CHAPTER NINE

Sebastian's POV

I suppose I don't have any real reason why. Which, as anyone who knows me would say, isn't like me. I'm standing in front of Cora's house, still contemplating whether to knock or not. But then I remember Alistair's words which both irritate and motivate me. Why should I be nervous, it's not like it's a date. I'm Sebastian Leone for christ's sake…

Hyping myself up, I knock on the door which opens immediately when I do so. It reveals Cora who looks a little out of breath. "Oh Sebastian," She says while smoothing her black hair down, "You're early."

"Not really, I'm actually half an hour late." I reply looking at my watch, 09.39AM. Well, it's not like it's a problem. "I barely noticed," Cora laughs. I try looking beyond her, "Where is Blair?"

"Something about letting her babies see the sun." Cora shrugs. Babies? "Oh you mean her weapons." I always forget what weapon maniac Blair can be sometimes or always. What that girl does with them, I don't know. I look down Cora's outfit. A black hooded jumper paired with blue jeans and sneakers. "Let's hope you'll be able to climb in that." I say. "Climb what?" She asks tilting her head. Her eyes look so big when she's confused. 

I shake my head, focus Sebastian. I turn and start walking, "Hey, a little warning." Cora says catching up with me. "By the way, isn't patrol supposed to start in the morning? Aren't you late?" Her question makes me burst out in laughter. "That doesn't matter when it comes to me." I state confidently.

"That ego of yours really needs to be bruised so I'll give you a reality check. What if something happens when you're supposed to be there and you're not?" She says seriously.

"Well…I mean…" I never thought about it that much and that felt like a stab in the heart.

"See, it's important to take responsibility and realize your every action affects everyone." She continues. I feel like I'm being lectured. "Alright."

"Good, so always be time conscious. You were half an hour late too." She says walking ahead and putting her hands behind her back. "I thought you said you didn't notice." I smirk. "Shush Sebastian, reflect on my words." She counters. Nice try. "Were you waiting for me?"

"No, I was checking out my nails."

"I bet you ran the moment you heard me knock." I laugh. She spins to look at me, "Ugh, confident much?"

"I'm right, aren't I?" I ask falling into step with her. She ignores me but I continue pestering her. Before I know it, we're at the forest at the base of the mountain. "There are a lot of trees in this place." Cora comments. "This makes it ideal. It makes it harder for The Rebellion to pass through our security." I say. "What, do you guys have lasers in the trees or something?" Cora laughs. I simply shrug in response. "You're kidding right?" When I don't respond, she moves on to the next question. 

"So our entire climb will be characterized by trees?"

"No, there's a clearing. That's where we are going." I say stepping over some rocks. "Watch your step and walk fast. If you fall behind, I'll leave you." Cora laughs, "Jeez, then I guess I'll just have to keep up."

This time around, Cora actually manages to keep up with me. "Are we almost there?" She asks. I look around for a stable tree to support my weight. "Kinda." I decide to go for the one on my left and reach for one of the branches. "What are you doing?" Cora asks while watching me climb. "Patrolling." The only way, I'll get a proper view is from the top. I look at the ground below me, but if I fall it's over for me. 

Standing on a thick branch, I lean against the tree and close my eyes. It takes me a while to concentrate and pay attention to the sound. This must mean that they've moved northwest, closer to the borders. "Um, I don't think that's safe." I hear Cora mumble. I can't move them back alone but at least I know where they are. Hopefully they won't be startled by our presence. The sun is out so they must be by the river. I guess that we're not far from the distant sound of water flowing. "What are you listening for? The water? It's nearby right?" Cora says putting one hand on her hip. 

It's surprising that she can get that from my position. It took me a couple of years to master this skill, the fact that she did it so easily kind of pissed me off…

"Yes." I respond while climbing down. "Sebastian, where exactly are you taking me?" Cora asks. "Relax, I'm not going to kill you. We're almost there." I say.

"If it's somewhere stupid, I'll smack you." That doesn't sound like a threat; it sounds more like a fact. The trees finally begin to break into an opening. The sunlight makes the stream sparkle as the water runs over rocks, making it look like a mini waterfall. But that's not what I want her to see.

I look at her and see the expression that I expected. It's almost comical really. "I don't…I…how is this possible?" That's what anyone in this era would say looking at the scene in front of us.

The deer barely notice our presence as they go about their business. These were the only animals our ancestors were able to save before the infection spread. Ever since then, it was Central's job to ensure the survival of their offspring. Of course, no one is allowed to consume them so we all have to stick to artificial animal products.

They're not a big number so they closely packed; most of them take refuge closer to the water. Cora takes a step forward, accidently stepping on a branch while doing so. Immediately one of the deer perks right up."Shush, careful. You'll scare them away." I say while putting my hand on her shoulder.

"Is this why you need authorization to come here?" She says barely over a whisper. "You could say that."

"Hah, you really are something Sebastian."

"I have my moments." I take her hand and move to a spot where can sit without disturbing the deer. I sit down and pat the ground next to me. It'll be mid-day soon. "There's still more?" Cora asks while sitting. I place both my hands on the ground and look at her. "Have you ever seen kids make a rainbow using a water hose?" she tilts her head as if that's an obvious question. "No."

"Well, you are about to see a bigger display of that. See where the water falls off the rocks like a waterfall?" I point to the rocks, "Just watch that part really carefully, you'll see." For a second, she just stares at me before turning her eyes to the scene. As the light rays hit the water flowing, a tiny rainbow is formed and Cora stares at it like a little kid. "Whoa, it just…did you see?" She asks looking at me. Her eyes are wide amplifying the blue in them. Her reaction makes me laugh, "How do you feel after doubting me?"

