It's hard to imagine, but it's only just becoming afternoon as we continue following the prints. And when I say "we", I mean me since I'm the only one that can see them- the others are just following my lead.

Everything's going pretty smoothly, just a tad too slow and mundane for my taste but hey, it's better than nearly being bird food so I have to count my blessing I guess. Though I wish something interesting would come up, Chasan pressuring me to come up with a plan isn't what I had in mind.

"So your big plan to get your brother back is going to play out how?" He begins. "Are you expecting him to simply hand him over like a fair player?"

I shrug, "No."

"Do you even know what this guy is capable of? To the full extent?"

"Nope."

"How exactly do you expect this to play out in your favor then?"

"You know, I think it's time for life lessons with Joan," Since there's nothing else to do but, you know, walk. "The lesson of the day: expect the unexpected, the end."

"I can respect that," Nimu agrees. "Life is unpredictable, that's a given, but I do believe that it is wise to have plans just in case- especially going up against someone like Tymos."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, slow your roll and let's put some protection on. Let me tell you about a time where I, Joan, planned and it made no fucking difference to the situation."

Though I will admit that being a careful planner has never been part of my DNA, I actually used to think about my actions before doing them, but the older I got the more instantaneous I became- and for good reason.

"So there was this one time when I was seven or eight- I can't remember- and I was in the mood for a candy bar- a Twix, but you don't know what that is anyway- but my mom wouldn't buy one for me when we were checking out because it was almost dinner or some excuse like that, maybe I was being a brat that day, I don't remember. But anyway, I was dead set on getting a Twix bar so a little later while my mom was busy buying some other stuff, I was formulating a plan for how to get a Twix. So I finally decided to go with this harebrained scheme that, to my seven or eight-year-old brain, shoulda worked. Plan was, I was going to cause a scene outside the store, get the person manning the register to go out and check on it while I sneak in unnoticed and swipe the bar then leave."

"So," Incoming judgment from Chasan in three, two- "Your plan was to steal this candy bar, this Twix thing?"

"Questions should be saved till after the story, please and thank you. Anywho, that was the plan- seemed foolproof. I get everything in place and throw a rock at the window- that was my distraction. I didn't throw it hard enough to shatter it completely but I did manage to put some cracks in it. It was enough for the store owner to go and investigate while I ran around to the back and got in from the side door. I swiped all the Twix bars that were there and start to head back to the side to slip out but then the guy comes back in and I have to hide since, you know, the store's not that big and all. While I'm hiding in the aisles, his wife comes out from the back- which I wasn't aware existed- and she comes to see what's going on and so I'm kinda trapped. Trapped but not screwed. At least until I drop one of the bars and they notice me hiding. To make a long story short, I was trapped and screwed by that point so I just gave up without a fight and admitted to throwing the rock at the window. My parents had to pay for the repairs and to this day, I'm quite sure that couple doesn't like me still."

Looking back on it now, it was kind of an overly convoluted plan just for a Twix bar. I mean, younger me wasn't as slick as older me is now. But I remember the conversation had that day at the table with my dad- it wasn't a pretty one.

I'm not an idiot, I can see that they're judging me hardcore right now and honestly, I don't blame 'em.

Nimu is the first to speak up. "So because your plan to steal was unsuccessful you never plan for anything else?"

"Yeah. You see, if I had just trusted my instincts and rolled with the punches then maybe I would have had a candy bar and never been caught that day."

"Or maybe," Chasan adds. "Not stealing in the first place would have done you some good."

"I'll give you that, it was kind of stupid, but the moral remains the same-"

"That greed and dishonesty are wrong?" Nimu suggest.

"Eh, those'll get you brownie points I guess. But no, that plans aren't always solid and get you through."

Yeah, the judgment seat is occupied, it's occupied by me.

After a pause, Lan speaks up as well.

"What's a Twix?"

I laugh. Oh, how I like Lan the most out of the three of them.

I'm about to explain what it is when Nimu puts on her mother hen pants and breaks into a lesson time.

"That's not what's important," She begins. "What's important is getting to the root of all this and trying to explain why you need to have a plan."

"Honestly, I think you're making this into a much bigger deal than it actually is," I reply nonchalantly.

"No, I don't think you understand, Joan. Plans are good in life. Though your plan to steal wasn't successful doesn't mean that all plans fall through the cracks. We need to go through how we're going to manage to get your brother back from Tymos because as carefree as you seem to be about confronting him, you haven't a clue what he's capable of."

