I'm back! I didn't know quite how to this chapter would go, but I figured that this would work; so, tell me what you guys think. Have fun.

WARNING: "bad words" and violence up ahead.

Chapter 8

Look! There it is…home. The cumbersome weight I've been carrying on my shoulders lifts just a little and I smile. It was good to be back. Now…where was Adva? I walk slowly around the house and check for signs of intruders. My heart freezes in my chest when I notice a large boot print in the mud not too far away from where I stand. Instantly, I crouch down and look around. The print was fresh. Whoever had left it was still here.

Somewhere.

"Don't bother running," a bored voice informs me and my blood boils. The Warden had found me. "I will catch you. Please," I can hear the arrogant smirk in his voice and my hand slowly curls around a large fallen branch. I'll smash the smirk right off the bastard's face! "Come out. Let's talk like civilized people."

I don't move. I listen as his boots crunch on sticks. Slowly, he circles around me, getting closer and closer on each pass.

"Come out, come out where you are…" He growls.

And then I see my opportunity. The distant scream of a train distracts him, making him turn his back to me. My branch smashes, hard, into the back of his head, making him stumble forward…but he refuses to fall. In a flash, he's turning around and glaring at me, putting all his hatred into a single look.

"Was that truly necessary?" He snarls and I watch as his hand goes back to touch the wound. It comes away absent of blood. Damn it!

"It would appear so, yes." I say calmly and then my feet are flying over the ground, carrying me away.

He was fast, but this time, I was faster. I leap over fallen logs and jump between trees. My feet dance over stones as I rush over a roaring river and then into the city. People gasp as we rush by: a blur of blue followed by a tidal wave of black. His angry roar fills my ears and I dare not slow down. My head screams at me to run, and run, and run. For once, I listen. I ignore the whine in my heart telling me that I'm getting farther and farther away from my target with every step that I take…but I'd rather risk his wrath and have him secure her death. The farther he was away from my family…the better.

Even if I had to die.

"You think you can escape?" He yells and his fingertips graze the back of my shoulder.

Oh my God! I try to run faster, but my legs are rapidly weakening as my adrenaline quickly wears off. His body collides with mine, throwing me to the ground. I roll away from him but his hand snatches a firm hold around my ankle.

"Stop," He growls and with my free leg I move to kick him in the face; he dodges the blow easily. "Did you really think that you could escape me, of all people?"

I glare at him: "Go play in traffic."

He smirks. "It seems you and I have something in common." He releases my leg and hops lightly to his feet. I follow suite.

"Really, now?" I say sarcastically and his eyes narrow: he had not been expecting this kind of reaction. "And what is it we share, hm? The English language? The same planetary region? Hm? Those hardly make us similar."

He chuckles but the sound seems hollow coming from him. "No, I was referring to our mutual dislike of Star Fleet." He pauses and looks at me meaningfully. If I had a rock, I'd crush his skull in. "We also have family members in the hands of some very…cruel individuals. Admiral Marcus to be exact."

What? Adva is with who? How did that happen? That's impossible! She had been fine! She and my daughter had both been fine! What changed?

His blue eyes cut into me and I spring forward to punch him in the face. This was all his fault! If he hadn't freaking kidnapped me, Adva would be fine! None of this would have happened if he would have left me alone!

His hands grab my wrist and he pins me easily against a tree, bringing his body in close so I can't knee him in the groin. It doesn't stop me from trying.

"So, what do you say? Do you want to work with me to get your sister back?" A predatory grin slowly grows on his face and his grip on my wrists is starting to get painful.

"I'd rather die!" I snap. He frees one of his hands and traps both my wrists easily in one of his. His pale white hand reaches down and ghosts lightly by my throat.

"That," He breathes, "Can be easily arranged."

…

And here we are, walking side by side through the forest of freaking mystery. He smiles triumphantly every now and then but doesn't risk looking at me as if he knows that if he does, I'll beat him senseless. For now, a silence stretches between us and I make no move to fill it.

You wants to help me save Adva, fine. We'll work together? Okay. No problem.

Try to hurt her, and I'll end you. Simple as that. I'll try to help you with your people and I'm gone—smoke in the wind.

And this time, I'll make sure you never find me.