Chapter 37

Baby- 

"I got some bad news, guys." "By the time I caught back up to the demon known as Benjamin, he and his Scouts were already gone."

"So do you think they were tracking us?" Micah said with concern in her voice. 

"Honestly, I can tell you, even though I've heard of Scouts before, some of this information is new to me. Josh would probably be better suited to answer these questions. So what say you, Josh?" 

"Well, from the information I gathered, if they have left, they could have lost interest in the chase. This could be due to our entering a more crowded area, which may be more problematic for their search. 

"So do you think it's safe to say that we are in the clear?" Or do you think we should do another walkthrough search? 

"No, we should go ahead and carefully get Kaysi out of here and talk more once we get back to Becky's house. 

James chimed in, "Have to say maybe I'm being paranoid, but I do believe that we're still being tracked." 

"The rest of y'all don't know much about James, but whenever he has an instinct about something, he's pretty spot on. Also, on top of that, he's the smartest one of our bunch, even though he's the youngest. Duke said, " 

Becky announced to the group, "I know my room doesn't give much space, but you're more than welcome to have a seat anywhere you like."

Evan spoke up, "Are you kidding me? My dad's fairly rich, and yet our mansion didn't have quite as big a bedroom as yours, and you're just in a large house!" 

"That's because my room was once a part of the original architect of the house. So it's pretty much a front room that was then converted to a bedroom as we extended to the rest of the house." 

"If you are okay with it, I wouldn't mind sitting on top of the bunk bed," James asked Becky.

"No, that's fine; the top bunk is my bed. Kaysi sleeps on the bottom. She used to sleep on the top, but she got too moving around too much and sleepwalking and fell off the top bunk one day." 

"Oh, how interesting this is due to having nightmares," Baby asked. 

"No, Baby, I can't quite say. I keep feeling as though I need to go somewhere, and I guess I'm asleep; I act that out." 

"Well, that field trip that we were talking about seems as though it might be time to pack up and head out soon." 

"I thought initially you said that you didn't know that would be safe in Kaysi's current condition. Evan protested. 

"I still don't quite think she's up for the task," Baby said, talking to Evan. 

"Why would you risk her safety rather than have us go on this trip?" 

"I don't know if you remember some of the details that were told to you about the field trip that we had planned before you came." Back when it was just three of us, the Heavenly Council gave us instructions that we needed to start doing some traveling." 

"Yes, I was given that information, but what exactly are we talking about here? Travel where?" 

"The council would be instructed as to what destination we would need to head. Wherever our services are needed in the area at the given time." 

"So we're supposed to just jump in a big bus and travel to wherever we're guided towards out into the unknown?" 

"Wow!" Duke said, "Son, you sound very optimistic. Ye, what little faith you have!" No, son, I have taught you better than that. We have already been given our first assignment. The Heavenly Council is directing us to join a tribe. Their tribe was in Keetoowah. "

Baby spoke up, adding to the conversation, "The tribe is separate from the rest of the world. They are in close relations with the Heavenly Council. Being secluded away from the world allowed them to keep some of their ancient traditions and knowledge through the years." 

"We are to go there to help them out with removing the debris that has been emerging in the area. As well as gain knowledge for ourselves. This knowledge may help us learn information about Kaysi's condition and why she was able to manifest her sword without memory. I'm not certain, but perhaps they could also explain the increase in portal activity. We know Evan and Josh's father has caused some of the portals to open, but we still don't fully understand why." 

But Duke, are we just supposed to abandon our duties here to help these other people, as Josh remarked? 

"No, simply put, we won't be abandoning our duties. We're going to come back, but it would at least give us a road map to where we're supposed to head next.

"Okay, I understand that, but can't this almighty heavenly council give you the information that you need?" 

"No, because as I've expressed before, even as Guardians, we are limited to how much we are to intervene and help guide you. We are only meant to guide humanity. It is up to you to be a part of humanity, whether you get saved or not." 

"So if we're not worth saving because we can't figure out a solution, then what?" 

"When the hour of revelation arrives, only those who have endured will survive. You must realize that people replaced angels as a test to determine your deservingness of being an angel and the rewards of heaven. There would be no need for testing if there were no such things as good and evil. Even as we talk, your free will alone gives you the ability to decide between harming and helping others." 

"I understand, so when do you think it is wise for us to leave like this?" 

"Yes, I do, the way things are going. With us being hunted, it may be wise for the safety of our friends and family that we leave immediately!" 

"Hold on a minute? Are you meaning for us to run away from home? We're supposed to have gone on the field trip before Kaysi lost her memory. We have no other excuses for leaving our homes. What will our parents think?" 

"Well, Becky...Kaysi has no family except for her brother. Evan and Josh only had their father as the maid. You, Micah, and James are the only ones who need to communicate with your parents." 

"Okay, but what do I say?" 

"We will have to leave immediately. You can write a note to your parents telling them that the field trip got rescheduled and that you forgot to inform them. Also informed them that we will be gone for 2 weeks." 

"We only have enough time right now to write the letters and pack up our things. We will meet late tonight when your parents are sleeping, at the school, and take the bus from there. I really need you guys to gather your things quickly and meet me and Duke there." 

"Okay, I guess we have no choice then. We will split up from here and start packing." 

As Duke and I waited back at the school, the kids began arriving slowly, one by one. 

The first was James, who had a gym bag and a few books in his arms. 

Next came Evan and Josh; they explained, "The maid took over guardianship for watching Josh, and she was very hesitant to let us go, but finally accepted." 

Then Micah came, following a few short minutes later behind them, with one large stuffed owl and a backpack full on her back. Ironically, it was the same as when she used to be before she ran away, when the demon possessed her. 

Once Micah was close, she asked, "Where are Becky and Kaysi? I'm used to those two being late, but I was even running late trying to find some of my items, like this backpack to put my stuff in." 

"You don't think something could have happened to them, do you? James asked suspiciously, " 

"Well," Duke said, "since everybody else is here, we'll go ahead and drive over there and see if we can meet them along the way." 

"I can help you with the route that we regularly walk, in case we take the same path where we can intercept them," Micha offered. 

As we loaded into the small bus, Duke was our driver. His skills were better than my own, as I didn't mind. 

We drove the entire route to get back to Becky's house, just a few short blocks away. As we approached, Becky and Kaysi jumped out from around the corner, flagging us down. 

Duke slammed the brakes and screeched the bus to a halt. As the bus stopped and came to a swift halt, he grabbed the lever to slam the door open. Anticipating their rush and excitement. 

"Is everything okay?" I asked. 

"NO!!!" Becky screamed, "GO GO GO!" She said, pointing forward. 

"Duke flipped the bus into gear as he hit the gas pedal down to the floor. The tires screamed, and the smell of burning rubber permeated the air. 

Josh and Evan, who were standing up in the back, were preparing to run over and check on their friends. When Duke took off speeding, they went crashing backward into the back of the bus. 

Duke looked up in the mirror when he heard them hit. "Sorry, kids, fasten your seatbelts." 

I looked at the boys plastered to the back of the bus. That's when I saw Benjamin, the big wolf-like demon, running on all fours, keeping a close distance to the bus as we barely sped off from our stop, picking up Becky and Kaysi. 

"Haul ass and get the hell out of here," Josh yelled when he saw Benjamin close behind.

But it was too late. Benjamin leaped into the air, landing on top of the bus.