I just would want a shout out to all that reviewed to this story and I am so grateful that you liked this story!
So, better not keep you waiting huh?
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but Kiara and the plot!
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
I bent over and placed the sticks of firewood on the pile. Looking over to the group, I smiled.
They were happy, which was too odd in the gloomy underworld atmosphere. Kara was laughing, slapping Aaron playfully while he laughed and Gavin was rolling on the floor, clutching his sides. The only gloomy kid there was Nico, who refused to sit in the same log as the rest.
Sighing, I stood up and walked closer.
" Kiara! Aaron told the most awesome joke ever!", she giggled. I looked at Aaron suspiciously. From my experience from cabin 11, Aaron never had the roll on the floor humor the others had.
Aaron looked at me hurt. Maybe my face gave something away. " I have my moments!", he said, voice breaking into a laugh and I shrugged and sat next to him, looking at Nico.
He was looking at something at the distance, his face expressionless. I kind of feel sorry for him, being an outcast even in our little circle of friends.
" Nico.", I said soothingly. His head jerked up, and his eyes pained.
" Nico, are you all right?", I asked. The laughter died down instantly as all eyes are on us. I could feel the tension now, and it was uncomfortable.
" Nothing.. it's just….", he looked at the rest, except me. " Listen, could we have it more private?"
Kara didn't need any more explanation. She stood up instantly and said, " Guys, I saw something at the woods, could we go and look at it?"
" I'm too tired.", Gavin complained and earned himself a slap at the back of the head. Aaron looked at the two of us.
" Nico, watch it.", he warned and Nico rolled his eyes. He stood up and helped Kara drag Gavin to the woods.
" Okay, done. Now what?" I asked.
" Kiara, you don't have to do this.", he said and the little boy in his face appeared.
" Do what Nico? The quest? I'm not having this argument with you again.", I stood up, preparing to leave.
" Kiara! Cant you see this quest is a dead end?", he yelled, standing up too.
" Dead end or not, I'm not leaving.", I said stubbornly. Nico was really overprotective and it bugged me…a lot.
" What if I told you have no choice but to end this in a disastrous event. One of us will die!", that got me thinking for a while. How could I let my newfound friends to die that way? I looked around, desperately, as if any possible comebacks were written on the endless void. And then I saw fireflies blink in and out of view.
" Yeah. Then the more reason to let the others stay back.", I muttered, not even thinking if it was still connected to the subject. A twig snapped and I looked around again and saw the fireflies come closer.
" I'm not leaving you.", Nico whispered but his voice rang with certainty. The fireflies were not far from us. But then I remembered. There wasn't supposed to be fireflies here. In the underworld. The land of nothing but the dead.
My head jerked up and there stood two glowing lights, separated as if it were eyes. And it were eyes. Eyes of a small cat. But even cats don't live here.
I crouched down, to pet it, and it purred, clearly not threatened by my presence. " What are you doing here alone little guy?", I asked.
" I don't like this Kiara. There are no animals here, much more a cat. I sense trouble.", Nico transferred his weight from one foot to another and looked around incase of an attack.
" And you sense me dying by this cat's very claw.", I snapped. Nico looked hurt. And then I realized what I just said.
" I'm sorry Nico. I didn't mean it.", I apologized but it wasn't any use. Nico looked at the distance once more.
" Just don't talk to me Kiara. It makes it hurt more.", he said, voice cold.
" Nico-" I started but Nico glared at me, like I was someone who wants to hurt him. And it hurted a lot. It was like a sword that pierced my heart. Like I wanted to die on the spot and that was all because of my little snap.
I chocked on a sob and turned around, heading to nowhere in particular, and walked to the woods. And that was when I head myself yell out into the open air. Screaming to no one because I had just ruin my friendship with Nico. I heard pursuit but I didn't care to turn around. Just wanted to get out of here.
Few hours have passed and I felt angry tears flow from my eyes.
Few more and I felt weak with energy loss and the ground underneath me come near and I fell on the ground. I was sobbing, like there was no more tomorrow for me.
And there wasn't. It was either a monster found me alone, tired and helpless and give me a painless death or for someone to find me and I shall suffer more.
On second thought, I'll take the latter part. Don't get me wrong, I was in pain but being eaten by a monster was not my preferred death.
And so I lay, hopelessly on the rocky ground, deep in the forest, and in the underworld.
"Why are you crying?", asked a soft voice from behind. I looked up with a tearstained face and noticed two silvery eyes look at my own. It belonged to a little girl, about 7, with brownish hair and pale skin. She looked awfully familiar and innocent.
" Are you lost?", she asked with a toothy grin. I sat up from my lying position and crossed my legs. Giving her a sad smile, I nodded.
" Yeah. You too?"
She shook her head, making her curls bounce. " No. Just visiting the woods.", she leaned closer, " This was supposed to be hunted but I wanna see the ghosties.", she smiled.
I gave a small laugh. Looking at where am I, I noticed something shinning between the trees.
" You wanna come with me to my house?", she asked. I looked back to the direction of my friends. I have to get back to them. But then again, Nico is also there.
" Sure.", I smiled and stood up. She held my hand, and led me through the forest, leading to a clearing and I felt my mouth open. In front of me, there was a huge tower. It could compete to the greatest towers in the world and beat them hands down. This one was grand.
We started to trudge to the gate and the girl seem to be enjoying herself for she smiled a lot.
But a small part of my mind wondered why almost all the time I was alone, a random kid comes and get me. I wonder if this was just a trick of the fates or a plain coincidence.
And a small black cat appeared. I didn't take it as an omen…but it was.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Sorry this was late and short! I played with my friends yesterday and I got injured on my left hand, which was my good hand. But I promise to update within the weekend.
Aw, Kiara got lost again. Tell me if it sucks kay? This is a plot twist.
And the next chapter will be in Nico's POV. If you don't like to have it in Nico's POV, then just pm me or leave a review okay?
So please, REVIEW and I promise a faster update!