33 A Clean War Turned Into A Bloody War (1/2)

”FOLLOW ME,” MICE SAID. But none of us made a move because we're too busy gaping at her, which causes an eye roll from her. I assess her attire, which is, normal black jeans and a black tank top and she has a bag slung over her chest. ”Guys!” She snaps at us and brought us out of our haze. ”Follow me. I told you I'm going to explain later. We need to get moving, you don't know what happened after the month you were gone. These people are only a part of what was coming for you.”

I want to ask what does she meant by that but I remember what she said. She'll explain it to us later. Right now, the only thing we can do is to trust her.

We follow her in silence, our hands clutching our weapons. You might think why are we carrying weapons when we have our powers. Well, the silencers can appear in front of us any time so we have to be ready just in case.

My eyes keep darting around and I tighten my senses on any traps lurking around. A howl not so far from us echo in the woods and we all halt our steps and look at the direction. ”We're almost there,” Mice said, although I had no idea where she's leading us, I have the feeling that we have to follow her and that it isn't anything bad.

I heard the gush of water then saw where she's leading us to. A river where a boat at the edge awaits for us. The boat is not small but not big either, it's enough to hold all of us as if it has been made for the exact number. Mice went to the boat and begin untying the rope. She jerks her head at us and we traipse to her. ”Get in,” she commands.

We look at each other before sitting on the boat. Once settled, Mice stands on the head with a big paddle. She uses it to usher us into the river and began paddling us deeper into the night.

”Where are we going?” Avery asks.

”You'll see.” Mice said without even looking. Our environment is as eerie as the night and there's a fog forming in the distance. We all shudder in the cold, our breaths are smoke coming out of our mouths.

When the fog cleared, I heard the louder gush of water, and Mice seems to be having a hard time paddling. My vision adjusts in the darkness and there I see in front of us is a waterfall. We gasp and start to panic but Mice speaks, ”Hold on tight.” She paddles us towards the waterfall and base from the fall of water there's no doubt we'll drown if we pass through that.

And then I watch in awe, as the waterfall parts for us and our boat made it safely to the other side. I look around and realize that we are in a cave now.

The boat had stopped and we all step out and onto the edge of the platform. Mice tied the rope of the boat to the small wooden pole on the edge. She removes her robe completely and dumps it on the boat, she rummages through her bag, when she finally found what she was looking for, she lights up a torch that I didn't know was there until now.

Through the light, I see the small cave opening. She turns to us and said, ”Here. Follow me.” We follow her without having much of a second thought. She leads the way, ducking and walking and choosing every path like she owns this cave. We come to a stop when we encountered a wall. It's a dead-end but she continues to walk anyway. My eyebrows bunch and my eyes widen when she pushes a brick on the wall.

The wall reveals an old and used cranky elevator. ”Step in,” she said and we did. Avery is beaming with excitement while all of us look uncertain.

The elevator made a small grunting noise before it began moving up. It stops with an unpleasant noise and then the doors open. I know that we are not yet inside the cave or is this it?

The waterfall is in front of us, covering the large opening but that wasn't what caught my attention. It's the people waiting for us here. They are not women, they are...men. ”What the hell?” Riley mutters under her breath.

One man stands up and on instinct, our hands went to our weapons. He just chuckles at us and looks at Mice as if they are a close friend. ”I assume she is the one?” He jerks his head at me and Mice nods.

”Anything?” Mice ask and the man shakes his head.

”Nope. Nothing.” Then to me, he said, ”It's nice seeing all of you, the gammas.” He bows his head and I reel back.

”How--” Mice shakes her head this time.

”I told you, don't surprise them like that.” Mice said and the man tilts his head and mouths an Oh. ”Resume your patrol.”

”Yes. Everyone is excited to meet all of you, including the betas and the alpha.” His smile is warm but his words sure are not. How does he know that? I'm saving up my questions for later.

I turn to Mice but her face gives nothing away. ”Come with me,” Aimee mutters something about us always following her and that Mice needn't say that.

Mice passed the torch to the man and made way to another cave opening at the far side of the wall.

I almost tripped over the stairs if I hadn't caught myself. It's dark and I can't see Mice's figure so I just use the stairs as my guide. The rest of my friends are behind me, with Riley at the rear.

We continue to descend in the darkness and stopped when my feet felt an even ground. It's still dark and cold but I can see Mice's face now. She turns to me with a smile and said, ”They are excited to see you.” She moves out of the way then I stepped up and realize that we are elevated.

I gasp at the sight that greeted me. A legion of people is gathered below. Their only source of light is the bonfires and when I said people, I mean PEOPLE. Men and Women combined and kids are running everywhere. Although the bonfires are the only light source, this place is still illuminated with something else. Then I realize that it's because this cave is bursting with so much energy, not just energy, abilities. We descend the stairs quietly while all of the exiles here are playing with their powers.

