Hey guys! Here's another chapter! I hope you like it! Also, there are mentions of rape in this chapter, so just a warning for you if you're sensitive to anything like that.
FLASH!
When I follow my lead to a motel, I feel such relief that I finally made it. I honestly could have just cried from the sheer sight of it, but I've had enough crying to last me two lifetimes. My main objective was to remain as calm as possible considering that I woke up in an unknown area and was beaten to hell. It seemingly happened out of nowhere, mostly because I don't remember much of it to begin with.
My head ached something fierce, and if I had to guess, I probably had a concussion. So when I woke up in an alley, and my fight-or-flight panicked anxiety kicked in, I tried to gather my bearings and find out where the fuck I was. So here I was, finally making it to my destination because I refused to go to a hospital and owe more than I could afford. I stand in front of a door and am barely able to raise my trembling arm, but I knock firmly enough on the wooden surface to get their attention. When the door opens, I see a cheerful and carefree Nathan Drake, and instantly, I feel bad for ruining his night.
"You didn't ask for a prostitute to drop by for me did ya?" Sullivan shouts from in the room. "It wasn't funny before!"
Nathan lets out a laugh as he shouts from behind him. It sounds like Nathan's pranked Sullivan before, but he doesn't have time to remanence when he turns towards me.
"God damn it, Sully! It was one time!" Nathan grinned.
As soon as Nathan Drake looks at me, he finally starts to process that I'm here, and that I'm gravely injured. His smile fades almost instantaneously as he stared at me with wide eyes and took in my appearance. Nathan looks absolutely shell shocked at my condition, and finally my legs finally give out.
"Holy shit! Tara!" Nathan blurts out worriedly.
My eyes nearly roll into the back of my head as I begin to lose consciousness, but I'm thankful that Nathan is there to catch me.
"Shit! Sully! Get that medical kit! Now!"
"What in the hell?!"
"Hurry!"
"On it, kid!"
I felt a light tapping on my cheek and opened my eyes to find Nathan looking down at me, fear etched onto his expression.
"Tara! You've gotta stay awake for me okay? Tell me what happened! Who did this to you?!" Nathan questioned.
"M'fine..." I slurred.
"Jesus Christ..." Sully muttered grimly.
I lose conception of time as my vision fades in and out nonstop, but I know Nathan and Sullivan are trying to patch me up to the best of their ability. I feel guilt wrenching in my gut that I came here in the first place, but even in my delirious state, it was instinct that I always came to Nathan for help. When I finally come to, I blink tiredly and begin to sit up in the bed, noticing the bandages wrapped around various areas of my body, and my clothing torn up and shredded as well as bloodied and dirtied. I let out a small groan as I stretched my sore body as carefully as I could. I can hear several of my joints pop, and I wince in pain.
"She's awake, Nate." Sully spoke up.
In an instant, I see Nathan coming from the bathroom and sit at the edge of the bed before reaching for my hand. Nathan looked terrified and worried, something I hadn't seen from since he was a child. I hated seeing that look on his face. It only made me want to protect him all the more, but I knew Nathan was older now, he was finally becoming a man.
"Hey. How long was I out for?" I muttered groggily.
"A couple of hours." Sully answered. "You've got a lot of bruises, darlin'. You lost quite a bit of blood too, so take it easy. Don't move around too much."
The first minute of pure silence was almost unbearable for me, especially when Nathan and Sully's expressions spoke volumes of how angry yet concerned they were. I could tell they wanted answers, but I didn't really have any for them. It was random, out of nowhere, and I didn't even know my attackers. I had just been unlucky tonight, and outnumbered when I was jumped. The rest seemed like a blur, but I got the gist that I was mugged and beaten when I regained consciousness.
"Tara. Tell me who did this to you. You had us scared to death. I had half a mind to call Sam, but I knew he'd be worse than I am right now." Nathan confronted me.
I can't help but nurse my aching head in my hand as I struggle to recall every detail. I couldn't remember their faces, but I knew there were multiple people. At least, I think there were more people. Were they all male or had I imagined that?
"I don't know...I don't even know what happened." I barely uttered.
"What do you mean you don't know?" Sully blurted out almost angrily.
"...I think I was mugged. I can't...I don't know for sure..." My voice cracked. "Just...don't call Sam...don't..." I shake my head frantically.
When Sullivan sees the genuine confusion and fear on my face, he knows I'm not lying about something like this. I nearly jump as I see Nathan at my side again, and hadn't even realized he'd left until I see that he's holding something in his hands. Nathan has a frozen bag of peas and wraps it in a hand towel before pressing it to my temple. I hissed in pain almost immediately, but I'm too exhausted to fight against Nathan. Perhaps it was from the concussion I was pretty certain I had, but it was hard to form my own thoughts let alone speak clearly.
"Well considering Sam's your boyfriend- -" Sullivan started.
"He's not...not anymore. I d- -don't want him to worry...over...o- -over nothin'..." I cut him off.
"This isn't nothing! You could have died tonight and none of us would have known about it!" Nathan snapped.
I held my head, feeling a headache beginning to form and shut my eyes for a brief minute.
"What the hell are you talking about anyway, darlin'? When did you two lovebirds break up?" Sully raised a questioning eyebrow.
Yeah, Sam and I broke up...shit...two weeks ago? I think? Damn does time fly.
