"Bacco, I hate you."

I blinked and paused while adjusting myself on the back of the motorbike. "You just saved my life, what are you talking about?"

Baz sighed as she put her helmet on, slapping the face shield down. "Finding someone else to hate is too much effort." She then started the motorbike, sending the both of us down the narrow streets of the Forgotten City.

"And going on a huge quest to save me wasn't?" I yelled, blinking rapidly against the rushing wind.

"See, this is why I hate you. Nitpicking." Her voice was muffled but I could hear the frustrated lilt that awoke the Scottish beast within her.

I rolled my eyes as I pressed my hand to the wound on my side. "Do you know where you are going?"

Baz scoffed just loud enough for me to hear over the roaring of the motor engine. "Yes. Are we being followed?"

I looked behind me and shook my head but then remembered she couldn't see me. "No," I voiced, wincing silently, "We got lucky."

"Ah, ha. Right."

Baz brought the bike to a sliding stop, making me cling to her for dear life, my bloody hand wetting her arm. She lifted the visor of her helmet and looked back at me, her vibrant purple eyes glaring at me.

I smacked her arm and glared back. "What?"

But she didn't have to say anything. The whole forest erupted in loud animalistic screams and the sound of plants and trees rustling. What was left of the remaining buildings started to crumble and fall, dust billowing around us. I looked at the tree line and growled.

"You have got to be kidding me."

Baz let out a breath before snapping her visor back in place and revving the motorbike's engine. "He's your ex," she yelled at me.

"'Was'. However, I didn't steal his life source," I yelled back.

"I didn't nearly marry the guy."

"I didn't know he was one-half tiger and another half demigod of a forgotten deity."

Muffled laughter met my ears. "Now woken up by your undying love for him."

I sucked in a breath and closed my eyes while leaning my head on Baz's back, my hand pressed against my wound again.

"I promise not to love anyone ever again."

"Thank Bacco. I never wanted it in the first place."

"Shut up and drive. I need to get to the Priests. We will lose them once we leave the City," I mumbled back to her, not fully sure if she heard me.

Unfortunately, we didn't.

Trees around us started exploding into sharp shards of deadly wood, the air filling with the smell of burnt wood an crackling with energy.

I looked behind me and cursed under my breath. We had about five Panthers on our tail.

"Baz do you have that gun Dack gave you?" I yelled over the sound of trees exploding.

"Left calf. Tap the red button twice and it will expand. It packs a punch, so-" she swerved at the last second from a blast, having been distracted while talking.

"Shut up and drive. Try to lose them in the Crying Trees."

I groaned as I reached down her leg and pulled the energy gun, making sure to wipe my blood off my hand before grasping it. I checked behind us again, spotting three more. Eight now.

I lifted the gun, pressed the button twice and watched as it extended to three times its original size. I hefted it up and turned to let it rest on my shoulder, perfectly eye level, leaving me a free hand to hold onto Baz.

I closed one eye and aimed, firing at two Panthers before they were able to take a shortcut through a cleared path in front of us. They veered to the side, right in the path of the next few shots. They crumbled to the ground but were quickly replaced with three Panthers.

Despite my luck with the first two shots, they were gaining on us. Being the creatures they were, they were able to learn my tactics quickly, avoiding my shots and eluding my half crapped traps. And I wasn't able to do much about it, seeing as how I only had one hand to work with and was bleeding onto the ground.

I dropped the gun into my lap and shook my head, my breathing now heavy from concentrating.

"Baz we need to get out of here, they are gaining on us."

Baz quickly glanced back and snarled before facing forward again. "Can you tell if they are his chasers or if they're Wild?"

I just had to look to the side, two Panthers having made it in stride with us. I narrowed my eyes and concentrated on them, my eyes honing in on the animals. Through the trees and the brush, I was able to spot it. A faint yellow line raced down the sides of its front legs down to its paws. I bit my cheek and huffed a breath.

"They are Gerice's."

