Mags

"What was that???" Penn asked, jumping visibly.

"Let's focus on looking for water," Sharlin said as they climbed. "There has to be a few streams on this one like the other ones right?" That's concerning . . . "The island is just having indigestion, don't judge."

"How're you today?" Lee asked conversationally.

@The Bookwyrm ( don't mean to spam you buddy I'm so sorry) @TheRavenHasLanded @Through The Living Glass @anyone else

yee I gonna try and get a free period next semester for sleeping

yeaaah luckily it hasn't been too hard, but I have fewer classes this year so it's not as much as usual.

"He probably knows to meet up with us here, seeing as this is were we're staying," March said, waving at the building. "Maybe he decided to run off," July muttered darkly. "What was that July?" March said threateningly. "Nothing . . ."

"I don't want to ditch him, Father'll be mad enough with how late we are."

It's alright! Not much happening for me, just lots of schoolwork and junk

That's amazing Elan I'm so proud of you

"Well don't worry about their stuff, I already went through it and grabbed the important looking things." He jabbed a finger at August and July's horses, which were tied outside of the tavern. "Have you seen November anywhere? He completely disappeared on us." @The Bookwyrm

March looked genuinely shocked. "You mean you three didn't conspire together and slip away while I wasn't looking? You do have some loyalty April, I apologize for underestimating you."

He seemed uncomfortable with her touch, and stood up quickly. August stood up as well and followed him. March was waiting outside, leaning against the tavern's front wall.

When she was done, August bumped July with his shoulder. "Come on, it'll be alright." July finally moved, offering his wrists too, but he didn't look at her.

August held out his hands, giving her an encouraging smile. July didn't move.

"I know April, none of this is your fault." July continued to not respond, his heads still covering his face. August rubbed his back gently, trying to help him calm down.

"Then just . . go get your stuff and come back . . ." He deflated. "I don't know, I-" August put a hand on his shoulder. "We can't do this now July, we need more preparation. I can't keep dueling people to save us from being captured--if Father sends February after us we'll all end up dead. I'm not as strong as I used to be." July didn't respond. He knew, he just didn't want to accept it. "I can't . . ." He put his head in his hands. "Let's just go back for now," August said gently. "We'll get out again, I promise."

"Then come with us," July said harshly. "You don't have to go back either, we don't have to wait a little longer, let's all just go now. I could never force myself to go back to that place, why are you?!" "July, I don't know if that's very realistic, we'd have even more people on our tail." August said, trying to keep things rational. "We already have half of them after us, what's a few more?" He replied bitterly.

Welcome to the Shard! What's your least favorite Brandon character? Do you like bagels???!!

"I don't care!" He said, raising his voice. "I can't go back there!" August pressed his lips into a line, he had somewhat expected this. "July, it'll be alright. If we go back, maybe we could convince June to come with us when we do leave for real." "You know he'd never agree to that," July muttered, not convinced.

"No . . ." July said, "I can't." "July," August mumbled. "Let's just--" "You are free to go back, but I am not." He insisted.

"I-I had some other business, you know how I am, I get busy with things and sometimes they take me far away and . . . well it was a little bit different this time, but that's besides the point. July found out I was going and insisted on coming with me--" "I couldn't stay there another day," July interjected. "I would've gone without August's help if he had refused." "--So, I helped him get out the best I could right before I left because he might've gotten hurt otherwise . . . I really should have told you. Either way, I was going to return to Jouken in a timely manner, but then word spread July had run, and people were no longer turning a blind eye to the fact that I had slipped away--they thought I had run away too. Before I knew it people were chasing after us and we had to start running without much of a plan."

"I . . . I'm so sorry, we had no idea. I wouldn't have gone if I'd known you would be sick soon after," He insisted.