"Two weeks ago. We got into a fight...it was so stupid..." I smiled faintly. "It was such a stupid fight...b- -but it made me leave."
"You two always were on and off." Nate mumbled quietly.
"So Sam doesn't even know you're out here, I take it?" Sully sighed.
"Nah..." I merely respond. "Why the fuck would he care? He made that more than clear..."
Nathan looks as if he wants to argue, but for once and much to my surprise, he drops the subject.
"How did you know where to find us anyway? This motel room isn't exactly our home address..." Nathan awkwardly mentioned.
"You guys...don't- -don't give me enough credit. I knew...k- -knew that you were here. I keep tabs on you Nathan." I mumble tiredly.
"Somehow that doesn't surprise me..." Nate smiled faintly.
"So you don't know who mugged you?" Sully asked.
I shake my head and find my head droop down as I stare tiredly down towards my lap. At first, I thought the blood on my clothing was just spattered from my wounds, but looking closer, I can see that it's in between my thighs. Upon waking up earlier, I was disoriented and just thought I was sore everywhere in my body. Now that I was slightly more alert, I now felt the massive aching between my legs that's now becoming much more profound than before. Maybe it was the darkest part of my mind making itself known, but I could see flashes of my attackers on top of me, pinning my hips down. My heart nearly skips a beat as I come to this realization that I might have been...
"F- -fucking shit." I whimpered.
When Nathan and Sullivan see me start to bawl, they know something is seriously wrong. Nathan's eyes follow my gaze between the dried blood between my thighs, and immediately, his expression darkens as he catches on. Nathan tries his best to remain calm, but I can tell he looked ready to explode with sheer anger.
"Call Sam. Right now. We need to find whoever did this to her." Nathan nearly growled. "He's staying at that trashy apartment complex a couple of blocks from here. You know the one."
"N- -no...no...m- -maybe it's a false alarm." I stammered.
"I'm on it, kid." Sullivan nodded. "Be right back."
Sullivan moves quickly as he slams the door shut behind him and leaves the two of us alone. When Nathan eases me into his arms and hugs me, the dams break, and I'm openly sobbing into his chest.
"It's okay. I won't let anyone hurt you. I'm here." Nathan murmured softly.
"N- -Nathan...I'm s- -sorry..." I cried out.
Nathan tenses against me, but he rubs at my back as he rests his chin on top of my head.
"Don't you ever be sorry about this again. This isn't your fault."
FLASH!
I snapped out of my daze, tears prickling in my eyes from that specific memory. It was about two months before Sam and Nathan had officially met Raphael Adler after being on Avery's trail again. I made Nathan and Sullivan promise not to tell Sam of the incident, but that didn't stop Nathan from finding the men who had assaulted me. I never knew what happened to them, but from that look on Nathan's face whenever I would ask, I could tell it was anything but good.
I remembered how awful it was when Sam eventually found out the truth after an incident I'd had at a bar when some man tried to flirt with me. Nearly seconds after the man touched my arm, I broke his in absolute panic. Sam knew my reaction was far my usual normal, and that's when the truth finally came out. When he gave me that look of sympathy and guilt, even pity, it infuriated me to no end.
However, it was then that Sam and I made up from our previous fight. We also spent the entire night just talking. It was similar to those calm nights on the roof of St. Francis' Orphanage and it felt like I could see a glimpse of the old Sam that I'd grown to love. After a couple of drinks and a lot more conversing, Sam had managed to convince me to get back together with him and promised things would be different. I reluctantly believed him, but surely enough, he was true to his word and didn't give me reason to doubt him again.
I hadn't thought about that in years...so why now?
I couldn't help but think that maybe being around Sam was bringing back all of these memories I'd thought I buried deep down in my brain.
FLASH!
"Come on Tara...nothin' about our lives has ever been fair..." Sam sighed.
As I pace back in forth in my room, I glare angrily back at the thirteen year old boy lounging in my bed.
"Are you serious right now?!" I snapped. "Sam! I don't want to leave here!"
Nathan sits with his older brother, a look of confusion on his face.
"Sammy...why's Teri mad?" Nathan whispered loudly.
"Because, she's bein' stubborn little brother. She thinks staying here for our sake is "heroic" in some way- -" Sam starts.
"Oh no you don't! That's not what this is about! You two may know me pretty well, but that's far from the truth!" I shouted.
"Oh yeah? Then enlighten us." Sam gives me a blank stare. "Why do you wanna avoid adoption with that couple?"
I start growing uncomfortable and rub at my arm awkwardly.
"Because...they won't be my parents. No one could ever replace my ma and dad." I lower my voice.
When Sam sees how dejected I look, he gets up from the bed immediately and pulls me in for a hug as little eight year old Nathan watches.
"Tara...you have a chance at gettin' outta here. You sure you wanna turn it down? They seemed nice-ish." Sam mumbled softly.
"Sam...I appreciate you lookin' out for me, but I don't wanna leave you or Nathan right now. I'm just not ready to move on yet. I don't know if I ever will be. Plus...you and Nathan are my best friends, I don't think I could leave you two behind." I confessed.
Sam's hold on me tightens, and I find myself finally returning his hug.
"What's the other reason? You've been actin' weird all day..." Sam pulls back.
I mutter something unintelligible against Sam's chest.
"Repeat that." Sam told me.
