Chapter 69 - Warning

“Alright” I began “Catherina will hand you your weapons. And we will begin preparations to head out.”

“Head out to where?” asked Catherina.

“Ontario” I replied without thinking, and then realized I had no actionable plans. They began muttering once more.

“Ontario. How the fuck are we meant to get to Ontario?” asked Catherina, undermining my authority, although I really couldn’t blame her. That was probably the extra thing Vincent didn’t get a chance to say. He would’ve bought us flight tickets, I’m sure.

“We can get Bus Tickets” I suggested. There were many disgruntled grunts.

“A bus is like 300 dollars per person, Naomi,” said Catherina. “FOR 7 OF US, it’s going to be 2 grand.”

“And a $100” said Thornhill.

“Where are we going to get that kind of money?” asked Catherina.

“It’s fine” replied Jeremiah. We all turned to look at him.

“What’s fine about it?” asked Catherina.

“I’ll cover it,” he said.

I for one was relieved. Not that I couldn’t afford it, but I really didn’t want to splurge 2 thousand on a random trip. Even if it was my mistake for not listening to Vincent. I couldn’t call him up again, could I?

“Since when did you become Santa Claus?” asked Catherina.

“As long as it’s for the pack, it’s not a problem.” He said, not elaborating any further.

“And I’ll call the Uber for tomorrow” I chipped in.

“Way to Chip in, Naomi” replied Catherina.

“At least, I am indeed chipping in. What other talents do you have besides whining?"

“Dumbass. There are 7 of us, so you need to make that two Ubers. I’ll call for the Ubers, so you just sit on your ass” she said. Sweet. I was getting to spend no money at all.

“Now, that that’s settled, we move out on first light” I instructed and dismissed the lot of them.

Jeremiah and Catherina left immediately, to god knows where. I decided to remain in the courtyard, and so did one of the warriors, Harland. She studied me carefully.

“Harland, right?” I said walking around the brushes. She didn’t respond. Fair enough, I was there to catch the scenery anyway.

Behind the house was what looked like a massive abandoned farmland. A few apple trees littered in the horizon here and there. And most importantly, to try to forget what I had just seen a few minutes ago.

“Leader” bursted the girl called Harland. I spun to answer.

“Leader? Just Naomi is fine for now” Was she shy?

“But first name basis with my senior is considered disrespect,” she said.

“Don’t worry about it, and between me and you, you might have more experience on the field” I said friendly, referring to her scars. “These marks are a badge of honour, and I wear them as such”

“Of course, Sorry. I meant no disrespect.”

She went silent again, and I did too. Was she thinking about what next to say? Or Breaking the ice was enough? I returned to my viewing before she burst out again.

“May I ask a question, Ms Naomi?” she asked.

“I don’t see why not. What’s up?”

“Is it true that you were banished before?”

“I suppose I should expect this line of questioning more often. Yes, a long time ago, I was ousted. Why do you ask?”

“So why did you return?” A little harder to answer.

“I felt it was time to get back to my roots” I lied.

“Even if it means getting killed?”

“What?”

“There is something you should know, Naomi” she consented.

“Huh?”

She went quiet again.

“Well, what is it?” I pressed.

She pursed her lips. “What I am about to say, never came from my lips. Jeremiah and Catherina will kill you before the next weekday arrives. Goodnight, Ms Naomi” And with that, she bounced elegantly out of the backyard. Was the girl mentally ill, was what I thought to myself, but deep down, I knew I was terrified.

I knew Catherina was filled with spite, but did she really intend to murder me? The girl must not be right in the had, I thought again, but I knew it was a fallacy. It had taken her some time to come forth to me with the data. Was she trying to sow a seed of doubt within me? It could also be Catherina’s plan to put me in a state of fight or flight. After all, embarrassing me before Harris would be a lot better than killing me. Or was I being stupid?

Killing me would be quick, and explained easily by the nature of the mission. What if it was just a perfect opportunity? And what did I have for Catherina? That she was an old-time friend of mine? I was panicking already, the desired effect of whoever orchestrated that girl to say something like that. But was it really orchestrated? Or she was only trying to help me out?

Could I take that kind of chance? I looked back into the house. Was there a way to know for sure? There was one way, Even if I really didn't want to see her right away. Time was running out for me. I walked out of the backyard, and out of the house, finding my way to my mom’s house on the right end of the street.

At the porch, I knocked loudly this time, As loudly as my fists would allow before breaking the door. In a few seconds, a man opened the door. Yep, it was him, standing half-naked, the bottom half only covered by a towel.

“Oh, Naomi. It’s really you, isn't it? I’ve heard so much-“

“I came to see my mother if you don’t mind,” I said, closing my eyes and trying not to think about his tool that had been in my eyes an hour ago.