(NEW Version Created)Trying To Survive: This Forsaken World Won't Let Me?|Ended|

Chapter 71: The First Step

I hopped around anxiously on my feet, hoping to see that aqua colored hair belonging to Bane pop up from behind the hills. But that didn't happen. I stood with Silica, Erika, Harry, Mako, Kanto, and M.K by the gate, feeling more nervous with each passing second.

      Bane shouldn't have been gone this long...

     ... And yet...

     M.K even started showing his emotions by popping his knuckles every ten seconds.

      I finally took a deep breath and broke the awful silence.

     "Do you think we should go and try to look for him?"

     Silence.

     We're all thinking the same thing, aren't we...?

     What if we go to look for him, and realize he doesn't want to be found? That at the last second he really did get cold feet?

     After all, leaving the citadel like this so abruptly, planning on not being able to come back, is a big decision.

     That can't be right though, I thought, clenching my fists. Bane isn't that kind of friend! He wouldn't just suddenly leave me...

     If anything, he probably got distracted or Sarah caught him. And in that case, we need to help him.

     "Alright, let's go."

     I took a step forward but was stopped immediately.

    My right side was hit with such force I flew off my feet. It took me a moment to realize the laughing I was hearing was Bane's as he messed with my hair, uncaring how close his nose was to mine. "Man, you look so tense! Aw, you didn't think I was gonna leave did you?!"

     I stared back as Bane smiled in his usual way. His usual, carefree way. I felt guilty.

     Would he still be laughing if he knew what I was thinking just moments ago?

      "The heck took ya so long, ya moron?!" M.K slapped the back of Bane's head, pulling me out of my thoughts. Bane grabbed his head as he scowled up his friend.

     "I was trying to make sure no one knew we were leaving, just so you know! Is it that surprising I'm trying to be useful for once?"

     "Well," everyone began in unison.

     "Actually, don't answer that," Bane cried as he jumped to his feet. "Come on, Iris!"

     I yelped in suprise as Bane yanked me to my feet. I looked at everyone, now smiling, as M.K walked over to the gate and unlocked it.

     The gate whined as it swung open to the forest looming behind it. I took a deep breath, folding my hands into tight fists.

     This is it.

     No turning back now.

     I took one last look at the red roof poking out from behind the hhills. This could be the last time I would see it.

     A pain throbbed in my chest.

     There's no telling what things might happen now.

     "Iris?"

     Bane's suddenly small voice made me turn back. Everyone had walked through the gate and was waiting for me, their eyebrows raised in anticipation.

     "You don't have to do this if you don't want," Harry gave me a small smile, his soft eyes sparkling.

     I let out a long exhale. "No, no. I have to. Otherwise I'm just going to make all the people here angrier and even more scared to be around me..."

     I remembered those students trying to repair the barn earlier. The moment our eyes met, they ran away in fear.

     Sure I'd killed someone trying to kill everyone else. They were definitely a bad guy.

     But it was how I did it.

     It was something I didn't have control over. At all.

     And that was more dangerous then anything else.

     Now everyone was afraid of me. And it was more dangerous to keep me around...

     I shook my head. "There's nothing else I can do..."

     "And we will be with you, every step of the way." Harry walked over and laid a hand on my shoulder. I looked up at his comforting smile, feeling the ache in my chest shrink away.

     I found myself smiling back despite the tears stinging my eyes.

     Harry wrapped his arm around my shoulders and led me towards the open gate. I was acutely aware of each step I took, my feet growing heavier each time.

     But somehow we managed to make it through the gate.

     Away from the citadel grounds.

     And into unknown territory.