A/N: Okay everybody, I'm really, really, really sorry that it's been sooooo long since I updated, but I've been really busy. You guys can thank Cassi (Lady Lupin), Vy (The Wandering Blue Andalite), Shawna (Ami of Destiny), Hanni (Hanni B), Cassie (morpherkidvb), and Jason for telling me to get off my butt and start writing. I do have somewhat good reasons for taking so long, though! My cousin and grandparents were visiting for a week over Easter weekend, and I haven't seen Chelsea (my cousin/best friend) in over two years! And then, as a present to say "thank you so much for inviting me," Chelsea gave me a cold, which started bugging my asthma, causing me to be quite sick and miserable for the rest of the week. I even had an asthma attack the Saturday after Easter that ended up with me in the hospital attached to a nebulizer… And then, besides that, I've had a ton of homework, three other novels and one song fic I'm working on, and a lack of inspiration on this fic. Don't get me wrong, I know almost exactly what's supposed to happen in this chapter, I'm just having trouble putting it into words… And I'm also just kind of lazy, and have been reading instead of writing, and chatting instead of writing, and going to bonsai conventions instead of writing… Speaking of which, guess what!!!! Masahiko Kimura, the world's best bonsai artist, is going to write an article where he will mention me!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's because he really liked my wiring technique on the tree I was working on in the convention I went to that he was at. The article will be published in Japan's most widely-read bonsai magazine!!! And in a few years, it will be translated into English and published in America's most widely-read bonsai magazine! I'm so happy! *Ax bounces around room from excitement*
Chapter 17
Trailing slowly behind the others, I plodded along. I was terrified. The others were starting to understand the power of The One, because Santorelli's death had shaken them. However, they still had no idea what The One was capable of. Only I knew, because only I had been absorbed. They did not know the boredom, or the vulnerability when all of your memories were open for The One to see. They had no understanding of the fear when The One tortured you endlessly, mercilessly, for days on end, simply by watching your memories and thoughts, adding his cruel commentary and threatening your dreams, telling you the hopelessness of your situation. Knowing he is right when he says that there is no possible way for you to be saved, because he will simply absorb any rescuers, and kill them or keep them alive, doing to them what he does to you. Knowing that he twists your image, to terrify others who know you.
I realized that I was shaking, and covered in sweat. My friends were a good fifty yards in front of me. I tried to calm myself by crushing some of the grass underfoot. My hooves absorbed it, and I felt slightly better.
Out of the corner of my left stalk eye, which had been facing behind and to the left of me, I saw something move behind the leaves. I spun around with my tail raised high.
There was nothing there.
I remained still and kept my tail up. I knew that I had heard something.
Ax-man? Tobias called down from high in the trees. Are you okay?
Taking care not to move, I answered, I saw something, behind us. Following us.
Tobias did not answer right away. You're sure, Ax?
I nodded almost imperceptively, knowing he would be able to see the movement. I kept myself alert and ready for the attack I thought was coming. The attacker was hiding well.
There was nothing there, Ax, Tobias said quietly.
I did see something, I protested. There had been something there. There was… I trailed off, realizing that I was not going to be able to convince my shorm. He was certain of his two eyes, almost as certain as I was of my four.
Tobias continued to watch me, to see if I would start following the others again. After a moment, I did. Even if I knew that there had been something following us, the others would not believe if Tobias had not seen anything. I finally turned and followed my friends, shaking even more than before.
"Ax, what's wrong?" Cassie asked when I finally caught up with them. Her face was pinched with sadness and worry.
I'm fine, I replied quietly, lying to my closest friends. Just fine. I could not believe what I was saying.
She eyed me warily, and I knew that she knew that I was not fine.
Prince Jake opened his mouth like he was about to say something, but shut it again, and the same mask he had worn for the three years after the war and before Rachel and Tom were rescued descended on his face again. He looked away.
Marco looked as though he were struggling to find something funny to say, but was still dealing with Santorelli's death. Marco knew him better than me, having spent six months on a spaceship with him.
Rachel's face wore an expression of rage, I believe, and she kept clenching and unclenching her hands.
Above us, Tobias stayed mostly quiet.
