Chapter 29 - "We're Not Alone"

A few days had passed, and still there was no sign of Jude. Tyra had no more dreams, and Hylik and some others were saying that they should move on. Those that were against moving on, however, saw no reason to as they were happy here, even if Jude never did come.

Relik and Kysandra had clearly fallen in love. Although they had only known each other for a few weeks, they were clearly made for each other. Almost every waking moment they were together. The only major exceptions were when Kysandra had to do work to keep the Council running, but even then she received help from Relik.

This day was overcast and cool for the season. Food had been running low, but there had been reports from some hunters that a number of deer herds lived in the area. Kysandra had no major duties for the Council, and so she proposed to Relik that they go hunting together in the hopes that they could bring some deer home.

Relik took his gun and Kysandra hers, and they left the camp at about noontime. They promised to be back by tomorrow, and if they weren't, the Council should choose a new leader, as it meant that they were most likely dead.

Kysandra's gun had been salvaged from the stockpiles of the Order of Vengeance. It had been her gun before she and Hylik were captured, however it was in poor condition after neglect at the hands of the Order. It was still easily a powerful gun.

Relik and Kysandra walked for about half an hour, exchanging friendly conversation and the occasional kiss. They made sure that they knew their way back, but otherwise they wondered to unexplored places.

They walked down a road that led to what seemed to have been the center of a neighborhood. There, standing at the crossroads, was a herd of deer.

Relik motioned to Kysandra to be quiet, and they both turned up the power setting of their guns. They creeped forward, hoping to catch the herd off guard.

The only sound was the breathing of the herd and the light rustling of leaves on the trees.

Suddenly, there was a crashing sound, and the herd bolted. Relik looked down at his feet, and swore. He had stepped in a piece of glass which had shattered, startling the herd.

Both people ran after the deer. They didn't shoot, and instead tried to push the deer into an open area.

The hunt continued for several minutes, and both were growing weary, though the deer were not.

There was an explosion before the herd. A massive blast of heat and light shot out, killing a number of deer and scaring the rest away. Relik and Kysandra darted behind a damaged vehicle.

"Did you shoot that?" Kysandra whispered, her voice ripe with fear.

"No, I didn't," replied Relik, his voice also ringing with fright.

Kysandra looked around the vehicle to see if she could see who shot the deer. She gasped, and turned back to Relik.

"Relik, we're not alone."

"What do you mean?"

"There was a man who looked like Leader, although taller and with fewer scars. And behind him stood a number of creatures I have never seen, that had small bodies with a multitude of tentacles. My guess is that they are kryons."

Relik couldn't believe what he was hearing. He turned towards Kysandra, and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

"Kysandra, you will do as I tell you. If either of us falls behind the other will not come back. One of us is better for the Council than neither. Do you understand?"

Kysandra nodded, and her eyes began welling with tears. Relik wiped them off.

"Ready? Now!" he whispered, and both began running.

They ran with all the strength they had. Neither stepped in glass nor made crashing noises, and the band that had shot at the deer did not notice their flight. They ran for what seemed like an eternity, though it was in actuality a short time. They reached the motel again.

Kysandra walked into the center and called out to the people.

"We are not the only ones here."