Later that night....
Everyone gathered round a fire as usual, the golden flames danced across their faces while providing warmth against the cold air as they talked about Lynx and Orea's idea of an escape route.
After a short explanation, Zara who seemed confused, decided to speak up..
How exactly are we getting out through a hologram?,
Not sure yet, Lynx replied in a low tone...but I believe there's more to it than just being a prank, and so does Orea,..he glanced at her briefly as she nodded in response.
There's no way it's out there randomly, Orea added, glancing at her friends with a knowing look.
I get it, Kymani caught her gaze...This is just like the 'impenetrable' wall we found which turned out to be a portal that led us out of the forest. I bet this hologram works the same way.
Okaay.., Rowynn emphasized as she sat up, getting her fill of their opinions,..
Let's say you guys are right and the city's our way out, she glanced around,..It's still a hologram, even if we walk through it we're just going to walk right out.
Have you actually tried?, Valtor's deep voice rang out for the first time as he raised his head, earning everyone's attention.
His gaze shifted to Lynx, waiting for a reply.
Instead of a reply, he glanced at his partner who mirrored his hesitant expression,
I guess we've never really tried, Rowynn finally spoke up
Valtor continued, If you guys think the city's our way out, we need to at least check it out, ...Who knows, we might find something in there.
Unsure of his motives, Lynx watched Valtor silently while he spoke and the dark-haired youth returned the gaze on noticing.
Valtor's right, Zara broke the silence, her expression dead serious,...We should check it out just in case we're wrong.
Sighing in response, Rowynn continued, I guess we're doing this then, she glanced over at the others who seemed to be on board with the idea
We leave at dawn, Lynx concluded.
The rest of the night was spent with mild chatter from Rowynn and Kymani who seemed to be enjoying each other's company while Valtor left for bed rather early.
Lynx stayed away from everyone while Zara and Orea lay around having a light discussion, with the yellow-skinned girl doing the talking while the darker-toned who 'listened' actually lay lost in thought.
Eagerly set out for their mission as soon as morning came, the group began moving in twos, with Lynx and Rowynn leading ahead, bustling along the damp grass, Zara and Kymani earnestly followed while Orea decided to lag behind with Valtor in hopes of fixing the little tension between them.
"You left quite early for bed yesterday", she began in a low tone
Ignoring her attempt, Valtor continued to walk in silence with his eyes fixed on the road
She sighed, pausing her steps...I know you're mad, but I didn't mean to...
I'm not mad, he cut in as he turned to face her, his gaze dropped,..I'm just disappointed, and maybe even heartbroken, he added causing her to glance at him with guilt.
Honestly, I would've expected your question from Zara or Kymani, from anyone else but you,..his words laced with sadness,..
I thought we trusted each other, he continued, thought we were on the same page, but Lynx came along claiming I'm the enemy and with everything we went through together, a part of you still believed him...
Orea glanced at the ground as he spoke while Valtor stepped back a little, he scoffed while subconsciously rubbing the back of his neck.
I just want to know why you even considered his words having just met him, he gazed intensely at her.
I may have known him long before now, she spoke softly, causing Valtor to move closer to her,..what do you mean?
She gazed at him as she replied, I had another vision of my past two nights ago. Lynx used to come to my homeplace and we met several times though we never spoke to each other...I guess that's why I might've considered his theories.
But I shouldn't have, she continued,..It doesn't matter what he saw, the Valtor he talked about is not the Valtor I know, you've been with me longer than anyone I can remember, you've saved my life more than once,..she subconsciously bit her lip as she struggled to continue..
She sighed,..I guess my trust issues just keep acting up.
Wiping off a tear which threatened to drop from her eye, she apologized, looking away,
"sorry about this"...I just..really hate that disappointed look in your eye, it makes me feel...
Valtor cut her short by enveloping her in a hug while she clung to him tightly, her head resting against his chest.
It's okay, his voice seemed to resonate as he spoke,.. I guess I may have overreacted a little, he smiled as he brushed through her hair....
Noticing as Rowynn and the others paused while glancing behind, Lynx looked back, spotting Orea and Valtor from afar locking intimately in an embrace, he narrowed his eyes in thought for a few seconds before tearing them off while he continued on his way.