“Okay, so we need to find this gem.” Nala butts in, looking out the window past the trees. “Death trap or not, I’ll take my chances.”
River taps me on the shoulder and gestures concerningly to Nala, who is looking waywardly on her own. I give him a nod and walk over to her.
“Are you okay?” I ask, rubbing her back slightly.
“I just…” She pauses, “Never got the chance to tell her I like her.” Nala wipes a stray tear from her eye and snuffles her nose.
“Trina?” I question, and she nods her head.
“I wasn’t sure because I’ve never had feelings like this before, I mean, I did with Charlie, but never with a girl, but now she’s there, and I’m here, all I keep thinking about is if she’s okay.” I cringe at the mention of Charlie’s name, but understand her pain all the same.
“You can tell her yourself once we find the gem.” I comfort her even though the voice in the back of my head tells me it may be a suicide mission. She nods her head slowly and looks to the boys in the rest of the group.
“So what’s the plan?” She asks, and River peels himself off the table whilst Ryder walks over to us.
“We need to get to Half Dead Hollow,” Ryder grits his teeth as he says this, as if even naming this place could poison the tip of his tongue.
“Whoa, no one said we had to go there.” River startles, shaking his head.
“Why, you scared?” Ryder smirks, and River clears his throat uneasily.
“Sorry, am I missing something?” Nala adds in confusion, “What’s wrong with Half Dead Hollow?
“Have you heard the name, what’s right with it?” River retorts, and I turn to face her.
“It got its name because once you enter it, you’re supposedly already half dead,” I explain, and I see fear in her eyes.
“And we have to go there!” She asks, and I nod my head slowly.
“Not we, me and Asha are going,” Ryder adds, and I look at him questioningly.
“No—
“I can’t keep you all safe. The fewer of us that go, the more likely we return.” Ryder cuts me off.
“No complaints from me.” River holds his hands up.
“No, that thing got to them before. I am not leaving without them.” My eyes pierce through Ryder’s, and he knows this is not up for negotiation. “We’re safer all together.”
“Fine, but when one of them gets hurt, don’t come crying to me,” he spits, and I see a shimmer of resentment in his eyes.
“That’s not fair.” I soften my tone, “I know what this is about; whatever problem you have with River, I suggest you hash it out now.” He exhales and rubs the back of his neck.
“I thought we put our problems behind us,brother.” River smirks as he slyly confronts Ryder.
“That was before you kept a huge secret from me.” He turns to face him now, “I thought she was cheating on me with you.”His voice cracks a little. “Do you know what that’s like, seeing the person you love with someone else?”
“I do.” River looks over at me with regret. “But what if the person you loved was in danger, cos that’s what she is, every moment she spends with you is a moment closer to her death. And yet she still won’t listen to me.” A tremble claims his lips.
“I would never let anything happen to her!” Ryder shouts, clearly affected by his words.
“But you did! And no matter how hard I try, I can’t keep her safe when she’s with you.” Ryder looks down at his feet. “She only has eyes for you; there’s nothing more going on. I told her I wanted to tell you, but she thought you were gonna kill yourself again. She’s not worried about her life, just yours!” He exclaims, gesturing to me, then running a hand through his dirty blonde hair. Nala lets go of a deep exhale; she’s not the only one who can feel the tension brewing. “You’re a ticking time bomb; meanwhile, the girl you tried to kill would do anything for you.”
“I know she would, and that’s why I had to do it.” Ryder exclaims, “The spirit in the Shadow Realm has told me I have five days—five days before the serum takes over.” He looks at me, his eyes slightly glazed, “I know Asha won’t do it, but I need you to promise me you will do what needs to be done if it comes to it.”
“No,” I order, tears beginning to brim in my eyes. “It will not come to that; there’s no need to be planning it now.”
“Promise me,” Ryder ignores me and keeps his gaze focused on River. “I know I’m dangerous, but I can’t force her to stay away. Hell, I can’t even keep myself away.” Ryder places his head in his hands.
