We spend the rest of the day following the invisible footprints until they disappear from sight, abruptly putting an end to our day's travel.

Again, unfortunately, we'll have to make due with what we have since there isn't a town or anything around, nor do we have any blankets or anything comfy to lay on. If this was any other time, I might not have been able to fall asleep as easily, but after a day like today I could sleep peacefully on a bed of nails- I'll just worry about the chiropractor bill later.

Getting comfortable on the ground, I'm ready to doze off when I remember that I haven't asked Chasan a question yet.

God, how I'm not in the mood to pull teeth.

But I really don't feel like waking up to him dead and having to worry about burying a body, so I force my heavy eyes open and peer around the other side of the tree where he's getting situated.

"Chasan," I whisper. "Psst, Chasan."

Glancing back at me, he gives me a suspicious look before scooting closer so I don't have to whisper so loudly.

"What?" He doesn't sound as annoyed at me as much as simply tired, which is understandable.

Since he's kind of a hostile guy to questions, I decide to make this seem as natural as ever.

"I was just thinking," I begin, taking it slow. "I never really got around to asking you what I wanted to earlier today."

He side-eyes me again. "What's that?"

"How'd you get into that kidnapping business with those other dicks?"

I didn't really have that on my mind, but now that it's out in the open I want an answer. He's only eighteen. What eighteen year old gets into a business like that?

Straightening up initially, he slumps back down again with fatigue as he rubs his face.

"You want to know the truth?"

"No, I want a sugar-coated lie."

He narrows his eyes at me, but really? Seriously? That needed to be asked?

"Look," He growls. "Do you want the answer or not?"

"Yes, I want the truth."

After a second of silence, he clears his throat and rests his head against the tree, staring out into the dark unknown that encases us on every side.

"Ever since I was a young boy, I've always wanted adventure on the great, open sea. I wanted to be the captain of my own vessel, I wanted the thrill of exploration, I wanted to belong somewhere..." He lets that trail off for a moment before starting back up as if nothing happened. "And I found all that with my crew. You probably didn't care for them, not that I expected you to, but I cared a lot for them- they taught me everything I know, everything I know is due to them."

He seems pretty genuine about this so my mission is complete. I'm pretty much ready to turn in for the night with a clean conscious.

"Okay, cool, yeah, thanks for sharing- sharing is caring- glad you told me-"

"They were my family in a way that my real family never could be to me. If I'm to be honest with you, a majority of the reason why I didn't like you was because you hurt my family. But I'm learning to get past that, albeit you make that quite the task."

Great, now he's going to try and tell me his life story, which no one has the time for or a shit to give. But I keep tuning in any way because I'm a fairly decent human being.

"In fact, it's been so easy to get past what's happened before mostly because I've been reflecting about things. I did a lot of foolish acts with those guys, I can't really explain why I did them but I did so there's no denying it."

I rest my head against the tree. "Nah, you just wanted to belong, it's human nature, we do stupid shit that's crazy, but in the end, we all want to fit in."

Glancing at me, he ponders that before slowly nodding and resting his head against the tree as well.

"That's probably the most sensible thing that's come from you this entire time."

"Eh, I have my enlightened moments."

Just as there's a blip of silence, allowing me the opportunity to slip away, he starts back up again- much to my annoyance.

"This is coming rather late, but I apologize for my actions on the boat- that was yet another foolish act I never thought through."

My annoyance rides away at the sound of an apology, especially since I wasn't expecting one from him (not even in a million years). It's something unexpected but I'm not too in shock to respond-

"Don't sweat it."

I always sound a lot more casual and chill than how I feel- everyone says I have a knack for that.

He looks over at me again. "You say a lot of strange things."

Grinning, I reply, "Yeah, well, is that really surprising coming from me?"

From the look he gives me I would guess not.

I wasn't expecting such a heart-to-heart with him tonight- maybe he's more open when he's tired and in the dark, I dunno- but as I finally slip back around to my side, wishing him goodnight, I'm left staring up at the leafy canopy above me that blocks the night sky and wondering about things, mainly other people in my life.

Most of my thoughts wander to Brent and if he's okay, but I think about my mom who told me that very thing about doing stupid stuff just to fit in and my dad who tells me lots of things that relates to me and Nora who, again, is the voice of reason.

I think about all that and more as I fall fast asleep, my body drained from the long, tiresome day I endured and the days up ahead.

I'm thanking God nothing eventful happens the next morning because after that bird episode, I'm not sure I can deal with any more ridiculous obstacles.

In other news, though, my little late night talk with Chasan seems like a distant thing of past as his alter ego- Sir Douche- comes out to pester me. It's like he was drunk with tiredness last night and just forgot the honest conversation we had.

