Chapter 7: Suspicions

(Sam's P.O.V.)

Letting go of Jessie's hand, I looked back once more and made sure the Templar hadn't followed us, and when I didn't see them, I let out a small sigh of relief. I looked over at Jessie as she asked, "The thing you put in your pocket, how did it make noise by itself?"

I chuckled softly as I said, "You sure are a curious one. That thing is what many people in my world have, it is called a phone, and it is used for long distance communications… only problem though, its power source is something this world won't have for centuries… or be able to utilize."

Taking the phone out of my pocket, I showed her it, and as I clicked a button, it lit up, which caused her eyes to widen, "It runs on electricity, another way I can explain it, is it is the same type of power lightening produces, just on a vastly lower amount of power… actually… I think I might know how to charge my phone."

Jessie looked up at me as I slid the phone back into my pocket, and she asked, "How did you manage to harness lightening!?"

After I finished processing what she said, I smiled as I laughed loudly, and I said, "I didn't harness it… electricity is made… don't ask how, because I don't know exactly."

I started to walk out from under the trees, and Jessie followed after me quickly until she was at my side. The air seemed to drop in temperature, even though the sun was shining directly on us, and I felt myself shiver as it felt like I was suddenly being watched. I looked back and along the path, before I started to look into the forest. The feeling I was enduring was unpleasant, and I stopped as I unslung my gun from my back. I looked over and saw Jessie still walking, so I whistled loudly, and her ears snapped towards me as she turned her head and looked towards me. I walked closer to her as I continued to eye our surroundings.

We were in a circular clearing with trees on every side, save the dirt path. I stopped when I felt like I was close to Jessie, and I asked, "Can you hear anything…?"

"…No… why?"

I shook my head slightly as I pulled the lever back to my rifle, and I said, "Because I suddenly felt like we were being watched… it is, unnerving…" I held my palm down and said, "Get down; I have a bad feeling about this."

Slowly, and with a calculated grace of a honed hunter, I began to let my heart rate slow down as I studied the surrounding foliage. I continued to turn in a circle and observe my surroundings, but then suddenly, the feeling was gone. I stayed looking at the forest for a little bit longer, but when I was sure the feeling wouldn't return, I held out a hand behind me, and when I felt Jessie's hand snake its way into my own, I wrapped my fingers around hers and pulled her up as I slung my rifle back over my back.

"Let's get going… I'm not like this part of the forest very much…" I said as we began to walk forward once more. After the tenth step the feeling was back, and I quickly unslung my rifle and pointed it at the forest in a random direction and pulled the trigger. BOOM!

Pulling the lever back again, I pointed it in another direction and pulled the trigger again, BOOM!

Sliding the lever back again, I pointed it at the forest again, but I thought better of wasting more ammo on something unseen, but I kept my rifle in my hands as I motioned for Jessie to continue walking again, and I said, "We need to get out of here… it is starting to scare me…"

(Jack's P.O.V.)

The human I was watching was starting to act strange, and I saw the kiedran it was traveling with get close to the ground as he moved his hand down. Every human killed grants me more money… assassin duty sure has gotten easy if my targets are only carrying metal sticks and tiny knives.

I pulled out an arrow dipped in poison from my quiver as the human and kiedran began to move again, and I started to aim at the human once more. I waited until I was sure I would get him, instead of the fox beside him, but then he grabbed his metal stick and pointed it at the forest away from me. What are you going to do with that th- BOOM!

Nearly falling from the tree, I felt my ears flair backwards painfully, Holy sh- BOOM!

Crinch! I jerked away from the trunk of the tree as a chunk of it was torn away from whatever had hit it. I looked over, and saw a piece of the tree was grazed by whatever came from the human, and I saw him start to walk again, but this time, I slung my bow over my back and across my chest as I put the arrow back in its quiver, I'm going to need help with this human… he must be a strong magician, he may even be a Templar…

With that thought, I started to follow him, and I rummaged through the pocket in my cloak, and I pulled out four brightly glowing crystal's.