Someone needs a chill pill or a hot bath or some liquor or something.

"Okay," I hold my hands up. "Whoa, calm down, Jesus. I was just joking around about plans and everything. I was a despicable human being with little to no morals when I was younger like I am now, I'm not disputing that. Real talk, guys, don't take half the crap that comes out of my mouth so seriously. Do you honestly think that I'm anti-planning just because a plan I made up on the fly when I was eight failed? Like seriously? I will tell you that I'm not much of a planner because I just never found them useful in my life other than to plot my way to the Olympics- and even then it's shoddy- but I don't despise plans. I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm not good at plans, they aren't my cup of tea."

They all just kind of stop and stare at me with this look, this look I've definitely seen before but they're doing it in such a new take that the meaning of it eludes me, but I've definitely been given it once in my life. It hints of some serious are-you-fucking-with-me-right-now vibes so that's a clue to what they might say next.

This time, Chasan decides to start this roast fest.

"With every word that passes out of your mouth I can believe more and more that you're fourteen. Why bother telling us any of that if you tell us not to take anything you say with gravity?"

I leap over a fallen tree.

"Because, here's the thing about me. Somethings are meant to be taken seriously while most things aren't, but you can always tell the difference."

"What's the difference?" Lan asks.

"Oh, you'll figure it out."

Yeah, I'm not making myself out to be the most likable person out here today, but I've never tried to be so...

Nimu's about done with me today, I can hear it in her voice.

"So can we formulate a plan now?"

"If you guys want to then be my guest, but I'll stick to my on-the-spot planning. Honestly, guys, don't live your life like it revolves around me, you do you."

"You realize the only reason any of us are out here risking our lives is because of you, right?" She spits out.

I shrug. "I mean, I didn't force you at gunpoint nor am I holding you hostage."

Well, I see my douche-o-meter is alerting me of record-breaking highs.

I'm kind of half-concerned Nimu is going to spontaneously combust judging from how red her face is becoming. She practically gets right up on me, pointing one sharp-nailed finger literally three inches from my face and hisses (not even lying when I say that)-

"Why are you such a- such a-"

"Dick?"

Gotta help a girl out.

Before she can explode into a million pieces of herself, we're snatched up into the air, staring down at Chasan and Lan through the webbing of a net.

"What the?"

I try to get into a better position, but things are a little tight in here with two people. I'm sure Nimu isn't too thrilled to be this close to me after all that just went down.

"Whoa," Lan stares up at us. "I didn't even see this."

"Neither did we," Nimu grunts, trying to get in a less awkward position but failing miserably like myself.

"Here, I'll go climb the tree and cut you both down," Chasan says already heading over to the tree where the trap was set up.

Lan continues to be of little use, staring up at us.

"Wonder who would set a trap like this all the way out here," He muses.

"Good question," Nimu finally gives up trying to readjust herself and simply slumps against me.

It only strikes me just then that I have my very own sword with me and that I can cut us down myself.

Taking out the sword, I begin cutting away at the rope from the top. Nimu quickly takes notice and, for some reason, isn't pleased by this.

"What are you doing?"

"What does it look like? Getting us down."

"Chasan's already going to do that."

"Well I'm speeding up the process. We got footprints to follow and daylight doesn't last forever."

Still PO'ed at me, she slumps back against the side as I continue to saw away at the thick rope. I'm so focused that I don't notice Chasan climbing the tree to get to us until I hear him call out.

"What are you doing?"

I fight back a sigh. "Doing jumping jacks. What does it look, people?"

He continues climbing up, eventually reaching our specific branch.

"I was coming to do that for you."

"No, no, let her do what she wants to do," Nimu says, waving her hands. "She has all the brilliant ideas here."

That is honestly the most sarcasm I've heard from anybody here this entire time- hell, it even ranks up there with some of the driest, passive aggressive sarcasm I've taken. I'm almost kind of proud in a way, but now's not the time.

So I grit my teeth as I continue to cut away at the rope and fight sarcasm with sarcasm.

"Yup, I do. I make the best damn decisions around."

At last the first rope cuts, but there are a few more strings that need to be hacked away at before we're free. Chasan has finally arrived at our branch and begins inching his way toward us- the branch not being too sturdy.