I watch mesmerized as some of them conjure illusions, hologram, and more. My breath got stuck in my throat when a spark of ice burst from a kid then shot up to the ceiling. People around us cheered and claps and the kid smiles shyly and bows. We heard a yelp then soon an arrow came flying to me. Yep, directly to me. But I was ready for it so with my hand I stopped it then it turns into ashes in my feet.

When I look up I notice that hundreds of pairs of eyes are now staring at me. At us. The silence was soon replaced by gasps and whispers. ”Hey folks,” Mice spoke up and smirks at us. ”Your gammas are here.” The gasps and whispers turn into screams, yells, and cheers then second later people are flocking at us.

Their voices sound like bees buzzing in my ears and I jump, startled when a woman in her late fifties suddenly grabs my hand and starts shaking it vigorously. She started speaking but I tune them out when I heard a voice shouts on top of them all. ”Rebecca!” Clain's annoying voice screams. The voices finally stopped--thank gods--and they part to reveal our friends from the north.

My feet start moving in their own accord and soon I was launching myself in the waiting arms of Nate. My grip at him is tight but he's taking it all and his arms are just as tight around me. He chuckles and said, ”You would think that we've been apart for so long.”

”Shut up,” then I kiss him long, soft and slow that he returns. We were stopped by our friends initiating a group hug, we broke apart laughing and we hug along with our friends. ”How did you--” I ask when we finally stopped and he cuts me off when he looks over my head.

I whirl around and Mice is there, smiling coyly. She walks towards us in leisure steps and once she was standing right in front of us she said, ”Tomorrow, I'll explain everything to you. For now, you need to sleep. It's already half past midnight.” She hands sleeping bags to each one of us except the boys. ”Lina will escort you to your sleeping area.” A hunched woman appeared on her side.

”This way please.” She guides us to a tent big enough to hold all of us and I realize that even Nate and the others are sleeping here based on the sleeping bags laying on the floor.

Once we were inside, Lina left without uttering another word.

”Do you think we can trust that girl Mice?” Isabella asks. We are now inside our sleeping bags and getting ready for sleep. Nate is beside me and Isabella is with Clain and you get the idea.

”Don't you think it's a little too late to ask that?” Riley said. They start to bicker and I am too exhausted, both mentally and physically to hold with their argument.

”Guys, will you stop?” Avery snaps at them and they instantly close their mouths shut. ”We'll figure it out tomorrow. I need to sleep.”

I settle in my bag and face Nate but he's already looking at me. I smile at him then let sleep reins in my veins.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

A ringing of a bell is what woke me up from my deep slumber. I sat up and rub the sleep from my eyes. I look around and notice that my friends are all grunting and are doing the same thing. Mice appeared at the opening of our tent, greeting us with a bright smile on her face. ”Good morning. Come on, breakfast is almost ready.”

”What fudging time is it?” I ask her. Her smile brightens and she looks at the imaginary watch on her wrist.

”As early as 7 and a half.” My haw drops to the floor. It's so friggin early.

”Who in the hell wakes up at that time?” Riley cuss. Exactly.

”We wake up at that time. And I suggest you do the same because you don't wanna miss Lina's cooking.” She sang out and then she gives us one last smile before leaving. I heard Riley grunts then saying that she still wants to sleep.

But the thought that today is the day that Mice is going to explain these weird things that are happening made me snap in my daze and went to work. We don't have clothes here so we still wear what we have yesterday. When we were outside the tent and walking towards where people are running to, I look at Nate beside me. ”Did she already talk to you?”

”No. She said you need to be here. All of us. Saves her time.” He shrugs but a look flashes in his face before a grin breaks out and he turns to me.

”What?” I can't help but smile too because it's just as infectious. He grabs my hand and starts pushing our way to where people are pooling in.

”You don't want to miss this.” The sweet aroma intoxicates my nose and I hum in appreciation. I lick my lips to keep my drool in check.

”What's that?” He laughs then I realize why it's because my eyes are close and I am moaning at the scent I'm inhaling. My eyes snap open and I feel my cheeks burn as I chew on my bottom lip.

”Look there.” Then I realize that we are in front of the line and people are watching me, making my cheeks aflame.

”Gamma. Please try this. I hope you like this.” Lina bows and offers me a bowl of soup. I was surprised by the act of curtsy and I look at them only to watch them watch me. I'll have my answers later with Mice, I remind myself.

”You might want to take that.” Mice said, appearing beside the lady. I narrow my eyes at her but she just continues to smile. I look at her then to the woman in front of me.

I purse my lips then grab the bowl from her. I eye the soup for a moment before lifting it to my lips and taking a sip. ”Holy sheet,” the words leave my mouth before I even get the chance to stop them. In record time, the soup is gone and I am wiping my mouth. ”That was delicious.” I gush out and she mutters thanks before filling in the bowls for everyone.

”When y'all has done eating, my tent is on the far side. Come to me and we'll talk.” Mice said, her smile gone replaced by all seriousness. She turns around on her heel and stalks off.

Tummies full after having a taste of heaven, we all walk toward Mice's tent. There, we found her sitting, sharpening the blade of her daggers and arrows' heads. ”Take a seat. Just let me finish this.” She said without looking up.