The Mantis Equilibrium - Book Two - 30. Chapter 30 - Auntie Peg & Ninyani, Part Two

“Hurry up,” Auntie Peg urged. Her voice sounded stressed.

Ninyani’s hand was in hers as they rushed along.

She made a frustrated noise and asked rhetorically, “Why didn’t Ilya fly back with you?”

“Because you two were upset,” Ninyani replied.

Auntie Peg gave his fingers a squeeze. “You’re not wrong about that,” she said. She then asked him, “You understand what we’re requesting of you, right? I can only begin to comprehend how much it means to you, but I agree with her that it’s probably the only way, and thank you for your willingness to offer freely.”

Auntie Peg continued. “In most people’s eyes, anyone who does this is a villain,” she stated plainly. “I don't know what people will think afterward.”

Ninyani interjected. "I would give anything of mine to help someone else. All of you have helped me so much.”

Suddenly Auntie Peg slammed to a halt and extended her arm out to the side in front of Ninyani.

Ahead of them was a thick dust cloud that filled the street.

“I don't like the look of that,” she said, and she led him away from it to the southern edge of the Spritehood.

There was a slight drizzle, but the sun was coming up, and the two hustled along above the water under the lightening sky. They took a path to the border of the industrial district. They then turned north and followed a street up to Gate Town.

No more violence raged, but buildings were burning, and ahead of them, Auntie Peg saw bodies in the streets. The muffled cries of the dying could be heard at a distance.

“This way!” she said in a singsong voice that sounded nervous. She led Ninyani through the neighborhood and did her best to keep him away from any of the grisly scenes.

“Two blocks,” she declared, but as they rounded the last corner, Auntie Peg and Ninyani slammed to a halt. They found their friends.

“…and you’ve been like a big sister to Ninyani.” Dozi stopped telling the story of Tchama’s life with her and Ilya, and she looked up. Tears were streaming from her eyes.

The mystic raced over to Auntie Peg and Niyani. “Is this gonna work?” he asked in a choked voice. He looked back at Tchama.

Ilya was cradling her on the concrete.

Tchama was conscious, but she was writhing in pain, and she was missing an arm✪