"It's...it's the anniversary...of my p- -parents- -"
Sam's eyes widened in realization as he finally catches on. Nathan surprises us both when he hops off of the bed and walks right on over and joins our little hug.
"It's okay, Tara. You've got us." Nathan said.
"Exactly. You guys are all I need right now." I murmured.
FLASH!
FLASH!
"Sssh!"
As Sam pushes me into an extremely small utility closet and joins me, I can feel my heart pounding in fear that someone was going to find us. Why did I let Sam convince me to break into places with him again? Did I like to torture myself?
"Relax, sweetheart. They ain't gonna find us in here." Sam whispered into my ear.
"Sam, it's almost curfew for me and we're in a museum nearly ten blocks from the orphanage. I'm screwed!" I hissed at him. "Why do I let you talk me into these things?"
"I mean...it seemed like a good idea at the time." Sam winced.
"It's so tight in here. I feel like I can't breathe." I panicked.
Sam tenses up as I attempt to get out of the closet, and effectively traps me in as he presses his body closer to mine.
"Tara, stop. I see their flashlights." Sam murmured softly. "You need to focus on somethin' else."
"What the hell should I be focusin' on?!" I nearly shout.
Through the small bit of light shining underneath the door, I can see Sam's eyes widen in alarm.
"This is literally the worst time for your claustrophobia to start actin' up, sweetheart." Sam growled.
I shudder against Sam as I give him an apologetic look. Finally I look away and move around a bit as I try to get comfortable and literally focus on anything else to pass the time. Nothing seems to work and I can't help but continue to fidget. It's about a minute or so before I can hear Sam panting against me and grow worried.
"Shit...Sammy, are you okay? I didn't hurt you did I?" I asked in concern.
"For the love of everythin' holy. Please stop moving." Sam whispered.
At his suggestive tone, I can feel my face heat up at the sudden realization.
"S- -sorry." I apologized.
Hearing footsteps nearby once again, I press myself closer to Sam and hide my face into his neck.
"Yer gonna be the death of me, sweetheart." Sam gasped.
It had only been three weeks since my sixteenth birthday. Since Sam had given me a kiss on the cheek as he handed me my birthday gift. For some reason, I'd started feeling more different after that night. I began to find myself craving for something. A touch, a kiss, and intimacy and closeness with Sam. I knew it was my stupid teenaged hormones, but...Sam had awoken something primal within me, and being this close with him again after several weeks was doing something to me. Finally, I now knew what that bitch Crystal had been referring to when she mentioned liking boys so much.
At first, I thought it was stupid to obsess over boys. But the way that Sam made me feel now since my birthday? It was overwhelming. The slightest touch drove me crazy, and now, I was much more observant of Sam and the small things he'd do. Hand holding, used to be much more innocent when I was younger, and now? It practically lit up all of my nerves as if they were on fire. I couldn't do a thing about it though, knowing that Crystal and Sam were still seeing each other. What was worse was that Sam no longer lived at the orphanage.
"Hey Sam?" I whispered.
"Yeah?" He grunted.
"Why do you like Crystal so much?" I blurted out.
I wince at how blunt my question sounded, but I didn't know how else to word it differently.
"Why do you wanna know?" Sam raised an eyebrow.
"I'm curious is all. I've been feeling different lately...weird...over someone...and...I'm- -I'm just curious."
"Oh?" Sam teases. "You've gotta crush on someone, huh?"
Not wanting to give away on 'who' that someone was, I merely nod. Sensing my discomfort, Sam gives me a small smile to put me at ease.
"Hey, don't be nervous. It's okay. Listen..." Sam whispered. "Crystal is just...someone I...hang out with, if you get my meaning. I thought I used to like her, but we've been a bit on and off."
I find myself confused at Sam's statement.
"I've been feeling weird lately, Sam. And...I don't know what to do about it. And Crystal kinda implanted this thought in my mind, and now I can't shake it out." I confessed.
"What d'ya mean, sweetheart?" Sam asked.
I hide my face against Sam's chest, now currently hating the fact that we're presently stuck in this small closet together. However, at my lack of response, Sam quickly picks up on what I hinted at.
"Oh." Sam mutters nervously. "Y'mean with...hormones...and stuff like that."
I let out a squeak of embarrassment, and clutch tightly at Sam's shirt. I just wanted to go bury myself in a hole somewhere and hide.
"H- -hey, it's nothin' to be embarrassed about." Sam tries to assure me. "It happens to everyone, boys and girls alike. Are you just...having urges? I know you're not a kid anymore, and we're only a year apart in age. I know I'm not the most ideal person to talk to about this shit, but...I can try?"
"Forget about it, I'm sorry." I spoke nervously.
"Tara, don't hide from me. I know I'm not a girl, but...if you're really strugglin' to talk to someone 'bout it...I'm here for you."
I can feel my heart flutter in my chest and shudder uncontrollably against Sam. Sam senses that this is something that's deeply bothering me, and for some reason, he won't let it go and continues to pry further.
"What did Crystal say to you exactly? I know you guys aren't exactly best friends, but- -"
"Forget it, Sam. I shouldn't have said anything." I hissed at him.
"No. I'm not droppin' this. What did Crystal say to you?" Sam gives me a small glare. "Is she givin' you a hard time?"
