I hate the desert, it’s official, after running nonstop for what feels like forever, I hate the desert. I was gasping for air, but I could no longer see the walls of the complex, so I assumed I was safe. I collapsed on the hard cracked earth and felt myself craving sleep. I knew I shouldn’t have stopped, I should’ve looked for a place to set up camp and kept running, but I was so tired, all I wanted to do was sleep, and every one of my muscles was pleading with me to do the same. I took off my jacket and laid my head on it gingerly, the tarp making for a nice cushion. I felt my brain start to drift to sleep and I didn’t fight it, I let sleep take me because damn it, the desert is hell.

---

Andy’s POV :3 (Sorry to switch in the middle of chapter)

New people were not what I wanted right now, unless it was our Deceiver, but everyone was welcomed all the time, no matter what I wanted internally. When we came into the great hall everything stopped and the gathering of people around the new guy parted for me. I looked at him, and dismissed Abriga, knowing she had the jeep and probably needed to get back to The Box. She gave me a quick nod and I figured Ashley had pissed her off by making her be the delivery girl so I called after her.

“There’s no need to skin anyone, Abs, he was only trying to protect you.”

“I don’t need protection Prophet!” She yelled, obviously frustrated and I chuckled before turning to the new guy and Jinxx who was introducing himself.

“I’m The Mystic, but usually I can be refered to as Jinxx.” He explained to the new guy.

“I’m Andy, but usually I’m referred to as the Asshole.” I told him jokingly, trying to lighten his mood, he looked tense as fuck. He laughed a little and I was prideful in succeeding in my task.

“Actually he’s The Prophet.” Jinxx clarified, giving me the “that wasn’t very professional Andy” look that he was famous for. I shrugged as the kid looked at me sort of incredulously, then put my hand out.

“Yes, I’m The Prophet, but that doesn’t mean people don’t call me an asshole.” I chuckled.

“You’re not an asshole,” Amy said softly and I smiled down at her.

“Well, thank you Amy.” I smiled down at her and she smiled lightly back. “So what’s your name, kid.”

“Patrick, just Patrick.” He said, as though he didn’t want to say what his last name was under any circumstances, which was fine, plenty of people did the same thing, Amy being one of them.

“I’m Zen, and you’re cute.” Zen cut in taking his hand and looking at him like a piece of meat, that was Zen, alright.

“Hi.” Patrick said, obviously uncomfortable. I wondered then if he was from the Main, because people from the Main were usually the most awkward when it came to this part of the day.

“Leave him alone, Zen, you’re freaking him out.” Indigo laughed from the back of the group where he was leaning on Jonas’ shoulders, since he towered over Jonas.

“I am not, right honey?” She said, looking at him seductively.

“Actually…” He said, but stopped himself, and Zen looked offended before storming off. I started laughing and Indigo joined in, Jake showed up about then, but didn’t try and introduce himself. It wasn’t that he was shy, he just hadn’t found the kid to be particularly worth it yet, hopefully he’d warm up to him faster than he warmed up to Darren, the last new person to show up, about a year ago. It took Jake a month to decide to introduce himself, but honestly I could understand that, Darren was a pretty big asshole.

“I’m Amy.” Amy said softly, sticking her hand out to greet him.

“Hi.” He said, shaking her hand gently, like he was afraid she’d break. I smiled at her and released her shoulders, coaxing her towards him, she looked up at me uncertainly and I gave her a quick nod in Patrick’s direction.

“Come on, I’ll show you around.” She practically whispered, taking his hand and leading him in the direction of the bunks.

“I think we’ve found our newest “aww”’s Jinxx said, imitating with a slight hint of mockery the sound that Ariel and Ema make when a new couple that they think is cute is anywhere near them. I thought they were nice together because of their mutual shyness, and maybe having a guy to look after her rather than hurt her would bring Amy out of her shell.

“Yeah, you could say that again, where are Ariel and Ema, I haven’t heard and Aww’s yet.” I chuckled as I glanced around the group of people that was quickly dissipating.

“Ariel went to put Bryan to bed, and Ema really only comes out of her room to do chores and eat unless CC drags her out.”

I had forgotten that. “Remind me to talk to her tomorrow, I’ve been meaning to, but I’ve had a lot on my mind lately.”

“I totally understand dude, why don’t you got see what she’s up to, see if they’ve found her yet.”
I nodded and headed back to my white room. It didn’t take me nearly as long to sink into meditation and grab onto the white line tying The Deceiver and I together, and I new instantly that she’d never sense my presence. She was putting all her energy into running, and she was getting tired. I slipped out of my trance and tried once again to call Ashley, but he didn’t respond.
I was starting to get frustrated, but it didn’t do any good to get frustrated, so I just forced myself to remain calm as I paced. I checked the battery level on the phone then tried calling again, but nothing.

Jake found me just as I was throwing the phone at the wall, and stopped me from doing it so I wouldn’t break it. It was one of two we had, and we couldn’t afford for it to break.

“What’s up, man?” He questioned and I tugged on my hair, frustrated. “Ashley won’t answer the fucking phone, Jake.”

“They might have gone to the slums after all, to get supplies and stuff, and you know they always keep it off in The Box.”

I sighed in exasperation. “I just need to know they’re alright, man, the place was crawling with guards earlier, and I’d bet it still is.”

“Relax man, Ashley is with them and aside from Jinxx he’s one of the best at keeping F.E.A.R. at bay. And CC is there so if anything goes wrong he can just fuck someone up.” He leaned against the wall. “There really isn’t anything to worry about on their end, the question is, is she alright?”

“Yeah, I just checked, she’s running full force away from the box, but in what direction or where to I have no fucking idea.”

“Well as long as she’s safe that’s a good thing. We can send people out first thing tomorrow to start circling the box and look for her. She can’t run more than ten miles or so in a night, surely we can find her before she runs out of water.”

“But what if we don’t Jake?” I asked him, putting my head in my hands. The plan can’t work without her.” I felt the pounding in my head as a headache came on.

“We will, Andy, come on now, you should know this, you are The Prophet after all,” he joked, trying to lighten the mood, but he knew I’d never had a vision, and that bringing that up pissed me off, and it didn’t help my mood. I went back into my white room, slamming the door and sitting down, not intending on meditating, just thinking.

“Please be okay Ashtin.” I whispered as I sat in the middle of my white room with my head in my hands. “You have to be okay.”

Notes

So random POV switch, because I felt like it. I hate doing it most days, but I didn't care. I honestly have so much unpostable story it's sad. The point between this moment and the stuff that I've already got written is unreasonable. It's not even towards the end, I'm just now realizing that I signed up for quite a long story. I've got a good twenty three pages on Word of stuff that I can't post yet because it happens way after everything that is going on now.
Anyway, enough of my problems, how are you liking the story?
Did you see Patrick!!!!!
The Wild Ones found him! Isn't that great!!
Well I thought it was great

Anyway, thanks for reading
Stay weird
♥ Ashtin