RIO WAS NOW IN THE WOODS with Brian and the others. They had already been to the valley but had sensed Victoria in the pile of ashes so there was little hope. They did see the remains of their leader which was being packed by some warriors left in the field. Even though Rio was not close to Reynold, he still felt bad he died. He did not know what he would do if Victoria died.

They were all on foot going down a path in the russet-leaf forest when something catches Rio's eyes. It was a small black piece of cloth hanging from a branch close to a scattered campfire. He grabs it and immediately recognizes it as a part of Victoria gear. He could smell her scent all over, but it was mixed with various other. Around the tree, he notices a white powder. He crouches, touches and smells the powder, making his eyes dizzy. Veronal! He thought.

"She was here," He blats, rising up.

"And she wasn't alone," Brian says and Rio turns to look at him.

"What?"

"One of the guys found this backpack over by the river. Does it belong to her?" he says tossing the bag to Rio who goes through it.

"It doesn't, but I think I know who it does belong too," He says, bringing out a warrior ID.

"Who?" Brian asks, his eyes widening.

"Some guy named Jason de Vries," The others gather around both of them.

"So where do we head to now?" Brian asks.

"We head to Blood City,"

"You're joking right?" One of the guys asks.

Rio stated at the guy, his eyes getting darker. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

"We'll be killed as soon as we step a foot near that place," Brian explains

"We don't even know the way. It's a glamored city," Another state.

"That's why we need to reduce the group," Rio vocalizes, facing the others.

He points to the others apart from Brian and a redhead guy. "You guys head on back. We'll both be back in a few weeks," The others leave, running at superspeed.

"We've got a long journey ahead of us," Rio speaks out to Brian and the other guy, readjusting his steel blade.

* * *

Have you ever wished the ground should just swallow you up?-that's how Victoria felt right now. She had been panicking in vain and got tired. She decided to hit the road. Literally, she walked into at least three poles.

Her chest was burning up and she felt thirsty. She decides to stop at an outdoor restaurant. After having her orange juice, cheeseburger, hashbrowns, an extra large smoothie, with chocolate cake, and pancakes, she felt reenergized. Well, who wouldn't be? She was probably going to regret eating so much mundane food later.

She just stayed there on her sit hoping for one of those Christmas miracles to happen. Who was she kidding? It's July. What if she tried running away today? It was too risky. The warriors at the Boundaries might kill her on sight. She finally gets her lazy butt up from the chair, but as I try to pick up my bags, she hits someone.

"Watch where you're going," The voice says and Victoria found it familiar. She turns to see who it was. It was the girl she had met at the boutique. What was her name...Liz! She thought.

"Oh it's you Victoria," Liz utters smiling, a dimple creasing one cheek.

"Hi, Liz nice to see you again," Victoria says awkwardly. She didn't want Liz to see that she needed help. She'd look like an idiot. But if she does notice, maybe she could help. What the heck!

"You left the boutique hours ago, shouldn't you be home by now?"

"Yeah...one problem, I don't really know where that is," Victoria says fidgeting with her fingers, hoping Liz got the message.

"Well maybe if I give you a ride, it could boost your memory?" Liz suggests. What'd you know, miracles do happen.

"Thanks a lot," Victoria says. They both carry Victoria's bags to Liz's car. It was a yellow 2016 Camaro. How rich are the people here in this city? Victoria thought. She had seen cars but now she was seeing cars. She wasn't even sure the clan could afford three Camaros.

"So where to now?" Victoria hears Liz's voice ask, starting the engine.

"Maybe you could take me to someplace called the Aeon dome," That place was generally known. She could get Jason's address from one of the guards...that is if they don't kill her on sight.

"Lucky you, that's not very far from here," Liz says as she sped off on the dark asphalt.

* * *

Jason had just arrived from his weekly warrior training. He goes into the house to see Rita pacing back and forth the living room. When she sees him, she hurries towards him.

"Thank the goddess you're back. Where is she?" Rita says, searching behind him looking for something.

Jason looked confused. "Who?"

Rita stared at him as he had just won the award of Most Oblivious. "What do you mean by who? Victoria of course,"

"I left her at the boutique hours ago,"

"YOU LEFT HER?" Rita explodes. When a siren starts to boom, things tend to get nasty.

"You said to take her to the boutique. I did," He says. "Don't worry I gave her a phone and the debit card,"

"No, I won't have it," Rita argues. "We need to go look for her. The poor must be stranded."

"Fine." Jason surrenders. He was tired of Victoria. He wished Marcus had just taken her in when she brought her.

Rita grabs her purse and follows Jason to the front door. As Jason opens the door, Rita and he see Victoria getting out of a car carrying all a lot of bags.

"Thank goodness!" Rita loudly vocalizes, running to meet her.

"Bye Liz," Victoria says to the person in the car; which drives off just as Rita pulls Victoria in a tight hug, taking her by surprise. Rita takes some of the bags from her and begins to walk towards the house. As soon as Victoria's eyes land on Jason, her cheerful smile turns into an icy glare. She walks into the house and storms past him.

"Where have you been?" He interrogates but Victoria keeps on walking without looking back at him. He rushes towards her, grabbing her by the right hand.

