Disclaimer: I don't own Jak 2 or 3 or any of the characters except for Trista. Naughty dog does.
Chapter Twelve
Two weeks, and I still hurt. Shrugging my shoulders a bit, I tried to flex out whatever it was that was tied in a knot. I sighed and glanced outside the window. It was still raining out, one of the worst rains we've had all year. And Jak's out there running around in it.
I had finally gotten a chance to go back to my apartment, something I hadn't been able to do in a while, I had been so busy trying to help out the underground that I hadn't been home much, and that meant there was a ton of stuff to do before I could relax. I glared at the pile of magazines and clothes on my couch like they had put themselves there and sighed.
Guess I should start with the laundry first. Stupid clothes, wish they would just stay clean. I started wandering around, grabbing clothes from wherever I had tossed them and started loading them into the washer. That being done, I sorted out the magazines and put them back into the cabinet, then looked at the dishes remaining. I was about to start loading them into the washer when my doorbell rang.
"Always something." I muttered, setting them into the sink and stomping over to the door. Doing chores has always put me into a bad mood, so I didn't even check to see who it was and I just yanked open the door.
"Hey." Ok, this has got to be a nightmare. Seriously, the precursors aren't this mean. But no matter how many times I blink, it's still Errol standing in my doorway.
"Hi.." I admit it, I wanted to slam the door in his face, but one look into the hallway told me he didn't have guards with him, yet anyway. I motioned for him to come in and he smiled awkwardly before stepping through the doorway.
"I'm sure you're wondering what I'm doing here, so I'll get right down to it." He said, grabbing my arm and making me sit by him on the couch.
"You're in danger. The baron knows that you survived that fall, mostly because of the guards on patrol that day. All the guards are on high alert, and this time, he wants you brought in dead or alive. I can't help you this time if you're caught." I noticed he was holding my hand tightly now, and a small part of me wanted to pull away, to block these words out, but I just couldn't.
"Well what can I do? I can't stay cooped up here forever!" I said, yanking away and standing. He looked down for a moment and seemed to be thinking, and I couldn't believe he had risked it to come here and warn me.
"There is one way. Outside Haven, there's a desert city named Spargus. I know the ruler there, actually, he owes me a favor. I could sneak you out to the underground, and from there I could get you to the airlift and to Spargus safely. It's the only way, and Damos will take care of you." He stood and placed a hand on my face.
"But, my friends, my family, everyone is here!" I cried, and against my will tears started to gather in my eyes.
"It's the only way. Please trust me Trista. You're my flesh and blood. I don't want anything to happen to you." He looked at me and I stared into his eyes, considering everything he had told me. I knew he was right, I could never live in peace here, I would always be running.
"Ok. Just give me a minute to get some clothes." I ran into my bedroom, trying not to cry. Errol was in the other room, using his transmitter and talking to Damos. I tossed a bunch of clothes into a bag, and my weapons. I almost turned away, but almost as a last minute thought turned and grabbed my worn leather book. It had pictures of the underground people in it. I stuffed it into the bag and walked out. Errol handed me a cloak.
"You can't be recognized. I'm going to take you in a vehicle, and you can have a few minutes saying goodbye to your friends, but then we have to go." He said. I nodded and pulled my cloak on, and he led me out of the apartment, and then out of the building.
The next few minutes seemed to be going way too fast for me to keep up. Before I could register it, we had landed in front of the hideout.
"I'll wait here. Don't take too long." I nodded and left my bag in the vehicle. The door opened and I walked down the stairs slowly, and pulled my hood away from my face. Torn and Jinx were here. They would have to tell everyone else.
"Trista!" Torn jumped to his feet and Jinx almost dropped the small bomb he had in the palm of his hand.
"Torn, Jinx, I just had to come say goodbye." I said, a tear trailing down my cheek. They stared at me in shock as I recounted everything Errol had told me, and watched their reactions.
"Don't go. We can protect you! You could stay here!" Jinx cried, and I sucked in a breath and shook my head slowly. Torn just nodded, and after a second I flung myself forward and hugged Torn, and then Jinx.
"Goodbye." I whispered, and ran outside, jumping into the vehicle. Errol launched us into the air and toward the port, and I looked back. Jinx had run outside and was yelling my name, and I only waved before pulling my hood back on.
An half hour later, we landed in front of the air lift, and I looked at Errol.
"I can't go with you. The pilot is part of the underground, and Damos is waiting. Be safe." He said, handing me my bag. I nodded slowly for a minute, and then hugged him tightly. He seemed shocked at the gesture, but slowly, he returned my hug.
"Thank you." I whispered, and boarded the airlift. As we slowly rose into the air, and the door shut, I stared out the window at my beloved Haven. I watched Errol and Haven disappear into the distance and finally, I allowed myself to cry.
Me: Whoo. Next chapter she arrives in haven, and the chapter after that will jump to the day that Jak arrives at Spargus. Read and Review, thanks to those who have.