Chapter 13 Another day?
"Hey we'll get started as soon as we finish up eating." Carter called to Kelsey as she climbed from her nice warm sleeping bag. She could see that Ryan was already up and smiled to herself. Sitting by the mystical fire he looked so young, almost as if he were fourteen instead of twenty. It struck her that however he'd been treated by the demons his looks had still been unmarred. That was superficial but it was still good to know. She thought of what she'd learned about hymn and knew there was still so much they'd not even broached. In a way she was afraid to learn, afraid of what she'd do to those monsters for taking the child and destroying his life the way they had. True they'd saved him but… It struck her that Carter was waiting for her reply and she nodded to him.
"Ok, I'll be ready." She called back absently as Ryan left the fire and approached.
"Morning." She called and he paused a moment before beginning.
"Kel…" His words were not given a full chance to leave his lips though as another called her attention from her handsome friend.
"Hey Kel!" Dana called as she headed in their direction.
"Yeah Dana?" She replied knowing what her friend probably wanted and knowing what ever was on Ryan's mind would have to wait. From the serious look on his face there was definitely something on his mind.
"Come here a sec?" The younger Mitchell called and Kelsey gave Ryan an apologetic smile as she rose and headed for her other friend.
"Sure what do you need?" She asked and Dana made a funny face. "Come on."
***
A few minutes later they were heading for a small outcropping of trees at the far side of the camp.
"So sleep well?" Kelsey asked her friend. She'd seen how Dana and Carter had been curled up when they'd gone to sleep, each in their respective sleeping bags but still together. She thought of Ryan and wondered if that would be them. She doubted it. Ryan still didn't really like being so close most of the time. That's why his kiss had surprised her yesterday.
"Hmm, you?" Dana replied bringing Kelsey from her wistful thoughts.
"Oh yeah." Kelsey said thoughtfully and Dana smiled a little. Kelsey wondered what she was thinking of when she said.
"I see." Then she added. "Said the blind man to his death wife as he picked up the hammer and saw."
"Ha ha ha." Kelsey made a face at her friend's droll wit. "Well you're joking about things, so can I assume your doing better?"
"I don't think I could do anything else on this trip." Kelsey knew what Dana meant there was little time for much, since the attack Dana had had to adapt on the slide.
"You know, that's a good thing I think, it's making us deal with other things other than fighting demons constantly." Kelsey said thoughtfully. Lately she'd noticed how Chad and Joel were hanging around together and how Dana and Carter were, not to mention Dana and Ryan. Yes, this had been a God sent.
"I hope so." Dana said and Kelsey heard the slightly uncertain tone in her friend's voice. She'd not heard it in a very long time. Since the attack Dana had pushed her away. Now though, she sounded a little scared.
"Have a little faith girl, we're power rangers or we will be." Kelsey told her as they started to head back.
"Kel!" Ryan called as the girl's reentered camp. Kelsey watched as Carter came over and took Dana's hand leading her off as he announced back over his shoulder.
"Come on we're ready to go."
"I thought we had to pack up." Kelsey called and he shrugged.
"It's all been done." Joel called and he actually sounded cheerful.
"Oh, ok then let's go." Kelsey said and missed the annoyance flash across Ryan's handsome features.
***
As they moved to the other side of the temple that over looked the distance they still had to travel Kelsey wondered if they were really ready for this.
"It's pretty far."
"Well," Carter began. "We have to try. Mariner Bay's depending on us."
"Yes, and there's not much time." Dana agreed.
"Well then," Joel put in. "Shouldn't we be going?"
"Yeah." Kelsey nodded and the remaining members of the group agreed.
"Ryan, ready?" Kelsey asked a little hesitantly. He had an odd look on his handsome face. She wondered what could have him looking so odd but they didn't have time to talk. They had at least a three days journey ahead of them on foot.
"Carter by the way have you told the others about our power?" Ryan asked and Carter shook his head.
"I didn't have the chance."
"What power?" Chad asked curiously.
"Ryan found out that we can actually turn into our animals." The red clad young man informed the others.
"You mean like…" As Chad asked the question Ryan was a Crow, flapping his wings and circling above their heads.
"Woe," Joel stared in awe. There wasn't much that did that to the sky cowboy but that did it 1, 2, 3.
"'Cool." Kelsey grinned. She'd be able to run with the speed of a wild horse… that would be unbelievable.
"There is something you might not yet know about that little power, it's not as easy as you think. Each time you transform it will greatly drain your energy supply." Dulcea told them and Carter looked at her.
"How long can we hold the form?"
"As long as you need, but if it's longer than five hours you'll black out when you regain your human form again." Dulcea told them and Carter nodded looking to the others.
"Ok, well, if we can do it for about…" As Dana did the calculations Kelsey wondered how that would feel to have four legs, to run like the wind and to just go.
"There's something else." Dulcea said looking to Chad. There was an odd look in her eyes and Kelsey wondered just what had happened between the warrior and Chad last night. When she'd gone to bed they'd still been talking. Not that it was really any of her business, Kelsey told herself.
"What's that?" Ryan asked.
"I know one thing that might be able to protect you from the demons is this." The warrior held out a medallion with a five pointed star on its surface.
"A Pentagram?" Joel asked frowning.
