"The place where fear was alive, but I wouldn't let those monsters touch you. Meet me there at sunset." – J
Abbey found the letter on her front porch; of course it was from him. He knew so many ways to get her heart racing. But what wasn't making her heart race was the riddle. She really had to think for a moment. "The forest?" she thought to herself. But why? The metalheads, they could possibly be lurking around. But she knew that if Jak was there, then she would be fine. She didn't understand this uneasy feeling. Everyone knew about this love; and how forbidden it was.
Walking to Haven Forest was her best bet. It was a cool night, her small jacket kept her warm. She approached the steel doors and they opened. She immediately heard the birds chirping and the wild life buzzing. Who knew this place would be so alive. She walked towards the middle of the forest and look around to find him, but he wasn't around. She had this uneasy feeling. Like she was tricked again. Why was it that when something involved Jak, she fell so easy for it? He could be trusted.
"Jak?" She called out. But nothing. It was bad enough that she didn't have her arrows with her. What a dumb decision. Just then, over one of the hills, Jak was there, riding what appeared to be his hoverboard. He smirked as he approached her; causing her to roll her eyes.
"I didn't think you were going to show up." He smiled.
"I mean, Torn did say that the only way that I can come to the forest is as long as I'm with you." Jak hopped off his board. "So, why bring me all the way here? Do we have a mission?" Jak chuckled.
"No, however, I promised that we would have that date." Abbey remembered the day at the bar.
"You did, who knew you would have such a wonderful memory." She was now getting cocky. "Where is Daxter?"
"He's spending some time with Tess, who knows what they are doing." Abbey smiled. "Now, wanna learn how to ride these?" The question caught Abbey off guard.
"WHAT?" Abbey's heart was racing. Jak raised an eyebrow.
"I was referring to the board…" Abbey sighed and started laughing.
"Right.. sorry." Jak chuckled and held a hand out to her.
"Come." Abbey put her fingers in his palm and he guided her to the board. "Now, the trick is to balance your weight. If you're too far up, you'll fall and the same goes for the back and sides." Abbey placed one foot on the board, and then the other. She felt herself almost slip, but grabbed Jak's shoulders; with his hands on her waist.
"Maybe one day we'll take a dance class." She smirked. Jak smiled back.
"Now, place one foot forward, and then lean your weight a little. Don't worry, you will not fall." Abbey obeyed and she started moving slowly with Jak's hands still on her.
"I think I've got the hang of it. It's pretty easy. You can let go now." Jak nodded and took his hands off her. He watched her make a small circle. Abbey smiled; the smile that made Jak's heart race. He smiled with more confidence to her.
"Well, now that you're an expert, we should have a race." Abbey glided over to him,
"Race? With one board?" Jak smiled and pulled out another board from behind one of the trees. "Impressive; you come very prepared." Once Jak activated his board, he explained he rules and the trail. It was obvious that Jak was going to win, but Abbey wasn't going to turn down a challenge; she would defeat Haven City's big hero in a race.
"On your mark… get set..GO." Abbey shouted and off they went.
The air was blowing through her air, and she could feel the wind all around. Over hills, over river banks, all around tree. It didn't feel like a race anymore; this gave Jak time to watch her be free. She was an angel. To him, she was this good energy. But what was it about her that made him feel so alive? How could it be that he was falling for her each and every day? Was he really feeling love? Giving his body and soul into someone. It wasn't likely. But it was. What was really going on? Before he knew it, she hovered close to him. The two of them circled around each other. Abbey could feel her heart racing as she took Jak's hands into hers once they came to a complete stop.
"What are you doing to me?" he thought. Thunder cracked loudly to kill the mood. Rain started to fall heavily. They looked at each other and started to laugh. They rushed under a tree and looked up at the dark sky.
"I never want to leave you alone." He broke the silent. Abbey's head perked up, she stared into his eyes. He was too good to her. It didn't make sense that she was getting this kind of treatment; the power of protection. She was use to in if a funny way, people from her old palace life, they would even die for the royal family. Then it hit her; all she ever did in life was bring people down, they did things for her and it would end up getting them killed. So many Underground members, so many palace staff. All for one being. As she snapped into reality, Jak was leaning in for a kiss. She pulled away.
"What's wrong?" She had a worried look on her face.
"I-I can't. I can't do this." Jak cocked his head to the side. "I don't need someone to protect me. I can protect yourself. She looked away. Rain was falling harder now, almost like a shower.
"Did I say or do something to offend you?" his voice was low. She shook her head. Jak made another attempted by placing his one hand on the side of her face, causing her to pull away,
"DON'T." She yelled. "I don't need a babysitter. I'm fine on my own!" She saw in his eyes that his heart was breaking. He was speechless. But suddenly he grew angry.
"Why are you acting this way? Too good to have one person make sure you're safe? Is this how you act with your brother?" He snarled. She got in his face.
"You keep him out of this. He's the least of my worries! You've got an entire world to save from those metalhead monsters, why don't you worry about yourself for once instead of getting in MY business?!" Jak was only getting angrier. What was she doing? Breaking him down like this, after everything they've been through.
"You and I are fighting the same battle, to overthrow the Baron, and save the world. If you're going to act like a brat, then you're on your own!" He yelled.
"I'M THE BRAT?! YOU'RE THE ONE WITH BIZARE POWERS!"
"I DIDN'T ASK FOR THIS HELL." Abbey gasped as his anger. She needed to get away, she took off for the forest exit. The rain was now falling even harder. Almost stinging her hands and face. Abbey left Jak in the middle of the forest. Her heart was sinking in her chest. What a stupid move! She could of done it a nicer way. That man protected her from anything that would come to harm her. He was… her light in the world of darkness. But at the same time, she needed to keep him safe. And if the meant far away from her, then so be it.