"It wasn't like that, she just...kept muttering about how I needed to get...laid. Because I'm so...tense all the time." I confessed.
"Did she now?" Sam lowers his voice dangerously.
"Don't be mad at her, it wasn't in a mean way or anything. For once." I tried defending her. "It's just...ever since I turned sixteen, it's...basically all I can think about now. I feel embarrassed enough as it is...so...I'm sorry if I've made you uncomfortable."
"Don't be sorry, Tara. It's...it's natural." Sam spoke soothingly.
"I feel terrible. Every time I think about this stuff, I'm only reminded about what the nuns say at orphanage. About it being a sin, and it's just...eating away at me is all. I feel so conflicted, but...hopefully this will just go away." I sighed deeply.
Sam frowns at this, and gently forces me to look at him when his fingers grasp at my chin.
"You fuckin' forget what those nuns say to you, you got me? You shouldn't feel ashamed over somethin' like this. You definitely have to play it safe, sure, but don't you ever be sorry about it." Sam told me. "It's only a sign that you're...becomin' a woman. Like your...period." Sam flushes at the last comment.
"This is so fucking awkward- -" I stammered quietly.
"Yeah, well...bein' a teenager sucks, sweetheart. So get used to that." Sam chuckled. "How do you think I feel right now just talkin' to you about it? But this is somethin' you need to hear from experience."
"Okay...well in that case...thank you." I said.
"Not a problem." Sam replied.
FLASH!
"Yo, Smokey! Need your lighter over here!" Nathan called out.
"You know, that hurts my feelings." Sam muttered.
"Not as much as it hurts your lungs." Nathan retorted.
"Thank you, Father Duffy." Sam scoffed.
Sam reached on his tip-toes to light up the oil lamp with his lighter, smiling when all three of the statues were lighting up inside.
"The light's coming from the other side of the wall." Sam noticed.
Nathan grabbed my hand and gave me a small smile as he began pulling me along with him to the other side. It wasn't hard to figure out that we had to aim the lights along certain areas of that huge door, so we quickly got to work at solving it together. It was a constellation that represented Justice, and it struck me as odd that Avery chose this. Soon enough, we got the wall opened after solving this small puzzle, figuring out that we'd needed to head towards the cathedral to our next clue of Avery's.
Which meant going near Rafe.
"Well this is fantastic. As if Rafe being near us wasn't enough, now we have to go towards him- -" I grew frustrated.
"I know the risk." Nathan sighed.
"Nathan...I just...what if we get caught by Rafe and Nadine?" I blurted out.
"We won't." Sam cut in. "I understand your concern, doll-face, but Nathan's told me enough about all your crazy-ass adventures to know that you're both smart and resourceful. We won't get caught."
"We've been in tighter spots. If we're just more careful around Nadine's men, we should get out just fine. It's just like that little saying you and Anne would always bring up whenever we would play hide-and-seek together. Let's go into..." Nathan said.
"Stealth mode." I finished.
"Yeah. See? We got this. It's not like we're rookies or anything when it comes to this stuff." Nathan assured me.
"I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm getting so nervous. I just have a bad feeling right now." I admitted.
"Well put those feelings to the side. As long as the three of us are working together, nobody can take us down." Sam smiled smugly.
"Hopefully..." I muttered.
"What's with all the doom and gloom, sweetheart? Everything alright?" Sam's smile faltered.
"I'm just...I'll be fine. I'm sorry." I blushed.
"No...it's better to get it off your chest now." Sam said.
"I was just...I was recalling some memories for some bizarre reason. Really bad ones. You remember that one fight we had? It was so stupid..." I smiled faintly.
Sam and Nathan perked up almost instantly, knowing exactly what I was referring to as Sam reached for my hand.
"Yeah...I remember." He mumbled softly. "What made you think about that?"
"I don't know...I really don't." I shake my head. "But...I need you to know ahead of time that I'm sorry for being so anxious and frantic...sometimes I can't help it. It just comes and goes."
"Hey, it's alright. Don't sweat it, babe." Sam smiles at me reassuringly.
"I just...I need to know something, guys. If Avery's treasure isn't here, what's next?" I reluctantly ask.
"You're really dead set on it not being here, aren't you?" Sam joked.
"It's not like that! I just...if my parent's research meant anything at all, I know personally that it's not gonna be here. You guys remember that theory they had?"
"The theory that Avery was in league with other pirate captains?" Nathan questioned. "You really think they were right? It honestly seems so far fetched."
"I mean, I guess we'll just have to wait and see right?" I smiled faintly. "I'm excited but scared all at once."
"Well, let's hope Avery made something simple for once. If the treasure is here, we need to beat Rafe and Nadine to it." Sam added.
"I mean, I doubt it, but here's to hoping." I shrugged. "At least we'll be one more step ahead of them."
Soon enough, we exited the hidden area underneath Avery's fake grave, only to find more Shoreline mercenaries arriving nearby. We moved quickly, trying to sneak our way past them as quietly as we could.
You ever get that feeling that maybe you're so unlucky that it's basically considered a curse at this point?
I feel like that right now. I'm fucking sick of getting shot at.
"KEEP MOVING!" Nathan yelled frantically.
"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK I'M DOING?! TAKING A STROLL IN THE PARK OR SOMETHING?!" I shouted angrily over the gunfire.
"Stop arguing and shoot, sweetheart!" Sam told me.