"Yes, the five pointed star is a sign of protection," The warrior told them and produced enough for the rest of the group. "The five points stand for earth,
Air, fire, water, and spirit."
"Well, it's worth a shot." Dana said and Carter nodded. Kelsey watched Ryan who looked deep in his own thoughts.
"Here." She handed the charms out to each of them.
"Thank you." Chad said and Kelsey looked away from them.
"You know there might be more…" Ryan began thoughtfully and Kelsey wondered what he was thinking of. She saw the haunted look in his eyes and knew it had to deal with the demons.
"What is it?" She asked softly touching his shoulder. He only jumped slightly but she felt a pang. She removed her hand, not wanting to upset him any more than his thoughts were already doing.
"While I was with the demons I learned some stuff…"
"Stuff?" She asked and he nodded.
"Some spells, maybe…" He admitted reluctantly and Dan's face changed slightly.
"Ryan you know how dangerous magic is." Dana spoke up then and Kelsey realized he' been listening to them the whole time.
"Dana, I can…" He began but she shook her head.
"Ryan, its black magic that took you away from me in the first place, I don't…" Kelsey watched him move to her and pull her close. It was apparent he needed the hug as much as Dana. Kelsey felt a little pang. This morning he'd flinched away from her touch but now was seeking out his sister's. True they were family but why now would he seek her out? But then she remembered the previous day's events and knew something had seriously changed. It was almost like the day's demon attack had drawn them almost like a magnet. But that was good wasn't it? Now he'd not feel alone.
"Look this is all and good but we should be going." Joel called and Cater nodded.
"So should we take to the air?" The leader of the team asked the others.
"I'd say it's the fastest way to go." Joel nodded thoughtfully.
"But only four of us can fly," Dana pointed out.
"Well, there are two of us that can carry others." Carter replied and Joel nodded. "Kelsey you're with me." Carter told her.
"And Chad I guess you're with me." Joel said and Chad nodded.
With in seconds they were in their animal forms and taking to the sky.
"This is so cool." Kelsey called to Chad nodded.
"You're telling me. It's not everyday we get a birds eye view, no pun intended." The blue clad warrior smiled but Kelsey got the impression his thoughts were on Dulcea instead of the view. She was glad; at least he'd met a woman who was interested. Even if she was from another planet.
Kelsey watched the two black creatures ahead of them and smiled to herself. They flew with as much speed as they could. This time it was Ryan with Dana, the two smaller birds in perfect sink. It would look as if they were an odd couple if none knew they were actually siblings. Yes, things were getting better. And it was definitely about time.
Kelsey wondered just what Ryan had wanted to talk about and she had the oddest feeling, as if the answer was not a good one. Did he regret yesterday? Had the kiss just been due to the forced proximity of the trip? She didn't think so but what if he did? She kept going over possibilities as they flew on.
***
At noon they stopped, setting down a good distance from the temple.
"Man, I was starting to feel a little restricted." Joel sighed stretching out his cramped muscles and Chad frowned at him.
"What? You were eating up the sky."
"You try being a bat." Dana called rolling her shoulders. Carter moved to her and rested his hands on her shoulders kneading the sour muscles there.
"Ok children, it's time to eat so calm down and lets get things set up." Carter said after a few minutes and Kelsey caught him also stretching as if he were too stiff.
"Right." The yellow clad ninjeti said and turned to drop her pack to the ground.
"Hey, Kelse and I will get some fire wood." Ryan called and Kelsey looked at him even as Carter Looked over at them and nodded.
"Just be careful, we don't know when or where our trials will come from."
"Right." The silver clad young man replied and then he caught his partner's arm and was practically dragging her from the area.
"Ryan? What's going on?" She asked puzzled by this behavior.
"Kel I have been meaning to talk to you about yesterday." He began and she frowned.
"What about it?" She asked wondering if she'd been right, was he sorry?
"I think it might have been a mistake to kiss you." He told her somberly.
"You think it was…" Her words trailed off and he nodded.
"Yeah, things have been really crazy lately and I don't know if either of us are ready for anything more than friendship." He told her and Kelsey felt the pain as if they'd not only kissed after a month of knowing one another. No, she felt like he'd betrayed her. What was going on?
"Oh, so it was just an impulse?" She heard herself demand and he ran a hand through hid thick blond hair.
"Yes, I know it was wrong…" He began but she didn't let him finish.
"Ryan, your right, we've all been under a lot of stress and if you're afraid to truly get attached because…" She began hoping she could fix this, that she wasn't losing him just when she'd found him.
"Kelse, it's not that, I just don't know what I'm doing, I've never had real friends until lately and what if I screw this up? What if when we get back things don't work out." He asked and she knew he was scared, he had good reason, but so was she. Did he think she dated a lot? Didn't he know he was the first guy she'd ever really liked as more than a crush?
"Ryan, that's a cop out. Your not who you were a month ago, none of us really are. You're not the only one scared but the thing is we still have to go on. Shutting our eyes and pretending things aren't there won't change anything." She said stubbornly crossing her arms over her chest.
"Kel, I know that but…" he began and she closed her eyes.
"So you want it forgotten? Fine." She reopened them. "It is. We never kissed."
"Kel, I…"
"Ryan!" She screamed in terror and he could only stare as the brunette vanished.
"Kelsey!"
TBC