Running Up That Hill
I like rewrote this too many times, halp. I am struggling with the grammar help program I use, so next update might take a bit longer, as I need to find a new one.
Halo Reach/Infinite belongs to 343 Industries.
My spartan oc (Avery) belongs to me.
Repost with credit.
Part Two. (Part One)
26. I'm Right Here
Another ripple tore through her body as she clamped her hand to her mouth. Maybe her mind was playing tricks on her and it was all fake. There was no way she could stand. Especially at that spot where she had promised to take her years ago, and Kat would remember her. She kept her memories, so why wouldnât Kat? Avery buckled, digging her fingers into the tree bark. This was some sort of punishment.Â
A hand laid on her back, and she stiffened, swallowing down a gag. If Kat didnât recognize her now, then everything between them was gone; the promise would be gone. She did not understand why it made her heart twist into a painful knot. It had died. Everything died on Reach. Was she not past this by now?Â
It took her a second to realize that the hand was touching her back. The cold metal felt a cold contrast to her sweaty skin. Her mind was in a swirl; she was not sure if she should push Kat away or accept the contact. It did not help that her body was already relaxing, not realizing it was not the Kat they knew. Kat didnât know her.
âHeyâŠâ Kat slowly removed her hand away from Averyâs forehead when she turned, keeping her other hand firm on her back. âI donât look that bad, do I? Or do I smell?âÂ
Her lips quivered in a quick smile. Avery slowly sank to the ground, followed by Kat, hating how weak her knees felt. She could only focus on Katâs hand. Her heart screamed that it was her. Kat was right there. Alive! âI should say that about me, donât you⊠you donât know me, do you?âÂ
âIâŠâ Kat studied her for a moment and something told her Avery was familiar, but the fog in her memory covered it up. Something tugged her to the waterfall, but she couldnât place it. Avery showed up before she could figure it out. âFamiliar. I found this waterfall when I woke up,â Kat paused, âI remember getting on the transport. For Reach.â
Everything about her is gone.
âHey, stay with me.â Kat caught her before she fell forward, moving Avery to lean against her as the spartan wheezed. Avery shook and gasped for air, tears pooling in her eyes. âTake a deep breath,â Kat waited until Avery followed, âhold⊠and now release. Breath in.â
Avery took another deep breath and wheezed. She shook her head, pushing against Kat. âNo! Youâre not⊠You donât remember me, so why⊠why are you doing this?!â Even if her legs felt like bricks, she tore herself from her and stumbled away. âYou donât know me.âÂ
âI can see someone in pain.â Kat reached her hand out, making Avery back up even more. âYou need to breathe, okay? We can figure this out, but I need you to stay with me.â Avery didnât flinch when she reached out her hand again, slowly uncurling from her spot. âStay with me, Avery.â
âHowâŠâ Avery kept her arms tight around herself.
Her heart wouldnât stop pounding in her chest as Avery remained in her spot. She wasnât sure why, but it wouldnât stop her chest. She stretched out her hand. âI donât know what is going on, or where I am, but that doesnât change that Iâm here.â Avery slowly took her hand, and Kat let out a quiet sigh of relief. âI canât have you passing out on me, alright?âÂ
Avery gave a nod, taking a breath; she almost jumped when Fret appeared on her right forearm as a hologram, finally gaining her attention. âYes! Listen to her, she makes sense.â He turned to face Kat. âIâm Fret, her AI.â
â... I assume you know me.â Kat glanced back to Avery and back at Fret. âDo you have any idea where we are? Or what year is it?â She never thought she would ask that question.Â
âEr, this is a Halo Ring- long story- and weâre fighting the Banished now. Do⊠Do you really want to know the year? Itâs 2560.â
Her eyes widened. 2560? That would mean itâs been 8 years since Reach. She and the rest of Noble had been gone for 8 years? It would explain Averyâs reaction, though she was more concerned that Avery hadnât spoken since Fret came out. âThat isnât⊠possible.â Kat reached out to her and laid her hand over Averyâs. âAvery-â
âWe have to go.â Avery stood up, slipping her hand away from Katâs. âIt isnât safe here. Iâll take you to the nearby FOB. They will contact HQ and get you back to base.â Her voice sounded unfamiliar than before, more robotic than anything else. Kat noticed the slight tremble in her tone. âAll the information will be there.âÂ
She wondered if Avery remembered what just happened. It seemed like once the helmet came on, Avery acted like a different person. âIf you know me, then you know Iâm not going there.â Avery picked up her helmet. She gestured around and said, âYou canât do all of this. I have questions, and you have answers.âÂ
âI have a mission to do. Besides, youâŠâÂ
âI what?âÂ
âYou donât know me.â This could be good in a way. They could start over. She could do better this time and keep her emotions controlled. She wouldnât be selfish this time. After putting on her helmet, she turned to her. âNo memory, so you can start fresh. Youâre free, Kat, take this chance.âÂ
Kat blinked, eye twitching. Was she being serious? âIâm not going anywhere.â
âAre the others with you?â Avery ignored her comment and moved further away from her. She needed to leave, get as far away as possible from her. That feeling again it rose through her body and boiled in her mouth. âThe rest of Noble.âÂ
âIâm not telling you anything until you answer my questions.â Kat stumbled to keep up with her boot hitting a root; she reached for Averyâs hand and grabbed it, pulling her back. She could faintly hear a waterfall, adding more noise to her mind. âThatâs your name, right? Avery. Tell me how I know that.â When Avery didnât respond, she loosened her grip, tone softening. âPlease. Just tell me that, at least.âÂ
âI was your Noble Six replacement.â Avery shook in her hold. âWe worked together until we lost. I⊠you were the first person I told my name to. But it doesnât matter now. We need to get to the FOB.â











