When fate and worlds collide

16 | The City

Aiyanna

Rohan found me in our home, a bag on the couch and weapons on the table. He stared at the gun for a moment before turning his gaze to where I stood in the kitchen, food prepped for my scouting trip. I knew he would be upset, I had only been home a short while before heading out again, and after my near death experience with the nightmare, I had felt his emotions starting to surge

"How long?" His voice was tight, hands shoved in his hoodie pocket. I could feel the turmoil swirling in his chest, see the tears that turned his eyes glassey

"It's only a few days, four max. I need to investigate our surroundings for answers to the ferals' bazaar behaviour" I scanned over his posture, looking for his reaction. He either had been practising on keeping his outside composure or didn't know how to react

"Why you?" His voice was barely a whisper, but I heard him clear as day

"Roh..."

"You've already given so much mum...to me, to these people" he paused as he looked out the window, voice almost cracking "you never expect anything in return, never ask for it either. You put your life on the line every time you go out there, all while our supposed Alpha hides behind the walls you built with literally your blood, sweat and tears" I let out a sigh, exhaustion almost sweeping over me. It was an old argument, one that tore me apart every time I had to leave in order to keep us safe.

"If I don't go, who will? Xavier? Laurence? Braydon? Only one of those has enough power to possibly come home in one piece"

"Take me with you then" his eyes when he turned back to meet mine were so full of hope, determination and love I felt it resonate in my chest; he was to kind hearted for this world

"We've talked about this Roh, you're not ready"

"I'm not....or you're not?" He countered. I closed my mouth, teeth clenched. The accusation stung a little, but he wasn't wrong. The very thought of having him outside these walls, in the danger and horror filled streets caused anxiety to spike and threaten to drown me in panic. I had switched off my emotions to everyone else, but when it came to my son, the possibility of putting him in harms way, caused all emotions I still had to swirl and cause chaos in my mind.

I felt my palms start to sweat at the thought of what would happen if I failed to protect him out there. This was why I had built the Tower, why I had worked tirelessly to create a safe haven so I would never have to worry about where he was and if he was safe.

I felt Liam reach out at the spike in my adrenaline and anxiety, looking for the source of my discomfort. I pushed him away quickly, this was a private matter between my son and I

"You know I am strong enough, fast enough. You've trained me yourself, so has Xavier. I have surpassed all of your other Aura students and I'm now contributing to the Aura powers within the pack" Rohnan walked over to where I was standing and leant against the counter, the passion he was protruding caused pride to swell in my chest. He was so confident and grown, far from the young and vulnerable boy he had been when we had first stumbled across this place.

I knew if I turned him down it would cause a small rift to start between us. As much as he knew I loved him, and everything I did was to protect him, trying to force him to stay behind these walls for the rest of his life would be torture. It was almost the same as Liam trying to keep me contained to his side. If I forced Rohnan to stay here I was no better than our Alpha.

But on the other hand if he came with me, and we were cornered by a pack of ferals, I doubted my own abilities to keep him safe. Would my panic get the best of me? Would I freeze in fear at him being killed? It was different from when the fall had first happened, sleeping in holes in the ground and broken buildings while trying to find a safe place to live. Scavenging for food and clothing while I tried to work out how to use my newfound powers.

Our road here had been bloody, dirty, painful and long. We had both endured pain before and after the fall, the life we lived had been fear ridden already, the things we had endured only slightly worse than the treatment I had received. We were both scarred, rebuilt into something new at the time of the fall.

"Ok Rohnan....ok" I breathed. The smile that spread over his face at my answer hurt my heart, he had been expecting to be confined to the Tower longer "but" I added, folding my arms over my chest, trying to contain my surging anxiety at all the possibilities that could happen "it is a short trip, two days max. If you want to show me you are grown enough to help out there, we start small and stay close to home" he was practically bouncing with excitement, his happiness overflowing through the pack link and spiking the interest of multiple pack members, including Liam and Xavier

"There are rules. You do as I say, follow my every lead and instruction. We will plan the route and the safe houses to stay in and will be there two hours before dark. No being a hero, no wandering off on your own, no leaving the safe house before dawn or without myself or Xavier" Rohnan paused at that comment

"Xavier will be with us?" I sighed before giving a small nod

"Part of my agreement with Liam was to take Xavier on any future scouting trips"

"I bet he loved that" Rohnan grinned. I felt a smile tug at my mouth

"He wasn't overly excited, no" I reached out and drew my son into a hug, noticing for the first time how tall he had become, almost a head taller than I was, not that I was overly tall to begin with. I could feel the strength in his body beneath my hands, how his training had shaped him into a young man

"It will be fine mum, I promise. I want to give back for everything you have done for me" he mumbled into my shoulder. I squeezed him gently in answer

"I love you Roh"

"Love you to mum" why did I feel like I was saying goodbye?