One thing that's looking up for me is the fact they finally got it through their heads that I'm not a planner nor will I ever be.

It's interesting, though, now that we've sorted out our issues- from what I can tell- there isn't much to talk about so it's mostly just walking in silence for a bit. There's an occasional conversation between Nimu and Lan but for the most part it's dead quiet, minus the sound of us traveling through a sickly humid jungle. I guess Lan gets tired of this, though, and tries to stir up some talk.

"I'm still amazed at the fact you're from another dimension," He comments.

"Yeah, you and me both."

Curious, Nimu interjects. "How did your father meet your mother if he was from here and she was from where you reside?"

"That's a great question, one I don't have the answer to but if I figure it out I'll tell you the whole story."

The way my sarcasm always seems to fly over Lan's head almost makes it less enjoyable to use.

"How will you figure that out?"

"I'll ask 'em when I get home."

"But then how will we know?"

I merely glance over at him before looking ahead at the prints again. It takes him a second but it finally clicks with him, as heard by an "Oh".

Since we're already kind of talking, I figure now's a good time to get this batch of questions out of the way.

Let me just state for the record that this is the cringest part of the journey, every time no fail.

"So, guys, got any dreams or ambitions?"

"Why do you have to start on this every day?" Chasan grumbles.

Don't question me, question the jackass who's making me do this.

"Wha? I can't ask you guys questions?" I say innocently. "How do you expect me to know you guys better? Let's try to connect on a deeper level."

He rolls his eyes. "It doesn't exactly seem to be your style."

"And how would you know my style?"

"Believe me when I say this," He scoffs. "Three days is enough to gauge how you function."

I fold my arms across my chest and arch an eyebrow at him.

"Well then, mister know-it-all, please tell me more about myself."

Before he can even open his mouth to respond (because I know he was going to), Nimu jumps in.

"Joan's right, we ought to get to know each other better, understand each other, seeing as we're stuck together for a little while longer."

Legit, I never thought I'd hear those words come out of her mouth: Joan's right. It's so foreign back home, I'd never imagined it could be uttered here.

"I'd like to get to know everyone better," Lan agrees. "I'm sure there are even a few things about Nimu I could learn about."

He gives her a buddy type of nudge which she mostly rolls her eyes at and replies-

"You took a full year to remember my name- I'm positive there are many things you don't know about me."

Ding ding ding just got my first question.

"How long have you two known each other?"

I'm hoping to knock out two birds with one stone on this.

While Lan taps his chin and thinks about that, Nimu sighs and answers-

"Too long."

"I'd say four years or so," He answers.

"In a village that small I would assume you would have crossed paths earlier," Chasan says.

"Well, we all know what happens when you assume," I add with a shrug though it doesn't prevent him from shooting me a peeved look.

Lan replies to him with a chuckle. "Funny thing is I wasn't born there so I wouldn't have known her anyways."

"I thought you mentioned before that no one entered or exited easily," I question.

"I said no one leaves it because it's not necessary nor safe, but that doesn't mean people don't leave or come in. Our village is a refuge for most of us."

"Most of us?" I catch onto that wording.

"I'm not from there, I found sanctuary and a home there when I was thirteen and I haven't left ever since."

"By yourself?" Chasan asks, somewhat in disbelief.

Shoving his hands into his pockets (I guess that a universal guy thing), he tenses up and stares at the ground as if he has to keep watch for any shit he might accidentally step in. Suddenly, Lan's not quite regular, goofy, chill Lan anymore, he's just kind of tense and shifty.

"How else would I arrive?" He weakly answers.

Before Chasan can add his input, Nimu quickly takes over.

"Most people arrive there by themselves, it just how things are here. Pyranaleath'tai is different from Edalirwen, you must remember. I arrived there by myself when I was fifteen."

Like a switch, Lan becomes himself again, his head snapping up so fast it's a wonder he doesn't have whiplash.

"That's when I met her."

"And the rest is history I guess," I conclude.

He nods and with that, I seek to put an end to this conversation. Though I'm putting a lid on this, my gut is in knots. Lan's got some dirt on him- it's all over him- and of course being an amateur detective, I want to know the low-down, but I'm also trying not to be a pushy bitch like I was with Chasan so I steer the conversation away from where I actually want it to go.

So I put the lid on it for now with a simple, "Neat."

"So do you have any close friends where you're from?" Lan asks me.

"I'd be amazed if she does," Chasan mutters under his breath.

Ignoring him, I reply-

"Yeah, I got my friend, Nora, she's my ride-and-die. I mean, I'm cool with a lot of peeps back at home because my town is so small- it's a place where you pretty much do the cycle of life there for generations- but not everyone at home is worth dealing with."

"Meaning you have some enemies I take it," Nimu says coolly.