Bez didn't say anything but pushed the bike to its top speed. I pulled the gun up again and fired to the ones next to us, losing one more on our tail but the rest were getting closer. My vision was starting to blur and my face was growing hot as my breathing became difficult.

I opened my mouth to tell Baz that she might as well just leave me to the Panther's when the treeline started to look familiar. The smell of rushing water and the sound of birdsong coming to a dead stop told me we were almost to the Border. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing, leaning forward onto Baz's back again.

"Hold on tight. We are coming in on the Rockfield entrance." I felt Baz speak more than heard her, my arms wrapping around her more securely.

I didn't have to look to know when we passed through the Barrier. My skin grew cold and I couldn't help but shiver. The wet jungle air was quickly replaced with dust filled musty air, making me cough. The sound of the Panthers roaring in defeat was cut off by the deafening sound of rocks crashing and falling. I blinked and looked around, my head pounding.

"Of all the places..."

"Shut up and hold on. This was the closest entrance. And you need to be seen to so save your energy to yell at me later." I could hardly hear her over the busy Rockfield.

Baz weaved in and out of large machines lifting and destroying rocks that would be used for construction, as quickly as she could back at the Center Homestead. I would have gotten onto her for how recklessly she was driving given the amount of screams and cries civilians made as we booked it through the streets and other divisions of the Homestead. But I was growing weaker and weaker, my grip on Baz coming loose.

"Hang in there, Julianna."

