Jake
I was flying, no time to waste. After pulling my owl head out of the cage bar, which almost break my neck in the process, Cassie explained to me briefly about this stranger, who introduced himself as Reyes.
It was a misunderstanding on my part. Being paranoid and all, which I had to "thank" Marco for that. I felt apologetic for causing Reyes pain and his eye. Cassie did a quick bandage for Reyes and we were rushing to the woods to find the two controllers.
Cassie's barn was where those two controllers last spotted Reyes. If they smell something fishy, or even at least suspect that Cassie gave Reyes a runaway chance, no doubt they would wonder. And we couldn't have that. That's why we were now moving fast to where Cassie had misled them. We didn't have time to call the others too. The controllers would have backtrack their search and raid Cassie's house.
In a hurry Reyes didn't introduce himself much to me. All he said was that he had traveled all the way from Singapore to find the "Andalites Bandits". He had told Cassie about his knowledge of the Yeerks and how/why he knew about us, the "Andalite Bandits". With more important task at hand, I didn't bother to ask much about him. We could settle about this later.
(You know, we hardly know this guy.) I private thought-speak to Cassie. She had morphed a horse and was now carrying Reyes towards the forest. We came up with a simple plan fast. Find those yeerks, let them saw Reyes somewhere in the woods. Then flee towards where they wouldn't suspect Cassie. That should cover it up.
(Well he seems to know the "Andalite Bandits". And was chase down by the Yeerks. I don't think he's our enemy.) Cassie replied.
Cassie was one of those who could sense the intention of people. And I could say I trust her judging skill, even with something as dangerous as someone who could be the Yeerk.
(You very well know that this could be a trap.) Not that I was against her judgment. But better safe than sorry.
(No, if the Yeerks knows about us, it'll be an all out victory and it won't be just two controllers and a trap. Besides, you had just ripped out his eye and he didn't say anything.)
Cassie's word made me feel guiltier at that moment. Blood were still dripping out from the bandage. At the same time I admire Reyes' courage. He didn't complain anything about my mistake or about the pain. It didn't take much to tell that Reyes had gone through a lot to find us, the so called "Andalite Bandits". If it was Marco in this situation, I bet he won't stop complaining until Rachel had to kill him, literally.
I was about to agree with her when my keen owl morph sense spotted something.
(Cassie, slow down. We're close to them.) My eyes could see mucher farther and better than Cassie's horse morph. Cassie slowed down, and then stopped as she allowed Reyes to get down from her.
(Ok, they are up ahead, Reyes. A bit towards the right.) I perched myself somewhere in between the searching yeerks and him. Cassie kept herself somewhere towards the left side. The moment Reyes gave himself away he was to run to Cassie for the escape. It seemed that it would be simple and easy.
If only I knew better.
"The fugitive!" One of the human controllers pointed the darcon beams at Reyes.
At that instant, like dodging bullets in action movies, Reyes actually bent down backwards. Split second before the controller fired. Then...
Tseeeeeeeeeeew!
A miss! A close one! Had Reyes not bend down earlier his shoulder would be fried. No way could a human have dodged that without anticipation. I wondered for a moment whether if he has the reflexes like Neo from the Matrix or whether it's just luck when another beam pierce through the air.
Another miss! This time the controller actually missed it badly. The beam scorched the nearby bush with no hint of danger to Reyes. That left me wondering for a second whether it was just pure luck again or Eillimist doing.
(Reyes! Run!) I flapped my wings hard, diving straight for the first controller's eyes. Hoping that the distraction was enough.
Too far! Too late!
Stupid! I should have perch myself up somewhere closer to help Reyes! Too late Jake, too late. I thought to myself before a flash of blinding beam pierce through the air. Luck had finally ran out on the third shot because I heard a scream I wouldn't want to hear.
(Reyes!) I ripped aimlessly at the controllers face, keeping him busy while the other aimed his darcon at me.
"Andalites!"
I flapped away, then turned right folding wings, losing attitude but gaining speed. Just in time as the darcon beam zapped pass where I was moments ago. I hit dirt and rolled across the ground into the bushes which in the process shattered my bones. The owl in me tried to move but with no avail. I knew I had to demorph, fast.
Tseeeeeeeeeeew!
Another shot! It hit the bushes I had rolled into! Had to get out! Couldn't move! I struggled madly with my broken body. Watching in horror as the flames slowly burnt me.
(Ahhhhhhh!) The burning pain was confusing me! Couldn't think!
Then a hand grabbed me, pulling me out of the bush and beating me against the ground. I was caught! No! Reyes was most probably dead! Where was Cassie? I flapped my already broken wings wildly. The impact of my head banging against the floor was too much. Couldn't focus...