into the bag along with my weapons and pendulum. I even grab my small guitar. "How many days do I get?"

The spirit thinks for a moment. "Let's say four days, starting today. Does that seem fair?"

It's not what I hoped for but apparently the world is going under as we speak so I nod my head. "Bye crazy. Come back when my time is up."

"Goodbye, Sam. We'll see you soon," he says, ignoring the insult, and disappears. I still can't believe I'm going but I need some answers. In five days, I could probably spend time with my family, catch up with Ben, and be with Kasie, and take a day for myself. I can work this out.

***

After Ryan and Aisling got back, I ran into my surrogate mother's arms and apologised. She stumbled back a bit, clearly surprised, but she hugged me and rubbed my back nonetheless, saying how she shouldn't have gotten mad in the first place.

"What about me?" my sister had asked, a fake pout on her face. I threw my arms around her and asked her to tell me all about her day. Ryan made a dinner of fish while Aisling excitedly went into great detail of her day at Eclipse. She shoot guns, was pitted against very experienced fighters, lifted weights, and even got to throw a hammer and javelin, which she was apparently quite good at.

The next day I run to Kasie's house and pound on the door. She opens it quickly, a worried look on her face. Her hair and clothes are disheveled, sights of sleep clear in her eyes. It's still pretty early. I grab her hand with a whispered "I love you" and we walk to her room, collapsing onto the bed. I wrap my arms around her and looked her in the eye. "I have to leave for a little while. I don't know how long," I whisper.

She sits up and frowns. "Where are you going?"

I think for a moment. "I'm leaving on a trip up to Maine." I don't want to lie but there's no way on God's burning Earth am I telling the truth.

"To Maine? Sam, when was the decided?" She asks, irritated.

"Just recently. It was more of a spur-of-the-moment decision and I didn't know how to tell you."

"Well, I'm coming with you. What day are you leaving?"

"Kasie, you can't come. It's... it's like a self-discovery thing. But I'm leaving in two days, after today."

"Jeez, Sammy. Why didn't you tell me sooner? And what does 'self-discovery' even mean?"

"Look I'm really sorry but it just skipped my mind. I'm going to just figure out who I am."

"You're Samuelle Archer, master knife weirder, kind big sister, musician wannabe, and my girlfriend. You don't have to do this," she says, placing her hands on my shoulders.

I smile at her kind words. "I do, Kasie. I know it's sudden but my life is going to be much better after this, I promise."

She looks sad but kisses me. "Just please don't be long. I love you so much," she whispers.