Baz's words were the last thing I heard before darkness engulfed me.

~~~~~

I could feel Julianna slipping off the back of the bike and cursed. I let go of the bike and steered with one hand as I reached back to keep her up. Her head leaned against my back, her arms falling limp. I felt something warm and sticky but kept hold of her as I drove.

"MOVE! Get out of the way!"

I brought the bike to a sliding stop at a busy marketplace crossing. I lifted my helmet visor and looked around. Cursing under my breath, I couldn't find any way around them. Looking behind me, Julianna looked near death, her long purple hair plastered to her pale face, her breathing haggard.

"I really should have just left you. You only know how to make things difficult, don't you?" I mumbled under my breath as I got ready to plow people down.

But before I could start my bike up again, I heard my name.

"BAZ!"

A little girl came running up to me, her yellow hair in pigtails, bouncing with each step she took. I would have smiled if my best friend wasn't bleeding on me at the moment.

"Clar! Where is your brother?"

Little Clar stopped mid-stride and cocked her head to the side. "Brother? He's back on the farm. One of the cows had her baby today."

I nearly smiled. "Rush to Old Man Parker's and have him come to your farm." I slowly turned the bike, making sure not to hit Clar.

"But Brother said I could get a sweet today."

"If you get Old Man Parker to the farm, I will give you enough Chips for three sweets." I gave the little girl an urgent look, "But you have to do it before sundown."

Clar looked up at the sky, her face pouting. "That's too soon!" She looked at me, ready to cry but her eyes widened as she focused on something behind me. "Is that Ana?"

"Not if you hurry," I ignored her question and gave her a wink while revving the bike, "Remember, three sweets!" Then I took off to the Demirk's home at the edge of Farmfield.

It took a lot longer than I thought but I let out a breath of relief the moment I crossed the threshold of the Demirk farm. The smell of animals and freshly cut grass calmed my nerves as I rode the bike all the way up to the front door. No one was out in the fields from what I could see so I parked the bike and got off, making sure that Julianna wasn't going to fall off and break something.

I rushed to the door, knocking loudly and over and over.

"Come on Lissy, the one time I need you..."

The door flew open and my breath caught.

"Alright, alright, what is it?"

I have always known Helis, him, Julianna and I having grown up together. But I have never seen him missing the top half of his clothes, his soft brown hair wet and falling into his face, his bright green eyes filled with irritation. He even had a few day's worth of stubble, darkening his already tan face. One look at his exposed chest told me the exact reason why it hurt to punch him as of late. Since when did the little farmer boy I always picked on turned into a-

"Baz? What is it?"

His voice snapped me out of my thoughts, making me shake my head. I pointed back to the bike, the light from inside the house pouring onto Julianna's still form. I cleared my throat and fixed my eyes on him. But before I could say anything, Helis' eyes moved from my face to my hands, his eyes growing wide.

"What in the world did you do this time?"

I found myself holding my breath as he reached out to take my hand, his rough calloused hands sending a shiver down my spine. He looked up at me through his hair, his brows furrowed.

"Blood. Is this your blood? Are you hurt? How did this happen?"

I swallowed and shook my head, all but yanking my hand away from his. "I'm not that much of an idiot. This is Julianna's." I nodded to the bike. "Please tell me you still have that sick room set up."

"Haven't had time to clean it up since last you were here."

I felt my cheeks heat at the memory and reason he had a sick room to begin with. I nodded. "Grab her while I get the room prepped. And for all of Bacco put on a damn shirt."

I didn't wait to hear his response, leaving him to get Julianna as I rushed to the back room, taking a table candle with me.

Farmers were the most important workers in the Homestead and were granted everything they would ever need, seeing as how they were the literal backbone of our survival. But of course, Helis' parents asked for the most primitive and small home, only two rooms with running water and absolutely no electricity. The Priests thought them idiotic in their simplistic requests and that was as much as I had in common with the Priests.

But once Helis inherited the farm after his parents died in an illness outbreak that also took out nearly half the civilization, my sister included, he made some changes. That was when he decided to make an extra back room for medical emergencies. I never thought I would be the first one to use it, but Julianna and I made our visits frequently enough. I always bug him about the lack of electricity and he would just chuckle and say he will get to it when he had time.

No thanks to me and Julianna I'm sure he would have had them done by now.

I pushed aside folded sheets and boxes of medical supplies, grateful to see he had the right mind to stock the room up. It didn't take me long to make one of the two beds, setting up an IV drip and pulling out bandages. I turned just in time to see Helis, now wearing an old shirt, bring Julianna in, her head laying back, her arm swinging, her feet hitting the door frame. Blood dripped onto the wood slatted ground.

"Do you mind telling me why she's like this?" Helis set her gently on the made-up bed.

I shook my head and started taking off her layers of clothes, finding the root of the blood.

"She was stationed in the Forgotten City. I was only passing by the Barracks when I heard her region was attacked with possibly no survivors. So I did the most stupid thing possible,"

"And you went after her," Helis finished as he handed me starel wipes and bandages. "Did you get hurt at all?"

I shook my head again. "I'm fine. Just irritated."

"You didn't have to go after her. I'm sure the Officer's would have sent someone."

"No one is a better driver than I am. They wouldn't have reached her in time, let alone get her out of there with Panthers on our tail."

I glanced at him to gauge his reaction, knowing well enough how he felt about Panthers and their tree exploding vision. Helis sat down on the other bed, his arms resting on his knees as he watched me patch Julianna up as best I could before Old Man Parker arrived.

"How many were after you?"

I looked back to Julianna, her shot wound patched up and her IV in. Her breathing started to sound a bit better, leaving me to relax a bit more. I wiped my hands on a rag and leaned against the wall between the beds, not looking at him as I answered.

"Eight."

Helis let out a breath and scratched his face. It was quiet for a few minutes, leaving me to pick the blood under my nails. When he spoke, I nearly jumped.

"Did they have the yellow mark?"

I continued to pick at my nails, pretending I didn't hear him. I heard the bed shift and I glanced at him. Helis was gazing up at me with such worry my heart flipped.

"Bazima, please. Tell me."

I let out a breath and tossed the rag in the sink on the other side of the room. "Yes. they did. All of them. Down both front legs."

Helis stood, running a hand through his hair. I pushed off the wall and walked up to him, shrugging my shoulders.

"Helis, it could mean nothing. They might be Rogue. They could have-"

"You went out there on your own and could have gotten killed and no one would have known. I would have lost my cousin and best friend all in one day."

I smacked him on the arm, earning me a pitiful wince. "Hey, you said they would have sent someone out. Besides, we were fine." I raised a brow, folding my arms. "And what do you mean by 'best friend'? You hate me."

A corner of Helis' lips lifted in a half smirk. "You hate me more than I hate you."

I nodded my head from side to side. "True. I do love to hate people."

I was cut off by the door to the house banging open. Helis turned, his back pressed against me as he held me behind him. I peeked over his shoulder and nearly laughed.

"Brother! I'm home!"

Instantly Helis relaxed. I stepped out from behind him and gave him a look.

"I didn't know Clar scared you that much."

Helis rolled his eyes, pointing at his little sister. "What is she doing home?"

I patted his arm as I passed him, keeping my voice low. "I had her go and get Old Man Parker."

"All by herself? Baz you are insane but putting my sister in danger like that is-"

"Clearly she's fine, Lissy. You were the one who let her go and get sweets on her own."

"That's different, I knew where she was going to be."

I shrugged a shoulder. "Besides, I promised her some sweets if she got him here."

Helis raised a brow. "You bribed her? I thought you were poor."

I sucked in a breath. "Ah, yes, right." I turned to him and reached my hand out. "Can I have some Chips to give your sister for some sweets?" I smiled innocently.

"You are impossible." He forked over enough chips to get at least ten sweets. "You get to go take her while I talk with Old Man Parker. Then bring her straight back."

My smile widened and I gave him a salute. "You got it." I then turned to Clar who was picking at something in the fridge. I nodded to Old Man Parker, his graying hair pulled up into a bun an out of his face.

"Bazima. I take it it is Julianna I am seeing this time?"

I nodded. "Mmmhmm. Just back there. I'll take Clar out for a bit. Thanks for coming."

Old Man Parker bowed his head once and met up with Helis, the two of them exchanging pleasantries.

I knelt down in front of Clar and smiled. "Hey kiddo, you want to get those sweets now?"

Clar closed the fridge door and I was greeted with a pouting face. "It's dark now. The shops have all closed up. I won't be able to get any sweets now."

I smiled knowingly, tapping my finger to my nose. "You can if you are with Baz. Come on, you like Bubbly Sticks right?"

Clar smiled wide. "Yeah!"

I laughed as I took her hand and lead her out to my bike. "Don't tell your brother, but I forgot a helmet. Just hold on tight."

"OK!"