"Shush, you're ruining the beautiful view." She says waving me off. "Hmm?" We stay in comfortable silence for some minutes, just listening to the sound of water. "I wonder, is this how it was in those days?" Cora says lowly, I almost doubt that she's speaking to me. "It must have been great, imagine seeing a normal bird in the sky." I respond looking up. "We wouldn't have appreciated it. It's kind of like how you don't realize what you have until it's gone." She says sadly.

"People are like that, overlooking the beauty in a situation." Cora looks straight ahead and laughs. Her hair falls out of place and she pushes it back. "Can you see that beauty in this moment?" For a moment, I don't reply and simply look at her. Something comes over me and I say the first thing on mind.

"I see it right here."

She looks at me as I stare at her intently before looking away. "I mean, come on, it's not every day you see deer." I laugh awkwardly. What the hell just came over me? Did I just think…no.

Alistair's words must be getting to me and affecting my thought process. "Why did you bring me here?"

"I told you, it's patrol." I shrug still not making eye contact. My cheeks feel hot, am I getting a fever? In summer? It must be a sign that I haven't trained enough, I think I need to organize the guys for a sparring session…

"Hah, nice try. Now tell me the real reason." I lift my hands, "Listen lady, we are here for patrol in fact, we're patrolling right now." To add emphasis, I point at the deer which have begun moving towards the trees, probably seeking the shade. She gives me a skeptical look and remains silent. "Since we're done here, shall we leave?" I ask clearing my throat. Cora abruptly stands and grabs one of my hands. "Hey!!"

"Mmm…no. Let's go play in the water." She suddenly breaks into a smile. "No." I say softly.

"What, why not?"

"Some things are just for the benefit of the eyes. We do not have to disturb the pretty image."

"Come on, have a little adventure in your life." She says walking backward to the stream. There's no way I'm going in that water. "I have plenty of that already. If you fall, I won't catch you!" I shout out. She rolls her eyes before stopping. "What a buzz kill. If only Alex or Blair was here…" She pouts. 

The mention of Alex's name slightly pisses me off and I stand up. "So you want to play with me?" I ask raising a brow. "Huh?"

"What, water fight?"  I ask walking to the stream where she stands. "Yeah…but what's with the look in your eyes?" She nervously laughs. I give a big smile and tilt my head. "Okay then."

******

"Hah." Cora flops on the ground and spreads her arms. "S-see?" I say doing the same a short distance away. "I won."

"No, you didn't. It's a draw." The fact that she still has energy to speak so sharply is another thing on its own. "Whatever." WE find ourselves laughing over the silliest things as the sun dries us up. "And you know the thing is, you never find the sock again." I laugh. "Then stop sleeping with socks." She laughs shaking her head. "That's not the point!" Some people will never understand, only Nico understands the struggle.

I feel a buzz in my pocket and my mood is soured. I know what that means…I sigh as I remove the red buzzer from my pocket. I sit up and contemplate whether or not to answer it. "What is that?" Cora asks me as she sits up. "The calling of the devil." I groan. Do I really have to go?

"Eh, you mean Alistair, don't you?"

"Who else?" I stand up and run a hand through my hair. "Looks like patrol just got cut short." I say. "To be fair…It wasn't really patrol." I scoff and help her up. "Let's hurry up before he pops a vein or something." I say rolling my eyes. So many field agents and he has to call me basically every single day. It must be obsession.

Going down the mountain is easier than going up so it doesn't take that long to reach headquarters. Once again, we're standing in front of the big silver doors that I've come to know over the years. What a bother. I knock once before opening the door and entering with Cora following close behind.

Alistair looks up from his desk and closes his book. "Took you long enough."

"I was on patrol, like I told you remember?" I ask. "You mean your little da-

"But I'm here now and that's what matters." I quickly say. Alistair laughs before turning to Cora. "It's good that you're here too since this involves you."

"Me?" Cora asks pointing at herself. What is he talking about? I have a bad feeling about this. "Sebastian, the last batch of DNA produced no results." Alistair sighs. "So I need you to go out and get another batch."

"I figured, but…" I glance at Cora. What does that have to do with her, don't tell me… "Exactly what you're thinking. This time you get a partner, isn't that great?" Alistair smirks. This asshole. That's too dangerous and I always work alone. What if something goes wrong? I still don't know what Cora is fully capable of. "I don't think Cora-

"Before you finish that statement, just know," he turns his attention to Cora, "That I heard about your duel with Konosuke." Shit.

"What immeasurable talent. So much potential, now then, what do you think Cora?" She doesn't hesitate to answer."Okay."

"Huh?" Everyone's going crazy. "Perfect. You leave tomorrow morning."

"Wait, relax. Let's all be rational here." I say looking at both of them. "What's wrong?" Cora asks. "Yes Sebastian, what is wrong?" Alistair contributes. With both of them staring at me, I fail to say anything. I don't want to end up offending Cora. "Fine then," I sigh, "Is that all?" Alistair nods and I turn to the door.

"Oh, hold on a minute Cora." Alistair says opening another book. What is it now? "Yes?" She responds. "Can I have a word with you?" His question leaves both Cora and I surprised. But after a moment, Cora turns to me and smiles. "I'll be fine, don't worry." Reluctantly, I leave the room wondering what chaos Alistair plans on causing.