Gifted Connections 3

“I can grab my pack,” I protested as I fell into step beside him.

He gave me a crooked little grin. “I know you could, but we need to make up some ground.”

They can’t see us from the drop off point, Troy sounded triumphant as he fell into step behind us.

Good, if we keep at this pace we should reach the woods in twenty minutes, Jace remarked.

We didn’t hit the woods for another forty minutes. Luckily, we hadn’t seen the other team although we could hear them occasionally, their voices carrying down to us. They weren’t even trying to be quiet about it. We could hear them jovially calling and laughing with each other.

Why are they being so loud? I stated telepathically as we took our first break behind a large tree.

Because even the best trained troops still have to work with others that don’t understand that training simulations should be treated like a real-world event. Troy jeered.

I’m sure some of them are trying to take this seriously, Jaxson stated diplomatically. I like that Ford cat. He seems like his head is in the game. I’m sure he’s not underestimating us. His brother and father are huge in the North Carolina community.

How do you know that? I inquired.

I heard him talking to Dad, Jaxson responded. He’s trying to set up a meeting with Paul, Dad, and his brother. Apparently, his brother is older and doesn’t understand the magnitude of the situation we are in. He doesn’t believe the government would ever treat us like second class citizens or force us into situations that may be unconstitutional.

I really hope it doesn’t comes to that, Troy stated with a frown. We all nodded in agreement. We were silent for a few moments. Deep in our own thoughts.

Is everyone good? Can we move on? Jace looked at all of us after a few more moments of rest.

I took another long drink of water from my canteen. Let’s do this, I nodded as I stood up.

I hurried to grab my pack before Remy could pick it back up. I knew he was strong. Even without his powers. I just wanted to pull my own weight until I actually needed help.

Remy gave me an exasperated look but didn’t argue with me.

I kind of feel bad for Terrance, I stated as we set a brisk pace through the woods. They are outnumbered with them, and you know they’re not giving him the chance to lead, like he’s used to.

They’ll learn soon enough, Noah said smugly.

Hopefully, I said with a smile. I didn’t want to get overconfident.

We continued to wind our way through the forest, looking for the stream Troy had pointed out on his map. There were a few paths we could have taken back. One of them was even faster than the one they decided to take. Troy chose this path because of the water source and opportunities for shelter along the way.

Has Jemmy said anything more to you about the whole Gavin and Sierra situation? Drake asked after a while of silence.

I shook my head with a frown. No…She went from obsessing about the whole situation, to nothing. I don’t know if she’s just trying to approach the situation differently or if she’s in denial. Maybe she thinks if she ignores it, eventually it’ll go away.

Do you think she’s lost interest? Jaxson asked tentatively.

Not likely, Noah snickered. She followed you around for years, hoping you would notice her.

She was my friend! Jaxson almost blushed as he ‘loudly’ protested.

A friend who had a crush on you, Drake joined into the banter.

He was just oblivious to it all until she bluntly told him she liked him, Troy guffawed.

Okay she might still like him, but why is she being so… Un-Jemmylike? Jaxson was desperately trying to deflect the attention away from himself.

They’ll figure it out, Troy said confidently. Gavin’s a good guy, and Sierra seems like she fits in with them. They’ll fall into place eventually.

Not all connections find a rhythm naturally. We knew each other for a long time. We grew up as brothers, Jace said cautiously. We suspected that we shared a nucleus. Gavin is so brand new to all of this. Gavin, Jemmy, and Sierra are little more than strangers. It may take some time. It helps that they’ll be forced together all the time to figure it out.

Do you think it wou