No Turning Back

Chapter Fourty-Five: Processing The Evening's Action

After I closed the door I leant back against it and sighed. Everything was happening so fast. We had waited so painfully long at this damn facility and now I was getting more action than I had bargained for.

As I stood there trying to compose myself; my ears soon began to pick up the sounds of male voices off into the distance. The approaching rumbling tones seemed to snap me back to reality. I knew Primis would have involved the others in his search for me and I could only imagine how angry he and Dempsey probably looked right now.

So, in a rush of panic, I hurriedly proceeded through the corridor and down the steps by the mule-kick vending machine. I quickly ran out onto the grounds before I stopped and took in a deep breath. The cool air greeted me with an icy breeze which seemed to alleviate my fatigue. I hesitated a little before finally continuing on my way.

I could hear the men's voices getting louder and louder as they approached. I quickly made my way through the doorway and sat down at the campfire as I awaited them. Dempsey was the first to round the corner as he breathlessly pointed me out to the others. Primis jogged up to the gate before shooting me a frown.

"I'm fine!" I said sarcastically.

"Kiana! Vhat on earth do jou zhink jou are doing scaring us all like zhat?" Primis shouted over with the frown still etched into his face.

Takeo and Nikolai finally caught up with Dempsey and Primis. Nikolai seemed to be too drunk to fully comprehend the situation since he simply waved over as if nothing was wrong. Takeo, however, just gave me a stern nod. Primis then began walking over to me as the others followed behind. They all sat down by the camp fire and waited for me to speak.

"I'm sorry I worried you guys. It's just... a lot has happened tonight. I'm absolutely exhausted so I'll just give you the basics", I began as I then turned to Primis.

"Edward, I was wrong. I received another visitation tonight", I announced.

"Oh I knew jou shouldn't have let jou go back out!" Primis replied angrily.

"Look, it was for the best. I wouldn't have been able to find him..." I continued which caught everyone's attention.

"Him?" Dempsey asked suspiciously.

"One of the beings from the Aether tried to attack me. But it couldn't hurt me, I don't fully know why but it had something to do with this", I said - pointing to my cross.

"Zhe apothicons are affected by zhat?" Primis scoffed.

"Maybe they're not just "apothicons", Edward", I replied.

"But what's more, I knew from It's behaviour that something was wrong with Richtofen", I explained.

"Aw, c'mon Kiana! That was so reckless! You know you were to stay away from him!" Dempsey scolded.

"I knew it was the real Richtofen. And if you let me continue I'll explain what happened", I fired back.

"I found him on the floor practically dying. He was absolutely burning up. And that bloody space suit of his was making it worse. He was absolutely delirious", I explained.

"Vhere is he now?" Primis asked.

"We found what seems to be a staff room. He's resting now... just let him sleep, Dempsey", I said turning to the marine.

"He needs to recover. He didn't try to kill me. He's definitely our Richtofen and whatever is bothering him, Takeo, is what caused that fever", I explained - turning to the Japanese soldier.