Imperium: Volume 3

I was back at Lingham just a few days after Bowdie and Oaken came up with the possible answer to June's sightings. To think that she joined the enemy was one of the riskiest things I would have wanted to avoid, but on the other hand it was the smartest.

I was currently grabbing provisions and packing up a car. One that would take me along the trail that June had left for us, in the hopes that my sensory ability could pick up her presence. It was a long shot, but it had to be done. In the hopes that I did find her, I had memorized the telephone booth number, where Raeve would be on stand by awaiting for my call.

I was putting the final necessities in the trunk of the car when all of a sudden another bag was thrown in. I looked over my shoulder to see Rowen.

"Now you didn't think I was going to let you go all on your lonesome did you?" He said with a smirk.

"Actually, what I was thinking was what took you so long." I said with a grin.

"Well, I figured you could use my experience as an ex Dom. Just in case we run into a problem." He said.

"Alright, sounds good." I tossed him the keys. "Your driving."

He walked around to the drivers side and hopped in while I said my goodbyes to Jay and Raeve.

"I'll call you as soon as I find something." I told Raeve.

"Just be careful." Said Jay. "If your in to deep don't hesitate to come home. We can't afford to lose another........friend." He said.

He sounded unsure of the idea of sending me in, but I was there best chance at detecting her. As long as I could sense her in my 100 km radius, we may not even have to get close. Just enough to make the call.

I looked over to see Oaken standing by the doors to the mall. I could tell she was worried aswell, but understood this was broadening our chances of finding her. I gave her a nod, and got in the passenger seat.

"You ready?" Rowen asked.

"Yes." I answered.

We started moving, and I couldn't help but think about the last time we were out on a recon mission. It's nearing 7 months since my run in with the middle man, and even though I was no longer plagued with the sound of his voice, I was still nervous.

I opened the glove box and pulled out the map, I had marked earlier. Our first destination was a days drive to the city of Flagstaff. We would rest there for a night and check the surrounding area before we took off to the next location.

I could feel Rowens nervousness aswell. He too was thinking of our last mission, and I couldn't help but read his thoughts. The image of the gun to my head kept popping up in his mind, and he fought hard to get rid of it.

"Oh! I forgot to ask." I reached into my pocket and grabbed out two rings. I turned to him.

"Rowen, would you do the honor in becoming my temporary husband?" I asked.

He held his hand up to his chest in an animated gesture.

"Why Sarah.....I thought you'd never ask."

"Ahahah here." He gave me his hand and I slipped it on his ring finger.

He looked at it and smiled. "Is that a copper fitting?"

"Ya, well there aren't any actual rings lying around so I had someone buff them up a bit and etch a design in it. Not bad eh?" I said pleased with myself.

"Not at all." He replied.

I took to the map again. It was going to take us weeks to travel her route, and not to mention all the maps didn't specify any of the camps locations. It was overwhelming just putting it into perspective. I took a deep breath while looking at the road ahead.

"Where to wifey?" Asked Rowen.

I couldn't help but grin.

"We are just going to stay on the 421 till it takes us to Flagstaff. If we stay at our current speed we might be able to reach it by 7pm tonight if we go non stop." I told him.

"Okay, sounds like a plan."

.....................

"Mkay! pull over!" I said. "I need to stretch my legs."

We had been on the road 8 hours and we still had roughly 4 more to go. He pulled over to the side, and I hopped out. I threw my hands up to the sky and let the stretch linger till I felt it in my calves. I jumped in placed a bit and twisted my body till I felt my back crack. I turned to my right and saw forest for miles. I took in a deep breath and calmed my breathing as I opened my channels.

I could feel my mind spanning across the distance as if reaching for something till I couldn't no more. Once I hit that wall I knew I reached my limit. There was nothing. I shook out my arms as I crossed the road and let my mind wander to the left of us. Still nothing.

I looked back to the road behind us. It was a straight and empty road that connected The Dominion to the rest of society. If they truly wanted to, it was only a few turns from this interstate that would lead them to a highway. A highway that connected us to Lingham.

Our town that was abandoned long ago and forgotten through the years. It was kind of nostalgic.

I looked back to see Rowen leaning up against the car.

