A not so happy reunion 2

CHAPTER TWO

"The world is ending?" I burst into laughter. I almost fell out of my chair. Her face remained somber.

"You finished laughing?"

I stopped. "Why didn't you contact me? Let me know you were all right? I never stopped looking for you".

"I know", she said. "But I think it was better for the both of us that things stayed that way."

I knew what she meant. If she hadn't kept her distance, we would both be dead by now.

"So, you're with Atlas now. Why?"

"Let's just say both our pasts forced us down uncomfortable paths", she said. I could see the pain and also the anger in her eyes. It terrified me. Of course, her experiences had left their mark on her as they had on me. The only one who could come out the least burnt was Jason. Another person I hadn't seen or heard from in years. I resisted the urge to ask her where Jason was. I hoped he hadn't been poached by Atlas too.

"Can't we talk about something else?" I said trying to change the subject. I had been living on the edge for years and the last thing I wanted to discuss was getting drawn back in. "We haven't spoken to each other in years".

She shook her head. "Your reputation precedes you Shawn. We could really use your help", she said.

"Who do you want me to kill? Just out of curiosity".

"It wouldn't be any fun if we told you. Besides, you would have to talk to Atlas in person. He's the one who plans everything. You can just do what you want", Lisa explained.

"Sounds like a lot of pain", I said. I held up my hands in plain refute, "I'm not going anywhere".

 

The smell of beer and the sound of cheers and raucous laughter filled the bar. There was the clinking of beer mugs and a toast almost every five minutes. Beer was splashed all over the tables but no one seemed to mind. It was midday, usually not the time for drinking, but Atlas's arrival in any village usually brought out the alcoholic in people.

Atlas was at the bar table waiting for someone.

The man, James, came into the bar and handed Atlas a note. Atlas took it. He opened it but before he could read it the inn doors burst wide open and a tall thin built youth with white cropped hair entered. It was Shawn. Atlas smiled. Shawn's steely gaze hovered over his warm face. The disruption caused the bar to become silent. Everyone froze and stared at the two of them. First Shawn then Atlas.

"You're not here to join are you?" Atlas said. Shawn shook his head. He sighed.  "Oh well, it can't be helped. But I would at least like to give our guest-"

He didn't finish when Shawn struck. In an instant he'd closed the gap between him and Atlas and his sword was inches from Atlas's throat. "Don't play any tricks, Atlas", he said.

James reached for his own sword. Atlas shook his head, signaling against it. James grunted and relaxed his fingers but they never left his side. Shawn heard knuckles cracking in the background. He glanced behind him. Stern faces were all glaring back at him. He wasn't worried. They wouldn't attack him. None of them had the skill to take him down. Besides with Atlas inches away from a blade they wouldn't risk it. The people loved him too much.

The inn doors burst open again and Lisa stood there with Thalia. "Shawn!" Thalia roared. Shawn simply looked at her dumbfounded. But he didn't move and he still glanced at Atlas and James to make sure none made a move.

Thalia charged at Shawn, barehanded. For a second Shawn paused. Then he ducked. She missed him and came after him again. He moved sideways, sidestepping her. He tried to trip her but she quickly regained her balance. Shawn swung his sword but she caught his blade with her bare palm. That hadn't happened before. She punched him and he stumbled backwards. She came at him and he deftly moved out of the way.

"You're trying to take me on without weapons, are you crazy?" he asked.

"Maybe a little", Thalia said. She tried to open palm fist him. He moved his head sideways, easily avoiding it.

"It's good to see you", he said.

"Same here".

Shawn raised his sword then inverted it and struck from beneath. Thalia parried it. She brought out a small knife.

"Look behind you ", Shawn warned. In that instant, Thalia could either let go of him or dodge. She knew better than to let him out of her grasp. Her knife suddenly extended, its blade brushing past Shawn's face leaving a narrow slit on his cheek. Seeing the surprise register on his face, she grabbed his bare hand.

Shawn knew what she was trying to. With a mere touch, Thalia could make people go unconscious. No one knew the source of this power. Not even Thalia. But he was more concerned about what would happen to him if he passed out.

He tried to shake her off but she held on. For a minute she thought he had been bluffing about looking behind her. Until she felt something hit her back. A sharp pain shot through her. It was a boomerang. Bu she stubbornly held on. Until Shawn passed out.

"Good work Thalia", Atlas said.

"Well, it wasn't exactly all my work. Shawn didn't want to hurt me", she said.

"You're being too modest. You didn't take this too seriously either. It would have been much more bloody if you had", he said.