I'm so intent on getting us down that I accidentally nick myself on the thumb. Pulling my hand back, I shake off the pain before inspecting the cut, seeing the bright red blood spring to the surface.

"Shit," I hiss, shaking my hand again.

"Are you okay?" She asks, actually sounding genuinely concerned- she's such a much better person than me.

"I'll survive. 'Tis but a scratch."

I guess that's the end of her concern because she goes right back to looking sour at me, leaning against the side as I resume cutting.

Chasan has finally arrived and goes to untie the thing.

"Here, just let me."

"Whatever," I reply still while sawing away at the rope.

"Hey, watch it," He grumbles. "Don't cut me."

"Not trying to, but if you would move your hands someplace else then it would fine."

Nimu sighs. "Joan, just let Chasan get us down."

"We're working as a team."

"Not a productive one," He shoots back.

"You do realize I still have a sword in my hand, right?"

"Will you stop?" Nimu tells me, rubbing the bridge of her nose much like my dad does when something- usually me- is working his last nerve.

I stop trying to cut and give her a look before asking "What?" even though I already know what.

"Thank you," Chasan grumbles as he continues to work to free us. "I'll get you guys down in-"

Out of nowhere, an arrow whizzes through the air and hits him in the side, causing him to fall to the ground.

Bewildered by what just happened, we both quickly look down at where he lies- seemingly knocked out by the fall- then glance around to see where the arrow came from.

"Woah!" Lan rushes over to Chasan, kneeling by his side as he checks him over.

"Lan," Nimu calls down to him. "Find cov-"

Before he can even look up at us, he's shot down by another out-of-nowhere arrow. Unlike, Chasan, though, he's shot in the chest, causing him to stagger backward and become unconscious, which immediately causes Nimu to cry out in fear.

"Lan!"

Now I know we're into some serious shit.

We're being attacked from somewhere on our left but I can't see anyone or anything. Things aren't looking great for us seeing as we're helplessly vulnerable, hanging right out in the open like target practice for our mysterious ambushers.

"We have to get down from here," She says, trying to get the rope to tear.

"Don't have to tell me twice."

I know neither of us wants to think about it, or even look down at it, but there's a very real possibility that both Chasan and Lan are dead. Chasan might just be dead from that fall, nevermind the arrow in his side, Lan, on the other hand, got hit square in the chest. Whoever is shooting those arrows is a helluva shot.

We're working like fools to free ourselves from this trap, and before we even have time to brace ourselves we crash to the ground.

Though I'm dazed, I'm not out for the count, but it does take me some time to collect myself. Nimu's also still conscious but confusion.

"What happened?" She moaned.

Though Nimu has been narrowed down to only three blurry images of herself as I regain my wits, I still feel like I'm on a merry-go-round/Ferris wheel hybrid.

"I think- I think we got cut down," I reply groggily, rubbing my legs.

"But how?"

That's a good question because we certainly didn't free ourselves in that short amount of time so the answer must lie elsewhere.

"Are you hurt?" She asks next.

"Not really. You?"

"Just a little dizziness," She winces. "It should go away in a- Joan, behind you!"

Before I can even fully turn around to face whatever is behind me, a sharp, searing pain pricks my neck. The only fleeting thought I can form before I collapse is the realization I've been shot.

°°°

"Yeah, no, that's the dumbest shit I've ever heard you say, and I've heard a lot of shit come from you."

"Okay, okay, but hear me out on this. Just imagine if we went, just envision the awesome time we'd be having."

"Okay, okay, but just imagine the trouble we'll get into when our parents realize what's up. I'm not doubting you, J, but you come up with some not so smart shit sometimes- actually, scratch that, most of the time."

"Look, they'll never know if we don't let on. Come on, Nora, it'll be an adventure to tell in the future when we're old farts."

"Huh, you really think I'm getting to that age if my parents catch me doing this? You're cute, but no."

"I'll do it by myself if you don't come with me."

"Go ahead, just know I'm not covering your dumbass when you get called out."

"Oh, gee, what a friend."

"Yeah, I'm the friend that doesn't let you walk off the edge of a cliff, 'cuz you most definitely would if I let you."

"What are you, my mom?"

"You already know I'm mom 2.0, I keep you out of trouble."

"...You know, alright, I won't go. I was just bluffing anyway."

"Mmm, I know."

"But one day we'll make it to one of their concerts."

"Yeah, but that day ain't today."

