The Summoning ~Sleep Token FF~

~10~

IIIs POV ~

After a while of running, I had to stop somewhere to take a rest. It's hard enough to run for hours but to have dead weight, too, is worse. Jade was sound asleep; her face was always scrunched when I checked on her. I guess she wasn't having a great nap.

The sun peered through the trees as I gently placed her on the ground near a tree so she wouldn't fall over. I stretched and sat across from her; she was still asleep, which was surprising. If I fell asleep, something would happen, so I tried my best to stay awake.

I looked around, making sure there was nothing around that would hurt her. A sigh left my lips as I got up and sat beside her. Wrapping my arm around her shoulder and pulling her to me, I laid my head against hers.

My eyes started feeling heavy; I tried to fight it as best as I could but wasn't winning the fight. I finally gave in and fell asleep, hoping we would be okay. No dreams, just quiet darkness; it was nice.

Just as I fell asleep, I was awakened by a sharp pain in my side. My eyes shot open as I looked around franticly, she was gone. I looked down and saw blood dripping down my side; it was a deep gash.

"He's awake," a male's voice rang through my ears, I stood up quickly, clenching my side as I clenched my jaw. "Where is she?" I asked, trying to keep calm; two men stood before me, one with a knife and another with some rope.

They looked about Jade's age, maybe a bit older; one was stocky and short, while the other was tall and skinny. They at least had some clothes on, unlike me; I was standing there in a pair of boxers. It should have changed before we left, but I didn't know this would happen.

"She's somewhere else; now that we have you here, we need to know everything about her," the shorter one spat in my direction. Laughing at his words, I stared daggers. "Like I know! She is just someone who showed up one day," I said.

"Like we're supposed to believe that. She has to be something special for you guys to protect her, so we will give you one last chance to tell us. Who is she, and why is she so important to everyone?" the skinny one stepped forward. I sighed, rubbing my forehead with my free hand.

They woke me up by stabbing me, taking Jade, and now want me to explain who she is. Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell them; she is simply a mystery to me. All I know is what I have seen in our few days together.

"Look, I don't know—she's just as much of a mystery to me as you. I just got told to protect her. Now, if you would I need her back or else..." I trailed off, looking at them; they looked at each other and laughed loudly.

"We won't be doing that," the shorter one said as he rushed towards me. He tried grabbing my arm just as I swung; he wasn't fast enough. My fist hit his stomach; a loud groan was heard as he got tossed back a bit, clenching his stomach.

The other one came running towards me; I sighed and moved out of his way, grabbing his arm that had the knife. Trying to shove my arm away, I stared at him; he wasn't as strong as he looked to be. While I was deep in thought, he punched me in my jaw.

I stumbled back, holding my jaw; shit, I don't know if I will be able to take them out myself. My side was killing me the more that I moved around, and now my jaw felt like it was broken. I am not having a great time.

The skinny one took the opportunity to come up behind me and grab both of my arms while the other swung his knife cutting my stomach up to my chest. I groaned feeling the stinging pain run through my body.

I hate that I have to give up, but if I don't, they might kill me. Struggling a bit in the guy's hold as he wrapped the ropes around my wrist tightly. Now I'm screwed. He shoved me face down into the dirt as I huffed loudly.

"Maybe one of your 'friends' will come and get you," one of them said as their foot made contact with my side. The pain was horrible, they kept kicking and kicking until I started coughing up blood. They continued until one of them said it was enough; I lay there coughing and groaning.

"Well, leave him here for someone to find," they said as one of them laughed. I heard footsteps getting quieter as I lay there, unable to move. "I'm...sorry...Jade," I whispered out before passing out. I hope someone comes looking for me.