"Anything?" He asked.

I shook my head no, and made my way to him holding out my hand.

"I'll take over from here. It should only be another 4 hours roughly till we get to Flagstaff. Then we can shack up at a hotel for the night." He handed me the keys and we drove off shortly after.

The rest of the drive we talked about his upbringing and his family. I learned that his home life was strict, but full of love. The only disagreement they had was when he was forced to join the Dom Squad, and that's where their loyalties lied. I felt bad knowing that there was no family to go back to. It was to much of a risk showing his face, but I could hear in his tone how much he missed them.

It wasn't to long before we reached the city, and found ourselves a small hotel.

"Welcome to Flagstaff, are you checking in?" The front desk clerk asked.

"Actually, we were wondering if you had any rooms available?" I asked.

We were barely in the hotel for 2 minutes when a group of soldiers made there way to the elevator. I felt myself move towards Rowen, and his hand moved to mine taking it into his grasp.

"Mam?" The lady said.

"I'm sorry? What was that?" I asked her.

"No worries, I was just asking if you would like a double, queen or king bed?" She asked.

I looked to Rowen, who then quickly answered.

"A king please." He said. "One night."

"Alright, we take cash or credit card." She advised while waiting.

I pulled out my I.D. aswell as some cash from my wallet and handed both over to her.

"Perfect! You are all set to go, and here are your room keys. Just take the elevator up to the 4th floor and your room is 401."

I said thank you and headed towards the elevator with Rowen still in hand.

"So where did you get the cash?" He asked.

"What? Oh umm, ya we have quite a bit of it at base. This is really the only time we need it. Other then that it's just ass paper." The elevator opened and we hopped in.

As the doors were closing someone was yelling from the distance.

"Hold the door please." He said.

I waved my hand infront of the doors so they stayed open and in walked a soldier. A fucking Red Star. "Thank you." He said.

I nodded and moved to the back of the elevator where Rowen stood beside me. I felt the knots forming in my stomach, and Rowens hand rubbing my back as he tried to comfort me. The man's thoughts seemed tiresome. He had a rough day and just wanted to go to bed. He seemed like the type of man that went to work, did his job and liked to forget about the day. Almost like he was working to live.

He ended up getting off on the 3rd floor and gave us a nod before exiting. I was able to breathe again once we found ourselves alone in the elevator.

Our room was at the very end of the hall, and once we entered the sight took my breathe away. The view of all the city lights reminded me of the stars on a perfect winters night. The room itself was also a reminder of our units back at home base. There was a small kitchenet, and a bathroom. Even a dresser with a t.v. on it and a computer desk that sat beside it. A pullout couch and coffee table with snacks on it.

"No way!" I said as I grabbed a chocolate bar. "I haven' t seen one of these since I was young. If I remember correctly they have a wafer centre with a hazelnut cream filling."

Rowens giggled at the idea, that I was tripping balls over a candy bar. But if you've been living years in let's say, and underground facility or hopping from camp to camp, chocolate was a frigen delicacy.

I put the candy bar down and walked over to one side of the bed. I took my shoes off and sat down, giving it a little bounce test of the mattress. I ran my hand along the fresh white sheets, that was calling my name and slowly laid down on it.

"Rowen." I said.

"Yes?" He replied.

"When's the last time you laid in a bed like this?" I asked as I waved him over.

"Oh gosh...maybe a year?" He said as he took his shoes off and laid next to me.

A moan fell from his lips as he put his head back on the plush pillows. "Uh oh." He said. "We might have a problem."

"What?.....what is it?" I pressed.

"I might not want to get up." He said.

I smacked him lightly on his chest and giggled.

"This might not be a bad trip after all." I murmurred. We hadn't even got ourselves out of our day clothes as I felt the heaviness of my eyes weigh down. I looked over to Rowen, who looked to be already passed out.

I smiled and let the sound of his breathing put me to sleep. This was the most calm I have ever felt in such a long time. I took full advantage of it, as I wasn't sure when we would feel like this again. Before I drifted off, I opened my channels to see if I could sense June's presence. I couldn't detect her at all.

Just this once June. Just this once, I'm going to let myself relax. Just know that we're here......and we're coming for you.