Lexi was wrapping up work at the coffee shop when she heard the door open. "Abbey? Hey girl…" Abbey was shivering, and cold. Lexi grabbed one of the coats off the rack. "Ab you're soaked, where have you been?!" Abbey was silent, she was sitting on one of the benches near the door. "WHAT DID JAK DO TO YOU?! ILL KILL HIM." Abbey's head shot up,
"I let him go…" she said softly and hung her head. Lexi's hands covered her mouth.
"But… you guys were.." The room was so quiet. Abbey started to cry. Maybe she just blew her chances at true happiness. He made her feel weightless, so alive and bubbly when he touched her face, or even stared at her. The spark, it was there and she loved it. Abbey explained it all. The date, the chase, the romance and her feelings, also the fight.
"Wow… Abbey… it just looks like you're hurting even more… but you didn't really tell me why you let him go… sure he had dark eco powers, but maybe if you try and look for a cure and you two ca-."
"I LOVE HIM!" She shouted, causing Lexi to stop taking. Lexi looked surprised.
"Abbey… it's about time you admitted it." Abbey wiped her eyes with a napkin.
"What are you…" Lexi kneeled down in front of her and smiled.
"We've all seen it! Torn, Roy, Keira, all of us. I just want what's best for you." Lexi comforted her the best she could.
"Why him? He's been nothing but kind to me. You should have saw him Lex, his eyes were in so much pain. I just wanted to keep him safe. He's got more to live for in this world than I do. And… I had to break his heart… for his own protection." Lexi frowned. She stood up and looked down at her friend who was still hanging her head.
"People do crazy things when they are in love. It's crazy, but it's true. Like recently, the underground found The Temple of Marr. Unfortunately Torn had to tell The Baron where it was, because he threatened to kill Ashelin… but it's because he loves her. He knew that The Baron wouldn't hesitate. But Jak loves you, and you love and miss him. It may have taken you awhile to admit it, but you know what I think you should do?" Abbey looked up.
"Listen to your heart. It sounds crazy I know, and super girly. But it's the truth. Maybe you should go find him again... because ya know, life is too short to not tell someone how you feel." Abbey got it now. That day in the forest, he saved her and Aleu and even risked his life for this entire city. Oh sweet precursors, she did love him, there was no denying it, if something happened to him now, she would never forgive herself.
"I have to go." She got up and hung her coat on the rack.
"Ab wait! It's still down pouring!" But it was too late, the rain was slamming her face as she ran in the streets. People were hiding inside due to the metalhead sightings. She dashed through alleyways and dodging trashcans. Her hair was soaked. She began calling out Jak's name, echoes bounced off the walls, but nothing in return. Suddenly, tiny footsteps could be heard with the echoes. Abbey's ear perked up, and right in front of her, the small boy that belonged to Kor. He looked distressed.
"Oh my goodness come here!" She kneeled down and held her arms out to him. She never saw a little boy run so fast in her life. He started weeping as soon as he crashed into her. The small boy nuzzled his face into her neck, rain still falling, she held his close. As she began to walk away, another pair of footsteps followed. She turned around to only see Kor, slowly making his way towards her and the little boy. "Kor? What are you doing out here?" Abbey asked. He chuckled.
"I could ask you the same thing; and I see you found the boy. He must have got scared by the storm." He continued to walk towards her. Abbey looked down at the small child, he looked into her eyes and shook his head saying "no." The little boy started to shiver from the cold. Abbey looked into Kor's eyes; gray and lifeless.
"Maybe; if it's okay with you, I-I can take him for tonight, I mean, my house is only a few blocks away…" Something wasn't right, this didn't feel like the Kor she met before. He didn't have a good vibe radiating off him. Abbey was beginning to panic. "But before I go, tell me who you really are." Kor stopped walking, and started to chuckle, it was a wicked chuckle.
"My my, you're truly Veger's child, so observant and smart. A shame he went away, how long has it been? Two years? How sweet." He grinned. Abbey scowled at him. His eyes glowed green and spikey teeth began to grow. Abbey held the child close.
As she tried to make a run for it, a large insect like leg jumped out of nowhere behind Kor's back, grabbing her ankle in the process. SNAP. She could hear the bones split, Abbey screamed and hit the ground with a large thud. She couldn't get up, he had broken her ankle, maybe even her foot. Defenseless; she grabbed a rock and threw it at Kor, who only blocked it with what looked like a green fore field. Wait a moment. Green? That could only mean one thing. A metalhead.
"What kind of monster are you?!" She screamed. Kor only walked closer and closer, and as he was inches away from her face, breathed a hot foul smelling odor, it engulfed her entire face; including the boy's. Abbey began to feel dizzy, slowly losing consciousness; quickly she had to leave something behind in order for someone to find her. But what? Without thinking, she left her left shoe behind. Abbey still held the boy in her arms, and slowly faded out of the real world, and into a deep deep sleep. Kor's true form emerged, and this extremely large metalhead grasped the two bodies into his claw, and started his wings. He lifted off the ground and sored high in the sky, for the large mountains up ahead.
The shoe was still in its spot; undetected.
A/N: Wow. Sweet Jesus hi guys. Now I know what you're thinking, "WHY SO LONG?" Some of you are aware I am a college graduate now, and recently been working TWO JOBS. I know totally spooky. Anyways this chapter was CRAZY. LIKE DAMN SON. Anyways, you know what I was thinking? What if someone drew fanart for this? Like could you imagine?! My idea, on someone's sketchbook or whatever. So, if ANY of you can do that, then put it on tumblr, or if you can, DM it on here, or Twitter! See you all next chapter!
Abigail Holmes