Noir
Chapter 20

The request from Noir was accompanied by a pair of vice-like fingers encircling my elbow, their grip tight and unyielding. I could feel the pressure, a physical reminder that I had no choice but to comply. Noir's long strides propelled us forward, the sound of our footsteps echoing through the surroundings. As we moved, I struggled to keep pace, my breaths coming in short bursts as I strained to match his speed. Despite his awareness of my struggle, he never slowed down, his determination unwavering. Eventually, we reached a point where he released his hold on my elbow. Stepping back, he created a small distance between us, his back turned towards me as he surveyed the expanse of trees. With a shake of his head, he turned back to face me, his eyes filled with frustration. He stopped mere inches away from me, his voice booming, "I've reached my limit with you! Never run from me again... do you understand?" For the count of a heartbeat, I glared at him, then hissed "Oh yeah, I hear you." I followed my statement with a snapped, "And I imagine, everyone else did too; they'd have to be deaf if they didn't!" With the words still floating in the air, I stepped around him and headed back toward camp, my temper running high and tears shimmering in my eyes.

A few minutes later, as I reached the outer edge of the camp, I paused, taking in the earthy scent of the surrounding trees. Drawing in a deep breath, I tried to calm myself, feeling the slight breeze brush against my skin.

Jericha knelt in front of her backpack and with curiosity, she glanced in my direction. Despite my desire to regain control over my anger, I reluctantly made my way towards her. As I came to a stop, her eyes scanned my face, noticing the petulant look etched upon my features. Her gaze then shifted back to the bag she was hastily cramming stuff into, as she muttered under her breath, "God, he's a buffoon."

Half an hour later, we gathered for a meager breakfast of trail mix and granola bars, the faint crunching sound filling the air. The tents were swiftly dismantled, and the camp was packed up, a symphony of rustling fabric and clinking equipment. Soon enough, we were on the move again, the day passing by in a blur as I trudged along. Jericha had informed me earlier that Noir had mentally reached out to Brinkley, warning him that we were being followed. In response, Brinkley had halted all operations, causing a flurry of activity and the gathering of everyone. A soft chuckle escaped Jericha's lips as she recounted how Brinkley had referred to Noir as an idiot.

As the hours passed, the day turned even muggier, and we were all in a foul mood. The humidity clung to our skin like a second layer of clothing, and sweat trickled down our backs, pooling between our shoulder blades. The only sounds were the occasional squawk of a bird and the rustle of leaves as some unseen creature scurried through the underbrush. I glanced over at Jericha, and she shot me a look that could have curdled milk.

Noir walked a few paces ahead of us, his long, sinuous stride seemingly unaffected by the oppressive heat. Beside him, Eton and Angelo, trailed silently through the underbrush. They didn't seem to be in any better mood than the rest of us.

As she walked beside me, Jericha let out a sigh and reached into her pocket, retrieving a packet of dried mango. "You know," she said, unwrapping the packet, "I'm starting to hate this job."

I shot her a look, not sure if she was serious. "You've said that before," I replied. "And as much as I hate it too right now, we both knew what we were getting into when we signed up for this."

She shrugged and offered me the packet of mango. "I know, I know. It's just... sometimes I wish there was a little *less* variety in our lives."

I took the mango, peeling back the wrapper and stuffing a handful into my mouth. The sweet, tangy flavor exploded on my tongue, and for a moment, it almost made the heat and the discomfort fade away. "You mean, like a day at the beach or something?" I asked between chews.

She rolled her eyes. "I wish."

"Yeah, me too," I laughed.

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The hour was late, when we finally set up camp. Fatigue clung to my body, mingling with the heat and dirt, creating an overwhelming desire for a soothing bath. Gathering my belongings swiftly, I navigated towards the nearby creek, its babbling sounds calling me. However, my steps abruptly halted as I caught sight of Noir, his figure immersed waist-deep in the very spot I yearned for. Moonlight danced upon his powerful shoulders, a shimmering spectacle in the stillness of the night.

I hesitated, uncertainty gripping me. Noir's strength, his presence...had become unnerving. Yet, something about him still drew me in. Perhaps it was the way he seemed to command the darkness, as if he were its master, or perhaps it was the air of mystery that surrounded him like a veil. Despite my apprehension, curiosity got the better of me.

Slowly, I approached the creek, my steps as silent as the night itself. As I drew closer, I could see the way the moonlight danced upon the water, mimicking the movement of Noir's muscles beneath the surface. The water lapped gently against the shore, inviting me in.

Noir seemed to sense my presence, for he turned his head slightly, exposing his profile to me. His eyes, like two pools of inky blackness, met mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw something flicker within them. It was as if he were studying me. Studying the way my heart raced, the way my breath hitched in my throat.

"Go ahead," he said softly, his voice a low husk that whispered to me. "The water's fine."

My heart leapt at his words, and I found myself taking a tentative step forward, the coolness of the water enveloping my feet. It was indeed refreshing, and I felt a sudden urge to dive in, to lose myself in its embrace. But I remained where I was, uncertain, my body tense.

Noir must have sensed my hesitation, for he shifted slightly in the water, his muscles rippling beneath the moonlight. He reached out a hand, his long, fingers beckoning me. "Come on," he urged. "I promise I won't bite."

His words came out, sounding like a challenge and I found myself taking a step closer. The water lapped at my calves, caressing my skin, and I let out a small sigh of pleasure. It was indeed inviting, and I couldn't resist any longer. I took another step forward.

Noir watched me with interest, his gaze unwavering as I slowly submerged myself in the water. It was surprisingly refreshing, and I reveled in the sensation of being clean for the first time in days. I closed my eyes, letting out a long, slow breath, and felt the tension seep from my muscles.

"Do you always bathe in your clothes?" he taunted.