Authors notes: love yall!
Gold Fields
Fractured Code
Chapter 19
Explain
Inky slowly opened her eyes. She felt she was moving. Her head was on Zareths shoulder. An oxygen mask fitted over her face. The can having been ripped from Cryptors frame, was slung over his shoulder using what looked like Cryptors boot laces. Dannys suitcase was in his other hand. The sun was visible through the trees. She wasn't totally sure if it were rising or setting for a little while. After a little while of walking she felt herself being laid down. She felt Zareths put the suitcase down next to her and the oxygen. Zareth left for a few seconds, but came back putting some wood down on the ground. It must have been night time. He dug a small hole and put the sticks into it and lit them. He sighed, it was going to be really cold that night since they didn't have any blankets.
Zareth looked up hearing Inky cough. He walked over to her taking a handkerchief from his pocket and ran it over her face trying to clean the soot off. He saw her eyes and smiled.
"Hey there babe...you okay now? " He asked rubbing her back as she continued to cough. She ended up throwing up the soot. There was a lot of it. She turned back up and looked up at Zareth. A tear slid down her face. She wasn't totally sure what was going on. All she knew was that her Uncle ran out of the building after telling her it was her fault. He was right, it really was her fault.
Zareth watched her body language, she was concerned, hurt, scared...he bent down picking her up holding her to him. He felt her do what any troubled child did. Cling to there parent. He could feel her shaking in his arms. He pulled his legs up and put his arms around her tightly.
"Aww babe. I'm so sorry, I don't know whats wrong with me. Something in my head with my previous incarnations. She took me over. I have no control over it." He offered. Inky pulled back looking into his eyes.
"You three are all I have left. I...can't take anymore." She tapped her head. "I'm losing everyone." Inkys face for a second looked so monotone like she couldn't figure out which emotion she wanted to feature. But then she just started to cry. It was odd to see her cry at all like this. Actually she kept these feelings at bay choosing to be the ever strong tomboy that everyone expected. Zareths heart broke. He closed his eyes kissing her cheek.
"Come on babe...I ain't going anywhere. Me, your Pop, and Uncle Icebox ain't going anywhere."
"Uncle Icebox? Aren't you half that?" Inky asked letting go of Zareth a bit so she could look at him in the eyes.
"Nah babe. I'm your Uncle Cooler…" Inky snorted and laughed. "Daww theirs mah girl." He kissed her forehead and slumped down a little bit. "Lets get some sleep. Got a long trek ahead of us in the morning."
'Smooth Zareth...like sandpaper.' Zane chuckled.
'Good night Splat.' Dareth whispered
Upon waking up the next morning Inky found herself to be in the company of both Zane and Dareth. She wasn't sure when in the night the seperated. All she knew was that Dareth had her tucked under him acting as if he were a blanket while Zane slept a little ways away. He slowly opened his eyes and smiled at her.
"Good morning Nina." The only person able to call her by her proper name and not get slugged in the jaw.
"Hi." Inkys little replay said. She didn't look like she was in pain. Dareths weight was almost completely on top of her. Zane could see that her tiny hand was holding the Gi as if he were a huge teddy. She must have felt very secure there. There was a soft click from the Oxygen tank. She looked up at Zane who reached over and lightly pulled the mask from her face.
"There isn't anymore. Lets hope your alright to breath normal Oxygen again." Zane pushed the tank to the side and heard a loud rumble from the ground. Inky smiled when her stomach growled.
"I'm afraid we don't have anything to eat. We left in a hurry you'll just have to hold out for a little longer."
"I'm fine Uncle Zane." Inky said her eyes getting heavy again. But before she could fall asleep her dad slowly sat up and rubbed his eyes. When he stopped rubbing his eyes for a second he realized Inky was still latched onto his Gi. She just kind of hung here.
"Monkey." He chuckled. Inky just laughed and sat down on the ground.
"We need to find a spring for you to wash that soot from your body." Zane said Inky just yawned and followed Zane through the woods.