For the last three and a half hours we sat on the bench, silently watching the scenery that we passed.
Too lost in our own troubled thoughts to willingly disturb the peaceful silence that had settled around us, as we slowly floated down the river. Creeping closer and closer to our long awaited destination.
As my eyes finally focused on the sight before us, I allowed my mind to think about those years that I lived here, happily. All the laughs I shared with my parents and all the tribe members. All the happy memories we had created in our time here. I wish that they could be here to help me on this journey. They always knew what to say and do in times like these. I really needed them for guidance and support.
Sadly, I knew that I would have to figure this all out on my own.
Starting with us arriving at the correct site.
I could see the traps laid out by just a glance.
Each individually designed to immobilize any type of attacker. While it doesn't kill them, it could injure or hurt them a little.
No more words were exchanged between before I stood up and went to grab my backpack.
Waiting for Edward as he tied the boat and disappeared for a moment before reappearing with his backpack slung on his uninjured shoulder.
"Are you ready to go?" I asked him, quietly.
He looked over at me, before turning to pick up his backpack. "Yeah, let's go." He replied, unenthusiastically.
We walked through the hot wilderness for what seemed like hours.
But the more we walked the more connected I felt to this place.
I slowly but surely began to remember the recognizable landmarks and places that belonged to the tribe.
Then a moment later we reached the edge of the Archugan tribal land.
I reached into my pocket to pull out the familiar medallion, and bring it up to the light, realizing that it matches the symbol engraved on the wood.
Edward follows me, silently, checking every so often our surroundings, and as we make our way through the wilderness.
It was just a bit before sunset as we finally walked into the boundaries of the Archugan village.
Many of the trial members slowly began walking towards us as I reached up to fasten the medallion around my neck with shaky fingers.
Many of them gasped, until a familiar face appeared amongst the crowd.
The tall, thin woman, with long ebony hair, carrying a small child on her hip, walked towards us, a flicker of recognition on her face.
"Little Bee?"
"Tayen?" I asked in surprise.
"It is you. I cannot believe you're actually here." She smiled as she nodded, setting down the child as she walked over to me.
"Little Bee?" I heard another voice ask as Tauri walked out of one of the huts with his father, Wiyot.
Tears sprang to my eyes as a smile lit up his face as he opened his arms to me.
I rushed towards him without hesitation, raveling in the feeling of familiarity and comfort as he held me.
He quietly asked me who the man I was with, and I quickly responded in their language who he was, causing everyone around us to gawk in disbelief.
"What happened to your aunts and uncles? The ones who your parents told me about?" He asked me.
I frowned, "I only have one aunt and uncle. My aunt passed away from complications of leukemia, and my uncle is … my uncle is out there somewhere." I told him, in an unaffected tone.
Wiyot nodded as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders, and led me into the hut.
Sakari, Wiyoti's wife, awaited us inside with a freshly made coffee. I had no idea how they made it out here but it was always the best.
It brought back the good memories of my childhood, and my parents. Before everything changed.
We spoke for a while before Wiyot asked to have a word with Edward alone.
"Don't worry, Sweet Bee, he is only just trying to get to know your husband. Worry not, it'll be alright. So as the Earth, Wind, Moon, and Sun say." She informed me as she reached over to squeeze my hand.
We spent a lot of time catching up, before both men walked in with a solemn expression.
Edward made his way over to me, and sat down next to me. I could feel their stares bore into the side of my face as I turned to stare at each other wordlessly.
"What is it?" I asked as he looked at me with a tired sigh.
"Your friend, he wants to have some sort of ceremony." He mumbled.
I looked over at Wiyoti, who nodded solemnly.
"You two recently got married recently, yes?" He asked me.
I nodded in response, frowning. "We did. Why do you ask?"
"He tells me it was a court wedding. I would like you two to have a ceremony here, to get the blessings of Nature and the elements." He replied.
I frowned, and turned to look at Edward who shrugged in response.
I sighed and nodded before standing up.
"Great. It can be done tonight." He informed us.
The blessing ceremony consisted of the women of the tribe placing a flower crown on top of my head, and the shawl before leading out. Since I was technically considered a member of the tribe, this was something that needed to be done before anything else could proceed.
Edward was already wearing the male version of the tribal attire I was wearing, sans the flowers on his head.
I gave him a timid smile as I slowly approached where he stood, and slowly extended his hand before we turned to Wiyoti.
The ceremony was performed just as the sun was beginning to set.
When it was over the tribe members cheered and the celebration began.
That night as we were led to a small hut so we could stay the night, Edward held onto my wrist, squeezing it slightly before giving me a look.