~~~~~

I shook my head as I watched my six-year-old sister giggle with excitement as Baz drove the two of them back to the house. Baz lifted her up off the bike and setting her on the ground, the two of them smiling like idiots. Clar had two bags hanging on each arm and I dearly hoped they weren't full of sweets. I won't be able to get her to sleep for weeks now.

Old Man Parker came out of the sick room and closed the door quietly behind him. "She is sleeping. Who patched her up?"

I nodded my head to Baz who was walking in with Clar, the two of them smiling. It was rare to see Baz smile, truly smile, and it warmed my heart it was Clar who'd bring it out of her every time.

"Baz did. She knew the extent of the wound better than I."

"And how to disinfect it properly." Baz walked up to us, giving me a knowing look.

I rolled my eyes at her implication. "Julianna will live."

"Thanks to you my dear," Old Man Parker nodded to Baz, "As always, I am impressed with your healing abilities. You would make a phenomenal medic."

I looked at Baz, surprised to see a hint of a blush on her cheeks as she smiled to hide how uncomfortable she was. "No thanks, Old Man. I don't want to be in charge of playing mom and kissing boo-boos. Besides, I'd go crazy coming in after the all the action happened."

Old Man Parker gave her a small smile, his eyes full of laughter. "Should you ever like to "kiss boo-boos", there will always be a spot for you among the Healers."

Baz bowed her head and turned to Clar as the little girl showed her something from the bag. I couldn't help but smile too, seeing how kind she was to my sister. But I agreed with Old Man Parker. Baz would make an excellent Healer. Too bad she was too much of a risk junky. I would feel a lot better knowing at least one of my best friends would be safe at the Healerfields.

