"You gotta stay still. You're gonna get us caught," Blake hissed.
Scarlet shook her head against his chest.
"Don't you want to see Red? You have be still!"
She sniffed a few times and looked up at him.
"Why does it matter?" she whispered, "You don't want me to see him anyways."
Blake didn't say anything.
She's right but I can't let him down. He seemed rather... chill about me finding her but still. I wonder what else has happened? Yuri hadn't said anything alarming lately.
"I hate you."
Blake was stunned as he arched an eyebrow at her.
"The feeling is mutual."
"Just leave me here and go."
"I won't do that."
Scarlet grabbed his shirt, "He can control Grimm. Not just one or two. Hordes of them. He will bring them to Vale if he can't find me."
Blake pulled her hand from his shirt, "Why does he want you so bad?"
"Because. He has plans to break into Atlas military base."
"How the fuck would you do that?"
Scarlet looked down at the chains on her arm.
"I've been practicing my semblance. I can melt giant rocks and small houses. He wants to use me to melt down the fence."
He blinked stupidly.
"He has big plans and you are getting in his way."
Blake had nothing to say. If Scarlet went along with this, she would die or end up in prison if she doesn't escape. What could he do? Save Vale and have Red mad at him or risk the safety of everyone to deliver the woman to his friend.
Fuck this. We won't win no matter what we choose.
"Just let me go."
Blake wrapped his arms around her, plastering her face against his chest. She could hear his heart beating rapidly.
"Even if I wanted too... That would require me hurting people who are close to me."
Tears fell down her face.
"Blake please or I'm going to have to fight you up here."
"Then fight me."
Her eyes widened.
"Do you love Red and Akairo?" he asked softly.
She closed her eyes and nodded.
"I miss them but I miss Ash more. I miss him so much. He has to be so big now."
"He's eight."
She nodded.
"Do you really want to go?" Blake whispered.
"I don't but if it keeps Ash safe then I'm ok with it."
He sighed, "I guess you aren't as selfish or dumb as I thought you were. I guess we have to make this look convincing. I hate lying but I will have to lie to Red. I can't let him know I just let you go."
Blake hung onto her as he stood up. Scarlet hung on tight as he crouched getting ready to jump. She squeaked loudly as he jumped out of the trees. She closed her eyes tight, trusting him to make it down with her safely.
"Alright, let's get going," Blake said loudly.
He jerked her forward and she fell onto the ground, cutting her knee on a rock.
"Ugh! Can you wait a minute!"
"So..."
Scarlet turned around to see Blanche standing there. It was hard to see with it being so dark.
"Why is she dressed like that?" he snapped looking angry.
"I don't trust her that's why. She can't hide too many things in something like that."
The pale man looked furious but Blake gave him a cocky grin. He wanted to piss him off.
"If you want her, come get her."
Blanche pulled out a gun and fired at Blake but he missed. Ice went flying in every direction. He had created an icy clone of himself.
"Fool!" Blanche screamed.
Scarlet looked around wildly but it looked like Blake had gone. It looked very convincing.
"Scarlet?"
She looked up to see red eyes looking at her. For a second Akairo flashed through her mind.
"Are you ok?" he asked kneeling down beside of her.
She nodded.
"I'm surprised you didn't melt those off and escape. How did he hold you for days?"
"He's quite strong and he's sneaky. I wouldn't risk it."
X
X
"Oh."
"It was a few hours ago already... I had to make sure I escaped as fast as possible. He was tailing me the whole time almost without realizing it."
"How will we know where they went?"
"She mentioned he liked traveling by train. He won't be able to soon. We still need to meet up and talk."
"Oh."
"She did tell me something very disturbing. It may be a lot more trouble than we bargained for."
"Should we be more careful?"
"I don't know to be honest. Once we meet up... I can tell you more. I don't want to say right now. Just in case the scrolls have been tapped."
Red fell silent. He looked up at Akairo who had her feet in the stream they had decided to pass by.
"Should we meet back home?" Red asked lowering his voice.
"No. Keep going where we said in the first place. We gotta make sure we keep clear of other people. We don't know who is working with him."
"Alright."
"Let's meet at Blackwater."
"Oh..."
"It's safe there for you I promise."
Blackwater was a city that was hidden from most modest and rule abiding citizens that was mostly Faunus. Red was rather famous for being as young as he was and going there wouldn't be the smartest idea. If Blake felt like that was the best place to go then he would go. He was glad Akairo was with him now.
"Alright."
"See you then. Stay safe Red."
"You too Blake."
Red hung up and looked at Akairo. She looked peaceful but he hoped she felt that way on the inside too. He had no idea how she was hanging on so well.
"We have to go to Blackwater."
Akairo stopped splashing the water her feet and looked over at him. She had the strangest look on her face.
"Is... is everything ok?"
"Why are we going there?" she asked softly.
"Um... Blanche caught up with them and Blake had no choice but to let Scarlet go."
Akairo nodded and began kicking in the water again.
"You ok?"
She nodded.
"It's a few days from here... To Blackwater. Did you want to start walking?"
Akairo shook her head and continued kicking the water. She was doing her best to stay calm.
X
X
A few days had passed since Ash found the pictures of his mother and Neo. He managed to sneak out while his grandmother, Terra took a nap. It was about six in the evening and she did it everyday at the same time. He put on his mother's hat and wore his black shirt with a Nevermore on the front.
I better wear a jacket just in case. Grandma always complains it's too cold in Vale this time of year.
Ash already had a backpack full of things. He was ready to take the moment came. He had hid the bag in his closet. He pulled out the one picture of them together that didn't have to do with kissing and showing intimate affection. He could ask a few people where Neo was at.
I hope this works... I hope I can find him.
Ash bought some stuff to eat and he wandered around. He had used his dad's computer to get a general idea where Neo might be. He walked around drinking his grape and watermelon slush watching the people that passed by. Neo would be the most noticeable because of his hair color.
The further he went, the darker the alleyways got. That's when he found Neo. He was at an older apartment complex that sat close to the road out of Vale. Ash took a deep breath as he watched as the man climbed the steps to the second floor. Neo's apartment faced the street.
Alright... Here goes nothing!
Ash broke out into a run across the street. He climbed the stairs quickly and stood in front of the tall man's door. Ash took a deep breath and knocked on the door loudly. His little heart was pounding in his chest when he heard the footsteps coming closer to the door. The door opened up.
"Can I help you little boy?" Neo asked.
Ash looked upward into the man's eyes.
"Yea. I need help finding my mom."
"Oh. Maybe I can help. Do you have a picture?" Neo asked with a smile.
Ash nodded and pulled out the picture. Neo opened it up and his jaw dropped.
"Her name is Scarlet Torchwick."