"Yeah, but doesn't everyone?" I flash them a grin and wink.

"You? Have enemies?" Lan swats his hand, dismissing the thought. "I would think people would love to be around you."

I'm not sure if either he's A) unobservant as fuck or B) pulling my leg, but it's Lan so I'mma have to assume the former, but he's precious ain't he.

"That's cute," I grin. "People either love me or hate, there's no in between. Take you guys for example. You sound like you like me, but those two-" I gesture to Nimu and Chasan. "Probably wouldn't care if I walked off a cliff right now."

"That's not true," Chasan interjects. "I'd be annoyed because you brought us all out here and you would have the audacity to die."

"See, case and point, there's no grey area with me- and it's the same response at home."

"Nevertheless, you're more likable than half the people in our village."

I slap a hand to my heart. "Aww, that's one of the nicest things that someone will probably ever say to me in my lifetime."

Let's be real, that's probably true.

"But in all seriousness," I continue, thinking about it. "I'm not that likable- like for you to actually tolerate my presence is pretty huge cause there are some peeps back home that actually walk out of whatever room or freakin' building they're in because I enter it."

Nimu gives me her classic dubious look. "I can understand not liking you, but walking out seems a bit farfetched, even for you."

I have to hide my chuckle a bit on this. Oh God if only they knew.

"Then why don't you tell them? I would enjoy being indulged as well."

Good fuck I hate this creep being able to communicate to me in my head. I'll give him this much, though, I should tell them, no reason to hide it anyway- just never thought it'd come up.

So I'll spill the beans on this one and see where their opinion stands on me afterward. Since they've been honest and open with me than I should too, right?

"Okay, yeah, so I nearly beat this bitch back at home within an inch of her life."

This is actually one of the first times I'm telling this story and I have to say, I'm loving the priceless reactions at this casually put statement. I think Lan's blown away expression is my favorite out of the three of them.

"How?" He sputters out, as if unable to possibly conceive how I would be able to inflict such damage on another human being.

"And more importantly, why?" Nimu adds.

"Okay, okay," I begin. "So this happened in seventh grade- that's a thing where I'm from- I was like twelve. Anywho, there's this bitch at my school who's been bitching about me since kindergarten- so years- her name's Chelsea but bitch works just as fine."

It's true, Chelsea Moore has been riding my ass about every little thing since we were hardly out of diapers. I never got what her deal was with me, but she just loved making my ears ring talking about me all the freakin' time- she's a coward too so she hardly ever said shit to my face but she made it utterly clear all the time that she didn't think highly of me, not that it bothered me one bit because I don't care what people think about me. But that day was different.

"So we were all at the recess, the whole seventh grade- 'cuz our grade is small- and we're out back on the blacktop in our groups, and Chelsea's, of course, talking shit about me behind my back because that's all she seems to know how to do, but I don't care, I never have."

She talks about everyone at some point but, of course, she always has to go back to me- her and her little wannabe Plastics clique. She loves standing close enough where I can hear her without seeming confrontational.

"It's the usual ish like how loudly I coughed or how I got the science question wrong, dumb stuff like that, but then she gets a little more, you know, personal."

I can still hear her nasally, ear-bleeding voice switch her attack method when she mentions my dad. It's pretty well known my dad isn't from Cauldron (hell, apparently I didn't even know where he was from), and for some reason she thought it'd be a cute idea to go around calling other people's parents illegal aliens and vampires.

"I confront her about this because this is the one thing I'll never let anyone get by on- you're not talking shit about my family- and when I did she puts on the dumb act like she wasn't talking, but then she, for once, repeats what she said to my face."

I challenged her. I told her quite calmly while a volcano boiled underneath to repeat what she said to my face, and with the smuggest look you'd ever seen on a human pile of crap she repeated what she said. I'm sure to this day- and for the rest of her life- she wishes she'd never open her mouth in the first place.

"And then," I shrug. "I knocked the shit out of her."

And when I mean knock the shit out of her, I mean, my fist upon impact was fractured from the force I hit her with. But I don't remember that, I hardly remember anything; I completely blacked out so the next part comes from what others told me happened and what I've seen on video.

"After that, everything's kinda a blur, but unfortunately she didn't get knocked out cold on my first punch and she even tried fighting back but I was going ham on her ass."

At first, everyone was gathered around and cheering me on because it's Chelsea Moore getting the crap beat out of her, who doesn't want to see that? But once she kind of gave up and I was about to stomp on her is when Nora tried to break it up. Literally was going to commit casual manslaughter at recess, and to this day I'm still okay with that fact.

"My friend, Nora, was trying to get me to back down but I continued to beat her ass. Then a teacher came out and was trying to get me off but I had some super Hulk strength that day and I wasn't giving up."

