Chapter 35 Escape
Glad to be on the ground again, I crouched. My legs really needed to rest a moment. While I was doing so, I thought about where he might've gone.
'Cal. You need to tell me?' I urged. My breathing was harsh, but not because of the trip on the way down.
I got up and looked at where I was. I looked at the tree I'd climbed down, finding a rock, I marked it. I wasn't going to get lost, that was for sure.
I closed my eyes, waiting. Turning about me, I went around the tree that I'd just climbed.
"What do you think you're doing?"
I jumped and shrieked. I looked around me and then looked up. It was Gabriel.
"I…" I began. What was he doing here?
He raised his eyebrow, as if demanding a better answer. "Well?"
"I have to go find someone," I admitted. Then I looked up. "Did you follow me?" I asked incredulously. "Because that's a federal offense, I could…."
"Raina." He interrupted me. "What are you even talking about? Finding who?"
I looked up at him. "Don't you remember the other half of this whole issue? Don't you even remember Cal?"
"Of course I remember him. But what are you doing, going out on your own?"
The pang in my chest answered for me and I held my side a moment. "I…" I tried to answer.
Gabriel's face softened. "What's wrong? Are you hurt Raina?"
"No," I answered. "I think it's Cal…"
"You mean he's hurting you? Why do you want to find him?"
"No!" I yelled. It was more than I could bear. "It's him. He's the one that's hurt."
He looked confused a moment and then started to understand. "You mean…." He began.. "You mean you can feel his pain?"
I nodded. "Yes, I think so," I replied. "The way…" I began, but I couldn't say it. Not out loud. Not yet. 'The way he felt mine.' I cringed at the thought. 'I'm sorry Cal,' I said.
"Well then aren't you….should you even be doing this? You don't look like you can?" He hopped off the tree and held my shoulders carefully, "I can find him."
I shook my head. "You don't even know where to start." Of course, I didn't either.
"Do you?" he said. "I think that it would be better if…"
"No." I said stubbornly, but the pain in my side caused me to practically choke out the words.
"We'll get you back up there Raina. They can take care of you,"
"I can take care of myself,"
He looked at me sternly, and I glared at him. He sighed. "You know, one day your stubbornness is going to get you hurt."
"Too late," I answered.
"So should I ask the others?"
"To what? Come? No, let's leave them." I looked at him, "You could always go back too," I suggested.
"No, and plus. I have an idea as to where he might he headed," he answered. He looked off into the distance.
I looked at him confused, "but how? Why didn't you tell me where?"
"You never asked," he replied. "Now lets go. If you're in this much pain, I can only imagine what Cal could be in."
I nodded and we headed off, me following behind Gabriel.