I can use that spell those other assassins taught me… but I will wait until I can get some help, or else I might not be able to get him…


(Sam's P.O.V.)

Looking around us, all I saw only a few trees dotting the landscape and I smiled as I looked over and saw the sun was setting. Kneeling down, I opened my backpack and reached in, "Jessie, you hungry?"

She nodded, and I said, "Come here, I still got some meat." Pulling out the bag of dried and seasoned meat, I opened it and held it up to Jessie, and I saw her smile as she took a piece. When she sat down, I set the bag on the ground and grabbed a piece myself before I closed it. I put the meat in my mouth as I reached into the biggest pocket of my backpack, and pulled out my sleeping bag. I set it on the ground before I began to eat my own strip of meat.

After I finished my meat strip, I looked over at Jessie, who seemed to be thinking, and I asked, "Do you want some more?"

As she shook her head, I smiled as I opened the bag and said, "I was being nice… I know you are still hungry, anyone would be…"

Turning away, I started to pull the loops off of my sleeping bag, and I stood up and let it unroll. I set it on one side, and then I stood up and stretched my legs and said, "I will be right back, I'm going to go grab some firewood."

She nodded as she nibbled on another piece of meat, and I looked towards the nearest tree, before I began to jog, and quickly started to pick up my pace into a fast paced sprint. I smiled as I felt my heart beating in my ears, and the ground hit my feet with a jolt upon every impact. I can still remember the time I actually tested my speed… I wonder if I still run at an average of fifteen miles per hour.

Skidding to a halt, I sighed as I belt down, and began to pick up branches from the ground. When I had a decent amount, I walked over and grabbed the edge of a large one. Turning around, I began to jog at a decent speed as I dragged the large branch behind me. I smiled as I saw Jessie's figure reach and grab another piece of meat from the bag, and then I began to think, what do I really think of Jessie?

The air around me seemed to chill slightly as I let that thought sink in, and I couldn't help but think of the near future. Yes, I had freed her, but she was still traveling with me, but did she know I was alright with her leaving whenever? Maybe I should tell her when I get back. She doesn't need to leave right now, but only if she wants to.

I felt myself sadden slightly at that prospect; it was nice to have someone travel with you.

After I set the branches down next to my backpack, I began to break the larger one into four smaller pieces. I set a two pieces perpendicular to each other in a spot on the ground, and then I went back and grabbed half of the smaller ones and began to spread the out over the two larger pieces. I went back and started to rummage in my backpack as I asked, "Jessie… you do know you are a free fox now, don't you?"

Looking up slightly, I saw Jessie's eyes grow quizzical as she said, "Yes… why do you ask?"

"I was just curious why you continue to travel with me, instead of going back to where you came from…" I said as I pulled out my flint fire starter. I walked back over to the pile of branches, and when I knelt down and started to slide the flint pieces together, sparks began to slowly ignite the fire.

Jessie took a while to answer, and by the time she did, I had gotten the fire going, "I was born into slavery… so I don't even know where I would even find other fox Kiedran."

I looked over, and saw that Jessie seemed upset, and I walked over to her. I wrapped my arm over her shoulder carefully, and I said, "Not that I want to get rid of you… but if you want, I can help you find out where you could find other fox Kiedran."

She smiled as she looked up at me, and she replied by simply nodding. I grabbed her with my other arm as I said, "Alright, well, now that everything else is setup, this is for you to use."

Standing over the sleeping bag, I pushed her gently down until she was sitting on it, and i sat down near the fire with my backpack, and I grabbed another strip of meat from the bag as I pushed it closer to Jessie. I store into the flames and took a bite, and Jessie started to look around. I watched from the corner of my eye as she seemed to grow confused. I watched as she began to open her muzzle, but I already knew what she was going to ask, so I spoke before she did, "I'm going to be sleeping right here."