I hid behind another boulder, catching my breath as I practically felt my heart pounding in my chest. I reloaded my gun and turned over around the boulder, shooting at the enemy from afar. I jumped when I felt my cellphone vibrating in my pocket, and shot at some more of Nadine's men before pulling it out of my pocket to check the caller ID to find that it was Anne calling. Honestly it was even a miracle that she was able to reach me to begin with since the reception was so bad out here.
Ah shit.
I hesitantly answered the call, pulling it up to my ear as I hid behind the boulder I was currently using to take cover.
"Yello?" I answered cheerfully.
"Hey madre! How's the trip going?" Anne spoke up.
"Oh you know, it's not really all that fun! It's actually pretty annoying!" I replied.
My eyes widened as I saw one of Nadine's men running towards me and quickly aimed my gun, shooting him in the head instantly before he fell at my feet.
"Holy shit! What was that noise?! It sounded like a gunshot!" Anne shouted worriedly.
"ARE YOU ON THE PHONE?! WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING TO AT A TIME LIKE THIS?!" Nathan yelled at me from a distance.
"OH SHADDUP!" I snapped.
"Mom?!"
"Sorry sweetie! I was just yelling at this asshole who threw a beer bottle into the street! He made me pop my tire while I was driving!" I lied quickly.
Popping my tire? Gah, I can do better than that...
"Really? What the hell is wrong with people today? That's just rude." Anne scoffed.
"I know right?" I laughed nervously.
I got out from my cover, and used the end of my gun to knock out the last mercenary in sight.
"Looks like we're clear." Sam notes.
I ignore him and continue walking as I converse with Anne on the phone.
"So how is everything? You having fun with your aunt?" I asked.
"Yeah, well- -wait...are you okay? You sound like you're out of breath."
"I'm fine, Anna-banana. Tell me about your day." I chuckled breathlessly.
"Well Uncle Nathan left for some job in Malaysia, so I've been spending time with Aunt Elena. I'm actually kinda worried about her...she seems a little anxious. There's something she's not telling me." Anne lowered her voice.
I checked bodies for ammo, grabbing whatever resources I could before locating and following Nathan and Sam.
"Speaking of which, you were hiding something the night you left. You said you'd talk to me about it, so spill the beans. What happened?" Anne asked.
"Well one of the many reasons I'm on this sudden trip right now is because I was kinda fired..." I confessed. "I didn't wanna worry you about it. You're already dealing with a lot at school, and I didn't wanna make it worse by nagging about it."
"I'm sorry ma..." Anne muttered sadly.
"Hey, it's fine, honey. If all goes well over here, I won't even need to worry about a job for a long time because we'll be set for a long time." I smirked.
"Holy crap, really? What kind of job is it? You've got me curious. You're...you're not a drug dealer by any chance are you?" Anne joked.
"Well by the time I get back, it'll be close to your birthday. So maybe I'll tell you." I replied teasingly.
If I actually make it back alive, I'm telling Anne everything. Especially the bit about her father being alive.
"Well in that case, I really hope you make it back in one piece!" Anne laughed. "I'll text you later ma. Aunt Elena and I have a date with Crash Bandicoot."
"Have fun, Annie." I smiled.
"Bye ma!"
I hung up the phone, my smile faltering as I put my phone back into my pocket.
"Who the hell were you talking to?" Sam asked.
"Anne called so...yeah..." I stammered.
I run a hand through my hair as Sam gives me an amused look.
"And you answered in the middle of a shootout?" Sam raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, what the hell were you thinking?!" Nathan scolded me.
"It was just instinct, I couldn't help it! I'm so used to talking to her every day! She'd know something was up if I didn't answer. Besides, she didn't suspect anything." I explained.
"Well let's make it a habit not to have a conversation over the phone during a shootout." Nathan gave me a pointed look.
"I said I was sorry."
"No you didn't!" Nathan rolled his eyes.
"Yeah well...now I did." I smiled sheepishly.
The two of us look to Sam when he suddenly laughs. When Nathan gives him a glare, Sam bites his bottom lip to stifle his laughter.
"Sorry, just...it was kinda funny." Sam muttered. "Is this what it was like when I was gone?"
"You mean on our other adventures? More or less." I shrugged. "Just like old times, eh Nathan? Let's show Sammy how we get shit done."
Sam's breath hitches slightly at the last comment, and I can't help but smirk as I walk ahead this time.
By the time we make it underneath the cathedral through the mountainside, we notice a lot of things about the traps and tests designed by Avery. Avery was really hellbent on the philosophies of St. Dismas, about justice and greed. It was interesting sure, but at the same time, it was annoying as all hell. The tests in the caves were more difficult and life threatening to those who failed.
However, it was when we see Thomas Tew's sigil in one of the tests that had me grin brightly. It only further supported my parent's theories about Avery pulling together other pirate captains across the globe and trying to make the pirate utopia known as Libertalia. How my parents were able to figure this out, I'd never know. Getting further underneath the cathedral, we overhear a conversation with Rafe and Nadine through the cracks in the walls. It sounded like their partnership was more rocky than we had initially thought. Although I suppose that could be an advantage to us in the long run.