As soon as we were left alone, he turned to be with a look of relief.
"I spoke to the chief of the tribe. They got Seth and Logan to safety. They, along with their families, are in a safe house. They're safe now. Thanks to you." He told me.
The relief in his tone was palpable, and made me feel glad that they were able to get to safety.
I smiled and pulled him into a hug, "That's great. Does this mean that everything is settled?" I asked, as I pulled back to look at him.
He shook his head, "No. Far from it actually… I've been informed that someone else was here a few weeks ago, asking questions." He informed me.
I frowned, "Who?" I asked.
"Neil Harris…he's supposed to be the head of the tactic force." He mumbled as he paced. "When Aro left on his 'vacation'... Neil took over his place, temporarily. But… he's gunning for everything. He wants to take everything down…." He told me.
I nodded, "Okay. So what does that mean?" I asked him.
"It means that we're getting closer to finding out who the mole in the bureau is… it's why we've been followed and shot at." He told me.
"So, what do we do?" I asked him.
He sighed, "I'm going to have to call Gideon." He finally told me.
I nodded, "Go ahead, I'll tell Wiyoti, then we can proceed to the next part of the plan." I told him.
He nodded as he pulled out a thick, rigged phone and began to dial.
Following the call, Edward made his way back into the hut to speak to Wiyoti quietly before we were escorted to the meeting spot.
Gideon was already waiting for us in a military grade helicopter.
Edward and I rushed forward without hesitation. Wordlessly waving and signing to the tribal members thank you.
He helped me onto the aircraft before he climbed on, and strapped me in, then proceeded to strap himself in.
Nine Hours Later:
When I woke up, we were already on the road. Again.
Edward had told me he got rid of the bags, or stash them somewhere safe. In order to not look so suspicious as we traveled.
We stopped at the nearest clothing store, and bought a few articles of clothing, and a change of shoes, before driving another hour into Albuquerque.
We stopped at a Mexican food place, where we both changed into a fresh set of clothes, throwing the ones we were wearing in the trash, before ordering some food, and eating.
I ordered some red enchiladas while he got green ones.
We ate in silence, finished and then drove a few more minutes to a house that was located just off the bend of the road.
"Where are we?" I asked, quietly, as he put the car in the park.
"Gideon's safe house. One of them at least. We'll be staying here for — for a short while. Just until I figure out what to do next." He told me as he turned off the car.
"Does that mean we won't be staying here long?" I asked, carefully.
He gave me a sad smile before shaking his head. "No. We need to keep moving, just in case we have a tail. We're going to rest for a few hours. Then we're going to keep moving. We have to." He told me as he grabbed the bags and led me towards the house.
The small porch was filled with leafy plants, and desert flowers. On the far right side was a porch swing that slowly rocked back and forth in the breeze.
He wordlessly reached toward the plant that hung from the roof, struggling to find the key for a few seconds before quickly shoving it into the keyhole, and twisting.
He input the code for the keypad to grant us access into the house. Quickly moving to disable the alarm before motioning for me to follow him.
I shut the front door, slowly setting the bag of toiletries down on the armchair before following him down the hall, towards the back of the house, where the rooms seemed to be located.
"This is the master bedroom. Bathroom is through the door on your left. You can shower if you want to. Then you can get some rest here while I keep watch." He informed me.
I nodded, "That sounds like a great idea." I sighed as I sat down on the edge of the bed.
He gave me a fond smile, before heading back to the front of the house.
I realized I didn't bring the bag of clothes, so I quickly made my way to the front to get them.
As I walked into the room I noticed that Edward was standing by the window, before he turned to go into the kitchen.
I frowned, but remained quiet, staring at the bag before heading to the bathroom to shower.
I couldn't sleep, or rest, even after the hot shower. I had a weird feeling in my gut that something bad was going to happen.
My gut proved to be correct when Edward suddenly came in and told me to put on my shoes.
"What's going on?" I asked, as I rushed to tie my shoes.
"I know who the mole is…. We need to get out of here because he's on his way here." He told me.
I gasped as he pulled me to my feet, I bent down to grab my bag but he shook his head.
"No. Leave everything here. We'll buy what we need once we get to the next location, and fast." He told me as he practically rushed out the door with me.
He led me to the car, and opened the door. I slid in, and watched as he looked around us suspiciously.
"How are we going to travel? My passport, and any form of identification was in the other bag. We won't be able to fly anywhere." I replied, stiffly.
"I've got that covered." He told me before he closed the door, and walked around the front of the car.
Without another word he shifted the gear shift to reverse and he turned the car before taking off in the other direction like a bat out of hell.