Hidden Elements

My feet were burning, but I guess I'm used to it. Hilary got me to lead the way to Notiet. "Just keep going north." She said. "Follow the road." She said. Now she's fallen asleep and both Matt and Zach are carrying her. And worst of all, I think we're lost. The road kept splitting and we had to decide what way to go. I went with my gut feeling but Matt kept questioning me. I'm stressing out, I feel like ripping my hair out and rocking myself back and forth on the ground. I don't care if I'm lost when I'm by myself because I never have a specific place I want to go. Now, getting lost with four other people on a really important mission is giving me anxiety. We've been walking for over an hour and a half and I could hear everyone's laboured breath.

"Everyone take a break." I announced as Emet went to the side of the road to throw up. Once a weakling, always a weakling. Zach and Matt placed a snoring Hilary on the ground. I am so glad that I remembered my back pack. I picked it up before we left. I haven't even thought about it since I arrived at the Subsisto base but I saw one of the straps sticking out from under the bed today and I grabbed it. This bag that I've had for five years have saved me multiple times.

I took the bag off my back and I opened it. I grabbed the tablet and turned it on. I rigged the tablet years ago to not run out of battery. The map popped up and located where we are. We're going the right way! My gut was right, I'll rub that in Matt's face after. Only two more cross-roads, which both we have to go left. I breathed out a sigh of relief and I could feel my stress ooze away. I placed the tablet back into my bag and sat comfortably cross-legged. I faced everyone else, averting my eyes from Emet. "It's another half hour walk and we'll be there." I explained. I heard a groan and I looked down to Hilary who was starting to wake up.

Once she opened her eyes and sat up, Matt asked quickly if she had food. "Check all your belts, there isn't food but a little machine Emet designed to give you the same nutrients and energy as actual food and water. Keep it on your neck." My hands went automatically to my belt and I found the machine. It looked exactly like a necklace. I placed it over my neck and hid it under my clothes. I could feel the machine warm as it connected to my skin.

But, I don't really need the machine.

Everyone else put their machines on and looked instantly relieved. Emet came and joined us looking really pale under the moon-light. He laid down on his back and closed his eyes. "Can we sleep?" He pleaded. I looked to Hilary and she was thinking. "We  can sleep in the forest." I turned my head to the forest close to the road. It was dark and lush and buzzing with life.

"Is that the safest thing? We could sleep up in the trees on the side of the road." I suggested. "I think that's smarter." Zach backed me up. "I guess, two in one tree, three in the other. It's better if we sleep with others if something happens. We can have two hours of sleep. Let's go find two suitable trees." She ordered as she stood up. I jumped up and I already had a tree in mind. It was tall and sturdy with a trunk as big as four trash-cans. I ran up to it and saw a branch half-way up that was thick and looked strong enough. I heard footsteps behind me and I turned my head to see who it was. "Mind if we share?" Zach asked. I nodded my head as I started climbing. The rest found a tree a few feet away from my tree.

I reached the branch and I tested it and it held. Zach climbed on the tree below mine. I went to my belt and grabbed some rope from one of the compartments and tied it around myself and the branch so I won't fall. I rested my back to the tree and closed my eyes. "Goodnight beautiful." Zach commented. I sighed. "Don't." And I fell into a deep slumber.

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I woke up sweating with someone shaking me awake. My eyes flew open and I looked around on edge. "What's wrong Krista?" Asked Zach who was perched on my branch. "Just a dream." I sighed as I recalled my old nightmare. "Hurry up!" Hilary's voice echoed from below the tree. I groaned as I untied myself from the tree and stood up on the branch. I jumped off and aimed my palms to the ground. I glided down gracefully to the ground. I closed my palms as my feet met the floor. Zach climbed half way down and jumped and landed on his feet. "Let's go." Hilary demanded as she grabbed my arm and pushed me along. I kept walking as she fell back to talk to Emet.

I lead on my own, just how I like it.

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Teaser for chapter 25: They reach Notiet! Finally. But a big obstacle stands in their way...

Thx for reading!

HT12