When we finally make it to the last and final test, we walk into a large room. The only thing truly illuminating the room was at the very center, and from a distance, it looked to be a scale. On one scale was a gold and bejeweled cross. On the other scale, were a bunch of coins that were a bit worn with age. Nathan and I carefully examine the objects presented to us, and to me, it was obvious that this was a test of some kind.
Another test on greed perhaps? Avery sure seems to enjoy those.
"It's another cross." Sam noticed. "At least this one has some jewels on it right?"
Sam chuckled as he reached for the golden cross, and I quickly grabbed his wrist, sensing that it was a trap. Sam gave me a small glare, probably annoyed that I had prevented him from taking it.
"What is it, sweetheart? Can't you see that I'm- -" Sam nearly whined.
"I know a trap when I see one, sweetheart." I muttered.
"Tara's right. Don't touch the cross." Nate almost sighed in relief at my quick thinking and reflexes. "Come on, Sam. Look at it. It's the only valuable thing we've seen in this cave."
After seeing the sense in Nathan's explanation, Sam lowers his guard and nods in understanding as he gives me a thankful look.
"Right." Sam merely responds.
I let go, letting Sam drop his hand until it was at his side again. We move towards the objects carefully to get a better look. The coins looked rusted and made out of a bronze from what it appeared. However, glancing at them again, I could see something carved into them. Maybe there were more to these coins than we thought.
It looks like Scales...Edward England? Isn't that his sigil? Or is it the trident...uh...Joseph Farrell?
"So it's another test then?" Sam asked.
Nathan nodded as he cautiously walked around to examine the two plates that were balanced.
"Greed." Sam figured out.
"Yeah, or lack thereof." Nathan mumbled.
"Okay so..."
"It's the coins, guys." I interjected.
Sam raised his hand again, letting it hover over the plate of coins before he glanced towards Nathan and I nervously.
"Are we sure about this?" He asked.
"Well, pretty sure." I shrugged.
We felt the area shake again, probably from an explosive nearby, knowing it wouldn't take long for Nadine and Rafe to find this place. We had to move quickly before they finally caught up to us.
"Pretty sure will have to do." Sam blurted out.
Sam reached for the coins as Nathan warned him to take only one coin. I started praying silently that this wasn't a trap, closing my eyes as I waited patiently for Sam to grab one coin. We were worried when the plate triggered something and tensed up from where we stood. My eyes widened from surprise, however, when candles upon candles lit up from above us simultaneously. I glanced down as I was blinded from the lights above, only then noticing that there was a map being projected from the light above us.
"Do you guys recognize the shape?" Nate let out a laugh.
"It's Madagascar." Sam noted.
"Look, there's a star right here." Nathan pointed out.
"That's Kings Bay." I realized.
"Son of a bitch...he's screwing with us." Sam sighed angrily.
"What do you expect from a pirate?" I chuckled softly.
"What are you talking about?" Nate looked confused.
"Avery." Sam threw his hands up in frustration. "He's screwing with us." He repeated. "This was supposed to be it, so where's the goddamn treasure?! I mean, King's Bay. Great. What's next? North Pole? Outer Space?"
"I don't wanna say it, but I told you so." I smiled.
"Oh shut up." Sam pouted.
Sam, clearly annoyed that I wasn't wrong about the treasure, tosses the coin over to me with a practiced flip. I pocket it immediately before going to Sam and giving him a reassuring smile.
"Sam, we'll get the treasure eventually. It's like I said, Avery was never going to make this shit easy. It just...wasn't his style." I told him.
Sam nods at me, looking almost defeated as he just grunts in reply. I roll my eyes as I wrap my arms around his shoulders and lean into him. I begin playing with Sam's hair on the back of his head like it's second nature, and feel him melt against me as his eyes fluttered shut.
"We'll get it, baby." I barely uttered. "You just need to be patient."
I press light and feathery kisses along Sam's jaw. After hearing him sigh deeply, I feel him reach over to give my hips a gentle squeeze.
"Mmmm...you're right. I'm sorry. This is just so...so tiring. How'd you and Nathan ever get through this shit?" Sam replied.
I pull away after a minute, the two of us finally taking notice that Nathan's pacing around the room and looking deep into thought.
"Nathan?"
"For those who prove worthy...Paradise awaits." He quoted.
So he...he figured it out then? He knows more than he's letting on.
Reiterating those lines in my mind, I finally catch on to what Nathan is truly saying. My parent's were right about Libertalia. Their theories about a pirate utopia may have been more reality than fantasy than we originally thought. If those stories that I'd heard as a child were true, the Gunsway Heist would look like mere chump change.
"Avery was recruiting." I smiled excitedly.
"Who was recruiting?- -" Sam muttered in confusion.
"Avery!" I smiled. "He was recruiting!"
"Recruiting for what?!"
Before I can answer, an explosion blasts through the wall to our left. As we cough and pick ourselves up from the ground, we're already surrounded by Shoreline and Nadine Ross. Nadine has a very sinister grin etched onto her face as she comes forward and makes herself known to us.
"Ah crap." Nathan grumbled.
And there's his catchphrase...I almost missed it.
"You gentlemen, are very, very noisy." Nadine told us.
At first, Nadine looks surprised to see me here, before she gives me a small smirk. I could already feel my face heat up from our last encounter in Italy at the Rossi Estate. Somehow, I manage to keep a stoic expression as she observes me carefully.
"A pleasure to see you again, Theresa." Nadine nodded.
