Selection (Book 2 of P.O.E. chronicles)

The Secret Origin of Tom Triole Part 7

It felt strange to be on the move around the forest again, especially after what happened with the Lupas. Owen still sported a makeshift bandage on his arm, but it wasn't like we didn't have a fair share of injuries before that.

Despite knowing that seeking out mercenaries was a better plan and that I was the one who suggested it, I couldn't help but felt tense. There was a feeling in my gut, an instinct, that something bad might happen. I took note of it and shove it aside; if we stayed in the forest, chances us we would die even faster.

Being the ones at front, I can feel Owen and Abigail behind me closely as we act as the spearhead that cut through the forest. Bowen is all the way at the back with Natalie and Oscar with the others protecting Evanna. I kept my senses alert for anything, though Abigail and Oscar would sense something wrong faster than I could. I threw a few cautious look at Abigail. She still didn't seem to be aware of her contribution to Owen's escape yesterday.

Oscar and Abigail detected a group of Hancocks so we did a big loop around them. Those mutated poultries had the sharpest beaks I had ever since. We once encountered a herd during a game of Capture a Flag and we lost half of our crew that time.

However, it seemed that our trouble that day wasn't over.

"Gail, I sensed something weird in the north-east," Owen said. That was nothing new and we continued on as Abigail checked it out, too. However, this time, she stopped.

"No way." She gasped. Owen quickly asked her what was wrong and the rest of us gathered around. She looked surprised and torn between excitement and fear. What could this be?

"I think—I think there are P.O.E.s there," she said. The others immediately got excited and after a few rounds of conversation, it was established that these were complete strangers and not someone from the Academy. They could be the ones that were after us, but it seemed farfetched for them to track us all the way here after a month.

"We need to get out of the way otherwise they would sense us," Owen said, frowning. "They're definitely heading this way."

We all turned towards Evanna, but once again, she wasn't able to do much given that we hadn't made a decision yet.

"They're the first people we've run into since the test,"—I quickly said before the others could interrupt me—"but we should be cautious when approaching them."

It might seem weird for me to say this, but I thought they would all be more cautious and suggesting that we approach these groups outside of the Citybase would be a huge risk.

"Let's not rush into this," Abigail said. She seemed to understand what I was worried about. I looked towards Bowen; he didn't look happy about the situation and I wondered why he still hadn't spoken.

"What if we lose them? You said it yourself, we haven't run into anyone for weeks!" Casey said. Holly and Nate agreed with her. These three together didn't even have enough brains to stay alive.

"I said we should follow them, not approach them." I sighed and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. Before we could continue our debate, it was too late. Then it turned into an argument on where to run. With Bowen lashing out with no input or reason.

"Too late," Evanna suddenly said. I paused midway through my sentence as she looked at each and one of us. "They're coming."

Bowen's first reaction was to run, and I couldn't help but snort at that. That was exactly what we were trying to do and he was the one who hindered the progress.

"We should play this safe," Abigail answered. Annoyed at the situation, I pulled her behind me and took position at the front of the group. Oscar marched up next to me and the silent acknowledgment of all the times we fought alongside each other in the simulation room came rushing back.