Reaching Salvation: Post-Acer Part 9

Luke looked a bit embarrassed. He put his hands up.

"No, don't feel bad!" he exclaimed.

------

Tom wish he could sink into a wall and leave. He was no good in situations like this.

Paul helped her as well. "Alright," Paul nodded, "Lets take you home for now." He looked to Tom. "Hey, get Sage or Joey or someone."

"B-But I'll f-feel bad if you g-get sick..." Kira responded, fidgeting slightly.

"Would you like something to drink?" Jayden asked of Adeline.

"Alright," Tom replied, seeking out Sage because he didn't see how Joey could help except for shutting down Ade's Flow and maybe making her pass on. He didn't want to be a dick and point that out in the situation though. He found Sage, making a big sign appear in front of her reading 'help needed, Adeline in trouble', and a tunnel to their location.

-----

"Oh, I dunno, you seem better. Must've been the hot bath, eh?" Luke grinned, trying to change the subject to put Kira at her ease.

She read the sign, and then sighed. Another...? I hope she isn't seriously injured... she thought, standing up and walking through the tunnel.

Adeline shook her head. She didn't feel thirsty... But then again, she couldn't really feel anything.

Kira nodded hesitantly. "I feel a lot better..." she agreed quietly.

"Good," Luke smiled proudly. "Plus, you have it for again, and it's probably nicer than the river!"

-----

Tom moved the earth like a conveyor belt, making the tunnel trip only last a few seconds.

"Whoa!" The tunnel shot Sage out, since she didn't notice it. "Ow..."

Kira nodded again, smiling softly. "It's definitely a lot warmer..."

"Good," Luke smiled proudly, glad he had something to show for his usefulness.

----

Tom scratched the back of his ashamedly, offering her a hand up.

"I'm really, really sorry about that, I'm on edge," the Irish man said bashfully.

"It's alright, it's alright, just didn't notice it was moving at all," Sage said, rubbing her head. "Was there something I could help with?"

Kira's stomach growled as she smiled at Luke. She grabbed the basket, laughing a bit nervously. "H-Here..." she mumbled as she put it between her and Luke, starting to eat some fruit.

Luke began eating, too, silent but with a smile on his face.

-----

"There's something wrong with Adeline here, and Paul wanted to know if you could help," Tom explained.

Sage looked over at Adeline, and then looked over her. "No physical injuries...Flow related?"

Kira remained silent, blushing as she ate. She was happy Luke was here.

Luke remained silent too, a bit too socially awkward to break the silence.

Adeline frowned and nodded. ...He must have used his Flow to speed up the decaying process...

Sage sighed. "I can't help if it's Flow related..."

It didn't take Nathan and Jamie long to reach the two villages. He had taken her to the Acer Village and they were now walking towards the main gate.

Zackary was sharpening his sword, and then suddenly stopped.

"...You have to be fucking kidding me..."

(~)

Jamie had been silent, unless asked a question.

Kira paused, biting her lip. "Nathan's b-back..." she mumbled, looking over at Luke to make sure he was okay.

Luke kept a calm, if slightly grave face on. Inside, both swear words and desperate plans of action were rushing around his head. He was so weak, he raged, that after five years he was in the same state

Paul frowned. "You got some nerve, Nathan," he called out to the man.