~*~

The sun's rays were just starting to peek through the broken city, fog still clinging to the shadows. I walked across the square with Rohnan and Xavier at my sides, the silence between us mutual as not to wake the sleeping tower.

Liam had been hesitant on agreeing to my scouting trip, but conceded quickly when he knew it was part of our deal, and after the strange happening with the ferals and mysterious vampire I knew he wanted answer just as much. It surprised me a little though, I had expected some level of resistance, even with our agreement in place and the fact I would be missing the next council meeting; I guess he really was trying to change.

He did, however, almost choke when I told him Rohnan was coming with. Liam had inquired about Glen during our absence. As long as he was not harmed I did not care. He had only tried to visit that once since he was released from Quarantine, being scolded and ostracised by his son must have stung.

I nodded to the two guards at the gate, their stony eyes flicking to Rohnan for a moment. I gripped the strap on my backpack and stared back, face blank; I did not need to give an explanation as to why my son was coming with, and after a brief pause the two guards gripped the handles on the gate and heaved backwards, allowing a gap big enough for us to slip through.

Giving one last look at Xavier I passed through the large stone, feeling the tingle as I left the safety bubble of my magical barrier. My stomach was in knots as I scanned the surrounding area once with my eyes and then once with my Aura, searching for any ferals that might be lurking somewhere nearby.

We wondered down the street, keeping an eye and ear out for any indications the ferals were nearby. The buildings either side crumbling and broken, weeds and vines growing from the cracks in the pavement as nature tried to take back over. My breath came out in small white clouds, it was late November and winter was on its way, the late nights and early mornings getting colder each day.

None of us spoke as we made our way towards the heart of the city, keeping close to the buildings for cover. We had eradicated many nests of ferals this close to the tower, but there was always the possibility of them coming back, or sending scouting parties this way.

Rohnan occasionally wondered away, his curiosity spiking when he spied something different, or a faded comic sign could be seen in an abandoned window. I watched as his eyes would light up at the simple things, a realisation hitting me; I had become so accustomed to the danger, I was numb to the small beauties that still shone through.

We had a few miles to cover before reaching our next safehouse, but part of me didn't want to rush these moments. Rohnan was stuffing a new found comic into his backpack when Xavier came up beside me, his eyes scanning the area

"I often forget about the little things. I never would have thought to grab these comics for the kids back home" he mused. I briefly glance up at the man before scanning the street myself

"Staying alive sort of takes precedence when you're out here"

"We've been out here for a few hours and the only thing that's taken precedence for Rohnan is everything but danger" Xavier pointed out. I let out a sigh "you won't be able to keep him inside now, you know that, right?"

"Why do you think I was so reluctant to let him come with me in the first place?" I snapped back. Rohnan stood and shouldered his backpack, his face a mix of worry and joy; he could feel my unease. I sighed again

"He will be ok Aiya" Xavier reassured. I didn't look at him, my gut was still doing flips with that feeling of foreboding still lingering.

"We need to keep moving" I mumbled, hoisting my bag higher onto my shoulder and making my way down the street, urging Rohnan on as I passed, listening to the ramble as he told me about the comics he had found.

We drifted towards the outskirts of the city, this edge closer than many other parts as it backed onto a forest that was slowly making its way back into the city. The nightmares didn't linger around these buildings, many had caved in or didn't have enough darkness to offer them protection from the sun during the day. The ferals also didn't seem to scout this way either, the area almost always free from their presence as if they intentionally avoided it.

We searched a few buildings along the way, bagging anything that looked useful. Most had already been stripped during the early days, but there were always little things that had been missed, like a box of paracetamol that had been kicked under the counter, or a small bottle of shampoo that had fallen behind a shelf.

I glanced at the setting sun, noting how long before nightfall and how far from the safehouse we were. The hairs on the back of my neck pricked up whenever we were out in the open, as if we were being watched. But no matter how much I searched with my powers I felt nothing but the usual vegetation and small wildlife. The feeling wasn't like when there was a threat nearby, it felt more like a calling, a pull in my chest, but one that also caused my stomach to flip, as if there were a danger I didn't know about right around the corner.

Using the link I instructed Xavier and Rohnan to make their way to the safehouse, I wanted to be inside and settled well before nightfall, so far this scout was going well but I didn't want to push our luck. Xavier heaved open the heavy door, allowing Rohnan to slip inside, I was about to follow when that same feeling as earlier washed over me. I quickly glanced around, eyes darting between the buildings, a few pieces of debris fell from a ruined building at the end of the street but nothing else moved.

Normally I would reach out to Xavier for reassurance, to feel his aura against mine gave me comfort knowing I was with someone I trusted to not only look out for me, but for my son first. But I felt that small awkward tang when the air remained still, neither of us taking the first step at reaching out after what happened the other day. I guess he was still upset at my actions. My chest tightened strangely at the absence.

Odd. I frowned slightly, trying to understand the feeling, but coming up empty.

