#1

AXIS- A fantasy serial. I don’t know if I’ll stick with it, it’s just more of a side project while I work on my novel, but I dunno. There will be language, and violence, and suggestive content.
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“Rebecca, don’t fall behind, we’ve got to get as far as possible!”

Rebecca tried to catch her breath as she stumbled after Taylor. She couldn’t fall, not with the baby in her arms. She clutched the small bundle to her chest and willed her aching body to go faster.

“Rebecca, if we can just-” Taylor started, looking over his shoulder at the golden blonde girl, but she cut him off.

“Get to the port, get on a ship. Don’t… don’t worry, I remember.” She finished for him. She quickened her pace until she was just behind Taylor. “Can… can you take Axis for a little while? He’s heavier than he looks…” She asked.

Taylor eyed the bundle in Rebecca’s arms with piercingly blue eyes, then glanced at the dagger in his hands. “Can you handle the dagger?” He responded.

Rebecca nodded, and they slowed to a stop. Taylor put the dagger between his teeth, so he wouldn’t hurt the baby, and took the bundle from Rebecca’s arms. She took the blade from Taylor’s mouth and they rested for a moment. Once Taylor was sure Rebecca had caught her breath, they continued their run.

“Do you think they’ve noticed that we’re gone yet?” Rebecca asked, keeping her eyes glued to the darkened forest path ahead of her, so she wouldn’t trip.

Taylor shook his head. “I don’t know. Probably. I didn’t say how long I’d be out, so maybe they’ll think I’m taking a little extra time.” He cast a glance in Rebecca’s direction. “I’m not sure about you, though. How often do they check on your quarters?”

Rebecca took a second to think. “Every hour or so. I left after the third check, about ten minutes before we escaped.” She estimated.

Taylor scoffed. “Well, they definitely know you’re gone by now. They’re probably tracking us.” He said.

“How long until we reach the port?” Rebecca inquired, spooked at the idea of having the Cult’s trained search team on their tails.

Taylor clicked his tongue. “If we keep up a good speed, we’ll get there in around eight minutes, more of less…” He answered.

Rebecca hummed thoughtfully and took a breath. “Let’s shave off a little bit of that time.” She said, determination clear in her voice.

Taylor nodded and sped up, listening for the pounding of feet behind him that would tell him that Rebecca was keeping up. “Got it.” He murmured.

It wasn’t long before the dirt beneath their shoes became sandy, and the trees became more and more sparse. Their feet shifted in the softer earth, and they were forced to slow to a jog, for fear of breaking their ankles.

“The port’s in view…” Rebecca pointed out with something that might have been a sigh of relief, but it came out as more of a huff.

Taylor squinted through the night. Rebecca had always had better eyesight than he, but after a moment, he too could see the wavering torchlight coming from the port. “It’s right over this crest. Let’s go.” He muttered the last part, mostly to himself, before he adjusted Axis into a safer position in his arms, and they started up the slope, over which was their escape.

Once they were safely on the nearly deserted platform, Taylor glanced towards the path that they’d been running on. Nothing. Good. He steered Rebecca away from the view of the dock workers and behind a tool shed. She leaned against the side of the wooden shack, panting. He watched her carefully. Her simple, white dress was torn at the hem where she’d run into a brier patch, and smudged with dirt, but she didn’t look hurt. Just worn.

Taylor opened his mouth to say something, but a movement in his arms caught his attention. He looked down at the baby in his arms, and shifted him into a more comfortable place. Axis had been exceptionally quiet for the duration of their escape, save for a little crying near the beginning, and that was only for the first five or so minutes of running.

Taylor moved the blankets away from Axis’ head, so that he could cool off in the soft breeze that blew off the water. Axis squirmed and looked up at Taylor through ice blue eyes, which almost exactly matched Taylor’s. The older teen couldn’t help the small smile that pulled at the corner of his lips. “You’ve done well, Little Man.” He whispered, holding the small bundle to his chest.

Rebecca smiled and moved away from the wall to come closer. She reached out and brushed her fingers across Axis’ tiny hand. “Well, he has a good father, doesn’t he?” She said, looking up at Taylor with her big, amber eyes.

Taylor felt the familiar sting of guilt that he always felt when he looked at the sixteen year old. He could still hear her screams of pain, echoing from the Birth Chamber, all the way through the halls of the building, more heart wrenching than any sound he’d ever heard before. And, although he knew it wasn’t directly his fault, he felt responsible for the pain she’d felt.