Clar left Baz and ran up to me, holding out a stuffed Toucan, it's long beak open with a cherry in its mouth. "Look what Baz got me! She got all the boxes off the shelf with one hit!"

I raised my brows and knelt down, tapping her on the nose. "Baz sure is amazing, isn't she?"

"Yup! She got me Bubbly Sticks too!"

I glanced at Baz and she just shrugged. I sighed then turned back to Clar. "Did you say thank you?"

Clar jumped up and down on her toes hugging the Toucan to her chest. "THANK YOU BAZ!!!!"

The three of us laughed as Clar danced around the room, chanting thank you to everything in the room as she made her Toucan fly next to her. I shook my head and stood, glancing at the sick room, speaking quietly.

"How long will she need to rest?"

Old Man Parker's smile faltered as he looked between Baz and me. "She was not hit with any normal sort of gun."

Baz stepped forward, nodding as her brows furrowed. "I noticed that but didn't think much of it. I just thought maybe it was as bad as it was because it took us too long to get it treated."

The old Healer shook his head. "No, your first assumption is right. She was hit with an energy beam. I have seen similar wounds on the elite soldiers who come back from the front lines. The sort of wounds only the weapons belonging to Gerice could inflict. So my question is," he set his medical bag on the table and moved his scrutinizing gaze between Baz and I, "How is it the best scout in all of Homestead has an injury from a weapon only used in the line of battle? And why was she not brought to the Healerfield?"

Baz and I shared a look. Baz looked at Clar who was making the Toucan kiss the fridge and say "thank you". I cleared my throat and smiled.

"Clarice, it's time for bed little bird whisperer."

"Can I have one more Bubbly Stick?"

I glanced at Baz, the redheaded woman biting her lip to keep from laughing, knowing full well the mess she would be leaving me with a sweets filled child.

"Yes, one last one but go ahead and eat it up in your room as you change into your night clothes."

"OK! Thank you!" The little girl ran off, leaving the three of us adults to speak freely.

I looked back at Baz, glanced at Old Man Parker and looked back at her, shrugging my shoulders ever so slightly. That earned me a glare before she answered the healer.

"She had taken a mission to the Forgotten City in hopes of scouting out a new outpost for my tactical division. I had overheard her distress call and acted on my own to save her. I am on leave today and tomorrow so I had no qualms getting her myself."

Old Man Parker seems satisfied with that answer and turned to me for the rest of it. But I just shrugged. "They came to me. I had the sick room and they have been here enough times, as you know. Other than that, I don't know what else you want to know."

The Healer sighed and shook his head. "So you didn't take her here intending to hide her did you?"

Baz stepped forward. "Why would we need to hide her? She's Helis' cousin, she is welcome here whenever she wishes. Injured or not."

"Ah, so neither of you know."

I shook my head. "Telling us would change that."

Baz was standing next to me now, the warmth of her body from the outing giving me goosebumps. I looked at her and knew that her blank face was hiding the worry I could feel bubbling up inside myself.

Old Man Parker looked around the room, his eyes landing on the sick room door before flickering to us. His voice was low and frighteningly cold.

"I believe Julianna and her team had stumbled upon an ambush of Gerice's making. Startling them, she was successful in pushing them back but it was not by accident she found them."

"Wait so-" Baz started.

I put a hand on Baz's shoulder and ignored her glare, nodding for the Healer to continue.

"I have had my suspicions but it wasn't until recently I have come to the conclusion that we are not being led by friends. Gerice has infiltrated our people and has men and women in positions of power in nearly all Fields. Julianna was not supposed to find those men but she did. And because she did there could be no survivors."

"But she did..." Baz breathed, her eyes glazed over. "She knows things. That's why she needed to get to the priests. The men that were going to go after her, had I not gone instead...they would have..."

Old Man Parker nodded. "Julianna Parlins is dead to everyone but those standing in this room." His eyes were hard as he looked at Baz and I, my skin growing cold. "And it needs to stay that way."