Awakening by J. E. Swift

Author:J. E. Swift
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781481879590
Published: 2013-01-20T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Caitlyn pulled out her backpack from Declan’s SUV and slung it over her shoulder, staring at the trailhead that greeted her. Despite the fact that she had not been hiking since she was a young girl, she had been the one initially to suggest the outing. Garrett had been sent on yet another assignment that the Trust had given him with no known date of return, and she found herself itching to get out of the small town, explore some of the mountains that she could always see on the town’s outskirts.

“Thanks again for inviting me.” He said, tightening up the laces of his worn hiking boots.

“Thanks for coming. I wanted a friend to come with me and didn’t want to hike this alone.”

Declan’s grin was from ear to ear. “So, I am a friend now?”

She couldn’t help but scoff good naturedly. “Of course you are. What else would you be?”

He shoved his water bottle into his bag, following her as she walked to the beginning of the trail. “Well, after everything with Garrett, I think I still have a hard time believing that I am not the enemy to you.”

She stopped abruptly and turned to him. “Have I given you that impression?”

“Well… no.”

“Good. Because you are my friend. Any animosity that I had towards you regarding Garrett’s removal as my mentor disappeared quite some time ago. Now,” Caitlyn pointed to a trail sign, “Are you sure you are up for this?”

It was his turn to scoff. “Caitlyn, you are the one who has not been hiking in years. Shouldn’t I be asking you that question?”

“What? With the way you train me? Please. I could probably run up the trail.”

Declan did not argue that fact as they began their ascent. Over the past few weeks, his trainings had become more intense, the workouts more rigorous. He had Caitlyn getting up at the crack of dawn to run four miles a day, five times a week, and four of the five days, lifting weights as well.

But through it all, Declan was there with her every morning, pushing himself as hard as he did her. Together, they pressed each other to work harder, run faster, and move nimbler. Caitlyn had always been fit prior to becoming an Actual, but thanks to Declan’s training, she was seeing a transformation in her body that she had never enjoyed before.

As he moved ahead of her in the trail, she couldn’t help but admire the change in his physique as well, and he was already extremely fit. She felt a bit of pride in that; she knew that if she had not put forth the effort that she exerted into her workouts, he would not be benefiting either.

They climbed up boulders and steep inclines, never stopping unless Declan did first. It was a crazy rule she had; keep going as long as Declan does, see who passes out from exhaustion first.

It was only when they called a break for lunch that Caitlyn wiped the sweat off her brow.

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