“Sorry.” He muttered, dipping his head.

Rebecca frowned and touched Taylor’s tanned cheek. “Don’t be. I told you before, it’s not your fault.” She assured him.

Taylor clenched his teeth. “But, if it had been someone else-” He started to say, but Rebecca interrupted.

“I’m glad it was you.” She said. Taylor looked up slowly, hesitation in his eyes. Rebecca continued. “I know you, and I know there’s something deeper than companionship between us. If I could have been the one to choose, I’d have still chosen you.” She held out her arms, and Taylor passed Axis over to his mother. “He’ll be strong, in case he ever needs the strength. He’ll be smart. He’ll be fast.” She laughed softly and cast her eyes back towards where they’d come from. “And thanks to what you discovered, and your quick thinking, he’s alive.” She murmured.

Taylor allowed a small smile to grace his features. “Okay.” He answered simply. He looked at Axis, his… son, and coughed awkwardly. “Come on. Let’s find a crew that would be willing to let us on board. There’s gotta be one out of the boats leaving tonight that’ll take us.” He said, forcing himself to regain his composure as he gestured for Rebecca to follow.

Rebecca hurried after Taylor, after making sure Axis’ head wouldn’t get jostled, and fell into step beside the silver-blonde male. “Where are we going?” She asked him. Before Taylor could reply, Axis whimpered quietly, and Rebecca rubbed the infant’s back, silently hoping that he would keep up the quiet, calm behaviour for a little while longer.

But they couldn’t have all the luck in the world, could they?

Axis suddenly wailed, causing both Rebecca and Taylor to flinch and look around them, as if white clothed figures on horse back would surround them all the second Axis cried out a second time.

Taylor bit his lip and watched as Rebecca attempted to soothe the baby, rubbing his back and murmuring soft words to him. Taylor closed his eyes. After a moment, he grinned and opened them again. He placed a hand on Rebecca’s back. “If we can’t get those men to let us on board, maybe a sympathetic woman will… let’s just hope there’s a sympathetic woman on board one of the ships.” He added quietly.

Rebecca blinked. “Huh?”

Taylor began to steer her towards a long, low building towards the end of the port, “You asked where we were going, right? There.” He pointed ahead of them at the building. “It’s where the crews of the ships stock up on food and supplies before they set sail. Just follow my lead, and we’ll be fine.” He reassured her.

Rebecca gulped and nodded, and they started off at a brisk pace towards the building. Axis didn’t seem like he’d be stopping anytime soon, and he’d started reaching towards the woods, as if he longed to go back.

“Sh, shh, Axis, we’ll be okay, we’ll find you a nice place to sleep…” She whispered to him, hoping he’d calm down, at least a little bit. They were drawing more attention that she liked.

Just before they reached the building, the doors opened, and light flooded the wooden planks. Taylor stopped walking, and Rebecca followed his lead. A small group of men and women were leaving the building, laughing and talking loudly, their well muscled arms carrying bags and boxes, presumably filled with supplies and rations.

“E-excuse us…” Taylor called out. Rebecca looked up at Taylor, shocked by the vulnerable tone in his voice. Taylor caught her gaze, but offered her only a wink as a means of explanation.

The group stopped and looked up. One of the men in front raised a dark eyebrow and stepped forward. “Yes?” His eyes flickered to Rebecca, and the crying infant in her arms.

Taylor approached the man carefully. “We… we just escaped from a house of bandits… they’re most likely on our tail right now… I know it’s a lot to ask, but we need to get as far away as possible. My… my wife just had a child, and she can’t take care of him in a place like that…” For good measure, he reached back and gently took Rebecca’s free hand, slowly guiding her forward. “Do you have enough room on board? Just until your next stop?” He pleaded.

There was silence between them, broken only by Axis’ cries. A minute went by, before another man stepped forward out of the crowd. He had shoulder length, wavy black hair, and warm gray eyes that glowed in the torchlight.
“As long as we get a little help along the way, I think we have enough room for a few more. At least until our next stop. Don’t you agree, captain?” He asked the man who had spoken before.

The man-The Captain- sighed. “I suppose so. As long as you all sleep somewhere that the kid doesn’t disturb the crew’s sleep.” He said, eyeing Axis with wary eyes.

Rebecca held Axis tighter. “He’s not usually like this, I’m sorry.” She apologized. Taylor squeezed her hand, calming her down.

The Captain began walking, gesturing briefly for Taylor and Rebecca to follow. They did so, and he led them and the crew back down the docks towards the ships. “What are your names?” He asked gruffly.