The teacher had to physically lift me up to get me off the bitch, who scrambled to her feet and into the arms of another teacher who came running out. All the while I'm being escorted to the office, I'm fighting to break free and continuing beating her ass again.

"So we're in the hallway now and everyone from the schoolyard is following us because I'm still trying to fight and the kids from the nearby rooms are trying to come out and film the fight- it's a mess but I'm just trying to get to the bitch again."

At one point, I break free and get to her, this time slam her head into each locker while she screams hysterically and cries, trying to desperately escape from me. I remember hearing that the blood from her nose had to be cleaned off the lockers later.

"The teachers tried to separate us again, but I got a hold of her hair and I had a death grip on it, like this-" I demonstrate with my own hair. "-and no matter how hard they try to pry my fingers off I wouldn't let go."

That part is vaguely familiar. I remember the teachers and Nora yelling at me to let go but I wasn't letting go until I ripped something out, so I hung on, swearing at her and telling her to repeat what she said before, while they literally lifted me off the ground trying to get me to loosen my grip. At last, I kicked her twice in the face before settling for only a minor handful of hair.

"They separated us finally and took her to the nurse while I head to the office where I talked with my principal then waited for my parents. Like I said, I don't remember much about it. I do remember they tried to bring her into the office while my parents were there and I nearly went to go beat her ass again."

Let's just say, my parents were not happy campers (and that's putting it mildly) and to this day they probably still hit the ceiling whenever this story is brought up- that's why I never bring it up at home.

"Long story short: I nearly got expelled, but I could go back to school after three months if I apologized to the bitch and took anger management classes. Also, just to let you know, I never apologized to her, I just pretended to, and she was so scared of me that she played along as well."

Even if my parents hate bringing this incident up, it's clear to see the effect from it. Nobody dares starts trouble with me or brother for fear of ending up with a costly dental bill, two broken eye sockets, a bald spot on their head, and eight stitches along the side of their jaw. Hell, I have such the reputation that the Moores didn't even press charges- all we had to do was pay for their dental bill. I kinda enjoy my reputation if I'm being honest, it's fun to use to my advantage. One of the biggest downfalls to that episode, though, was that my parents barred me from participating in track that year, that sucked, but other than that I regret nothing.

Finished with my story, I look to see what they have to say about it, and man are the reactions priceless. Just the sheer look of confusion and bewilderment on their faces was worth telling them the whole story.

Chasan, of course, always has to be the first to add his unnecessary input to everything- but I kind of want to hear it this time.

"All I can say is I'm not overly surprised- in fact, things make a lot more sense the more I think about it."

Grinning sheepishly, I shrug. "Eh, what can I say, I'm an easy girl to decode sometimes."

"You don't sound like you're any more apologetic about the event than you were then," Nimu states.

"Ding ding ding, you got that right."

"Shouldn't you feel at least a tad guilty over the fact that you severely injured another person?" She argues.

I wag a finger at her. "Na-uh-ah, she's not a person, she's human trash- so subhuman, I guess you could put it."

While she growls in frustration for God only knows what reason, Lan adds his input.

"That's something. I'm glad you value your family so fiercely, but like Nimu said, don't you think you were a bit, I don't know, extreme?"

"Yes, very," Chasan agrees.

They just don't get it, and why should they? I don't blame them or hold it against them that they judge like this- I would too if someone told me a story this off the wall.

"Extreme would have been killing her outright. No, what I did was give her a taste of her own medicine."

They all exchange equally uneasy, judgmental glances with each other, and you know what? I don't care, that's how they choose to look at it, but at the end of the day, if I had the chance to redo that entire incident from the beginning, I wouldn't change a thing, Chelsea deserved what came to her.

As things die down again, I lightheartedly start the conversation back up.

"So, how about those dreams and ambitions?"

"How about we not talk for at least half an hour?" Chasan shoots back.

"Sorry I want to break the ice with a little conversation. I mean Lord forbid we bond or something," I theatrically wave my hands in the air. "Sometimes I just want to know things about the people I'm traveling with. I told you a story I never get to tell anyone else back at home."

"To be fair," Nimu starts. "I wouldn't want to hear it either way so I understand why your parents never want to hear it."

Okay, I'll admit, I'm a little more than annoyed that they're judging me so hard for an incident they weren't even there to witness and a story I never tell all the time- and I'm quite the storyteller, so it kills me not to be able to always share that one.

In the corners of my mind, I can hear a silky, cool voice chuckle alluringly.

"You wish to bond better with your companions? What you wish for you shall receive."

Before I'm able to question his ambiguous comment, a shrieking overhead disrupts our once semi-peaceful mood, and just like that I know we're in for something over our heads.