His eyes changed into a dark shade of yellow. "Answer me when I ask you a question!" He growls.

"Let me go," Victoria yells dropping her bags on the floor. "Please don't give me all that superior crap."

"Not until you tell me where the hell you're coming from. Plus who was the person who dropped you off?" He says in a demanding voice, tightening his grip on Victoria's hand.

"Jason!" Rita exclaims.

Jason raises his free hand to Rita, silencing her. "Stay out of this please Rita,"

"Why would want to know?" She tanks her hand out of Jason's hold, claw marks on her arm. "Your plan was to leave me stranded, so you don't have to see me again right?" She yells in a glacial tone. She wasn't going to back down-not today.

"What? I gave you a freaking phone with the address and G.P.S!" Jason argues. He too wasn't going to back down. He was going to the red-headed freak in her place.

"Well did you bother to put a battery in the phone genius?"

Jason didn't know what to say, but he wasn't going to let her disrespect him."So you are saying this is my fault now?"

"If it isn't yours, whose is it?" Victoria utters staring deep into his once again blue eyes.

"What kind of girl doesn't know her way home?" Jason booms.

"MAYBE A GIRL WHO IS BEING HELD CAPTIVE BY A GUY WHO IS A WANNABE GOTH JERKFACE AND CARES ABOUT NOTHING BUT HIS FREAKING SELF!!!" Victoria shouts, with every iota of bitterness in her body laced into the words. She carries all her shopping bags and storms up the staircase. She stops midway, looking directly at Jason. "This is not my home. This is my prison."

"Victoria get back here this instant!" Jason yells

"Go screw yourself, mom." She yells back and with that was walking to her room.

Jason was not angry, he was infuriated. He lets out a loud growl, pushing the wall so hard that cracks appeared around it. He was sure his hand was broken.

"Does that make you feel better?" Rita asks. Jason had forgotten that she was still in the room.

He turns to face her. "She is just so frustrating. I feel like ripping her head off sometimes."

Jason's cheek hurt. Rita had slapped him. "Oh shut up. The sweet girl did nothing wrong." She says. "You're the one at fault but still you took it all on her. You should be ashamed of yourself Jason." She leaves the room, going after Victoria.

Jason hates the way he felt. He hated the way Victoria made him feel. He just wished Marcus hasn't called him that day. He wished Marcus had locked up Victoria during their last meeting...

Victoria had just left the throne room. Marcus's and Natalie's eyes were fixed on him.

"I hope you are pleased with my performance, my lord?" Jason asked.

Marcus and Natalie seemed very impressed. Jason could read it on their faces. "Yes," Marcus says. "You did a remarkable job, but the other warriors tell me that the girl's father died in the process." die

"Yes my lord. It was beyond my control."

"That's alright. It was a battle, wasn't it?" Jason didn't know how to respond, so he remained silent.

"My lord, should I have the guards take her into the dungeons?" Jason was ready to end this. Deliver the girl and move on with his life.

Marcus spoke. "Of you-"

"Not so fast!" Natalie interrupted, her voice gentle but very firm. She whispers something into Marcus's ear. What could be happening now? Jason thought.

"My wife believes that the girl should be allowed to grief before being taken into custody," Where was this going? "So, until I decide otherwise, the girl will stay with you and foster mother."

This could not be happening! Jason thought. He had worked so hard to get her to Blood City and now she had to live with him? He had to stop this. "My lord, I don't really think that would be best,"

"Do you dare imply that your ruler has made a foolish decision?" Marcus was annoyed.

"No my lord. I'm just saying the-"

"Enough. My decision is final. You may leave." Marcus concludes.

Jason bows. "Yes my lord."

It was all Victoria's fault. Jason wished he had let the serpent devour her. At least, he would have peace of mind. He couldn't let what happened before happen again. Victoria could not stay here.

* * *

"Who does he think he is?" Victoria yells as she enters her room. She drops her things in the closet and begins pacing around the room. She hates Jason de Vries. He had an n acidic temperament that just made her want to burst. She couldn't take it anymore.

"Victoria can I come in?" Rita's voice asked from the other side of the door.

"Yes," She responds and Rita does enter. She walks over to Victoria, holding her shoulder, urging her to sit on the bed. Victoria didn't know why, but for some reason, the tears in her eyes just began to flow out like a stream.

"It's okay," Rita says, trying to comfort her.

Victoria wipes the years from her eyes. "Why does he hate me so much?" She sniffles.

"He doesn't hate you,"

"Then why is he such an ass?"

"I agree that he is an ass," Rita smiles. "But, he just has a hard time adjusting to new people,"

"Is that why he-"Victoria is interrupted by a crash that came from downstairs. What in the world! Rita and Victoria rush downstairs to see the dining table destroyed. It's glasses shattered and scattered all over the floor. Victoria notices a fist-sized crack in the wall and Jason with a bleeding fist. Victoria couldn't help but chuckle.

Rita's eyes widen. "Jason de Vries, what the hell have you done?!" Rita screams.

Oh, this is going to be fun to watch...

* * *

Author's Note

That's your new chapter. So how do you guys like the plot so far? Please vote, comment and share. Make me smile by pressing that yellow star at the bottom of your screen...

#Joaquin