"Hey, Nadine." I respond nonchalantly.
Nathan and Sam both glance at both Nadine and I in curiosity and intrigue, but surprisingly neither of them say anything about our little exchange.
I was half expecting Sam or Nathan to say something cheesy or witty.
"Guns on the floor. Slowly." Nadine ordered us.
I sighed as I reluctantly dropped my pistol to the floor, following Nathan and Sam's example.
"I still owe you from last time." Nadine looks at Nate angrily.
"Throwing me out of a window didn't do it for yah?" The younger Drake rolled his eyes.
"Rafe, come in." Nadine spoke into her walkie-talkie.
"I'm at the graveyard. Nadine, they were here." Rafe replied quickly.
"Yeah, I'm looking at them right now." She smirked.
"What? Where are you?"
"Come back to the Cathedral. Follow the holes." Nadine informed him.
"I'm on my way. And for God's sake, don't shoot them yet."
"Might want to hurry then."
Nadine put her walkie-talkie away, glancing down at the floor as she walked around us almost gracefully. I couldn't shake the feeling that she reminded me of a lioness or a cougar, beautiful but deadly creatures. However, I could tell she was tense, knowing the stories between Nathan and I to be very true. We'd been in much worse situations, and somehow, managed to always get the drop on our enemies. Although I could tell Nadine was much more clever than any other enemy we've faced. She wasn't going to let us slip through her fingers that easily.
No, to get past Nadine, we'd have to really think hard.
"Well this is just great." I muttered sarcastically.
"Well you followed the wrong crowd, darling." Nadine told me.
"I could say the same to you about Rafe, but I don't think I'll bother wasting my breath about that." I retorted.
Sam gave me a glare that clearly told me to shut up before I got hurt, but Nadine only seemed amused so I wasn't too worried.
"King's Bay..." She noticed the projected map.
The cross! We just have to create a diversion before Rafe gets here.
"Yeah...but uh...where in King's Bay?" I spoke up again.
I glance towards Sam in a discreet and nonchalant way, and somehow upon looking at him, it seems as though our minds are in sync when he plays along.
"You'll need that cross over there to figure it out, but you're gonna need someone to tell you how to use it." Sam smiles teasingly.
"Let me guess...you three?" Nadine gives us a blank stare.
"Well, you wanna leave it to Rafe, you're gonna be waiting a long time." Nate joked.
Holy shit, we are just on point right now! I fucking love Sam and Nathan sometimes.
"Sorry, I'm not here to negotiate. Bring me the crucifix." She ordered her men.
Not really a crucifix but okay...whatever floats your boat.
One of her men moved forward to grab the cross as Nathan explains that this isn't technically a crucifix. During this time, I glanced at Sam from the corner of my eye. I give him a wink that clearly conveyed that I was ready to go as soon as the mercenary grabbed the golden cross and set off a trap. Sam returned the wink before Nadine glanced at us again. She grew suspicious from our all too calm reactions, considering that we were being held at gun point. So, it wasn't long before she figured out that we were deceiving her this entire time.
"Don't touch it!" She yelled.
Everyone ran for their lives as the floor began falling apart around us, and it didn't take much time at all before there was a shootout between what remained of Nadine's men and us.
Let's get this shit on the road then.
It honestly didn't take long for us to get separated, but immediately I'm on high alert and feeling extremely anxious as I'm by myself. Around me, all I can hear is the sound of multiple gunfire and shouting as well as screaming. The chaos is screeching and very fear inducing, but I know this is the worst time to start having a panic attack. So I start running as fast as I can as I search for an exit.
In the distance, I see Nathan and Sam running and shooting their way out. I silently curse to myself when I realize that I'm the only one without a weapon. Then, I'm nearly scared to death as a mercenary runs straight at me in full speed. I quickly duck as he fires his weapon, and then barrel towards him. Using all of my weight, I knock him off of his feet and grab the first thing off of the ground and whack the Shoreline soldier across the head to knock him unconscious.
Then, I take his weapon and shakily search him for his ammo before I take off running. Running out of the Cathedral, I refuse to look behind me and just sprint as fast as I can. I'm not sure where Nathan and Sam are, but I pray that I'll bump into them shortly. Or at the very least, we find our way to Sullivan's plane and make it out of there alive.
FLASH!
"Tara...she's beautiful."
Nathan smiled warmly at me before staring down at my newborn with a tearful gaze.
"Sam would be so proud of you." Nathan assured me.
At the mention of Sam, I grow tense, but remembering something Sam had always used to tell me, I "laugh it off" instead.
"Nah, he'd be crying because I'd have broken his hand from squeezing too hard." I joked.
Nathan let out small laugh from my joke as he pulled up a chair next to the hospital bed. I brushed my bangs from my face, feeling nothing but fatigue and exhaustion as I glanced down at the sleeping baby in my arms.
"It took her long enough to get here that's for sure." I sighed.
"It was worth it though." Nate smiled.
My smile falters as I stare over at the door from my bed, and sigh sadly.
"You know...I keep thinking Sam will come back. Just waltz through the door and act like nothing happened." I blink away tears.
"I'm sorry..." Nathan mumbled.
"Nathan...I don't want you to ever be sorry about Sam. It wasn't your fault. I just miss him is all..." I shake my head.
As the two of us fall into an uncomfortable silence, it takes another minute or so before Nathan spoke again.