Taylor swallowed, nervous. Should he give them fake names? No, it’s not like they were fugitives. “T-Taylor… I’m Taylor, this is Rebecca. Our son is Axis.” He answered truthfully.
The Captain raised an eyebrow. “Axis? That’s an unusual name.” He muttered. He shrugged. “To each his own. Anyway, we’re on the third ship in the port. We’re stopping off at a port town tomorrow evening, about 74 leagues. If you can just help out with the cleaning, we can drop you off there.” He said.

Taylor nodded and thanked him, just before Axis screamed even louder. Chills went down his spine and he turned around, suddenly worried.

Rebecca had tears in her eyes when she looked at Taylor. “What’s wrong with him? He’s never like this!” She said, her voice shaking.

Axis sobbed, reaching towards the crest from where they’d come from, and Taylor turned his head to look in that direction. He froze.

“Rebecca.” He whispered, touching her shoulder.

Rebecca twisted her head around, still whispering to Axis, and her eyes widened. Her gentle words trailed off, and she breathed out heavily. “Oh god…” she muttered.
On the crest of the hill, glowing from the torches they carried, were eight horses, each carrying a figure in white. The firelight glinted off of their weapons, and they started down the slope.

“Those your bandits?” Someone asked.

Taylor whipped around. “Yes… yes, please, let us on board the ship before they see us!” He begged, the desperation in his voice real this time.

The Captain stepped in front of them, shielding them from view. “Those are not bandits, that’s the Cult.” He hissed. Taylor and Rebecca looked up at him, wide eyed. He glanced at them. “Doesn’t mean you haven’t escaped them, but it might’ve been better to give us the truth, in this situation.” He muttered. “Abbott, get them on the ship. Hide them. The rest of you, get the ship ready to sail. Be fast, but don’t look suspicious.” He said. He turned and handed Taylor one of his bags. “Take this. Might as well blend in.” He said.
Taylor nodded and shifted the bag into one arm, and took Rebecca’s hand in the other.

“Come on.” He murmured.

A red haired man stepped forward and waved his arm. “This way.” He said, leading them towards the ship. They followed him, and the rest of the crew began to assume positions and get ready to set sail.

Abbott had only just began to lead them towards the gangway, when the pounding of hooves on the wood alerted them to Cult’s advance.

Rebecca gasped when Abbott took Axis out of her arms and gave him to a passing crew member. “Take him inside the ship, quickly. His crying will draw even more attention. You two, come on.” He said, after the crew member had run up the gangway with Axis.
They followed Abbott up the wooden planks, and down onto the main deck. He lead them to a hatch in the floor of the deck, a little ways down the huge ship. “This way.” He murmured. He went to lift the hatch, before finding it was stuck. “Dammit.” He growled. He strained to lift the wooden hatch, but it refused to yield.

A strangled yelp from behind Taylor made him jump, and he turned. “Rebecca!” He shouted.

Rebecca had been dragged backward by a figure in white. His gauntleted arm was pressed across her throat. His mouth and nose had been covered with a white mask, and his green eyes seemed to burn through Taylor’s.

Rebecca caught Taylor’s gaze and slowly shook her head. ‘Get away’, She mouthed. She struggled for air, but the Cult Tracker had a tight grip on her.

Taylor shook his head, and went to go forward, but someone grabbed his arms and held him back. He clenched his teeth and struggled against them. “Let me go!” He screamed.

“Kid, you saw her, let us get you out of her! She’s-” Abbott cut himself off.

Rebecca’s face had paled, and her eyes were closing, but she was looking right at Taylor. She smiled weakly, before her head dropped back against the Tracker’s chest. He let go and hoisted the girl onto his shoulder.

Taylor growled and kicked backwards, catching Abbott in the knee and making him fall. He charged forwards, ready to fight, but the glint of metal made him stop… just short of being stabbed.

The Tracker held the sword steady, pointed at Taylor’s chest. “I won’t be killing her just yet, but you are expendable.” He growled.

“Mason! Leave the boy, we just need her! Get out of here!” Someone called from the other end of the ship.

Taylor snapped his head in the direction of the voice, but the next thing he experienced was the pommel of a sword slamming down on the back of his head.
Just before everything went dark, he saw a flash of golden blonde hair disappearing over the side of the ship.

NEXT

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I dunno if I’ll continue, but if I do, it’ll probably update every Wednesday, or every other Wednesday.