Without a word to Xavier I followed my son inside

~*~

Early morning rays filtered through the buildings while I scanned the street before me. I had been restless all night, sleep eluding me as my ears picked up even the smallest sound outside to indicate a nightmare might have found us. The unusual tug inside my chest was gone, it had faded as the night had closed in which left more questions then the ones I had set out with.

We gathered our things and began the journey home, taking a different route to search a few other buildings for any other hidden gems. Rohnan was buzzing with excitement, rummaging through boxes and bins for things that were deemed non-essential when we had first gone through the city looking for supplies.

I kept quiet as we continued, not wanting to utter the words 'everything has gone well' in case I jinxed ourselves. We just needed this luck to continue, at least until we were near the Tower. My senses were on high alert as the sun rose higher, that unusual feeling returning stronger then before to the point I almost sought out the source.

Rohnan came up beside me and slipped his hand into mine, jolting me from my thoughts I looked at my son, his genuine smile contagious I felt my mouth respond. I knew he could feel my unease, try as I might to hide it from him

"Does this mean I have a chance at applying for a scouting party?" he asked casually. I let out a bark of laughter before I could stop myself, hearing Xavier give the same response

"One scout and he thinks he's a man" Xavier ruffled Rohnan's hair "that won't give your mum a heart attack at all" Rohnan pouted, fixing his hair and giving Xavier a sour look

"I'm fourteen in a month, I'm more a man then some in the tower" he mumbled, I stifled another laugh. I didn't want him to think he was invincible, and that this scouting trip was not one to compare to others. I knew he wouldn't stop until he achieved his goal though.

"I will put in a recommendation for your training, but you aren't jumping straight into scouting trips Roh, you will go through the process like everyone else" he let out a sigh

"Worth a shot" I let out another bark of laughter. I should have expected that. I was silent for a moment while I sifted through my thoughts and emotions on the matter. I knew I would have to let him go one day, I just didn't expect it to be this soon "I know you worry mum, but I want to do more for our people, and for you. I want to help, to be more than just the son of the woman who saved us."

"Making a name for yourself in this world can get you killed Roh. it's not something to strive for"

"I know, I don't want to make a name for myself, but I don't want to be just another survivor, I want to be a leader" I felt my chest swell with pride. I gave him every opportunity to live life happily behind safe walls, without ever having to put his life in danger. But that was not the path he wanted, with all that was presented, he would rather choose to earn his way.

"You know you really surprise me sometimes" he gave a wide beam, pride radiating off him "You will make a great leader one day" I praised. Maybe it was time to discuss with Liam about the successor for the pack and for thr Tower. We needed a plan if anything happened to him or myself and while I know Xavier would step up and take charge, something told me he didn't want that type of role.

We lapsed into silence, taking in the surrounding area for the first time and seeing how nature had begun to flourish in the decaying city. Small trees growing between cracks in the road, wild vines growing up the side of buildings, grass beginning to take over the sidewalk. I was lost in the world Rohnan was seeing I almost missed the tingle that began to crawl up my next, the feeling of being watched returning.

I glanced around, worry started to grow in my stomach as the feeling intensified. Xavier was looking at me now, he could feel what I did and knew to be on alert. We needed to move, it was still a three hour hike to the Tower and we were now behind. I ushered Rohnan along, hoping he didn't sense my fears as the hairs on the back of my neck started to rise.

As we were about to turn a corner Rohnan pointed to a building across the road, the windows smashed and door in pieced on the ground. He was pointing to a poster that somehow had managed to stay on the wall; I felt myself sigh, I knew he wouldn't let us move on without looking.

It was an advertisement for new Pokémon cards. I knew it had been his favourite card game when he was younger, but we didn't grab his deck when we first fled at the fall, and I admittedly had not taken the time to search for new ones since. Rohnan's eyes were pleading, this would be his only chance until he was cleared for scouting trips to grab them. I looked at Xavier for advice who just shrugged; I gave him a face.

"Ok, but quickly, we are already behind time" We made our way over, Xavier and I taking point as we neared the building. The windows had large bars across them, and a large fridge had been tipped over and leaned across the doorway, a small opening at the bottom meant we had to crouch as we went through.

I pulled out my knife, the store inside darker then I had expected, especially with the windows at the front all smashed. Comics, toys and DVD's lain strewn all over the floor, most shelves had been tipped over but a few still stood to the right. I scanned the area towards the back, heightening my senses to see better but didn't detect any movement. I signalled to Rohnan who had been waiting, crouched in the door way and buzzing with excitement. At my signal he dashed forward and started sifting through the packets of Pokémon cards that were scattered on the floor off to the left.

Xavier silently stepped beside me, his Aura brushing mine for the first time since our argument a few days ago - If you could call it that. Rohnan made his way towards the back of the store, his bag now on his front and open as he stuffed packets of cards into it. I pulled my aura forward to respond to Xavier when I heard it, the sound turning the blood in my veins to ice and the very air to stand still; the low guttural growl of a nightmare.