Beyond Infinity - Sam Drake

Chapter Thirty Two

Nathan's butt landed on the soft snow with a thud when Rafe pushed him down, immediately, Nora held Nathan back as he lunged towards a scowling Rafe. Ava sighed before putting herself in between Rafe and Nathan, copying Nora's moves.

Nora and Ava had no idea what happened Between Rafe and Nathan but they were glad they made it in time to stop the two from killing each other.

"Alright, stop." Nora commanded roughly, holding Nathan back once more by his chest. Another week passed by full of disappointments. Not a single clue was found to lead the group to Avery's treasures, and while Nora and Ava enjoyed each other's company as they ventured the unexplored Cathedral, Nathan and Rafe wouldn't say the same.

Ava popped her lips as she furrowed her brows, "you know what I've noticed?" A little amused scoff escaped her lips and Nora could already hear the hint of sarcasm in her voice. "Whenever it's the four of us working together- it never really works out, does it?" Suddenly, a little light bulb turned on on Ava's head as her eyes lit up at the sudden memory, "remember Baghdad?"

While Ava tried to laugh to lighten the mood, the scowling faces that stared at her died her laughter down, she awkwardly cleared her throat and patted Rafe's chest.

"Okay, you two should just not work together, alright? I'll, uh, search the area with Rafe and you two can go together." Ava pointed at Nora and Nathan before turning her backs to them, urging Rafe to get a move on as he kept glaring at Nathan.

"I think we're done here." Nora said, shuffling her balance between her feet as Rafe and Ava whipped around to face them.

"Alright, we can continue this tomorrow- we cool off today, and tomorrow, hopefully we'll get something." Ava let out a yawn as she stretched her arms. "I'm knackered anyways."

"No, Avy- we're done here. We're going home." Nathan finished, his heart broke as he watched Ava's brows furrowed as her cheeky grin turned into a frown.

"What?" Ava managed to squeak out.

"What do you mean you're going home? Is this about our little fight? Is this because I pushed you, Nate?" Rafe scoffed and Ava immediately saw his dangerous glare glint in his dark, emotionless orbs.

"We're running around in circles, Rafe. We have no clue what we're looking for." Nathan exclaimed.

"We've been running around for almost a month, don't you think we should just pack our stuff and go back home? It's done, and it's time for us to stop denying that." Nora continued and at that time, it seemed that Nora and Nathan had this conversation beforehand.

"Ava, I'd appreciate it if you'd talk some sense into your friends." Rafe spoke through gritted teeth and when Nora locked eyes with Ava, she knew that Ava was tired of running around too and she certainly knew that Ava was only denying the fact that they were getting nowhere with Avery's treasure.

"We know you're tired of running around hopelessly, too." Nora spoke sweetly and as Rafe watched Ava give in, he groaned loudly.

"C'mon, you too?" Rafe grabbed Ava's forearm and pulled her to face him.

Rafe leaned in and spoke with anger. "Are you three seriously going to forget about all this? Just pack up and quit!? We are on the verge of discovering something great and you three want to throw that away simply because we can't find a simple clue?"

Ava sighed as she looked at Rafe dully, "listen, do you really want us to start calling you Rage Adler instead of Rafe Adler?"

Rafe snapped his head at Ava and tightened his grip on her forearm, "jokes aside, Black- Sam's death would be for nothing if we just walk away from this!"

"Hey, woah, woah, woah, woah, that was a low blow." Nathan glared at Rafe and before he could move towards Rafe, Nora pulled him back and held tightly onto his arm.

Ava simply blinked her eyelids a couple of times before all her feelings towards Rafe came back in a rush- she suddenly remembered why she hated him so much and it was mostly for reasons like this, using things against her to guilt her.

"How dare you use Sam's death against us." Ava said as she stared up blankly at Rafe. "Don't you dare bring him into this."

Rafe licked his lips before speaking again, "all I'm saying is, we shouldn't give this up too easily!"

Ava pulled back her arm from Rafe's hold, and as Ava stood beside Nate, Rafe couldn't help but scoff as he thought of how ridiculous Ava was being.

"Once we find this, we'll be great." Rafe tried to persuade the group but it was mostly directed towards Ava. "You guys aren't serious."

"Rafe, we're not going anywhere with this." Nathan tried again.

"Shut up, Nate!"

"C'mon guys, let's go." Nora told Nathan and Ava as they began walking away but Rafe immediately lunged towards Ava to pull her back.

Both of his shaky hands held her shoulders harshly. "You can't possibly go with them! I know you want to find this, I know you want to do this for Sam."

Ava sighed, dipping her head as she closed her eyes. An image popped into her head- it was her and Sam finding the treasure together, his typical boyish grin on his face as he'd headlock Nathan in excitement and probably carry Her on his shoulder and twirl her around, Avery's treasure occupying all his pockets.

"You're right." Ava sighed and Rafe tried his best to hold back his smile as Nathan and Nora watched the two in anticipation. "But...I must say I have a strict no-deals-with-the-devil policy." The corner of Rafe's mouth twitched as Ava locked eyes with him.

"What is wrong with you." He stated rather than asked.

"I might've had a couple of drinks before this whole mess," Ava pushed away his arms as she backed away. "I'm sorry, Rafe."

Ava turned to see Nathan's arm lazily draped around Nora's shoulders as she rested her head on his chest in the plane. Subconsciously, her fingers were playing with her sun locket and it certainly did not go unnoticed by Sully.

"You alright, sweetheart?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah." Ava faked a smile for Sully and lifted her feet up on the seat, slightly curling herself into a ball. "I just- I just...I feel guilty. Rafe was right you know...Sam's death would be for nothing."

"You know Rafe is a goddamn manipulative monster, don't let his words get to you, kiddo." As Sully faced her, her palm engulfed around the necklace as she stared out the window, watching the night sky.

"I know, Sully." Ava let out a small silent sigh, "but I just can't help but believe it's true."

Sully couldn't utter a word as he watched Ava shut her eyes tightly as her grip on her necklace tightened.

Ava breathed in deeply when the image of losing her hold on Sam and him falling to his death popped up again. She couldn't help but believe that what Rafe said was true.

Sam Drake died just to find Avery's treasure, so why was she giving up so easily? Why were they quitting this melancholy adventure when Sam died for it? What right did they have?

"Please forgive me, Sam. I'm so sorry." Those words repeated and echoed loudly in her head till her eyes glued shut and the world grew silent.