Written in the Sand: Book 1 of the "Written" duology

Roadtrip

Minutes blurred into hours as Hamish, Randall and Lilith explained everything. They explained what I was now, how it happens, and why. They explained how each hide--that's what they call them--has their own personalities separate from the individual person, and that they are eternal spirits, meaning if the host--or champion as they call themselves--die, the hide doesn't and waits for a new person.

"Lilith has the hide named Timber; Randall has the hide named Greybeard; And I have the hide named Tundra," Hamish said, just as Randall excused himself to go somewhere.

"Is it just your... hides? The three of you?" I asked, leaning forward curiously. Hamish shook his head as he spoke up. "No, there are three more here," Hamish said. "Their names are Alpha, Silverback, Midnight and-"

Randall, coming back, cut him off by asking me, "What do you remember?" Then as if he just realized he cut off Hamish, he gave a sheepish look and mumbled an apology.

Hamish brushed it off, looking at me and waiting for my answer. I gave a slow nod, looking between the two boys. "I, um, remember reading before I-" I cut myself off hesitantly. "Before I became this, that this--Hide was it?" I asked, and getting a nod, I continued. "That this hide's name was Spitfire," I said. Hamish looked at me with intense interest.

"Where is this book now?" He asked. I shook my head. "It was at this house down a few streets from where I live," I said.

"Mazikeen, we have to go there and get it," Hamish said. "That book is super important,"

"And what do you suggest we do?" Lilith spoke up. "Just a road trip to wherever the hell she lives?" Randall was about to say something, but Lilith silenced him by saying, "Shut up, Randall. You don't have to answer that. It was rhetorical,"

"Well, why not?" Randall complained. "It would be fun!" He said.

Lilith only rolled her eyes.

"What if you guys don't have to go?" I suggested, earning a glare from Lilith, a stern look from Hamish, and a 'are you crazy' look from Randall.

"Or, what if I went with her?" Randall pointed out with a shrug. Hamish seemed to be nodding as Lilith opened her mouth, clearly not okay with that idea. "Are you crazy?!" She exclaimed, then looked at Hamish. "You can't seriously be considering this?"

"Well, it's not a bad idea, Lilith." Hamish said, giving a nod, deep in thought for a moment. "All right, you and Mazikeen can go," Hamish said, looking at Randall.

"Hamish! What the hell?" Lilith growled. "This is stupid idea!" She said, her eyes flashing an amber-gold. "Well it's the only idea we got," Hamish fired back, eyes flashing a silver-y blue, and standing up just as Lilith did. Anger flared through me as I saw the two about ready to attack each other.

"Guys, enough," I said loudly, getting myself up off of the chair I was sitting in and going between them. I looked at Lilith.

"I won't be gone that long; I live a couple of hours away from here." I said, then turned to Hamish. "Thank you for doing this for me, but I can just go by myself," I said.

Hamish shook his head. "No, let Randall go with you. He'll probably enjoy the adventure," Hamish jokes, casting a glance at Randall, his eyes going back to his usual gray-blue. Randall seemed pleased by this, giving a smile.

I gave a slow nod, looking between the two questionably. "Alright," I finally said. I turned to Randall. "Are you ready?" I asked.

"Um, Maze, you're still kind of in a robe," Randall pointed out. I cursed under my breath.

Hamish spun around and went somewhere, coming back with a pair of sweats and a shirt. "Here, you can use these for now, just," Hamish said, pausing and sighing. "Don't shift. I don't want these to be ripped," He said, amusement glinting in his eyes. "But, if you do, make sure to strip out of them,"