Knox's heart raced as he approached the figure resembling Sara. He couldn't shake off the feeling of disbelief. Was it her, or just another illusion playing tricks on his mind? Nevertheless, he had to know.
"Sara?" His voice quivered with uncertainty, hoping against hope for a familiar response.
Her eyes widened in recognition. "Knox?"
Relief flooded through him, and without a second thought, he enveloped her in a tight embrace. Tears welled up in his eyes as he held her close. "I missed you so much," he whispered hoarsely. "Please don't leave me again. I don't know what I'll do without you."
Sara returned the embrace, her voice soft and comforting. "I won't leave you, Knox. I promise. Let’s go back to the camp.”
But Knox's joy quickly turned to anger as the reality of their situation hit him. "The camp? The one with Jake?" His tone grew sharp, filled with resentment.
Sara flinched at his sudden change in demeanor but nodded hesitantly. "Yes, that's the one. Timmy is there too."
"Timmy?" Knox's jaw clenched with frustration. "That Timmy?"
"Yes, Knox, that Timmy. Please, let's go back," Sara urged, her tone pleading.
Knox hesitated, torn between his desire to protect Sara and his distrust of Jake and the camp. But ultimately, his concern for Timmy won out. With a heavy sigh, he reluctantly agreed. "Fine, let's go."
Scooping Sara up into his arms, Knox began jogging towards the camp. To him, it felt like a leisurely jog, but to the guards, he vanished in a blur of motion. In no time, they arrived at the entrance of the camp.
Setting Sara down gently, Knox forgot to consider the difference in their physical stats. As soon as her feet touched the ground, Sara staggered and doubled over, her stomach lurching. With a grimace, she vomited, overwhelmed by the sudden shift in altitude and speed.
"Fast…" Sara whispered weakly.
Knox chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Oh, sorry about that."
Within moments, the commotion attracted the attention of everyone in the camp. Soldiers hurried to the entrance, their expressions a mix of apprehension and readiness as they braced for the unexpected threat. Knox ignored the nervous soldiers, their tension only fueling his amusement, until Jake came running out.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“So you’ve returned, Knox,” Jake said confidently.
“I would shut your mouth before you die, old man,” Knox replied with a mocking laugh.
The nonchalant way Knox turned him down upset Jake, but he knew he couldn’t do anything about it. The man standing before him was far stronger, and Jake could feel the pressure bearing down on him. Some of the soldiers next to him had already sunk to their knees, unable to resist.
"Where is Timmy?" Knox asked Jake, his voice firm.
"H-he's here, but you won't just be able to take him," Jake stammered.
Knox raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And why not?" As he spoke, he ignited his arms in flames using his ability, Eternal Flame.
"Knox, stop!" Sara's voice rang out from next to him. "Don't fight them, please."
Knox hesitated, his fiery determination cooling at her plea. "Oh... I'm sorry."
Jake's smile widened, sensing victory approaching. "Do you want something to eat?"
Knox eyed Jake suspiciously, but when Sara nodded in agreement, he relented. "Sure, but bring Timmy out."
After being escorted inside, Knox entered a small tent that served as his temporary quarters. The flickering light of a lantern cast dancing shadows on the canvas walls as he undressed and washed himself in a makeshift bath. The water was lukewarm, a luxury in their makeshift camp, but it still felt refreshing against his skin after the day's events.
An hour passed as Knox meticulously groomed himself, scrubbing away the grime of travel and battle. When he was finally satisfied, he dressed in clean clothes and emerged from the tent, feeling rejuvenated.
The camp buzzed with activity as soldiers went about their duties, the scent of cooking food wafting through the air. Following the aroma, Knox made his way to the communal dining area, a large tent where soldiers gathered to eat.
Inside, tables were arranged in rows, and lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the scene. At one table sat Jake, Timmy, Sara, and two other soldiers, engaged in quiet conversation.
Knox approached, his footsteps muffled by the dirt floor. As he took his seat, he exchanged nods with the others, acknowledging their presence.
As they ate in uncomfortable silence, Knox couldn't shake the feeling of suspicion that hung in the air. His gaze remained fixed on Jake, studying the man's every move for any sign of deception or ulterior motives.
"I'll play along with his game for now," Knox thought to himself, his mind racing with possibilities.
“Ok, Jake, what is it you want?”
“What’s to say I want something sinister, Knox? I just want to reconcile with my dear son, is all”
Sara, seated at one end of the table, seemed uneasy, unable to hide her surprise as she spat out some of the water she was drinking. "Ah, excuse me, I'll go clean myself," she said hastily before standing up and walking away, her footsteps echoing softly in the quiet tent.
Knox narrowed his eyes, a sense of unease settling in the pit of his stomach. "What did you do to her?" he demanded, his voice laced with suspicion.
Jake raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence as he took another sip of wine. "Do something to her? I didn't do anything," he replied casually, a smug smile playing at the corners of his lips. "If you're still angry about the little punishment I gave you, then I'll apologize. It was all just tough love, right?"
Knox clenched his jaw, his fists tightening involuntarily under the table. He could feel the tension in the air, the unspoken threat lingering between them like a dark cloud. Despite Jake's attempts to appear calm, Knox knew better than to trust him. Something sinister lurked beneath the surface, a hidden agenda.
But for now, Knox knew he had to play along, biding his time until the right moment presented itself. With a forced smile, he nodded in response to Jake's words, masking his true feelings behind a façade of false civility.
As they continued to eat, Knox's mind raced with questions and suspicions, his every instinct urging him to remain vigilant. For in the dangerous game they were playing, trust was a luxury they could not afford.