The smile slowly fell from her muzzle as she got up, but I pointed towards the sleeping bag and said, "I knew what I was doing when I chose to let you use the sleeping bag, don't worry, I will be fine."

"Sam…" she began, but then stopped as I looked at her purple eyes, and I continued to look at her with a sternness that yelled determination. She looked away, and I returned to looking at the fire, and eating the piece of meat in my hand. I sighed as I shook my head, and unzipped my jacket, and started to take it off. Below my jacket was a black T-shirt, and I could feel the heat evaporating off of my body as the chilly air began to bite into my skin. I shivered slightly, but then the heat from the fire began to warm me up, and I laid back and used my jacket like a pillow.

I looked over, and saw Jessie looking at me from the inside of the sleeping bag. The look on her face showed she wasn't enjoying being in the sleeping bag, but I could only smile. She looked cute even now, with a frown on her face, inside a sleeping bag.

Wait… did I just say she was… cute?

Yes… I guess I did…

Shaking my head, I looked back up at the sky, and studied the thousands, if not millions of stars that started to dot the sky as the sun started to fade from the day. I started to mumble quietly to myself, "The end of one day, signals the end of a page. Renewed one becomes, only to toil for another day…"

I closed my eyes, and as I began to fall asleep, I faintly heard the rustling of Jessie in my sleeping bag…

(Jessie's P.O.V.)

Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't have done this, but Sam seemed genuinely like an honest and good person, so I waited until he was asleep to sneak over and unzip the sleeping bag and place it over both of us. I used his shoulder as a pillow, but I kept my body mainly away from his, since I still didn't consider him good enough to be that close to him. His chest seemed to rumble from the air he inhaled, and I could only wonder what his world was like.

He is so different from every other human I have ever met, but he still holds that over confidence that every human has. My eyes drifted over to his weapon, and I couldn't help but start to think about it, I wonder if every weapon is like his over in his world… or if they get stronger.

The memory of the kick of the rifle surfaced, and I shuddered as I could only fathom what it would be like if it was stronger. I yawned, and then the heat mixed with the fire and Sam's natural body heat caused me to start to grow even drowsier. I closed my eyes, and let my mind slowly grow blank as I began to fall asleep…


(Sam's P.O.V.)

Blurry shadows running past my view, along with the tell-tale flashing of gunfire clashed along the background. My hands were shaking as everything came into focus, a painfully aware focus. I stood up suddenly as a rocket soared over my head, and exploded against the metal frame of a truck, and the fireball rolled towards me. I felt the heat scorch my skin, and I shut my eyes tightly as the light burned brightly behind my eyelids, until everything was silent and dark. I opened my eyes slowly, and I saw I was standing in a pool of water under a starry sky, and the moon hung low but provided enough light to see the ripples in the water. I looked up, and I was looking at a stunning sight, but frightening as well. What appeared to be a shadow was shifting closer to me, and I saw an arrow float out from it. I watched as the shadow stopped moving through the water, and the arrow's tip drew closer. When the arrow touched my arm, searing pain rippled through my body and mind, and the shadow suddenly flashed brightly with light, and standing across from me, was a purple eyed fox standing upright, and in her hands was a bow. "Jessie…?" The dream began to fade, but then the dream began to shift as her expression morphed to pure concern. Just as the dream dissipated, everything began to brighten up, and I felt like I was lying on my back as warmth covered my entire body…

…I yawned as I stretched my arms, and I felt something graze over the tops of them, and I slowly opened my eyes. Above me was the brightening blue sky and I looked over and saw Jessie sitting on the sleeping bag and looking at me with a strange light in her eyes. I can't tell if she is expecting something, or if she is just curious…

When she continued to stare at me, I recognized how she seemed to be day dreaming, and I waved my hand and asked, "Hey, what are you thinking?"