The Murkra remained apart, shuffling along and holding the oozing nubs where their legs had been gingerly. They had not said anything since Santorelli's death.
Tears streaking her face, Jeanne walked next to Tom, who was stiff and tense.
Yahal traveled alone, his tail and stalk eyes drooping. However, he kept a rigid, disciplined posture.
Morosely I gazed around the valley again, swiveling my stalk eyes back and forth.
There! Something was moving again, under a dense cover of bushes. I jumped high into the air and waved my tail menacingly. The others watched me with fearful surprise, and Tobias swooped down low.
"What was it?" Rachel demanded. "What did you see?"
There is something in the bushes following us, I replied with as much strength as I could muster. I glared at them with my main eyes while keeping my stalk eyes vigilant and alert for any sign of movement.
Prince Jake scanned the forest around us slowly, his face still a mask of despair. Rachel jerked around, waiting for a fight. Tobias landed on her shoulder.
Ax-man, there's nothing here, he said, concern in his usually unemotional voice.
I saw it! I exclaimed, my fear finally taking over and causing me to twitch and jerk uncontrollably. I was on the verge of hysterics. They just did not understand what The One was capable of, what he would do, how he could be anywhere…
"Will you all please just shut up?!" Prince Jake roared.
I flinched, and Cassie gasped. She put her hand on his arm, but he angrily brushed it away as he stepped forward. She turned around, trying to hide the tears that were finally pouring from her eyes.
"Ax, cut it out. We don't need any of this crap! If Tobias says he didn't see anything, then there's nothing there. He's a hawk, and has better eyes than you, even if he does not have as many. I understand that you're afraid to face The One, but you need to pull together. We need everyone! I swear-"
"Jake!" Tom snapped. "What the heck do you think you're doing?"
Prince Jake was quiet for a moment, his fury subsiding. Finally, he answered. "I…" His voice quavered. "I don't know. Santorelli did not need to die. It was my fault because I ordered you to attack. I'm trying to make sure nothing else happens." When he was finished, his voice cracked and his shoulders slumped.
Tom turned to his brother and gathered him into a hug, patting his back. We all watched the display uncertainly, not sure what was happening to our leader.
Cassie finally turned to face us again, trying to hide the tear stains on her cheeks. She gazed woefully at Jake. When Tom finally released him, Prince Jake stood up again and looked at the rest of us, his look resting on Cassie. She forced a smile, and put her hand on his arm. He hugged her tightly, but released her quickly. I assumed that it was a human gesture of apology.
While the humans began to cope with their grief and each other, I looked around nervously. I still knew that I had seen something. It had been on the ground, so it could not have been one of the Hork-Bajir following us. Involuntarily, I felt myself shudder. I felt eyes on me, although I did not know where they came from.
After a few moments, Jake took a deep breath. Everybody looked at him expectantly. The bright setting sun behind him set his face on fire. The sunset was magnificent.
"Well, folks, it's been a long day. The sun's going down, so I suggest we stop for the night. Goodness knows we need to rest, after…"
We nodded, to show we understood.
"I'll take first watch." It was Rachel, of course.
Jake nodded, and the meeting was over. We could sleep, only to dream of today's misfortunes.
I heard a sound again, and swiveled my stalk eyes as quickly as I could. I saw a quick flash of retreating shadow, and then the area was clear once again. My hearts beat faster, and I started to sweat. By now, however, I knew better than to say anything. I could only hope Rachel would be able to notice and warn us in time in case of danger.
I lied down into the long grass, thoroughly exhausted from the horrors of that day. With a final shiver of fear, I closed my eyes, and saw no more.
A/N: Yeah, that was it. I know it wasn't that good, but it will get better, I promise! By the way, I have a favor to ask of some of you. I think that I have two, but possible even three or four anonymous reviewers who review under the name of "Amber." I am extremely grateful to you, but it gets so confusing reading my reviews! Also, when I write a page of thank-yous at the end of this book, I need to know how many Ambers I need to thank. Therefore, if there is any way possible, could all the anonymous Ambers start leaving an email address, or changing their name so that I can know which one is which? Thank you soooo much for all the reviews you have given me already, but I would like to distinguish between you, and be able to write a thank-you to each individual after this story. Thanks!