"I promise..." Nathan started.
I glance at Nathan in surprise as well as confusion, but I ask him what he meant regardless.
"Promise what?"
"That I'll always be here for you and this baby." Nathan cracked a smile.
At this, I can't help but shed a tear at his heartwarming promise. Then, I give him a grin as I sit up more straight in my bed.
"You wanna hold your niece or what?" I asked.
Nathan perked up, looking at my child nervously as he leaned back in his chair.
"Do not give her that face!" I laughed. "Nathaniel Morgan Drake, you've been shot at countless times, you've seen crazy shit come back from the dead from cursed treasure, and you're afraid to hold a damn baby?"
"I uh...No...it's just...she looks so...fragile." Nate stammered.
"That she is. You just have to hold her carefully and you'll be okay. Come on..." I urged him.
"Alright fine." Nate gave in.
Nathan stood up from his seat as I carefully maneuvered the baby into his arms, making sure that he was holding her correctly before relaxing back into the bed.
"Wow." Nathan gasped.
"I know...isn't she something?" I smiled.
"She's so small..." Nathan noted.
"Newborn babies tend to be small." I teased him.
As if by Clockwork, Sullivan comes in not even a minute later with a teddy bear and pink balloon. When Sullivan realizes that Nathan is holding the baby, he can't help but smile at the image of Nathan Drake holding his niece for the first time.
"Well well. Isn't this a lovely sight." Sully commented.
The baby sniffled as she slowly opened her eyes to stare at the man holding her. Nathan looked surprised as the baby stared right at him before cracking a smile.
"So you like Uncle Nathan huh? You're not so bad yourself, kid." Nathan grinned excitedly.
"I think she just pooped." Sully chuckled.
Nathan's smile faded as the horrid smell hit his nose instantly, making his face scrunch up from disgust.
"Here you go. You can have her back."
I laughed hysterically, finding Nathan's discomfort hilarious.
FLASH!
I stumbled into the snow, breathing heavily as I tried to catch my breath for about the fifth time this hour. I groaned as I moved to lean against a stone nearby, my vision growing fuzzy. I could hear a faint buzz, but then realized it was the walkie-talkie in my jacket pocket.
"Tara! What the hell is going on over there? I can hear the fireworks from here!" Sully yelled worriedly.
My hands tremble as I move to press the button, taking another deep breath as I tried to form words and respond to Sullivan.
"Sully...get the plane ready to go. Nate and Sam should be there soon. We have to take off as soon as we make it to the plane." I groggily reply.
"You aren't with them?" Sully muttered.
"We got separated. I'm struggling to stay conscious right now." I muttered tiredly. "I'll be there as fast as I can okay? Let me know if Sam and Nathan make it over to you first okay?"
"Darlin', you better make it back okay. Don't fall asleep alright? Just hold on."
I dropped the walkie-talkie with shaking hands, noticing that my hand was covered in blood.
"Fuck me." I grumbled. "When the hell did I get shot?"
I groaned in pain as I stood up on wobbling legs, struggling to stand straight. Finally remembering my satchel, I recall having an adrenaline shot tucked safely away. I reach to grab it before an explosion shakes the area, and I drop it into the snow. I whimper as I hold my side, knowing there's literally no time to waste looking for it and attempt to keep going on. I had no idea where I was, and I could tell that the blood loss was not helping matters as I grow more tired and drained of energy.
"Tara! You still there sweetheart?!" Sully yelled.
I could hear gunfire in the background and grew fearful almost instantaneously for my life.
"HOLY SHIT! Nathan! I found her!"
I nearly cry in relief as I fall to my knees, seeing a familiar figure in the distance. Before I know it, Sam is right in front of me, his eyes widened in panic when he sees the blood trail in the snow behind me, until he sees me pressing down on my wound with one hand.
"Fucking damn it! Nathan, she's been shot!" Sam shouts worriedly.
Nathan sees me clutching at the walkie talkie weakly, and he quickly snatches it from my hands.
"It's gonna be okay, baby. We're gonna get you outta here." Sam breathes out.
"Sullivan! Can you hear me?!"
"Holy god damn shit, Nate! Where's Tara?! She sounded terrible!" Sullivan cries out.
"We finally found her! We're on our way to the plane! You make sure it's started! We're gonna need a quick getaway!" Nathan told him.
"You better get her here, ASAP. She doesn't sound good, Nate! I've got a kit ready for you and the plane's ready to go! Now haul ass, kid!"
"Sam! As soon as we get to the water, you make sure you hold her head above! She's barely conscious, are you sure you can carry her?"
Sam hands his gun over to Nathan, before moving down to pick me up.
"Tara, can you wrap your legs around my waist, sweetheart? Remember, don't let go." Sam gently asked.
I wrap my arms around his neck before locking my legs around his waist as tightly as I can. Sam takes his gun back from Nathan and cocks it as he holds me with one arm.
"Let's get the fuck outta here." Sam growled.
"You don't have to tell me twice." Nathan replied.
Hey guys! I'm sorry it took me so long to update this story, but let me tell you...I have had a lot of shit going on and I'm not doing so great right now. Aside from my fall semester being tiring, a lot of personal stuff is happening, and it's not good. I'll try to update as soon as I can. Just please be patient okay guys?
Love yah,
bellas2silly