She blinked a few times before her eyes focused on my own, and she said, "You talk in your sleep."

Taken aback, I felt myself grow embarrassed as I asked, "What did I say?"

"Most of it wasn't understandable… but then I heard you say my name… what were you dreaming about?" she asked as I slowly sat up. I brought my hand up to my head as I said, "I don't remember…" I pulled my hand away, and saw my sleeping bag was over me, and it was unzipped. "Did you… sleep with me last night?"

I looked over at Jessie just as she turned away, but I shook my head as I stood up and stretched even more. When I felt something in my body stretch a little more before issuing a small popping sound, I eased back down onto the ground, and I said, "When did you wake up?"

She looked over at me, and said, "When I heard a snap from across the clearing… I'm pretty sure it was nothing though, since I didn't see anything."

Sighing, I reached over and grabbed my backpack, and when I looked inside of it, I began to take stock of what I have in it. I pulled out a few twigs and leaves that had made it into it, and then I grabbed the medical box from inside and put it beside my leg. Reaching in some more, I rummaged around the bottom of the big pocket, and grabbed my pocket knife.

I opened one of the smaller pockets, and when I reached in, I grabbed a shoelace I had put inside it for some reason, and then I grabbed a red canister with a pistol grip. Nice, I had forgotten I had flares.

Then I saw something that made me chuckle, but it must've sounded sinister or something from the look Jessie gave me. I reached in, and grabbed a firework I had been saving for I don't know how long… it was a mortar, one of the giant versions of fireworks that were sent into the air… and not just any mortar, but the one that was rated next to TNT. "This…" I shook the ball of fury fun, "This is something I like to call a bundle of joy."

Crack…

Shooting my head back, I saw nothing but the clearing behind us, all the way to the forest edge. I sighed as I shook my head, but couldn't help but smile when I felt the weight of the explosive in my hand. I wonder if I should light it now… or wait… most likely the latter, or it won't seem as splendid, especially during the day.

Putting the stuff away, except for the twigs and leaves, I rolled onto my knees and said, "Time to get off the sleeping bag, I'm putting it away."

When Jessie stood up and walked off of the sleeping bag, I started to rezip it and fold it so I could shove it into my backpack. After it was secured inside the bag, I zipped it closed, and grabbed the nearly empty bag of meat, and I held it out to Jessie, "Go ahead and eat up, I will buy more at the next town…" and maybe even a map…

Jessie took the bag, and I put my Jacket on, then my backpack, and slung my rifle over my shoulder and started to walk. I looked behind me, and when I saw Jessie taking a bite out of a piece of meat, I couldn't help but smile, and this made her curious, but I turned back forward as she continued to follow me.

When she was walking alongside me, I saw her look up at me and ask, "What is it?"

I chuckled as I turned and looked towards her, and I said, "You… that is all…"

She didn't appear to like the answer I had given her, but just as she was about to say something, we crested a small hill, and I saw a fortified city in the distance. Jessie walked in front of me, and she asked, "What is funny about me?"

Laughing, I walked around her and towards the walled city, and heard her huff in aggravation…


"We are almost there… and still plenty of light." I exclaimed as we were nearing the city. If I had estimated right, then the city was just around the next bend of trees.

I turned my head slightly and glanced behind us, and what I saw caused a shock to jolt my senses; and I pushed Jessie out of the way. While Jessie hit the ground hard with an unexpected thump, an arrow grazed the edge of my arm, slicing through my jacket. I winced as I clenched my teeth down and grimaced, it felt like liquid fire had just erupted in the side of my arm. I opened my eyes, and saw a stunned and hurt looking Jessie looking up at me as I leaned over, and let out a long groan. I hadn't realized I had grabbed the wound where the arrow had hit, but I only noticed because my hand was starting to grow warm as blood dripped down and onto the dirt road.

