Between Two Worlds

Chapter Six

“You three. We have something to discuss.”

Cade nervously took a step back, but I twitched a paw to alert Thorn to guard the back door. He prowled behind the fidgety boy, and Cade gulped as the massive wolf bared his fangs.

Brayden and Nick had stayed where they were. Nick remained calm, and he simply sat down. Brayden, however, had folded his arms sassily and glared down at me. He made no remarks, but I could tell he was angry by his body language.

“Since you know that we actually exist and you've gone through a lot since three hours ago, we require that you stay with us for the rest of our time on earth so we can keep an eye on you.”

Silence.

“What?”

“Are you out of your mind?”

“Surely you can rethink this?”

I sighed. I knew this wouldn't be easy for the three, but I had no other option. I never really expected to be spotted or have our journey interrupted by three boys. I didn’t expect having to babysit them, either.

“You can’t do this to us! We have a life,” Brayden spat. “There’s no way I’m coming with you.”

“You don’t really have an option,” Thorn growled. “By coming outside to investigate what hit the window in the first place, and having Cade punch our friend, at this rate, you’re the three putting our lives at risk.”

Brayden narrowed his eyes. “Don’t worry,” he said, dismissing us with a wave of his hand, “I won’t say a single word about you to anyone.”

I sensed the heavy sarcasm in this voice, and I glanced at Thorn with a worried look. There’s no way of convincing him, I thought uneasily.

Nick shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t mind coming along,” he muttered, “This sounds kinda fun.”

“It sounds kinda dangerous,” Cade yelled, kicking the grass with a hard thrust of his foot. “I don’t wanna go either! This sucks.”

I swayed my tail impatiently.

“Thorn’s right. Y’all don’t have much choice. You’ve risked all four of our lives by simply spotting us. I trust the three of you not to tell anyone, but if someone knows you saw us and questions you, all of our lives could be in danger.”

Cade nodded reluctantly. “Alright,” he agreed nervously, “I’ll come. However, I’m not gonna be bossed around like a kid.”

Nick shuffled his feet, and Thorn and I had to wait a while before his final answer.

“Yeah! I’d love to come. I’ll, uh, be right back. There’s something I need to get before we leave.”

As Nick darted into the house, Thorn and I were left with Cade and Brayden. Both of them had different opinions about the trip, but I was secretly hoping they can agree on going.

Cade already has. It was Brayden that was the current issue.

“I’m not going,” he muttered slowly. “I’m staying here. I have parents and stuff.”

That was the last straw. “Well, I had to leave my family, too! They’re millions of galaxies away from here, and who knows when I’ll be able to see them again.”

I bristled, and I stalked toward Brayden threateningly. “I don’t trust you. You will come with us.”

The boy narrowed his eyes, and I noticed him clenching his fist. Before he could raise his arm, Thorn shot out from the corner of my vision and landed a direct hit on the back of Brayden’s head.

“Why the hell did you do that?!” Cade shouted.

Thorn shrugged as Nick walked out of the back door, holding what I think is a gun. Thorn’s ears perked up and even I became more alert.

“Whoa, guys chill out, it’s just my dad’s old rifle...an M14. I’m taking it just in case we need it.”

Thorn relaxed, and so did I. A gun is a dangerous weapon, but it’ll prove to be valuable. I didn’t know if the ‘bullets’ would have any effect on Outsiders, but I’m sure it’ll cause some serious damage.

Nick noticed Brayden’s limp body on the earth, and he went silent.

“So..uh..what happened here?”

Thorn rolled his eyes. “You tell him,” he growled as he walked to my side.

“Long story short, we had to knock him out so he wouldn’t cause any more of a problem,” I explained.

“...Oh.”

I stared at Brayden’s limp body. I wasn’t sure how we were going to transport him for the time while he was unconscious. Thorn and I couldn’t just turn into any large avatars; we didn’t want to bring any attention to ourselves.

“Well, Cade can carry him,” volunteered Nick.

“What?! Why me?”

“Because I’m holding the rifle.”

“Ugh. Fine,” Cade muttered, dragging Brayden’s arms. With a grunt, he flung the boy over his shoulders. “This isn’t funny,” Cade said crossly.

“Yeah it is,” Nick chuckled.

As the boys discussed the upcoming journey, Thorn had retreated to the bush where Ryker and Micah were dwelling. I followed him into our little den, and I noticed how significantly better Ryker has become.

Micah acknowledged our presence.

“Hey, guys,” he whispered. “Ryker is asleep. However, there are some issues I must discuss with you.”

Thorn and I exchanged worried glances. This can’t be good, I thought miserably.

Micah picked up a hoof and gingerly touched Ryker’s chest.

“Ryker has suffered permanent injuries to the bones inside of his chest. The small ones, around his rib cage. They’re hollow and fragile, so he’s lightweight when he flies. Cade hit him in the center, and he fractured at least 2 of them. I used the comfrey to mend his bruises, but that’s all I could do for him.”

Thorn closed his eyes and let out a huge sigh. I hung my head. Ryker wasn’t supposed to get injured like this. My father had trusted the peregrine to lead us on this path.

“He’ll live, though, right?” Asked a worried Thorn.

“Yes,” Micah replied softly, “But he’ll be extremely fragile. He will also have to be carried on his journey.” Micah raised an eyebrow at Thorn, who snorted and rolled his eyes.

“Thorn,” I said, “You will be the one carrying Ryker on this journey.”

“I can’t! That’s not possible. What am I supposed to do, carry him in my mouth?”

Micah and I exchanged amused glances.

“No. You’re gonna have to carry him on your back. Your crystal should have the ability to summon some sort of telekinesis thingy to allow you to slightly hover Ryker over your back.”

Thorn blinked.

I groaned.

“It’s when you control physical objects without actually touching them. Like, I don’t know, controlling things with your mind?”

“Oh,” Thorn nodded as he slowly got the picture. “You mean, like, psychokinesis?”

I nodded. “Yeah! Pretty much. It won’t be that hard, since your crystal is doing the work. You won’t get migraines.”

As Thorn practiced his telekinesis, I gathered some more comfrey for Ryker. The herb had the ability to heal more than just bruises. It can heal bones. What bothered me what that is wasn’t working and all it did was rid of his bruises.

I believe comfrey could heal bruises, severe burns and even mend small bones. I understood it took a long time for bones to heal, but with Micah’s healing abilities, Ryker should be ready to go at this point.

I sensed something wasn’t right.