Aon

Chapter Eleven

Five days. For five days I walked the streets until the dinner Thomas prepared for me nightly was cold by the time I got back. I couldn’t ever seem to rest. I put all my effort into finding someone to help, but they either ran or hid from me. It was tiring; I found myself exhausted and irritable as I searched through my sixth, seventh, and eighth day. I didn’t know which I was searching for, the Aons to form an army, or the man that yet haunts my dreams. By day I walked the streets in search of Aons, by night I walked the halls to rid the visions that lurked around every bend. If it wasn’t the nightmares, then it was the visions.

By the ninth day, I saw no hope and began to search on a wider radius. I walked the streets quietly and scanned the crowd as I passed by as if a ghost in their shadows. I began to hate my own kind. If they were such wonderful people, why weren’t they helping me?

I was panicking inwardly outside the Manor and outwardly inside. I didn’t know what I was doing or how to begin. I felt as if I were a dog chasing its tail with how many times I have looped these streets. It was maddening, I felt as if I were truly beginning to lose my mind. The Freewood brothers were right, we were The Fallen Ones. But it’s only because none of them cared enough to pick up the slack and start again. They were too big of cowards to try.

Of course, I was wary for Legions on my search, but I either didn’t notice or I didn’t see them. I was jumpy the first couple days. Dodging out of sight with every turn or hiding in fear of being caught by the Freewood brothers. But after the fifth or sixth day, I found myself a bit more relaxed on the familiar streets. They wouldn’t look here, they’d be going back to Pennsylvania in search of me. Hopefully they expect me to run home as soon as I was free, and I was beginning to be grateful I hadn’t gone back.

I took a seat on a bench in a new part of town and rubbed my face as I yawned. I hadn’t gotten any sleep these last couple of nights, an hour could sum it all up. All I wanted to do was quit and head back to my old life. I didn’t know what luxury I had until it was gone. All those years I hated to be alone with a simple life, I thought my life was a waste and useless. But now, I wish I could go back in time and shake the girl I once was. If I knew what I now know, I wouldn’t have taken my time for granted. I could have at least had a head start before being thrown into this role.

Just as I had looked up and began to scan the area around me again, I spotted something odd. There was a man standing in the shadows up the street, he was watching me from where he stood. He was dressed in all black, from his black hoodie, black sneakers, to his black skinny jeans. He was like a shadow, with his rich dark skin mimicking his surroundings and shielding him from the eyes of bystanders. It was clever, but I suppose his eyes gave it away. All I could make out was the whites of his eyes as he peered at me.

As soon as I caught his gaze, he stepped closer and I stiffened at the shield that seemed to surround him. It was stronger than any I’ve yet to come across –thick and pulsing like a heartbeat, it gave of a shock-wave that made my own soul rave.

Who was he? Why was he watching me? And what makes his soul stronger than the others?

As if he heard my thoughts, he stepped out into the open and began towards me with his dark eyes amused, yet irritated. I vaguely knew him, but his face felt familiar, even though I swear I’ve never met him a day in my life. He said not a word as he sat next to me and peered around us cautiously.

“Hello?” I said baffled.

“Yeah, yeah, –Hey.” He almost rolled his eyes. “Remember me?”

“Not really…”

He chuckled to feign amusement and shot me an annoyed glance. “Names Elijah, but you can call me Eli.”

“Oh… alright, note taken. I’m-”

“I know who you are.” He said quickly to keep me quiet as he shot a glance around us. “I could feel you a mile away. What are you doing out here in the streets?”

“Looking.”

“What in the hell for? Do you know how deadly that is right now? The Legions are on a hunt looking for you. If they see you, they won’t hesitate to shoot now.”

“I know. I’m looking to recruit.”

“Pardon?” He said baffled and looked at me as if I were half mad. “Recruit?”

“I know who I am and what I’m meant to do. I want to-”

“Listen, kid,” he growled. “I don’t care what you think you are meant to do. You won’t be doing anything, leave it to us.”

“Kid?” I snapped, looking him up and down baffled. He wasn’t that much older than me! “What right do you have? I don’t need you telling me what I can and can’t do. I am looking to form Allies. I am forming an army to fight back, whether you like it or not.”

“Shut up.” He muttered. “You don’t know who will hear you here.”

He grabbed me by the elbow and yanked me to follow him to the nearest alley. He glanced around us before jabbing his finger in my face.

“How in the hell do you think you will get people to follow you when you’re chasing them like a lost mutt on the street? You don’t know what you’re doing.”

I stood fuming for a few moments, charged on the anger he radiated before calming myself.

“I’m trying, aren’t I? It’s more than you’re doing right now. I don’t need your help anyway. I will do this myself.”

“Listen, kid. You won’t be able to handle it.”

“Handle it?” I shouted in a whisper. “My parents, the Bennett’s, the Sledge’s, and the Young’s, they’re all are dead. I survived that. I can sure as hell survive whatever curve-balls are thrown at me now.”

“The Sledge Sisters are dead?” He said surprised.

“Just last week.”

“You were there? Who did it?”

“The Freewood brothers are traitors. They had given word of where I was, and the Sledge Sisters were killed right before my eyes.”

He ran his hand over his shaved head in dismay. “The Youngs, too?”

“I’m not sure. They could be, though.”

He remained silent and pondered all of this for quite some time before shaking his head. “I know I’ll regret this later, but count me in.”

“I don’t want you a part of this.” I waved him off as I walked away.

“Excuse me?” He growled and grabbed my arm tightly. “I’m the only chance you got to get people onto your harebrained idea, kid. Don’t burn any bridges before you even get a foot on the ground.”

I pinched my mouth shut and turned to look at him. I wanted to jut out my chin and keep walking, but I knew he was right. I wouldn’t be able to build an army without help from another Aon. This was a blessing in the disguise of an asshole. Besides, I want to keep my arm. Right now, he has a vise grip on it.

“Then what do you recommend?”

“We need to discuss this somewhere else?” He said as he scanned around us again. “Do you know where the Manor is?”

“Of course, I’ve been living there for the last week and a half.”

“I’ll be there tomorrow at noon. If I don’t show up, then go back into hiding for a few days. You’ll have to figure it out on your own…”

“If you don’t come?” I said mystified. “Who should I contact if you don’t?”

“Have you heard of Kaden?”

“Yes, of course.” I said quickly. “I have been trying to figure out a way to get into contact with him, but I have no resources or know-how to do so. He’s a gutsy one, a man-w***e to be exact. I’m not too fond of him, but he’s the only other Aon I personally know.”

“That’s my older brother you’re talking about, kid. Don’t push any buttons here.”

I was shocked at first before shaking my head. “I didn’t mean that in an insulting way.”

“Sure. Man-w***e isn’t an insult at all.” He eyed me to continue, but when I made no comment, he nodded and sighed.

“We’ll discuss this later. I have other pressing matters to attend to for the evening. Some Legion’s face needs to be bashed in and a few fires need to be set. –But don’t worry, I’ll be there at noon tomorrow. Just don’t forget.”

“I won’t.”

I left before Eli, and he left ten minutes after I did so it wouldn’t raise suspicions. I headed straight back to the Manor and was greeted warmly by Thomas with dinner on the table. For once, I was able to scarf down a whole meal. I felt as if I could relax a bit now. I told Thomas of my morning outside the Manor, and he was both surprised and relieved we finally have a bite on the bait. Of course, I didn’t know what I was doing, but I now know there’s no turning back from here on out. Once the ball starts rolling, there’s no stopping it.