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jour·ney
ˈjərnē/
noun
1.
an act of traveling from one place to another.
"she went on a long journey"
synonyms:trip, expedition, excursion, tour, trek, voyage, junket, cruise, ride, drive, jaunt, road trip;
verb
1.
travel somewhere.
"they journeyed south"
synonyms:travel, go, voyage, sail, cruise, fly, hike, trek, ride, drive, make one's way;

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"Life is a journey with problems to solve, lessons to learn, but most of all, experiences to enjoy."

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Nathan was still in shock as he sat on the fountain ledge, watching as the villagers and Elements loaded up the back of the wagon Ayden had brought.

He wasn't helping only because of his wounds, but secretly he was making the boxes a wee but lighter for everyone. Sam kept eyeing him, knowing what he was doing.

Nathan had a wide range of abilities. He could see into the darkest corners of people's minds and force them to re-live their worst memory at the cost of his own health. He was able to levitate things with his mind, which is what he was doing st that moment. If he chose to, he could crush anything with his mind, like his brothers knife. And, he could communicate to people through telepathy, though chose to speak normally unless needed.

These abilities were something he disliked. Why use them? They mostly caused pain. Nathan sighed as he lifted up a box from behind Ashlee and put it in the wagon. When she turned around to grab it, she looked very confused as she attempted to find it. Sam chuckled lightly as he put another in. "What are you laughing about?" She asked, glaring at him.

Everyone turned to him, confused as well. "It's already in the wagon, Ashlee." Sam answered, gesturing to the box.

"But how?" She said, glaring at him.

Nathan sighed as he pushed himself off the seat. Ayden frowned as he watched him walk over. "Nathan, you should be-"

Nathan simply commanded the rest of the boxes to lift up and go into the wagon. Everyone watched in awe as they did so. The boy scratched the side of his face as he hopped into the wagon, leaving everyone else confused. Eventually, Ayden, Wesley, Lela, Ashlee, and Sam hopped in. Sam sat next to Nathan, and Lela next to him. The Other three sat in front of them. "Nathan, you can move things with your mind?"

"Yes. I can also use telepathy."

Sam nodded. "It's pretty cool, but he hardly uses it. I think its pretty stupid to have such cool powers and to never use them, but Nate has other ideas."

"They have been used to hurt people, Sam, and I hate doing that. You know that."

His friend pursed his lips, but nodded all the same. "Yeah, I forgot about that one time." He said, probably referencing the incident with his brother.

Ashlee sighed, leaning back into the seat. "I feel left out." She said, blowing a stream of air out.

Lela chuckled at her, nodding. "Me too, Ashlee, me too."

The group let a few chuckles out. Eventually, everyone descended into conversations while Nathan preferred to watch the countryside roll on by as they moved.

He couldn't help but think about the Elements' most darkest memories. Wesley with someone attacking his home, Lela having her sister sent away and leaving her with her creepy uncle, Ashlee getting raped at a ball, and Ayden watching his mother die in front of him, leaving him with a father who didn't love him.

Nathan understood their pain. He had been almost killed by his brother, after all. And Sam?

Well, he had his own pains to worry about, and Nathan preferred to keep his friends woes away.

The green hills rolled on by, and Nathan felt a tugging in his chest. It felt like he knew this hills, but he didn't. He was only two months old when they moved to Hickory, and the likelihood of remembering anything from then was extremely unlikely. A frown graced his face as he thought about this, but he hid it quickly.

Sam stretched his arms out, breaking Nathan out of the far reaches of his mind. "Ah! So, where are we going?"

Wesley frowned. "You went with us without knowing where you were headed?"

"Yeah? And?" Sam asked, raising an eyebrow. "It's not like Nathan couldn't crush you with his mind if need be."

Nathan frowned, staring at his friend. Sam grinned at him, clearly trying to keep the mood light. Nathan rolled his eyes and looked back out the window.

As he stared out the window, he swore he saw a group walking alongside the wagon. It was made up of four adults and a younger girl. What was weird about it was Nathan saw someone who looked like him walking next with them.

They were speaking, and every so often phantom voices bounced into Nathan's ears.

...the king has...

Don't forget to train som...

...you must've forgotten what I stand for, Mar...

Aar...

Spirit, don't say that!

"Nathan? Nathan, you alright?" Came Sam's voice.

It was like an echo, but it still snapped Nathan out of his daze. He looked towards the others and saw their worried expressions. "Did you not see them?" He asked, looking at them.

"See who?" Ayden asked, looking towards the window.

Nathan frowned, and shook his head. Best not to tell them I saw phantoms by the wagon. Even Sam would think I'm crazy.

"It's nothing, sorry. Just a bit tired."

Lela frowned. "Might be the head injury. You sure you're fit to travel?"

No. "Of course I am." I'm just seeing ghosts, that's all. No need to worry about me.

The others left it at that and turned away into their own conversations. However, Nathan couldn't help but wonder why he saw that, and why the other guy looked like him.

He'd soon find out, though.

♤•♤•♤

Ayden gasped for air as he lied in the dirt. Blood caked his wounds, and dirt covered his body. He looked around weakly, barely able to pick up his head.

Ashlee was next to him, but unconcious. He reached for her hand and grabbed it, tears forming in his eyes.

"Ashlee!" He croaked out as he scooted towards her.

Her eyes opened slightly before closing again. Ayden felt tears running down his cheeks. "Ashlee...no..." he breathed, wrapping his arms around her.

"I told you." Came his voice. Ayden looked up, tears streaming down his cheeks.

The man above him sent him a small frown. "I told you this would happen."

Ayden felt something rising up in his throat. Was it bile? Blood? He couldn't tell. "H-help me," He breathed, reaching towards him.

The man brushed his hair out of his eyes. "And why should I? You're spoiled Elements who didn't even know about my home, so why should I help you when you refused to believe him when he told you the truth? He wasn't crazy. And his best friend didn't deserve to die. Ayden, you deserve to suffer the way he has, truly. You don't deserve love."

Ayden felt the liquid begin to dribble out of his mouth. He touched it and moved his fingers away to see crimson blood staining his already  bloody hands. Ayden closed his eyes. "Save Ashlee, please. I don't care if I die, I just want her to live."

The man crossed his arms, and narrowed his eyes. He sighed. "You need to understand sacrifice. I had to give up the woman and life I wanted to ensure that everything went as planned. Now, my job is almost done." He put his foot on Ayden's head, pushing his face into the ground. "Send Manuel my deepest of apologies, Ayden." The man said, as he increased pressure.

Ayden began to scream as the pain filled his head. And then, nothing.

♧•♧•♧

Nathan's eyes snapped open. He had no idea what that dream was about, but it was terrifying. He panted slightly as he glanced around. Ashlee was leaning against Ayden's shoulder, sound asleep. Ayden somehow was keeping upright, while Wesley had his head resting against the wall. Lela's head was thrown back, and Sam was curled up in her lap, murmuring in his sleep.

He exhaled softly, glad to see they were still alive. However, that sick feeling hadn't left his stomach. That dream meant something.

Nathan never got prophetic dreams, but seeing as he had a wide range of abilities, he wouldn't be surprised if they were still coming in.

Slowly he closed his eyes. As he began to fall asleep, he swore he heard something. However, when he listened in, he heard nothing.

Right before he fell asleep, however, he heard a voice.

"Nathan, it's almost time. Be prepared."

And then he fell asleep.

◇•◇•◇

Hey! What did you think of this chapter?

I know, it's shorter than normal, but I didn't have much else to put in this chapter.

Any ideas on what is going on here?

--Paige