Chapter Fourteen

Matt returns to the cabin, with a look of remorse and solace. 

"That was Sabri. He likes what we've done but we have to find Snake first before we can return." explains Matt about the talk he just had with Sabri. 

"He got away." says Emerald with a face of guilt.

"Did he get away or did we let him go?" asks Matt.

"I, I let him go. Yes in the long term they are the enemy, but do we really believe in Sabri's cause, or are we just in it for the pay check?" asks Emerald kicking out a chair and sitting in it backwards. 

"I don't know anymore. There are so many sides it's hard to tell anymore. This is your blood involved, not mine. You make the call." says Matt trying to boost the confidence and self-esteem of Emerald while boosting their team morale.

"Then we have to tell them that Sabri is using the girl's mom for a vessel. Before it gets too late. Otherwise the vessel will, well you know." says Emerald looking down in hopes to be able to save Marsha and her body. Matt nods and walks down the hallway. He returns a moment later with his bag of things.

"Well are you ready or are we gonna sit here and twiddle our thumbs a bit more?" asks Matt.

Raven and April stand in an opening of what was once a bright,green, beautiful forest for birds, butterflies and other mythic-like creatures that love the fresh air and sunlight during the day and a deep,dark, and somewhat spooky forest at night, has now become dirt. Hot, ember filled dirt. A branch here or there that may have survived, but mostly, ash, ember, and dirt. Raven's cape torn and tattered, her dark-wash jeans have rips,tears, and burn marks, and her top has become now nearly sleeveless. April has some bumps and bruises on her arms and legs. Her clothes have some holes but not as many Raven's. April, still being young and full of hope and glamour wants to look for Ace. The not knowing is what kills April the most. Not knowing if the man who is not only her friend but her protector, could be in harm, or even worse, dead. Raven has been through a lot in her life. A lot of death, a lot of losing people she grew close to. Anymore she doesn't even shed a tear when she loses someone. But for Raven, April and Shelly are her family. More than most of her family has ever been family. A promise to Jonathan, to keep his babies' safe. 

"Raven. Raven." says April having called for Raven four or five times now, but Raven was in too deep of thought to pay attention.

"Oh yea, I'm sorry, I was just lost in thought." says Raven.

"We can't stay here. Snake will find us sooner or later." says April.

"You're right. We should use what is left of the forest for protection from the open view" says Raven pointing to the last bit of forest. Just as they decide to keep moving, Raven is taken from behind by a flying object. A shield in fact. Just as they thought they were going to get away, Snake finds them again.

"Did you really think you could get rid of me that easily?" asks the big, behemoth, known as Snake, catching her shield as it makes it way back to her. Just as Snake finishes gloating she is hit in the shoulder with an arrow with a rope tied to the other end of it. April turns to see Ace and she smiles uncontrollably. Ace yanks on the rope pulling Snake towards him. He takes a clean uppercut to the jaw of Snake, but the big mountain of a woman manages to come back from it and she throws her shoulder into Ace, now sending him backwards. April uses her psychic abilities to pick up Snake's shield which fell when Snake was pulled by Ace, April then sends it flying at Snake, hitting her in the back and dropping her to the ground. Raven manages to get to her feet again after the hard hit.

"April the shield! Grab it!" yells Raven. April then runs for the shield, but Snake gets up too and manages to grab the shield before April. She then hits April in the gut with it, then uses the shield like a bat to hit April in the back of the head, sending her face first and forward into dirt and ember. Raven makes her move for Snake but is cut off when she gets hit by the shield being tossed like a Frisbee again. Snake looks at the field of destruction she has caused with just her brute strength and a shield. She lets out a cackle. She puts her head down and releases another cackle as she quickly rises her head again, while letting her dread-locked hair go behind her. 

"Snake, there you are." says Matt approaching with Emerald behind him.

"Where did you go? How did he get out?" asks Snake pointing to Ace.

"Mistakes were made. We apologize. But thank you for taking care of them. We can return to Sabri now." says Matt making sure to keep Snake calm and unaware of their plan to double-cross her and Sabri. Ace sits up just enough to see what is going on. He rolls over to April to make sure she is okay while Snake is distracted.

"I will grab the Psychic, then we leave." says Snake.

"Right, right. Just calm down and everything will be alright." says Emerald, trying to relax the big woman after her fight. 

"I'll take this for you." says Matt reaching for her shield as Snake watches curiously. Ace then notices their plan and rolls again to behind Snake and gets on his hands and knees. Matt notices what Ace has done and pushes Snake back over Ace, Snake falls down and Matt takes a swing with her shield, hitting in her in the face, knocking Snake out for the time being. Raven stands up and then helps April up. They join to stand by Ace as they face Emerald and Matt, who once were enemies, but could now be allies.

"We have a lot of explaining to do. I understand, but this isn't the place." says Emerald.

"I thank you sister, but we need to find the Fallen Blades." says Raven.

"I think we've been through enough for one day." says Ace trying to calm down both sides of the Black family.