"Aren't you the one that's supposed to be the optimistic one out of the two of us? You know, the one that shits rainbows and unicorn glitter out their ass."

"Well in your words 'I'm the realistic one here'."

"I do not sound anything remotely like that."

"Well that's what I be hearing."

"Okay, whatever, Nora the Explorer."

"I swear, I'm going to-"

"-okay, chill, down girl."

"You're the one that got everyone started with that in first grade."

"Guilty is charge."

"Yeah...my parents completely trolled me with that name. It wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't Hispanic and looked like fuckin' Dora when I was younger."

"Honestly, it's not that bad- not like mine. I mean, how the fuck did my parents come up with the name Joan? Who do you know is named Joan nowadays? Answer, nada."

"There was Joan Rivers, I've heard of her, she was pretty famous. Then you got Joan of Arc, she was a freakin' medieval badass- and she was French, ooh la la."

"And both are dead so."

"Yeah, but like their legacies are pretty cool."

"I'm not about living in other people's legacies, I'm about forging my own. Ooh! Let's make that an inspirational quote by me."

"Generic quotes do not amuse me- frame that one, bitch."

"Why, God, did You only make two hands, I need at least four more to properly flip this girl off."

"Please. But seriously...you're named after some chick who led troops to war and is a patron saint, that's gotta count for something."

"Yeah, good for her before she was roasted- literally. I'm not crossdressing and leading troops to war, okay? I'm a solo vigilante."

"Firstly, can I be amazed that you actually know the word vigilante-"

"No, because I'm not a retard."

"-secondly, not to start anything by this- not that I care because we're always a hundred with each other-"

"Keep it real, no filter."

"-but...it's not so surprising you ride solo-"

"Yeah, you know that's just my style, being a team player just isn't me."

"I see the bestie filter has to come down."

"I told you no filters. Give it to me straight."

"Okay...yeah, so, I know we throw the b-word around a lot but sometimes you can be a tad like an uncool, no chill bitch. Like usually you're a bad, fun to hang around bitch but then you're kind of just eh."

"Not even gonna lie, I know that everyone knows that. Hell, it should be plastered on the welcome sign: town of the head bitch."

"Okay, yeah, no, now I gotta turn on savage mode. Whatever you say, just know you forced me to this point. Right now it's not bestie Nora talking, it's cold, hard truth Nora."

"Whatever you need to say just spit it out."

"There are times when you think you're being a b, but you're actually being a c. Oh my gosh, don't give me that look, I threw in the disclaimer-"

"Disclaimer my ass."

"See, I knew this was a mistake. Why oh why would I put myself through this? Joan, I'm not calling you it, I'm just saying- I'm just telling you how you come off sometimes. Most of the time you're fine, you're chill, you're you. But then there are those times when you think you're just being a douchebag but you've exceeded to the c level."

"Like when? I don't sit here trying to please everyone, I can't control how they think of me."

"Yeah, I know, but sometimes could you, I dunno, try to care a little what others may think?"

"Nora, you know that's not how-"

"Okay, okay. I meant, can you try to be considerate of others? That's reasonable, right?"

"Look, I'm not the type to bend over backwards for someone, but I'm only joking when I claim I'm the devil, I can give a crap about another human being besides myself."

"I'm not trying to make fun of you, really, but seriously, Joan, when have you ever thought about another human being- minus me, your family, and the rest of your friends- like, you genuinely were considerate of them and their feelings?"

"What, are you a therapist now? I care about the occasional human being that's not people I typically like."

"Okay, no need to get hostile. I was just telling you how it is sometimes."

"Look...I know I push the envelope and I'm trying, you gotta admit that sometimes I do put in that extra effort."

"Eh, debatable."

"God you're such a-"

"I'm kidding, I kid. Cool your ta-tas. Not trying to be pushy or make you out to be a 'team playa' but just maybe take it down a notch when you're getting a little up there, ya know."

"Whatever."

"Love you too."

"Yeah, yeah. Now let's pick up the pace, I hate dragging behind you know."

"You're always in too much of a hurr-"

"Another time another place, now catch up slowpoke."

"I swear, I wonder about how we became friends sometimes, but I know it's 'cuz I'm as weird as you."

"Got that right. Now will you hurry up, N-N-N-N-N-Nora, Nora, Nora the explorer!"

"Okay, now you're asking for it!"

"You'll never catch me alive!"