When the blood started to drizzle, I wasn't the only one to notice, and Jessie quickly stood up, but I moved in front of her, and I used my non-bloody hand to grab her shoulder, and I said, "Take my backpack, and run. Run for the city, and get help… I will stop whoever it is that did this, just run fast…"

I stood back up, and when I slid my backpack off, my rifle hit the ground, yet I ignored it for now as I handed my backpack to Jessie. As soon as she grabbed it, I took off my jacket and let it fall to the ground. I bent down, and Jessie began to run towards the bend in the trees, and I grabbed my gun and stood back up.

Spinning around, I saw another arrow seemingly materialize out of midair, but I quickly moved to the side as it sped past me, nearly grazing my arm again in the process. The good thing about arrows… they sure move a lot slower than bullets.

Ok… now I believe in magic… I watched with a stunned air of awe as two dog Kiedran materialized out of thin air, and I watched as they began to approach me. One had a wicked looking long sword, while the other was carrying the bow that must've shot the arrow that nicked my arm. I frowned as I opened my mouth, and yelled as loudly as I can, "You better back off; I don't feel like killing some mutts today!"

I chuckled as this seemed to enrage them, and one of them shouted back, "You will pay for that!"

Shifting my feet, I lifted the rifle as I aimed down the scope. It wasn't an incredibly strong scope, but it was enough where they jumped into my view, but I left both eyes open as I shouted back, "This is your last warning!"

The one with the sword began to walk towards me as he raised his sword, and when it was up to his shoulder, I shot near the hilt. BOOM!

They both jumped as the sword was suspended in the air for one moment, before the dog lifted it higher and began to charge at me with a battle cry. Ah hell… I missed! Sliding the bolt back once more, I cycled in another round, and heard the clip lock, the last bullet!? Where did the other ones… oh yeah…

Before I could raise my gun again, the dog was upon me, and I could only raise it up, but he hit the scope instead of my barrel. The scope was made of a cheaper plastic, so it instantly shattered, and rained bits of plastic on the ground below us, sprinkling the blood on the ground with blackish flecks. I grunted, and my rifle clattered to the ground, but I reached down and grabbed my tomahawk, and I brought it to bear, and slashed at the dog. He backed away, but I managed to cut his cheek slightly.

I felt myself waver slightly as a wave of dizziness and pain shot through me, courtesy of the wound in my arm. And the wolf used this chance and lashed out at me, and as I backed up to dodge it, he swept his legs towards my feet, and I fell and hit the ground, hard.

Looking over, I saw my rifle resting beside my head. When the dog chuckled above me, he said, "This seems to be the last of your days human…"

"Just finish him already!" the other Kiedran yelled out from where he had remained.

I quickly grabbed my gun as the dog above me raised his sword above me, with the arch blocking out the sun. Lifting my rifle, I aimed at the sword, and fired a single shot, and I heard the screech of metal as the bang emitted from my rifle.

BOOM…

Slinnnzzz!

The sword half I had severed landed beside my head, and the dog looked up with a surprised face at his sword. This fight is taking too much, and too long…

I dragged my foot across the ground and slid it between his legs, and then twisting my foot, I pulled hard, and dragged his feet out from under him. He hit the ground hard, and I took that chance to crawl over quickly, and hold my tomahawk up and above my head in the sunlight. "When you are planning on killing someone, you should do it, not play around…"

The dog scoffed as he said, "All you humans think you are so high and mighty… why do you think we attack your kind so much?"

"Ha ha ha…" I looked over and at his comrade, and I leaned forward and whispered quietly, "When I plan on killing someone, I will do it…" and then I swung my tomahawk downwards, and heard a wet crunching sound, along with a yelp from the dog beneath me…

A.N.: I believe this is the first type of Cliffy I have made like this… hope it keeps you all guessing until the next update.

Comrade: No, not the dog, the reviewer xD. Hey, i will updste Tech. Exploits IF i can get onine to upload the next few chapters for editing... enjoy this while you wait however.