The Prophecy (The Guardians) - By Wendy Owens Page 0,2

room in my life to fall in love with anyone. Rachel deserves to be with someone that can love her back.” Uri explained.

“And what make you too busy to love her back?” Gabe goaded.

“Some of us are fighting a war, Gabe.” Uri replied coolly.

“Oh, now I get it. You’re all brave and noble; you don’t have time for love because you’re rescuing the world. Well, we cowards don’t have room for love either!” Gabe added defensively.

“Nobody called you a coward, what is your deal?” Uri questioned.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Gabe snapped.

“Yeah, whatever you say.” After Uri spoke, the silence lingered for a moment until Gabe continued at last.

“I know what everyone must think about me,” he added.

“None of your friends expected you to be anything more than yourself.” Uri said, attempting to reassure him.

“No, I’m not stupid. I know what people are saying, I wasn’t always alone during those five years. I heard things while I was traveling. I abandoned the Guardians, I was a disappointment, a coward, selfish, I even heard a rumor I had joined the demons at one point.” Gabe rattled off, frustrated.

“Those words did not come from your friends, none of the people who really knew you. Who cares what anyone else says?” Uri added.

“Yeah, well it’s not you they are saying it about.”

“Gabe, I’m sorry. You have to understand, people had a lot of hope for the protector. Even though all of your friends still love you, there is going to be a level of disappointment you just have to expect from everyone else.” Uri continued.

“Why? I never asked to be the protector. I never asked for any of this, so why do I now have to live in hiding? Why do I not get a shot at a normal life?” Gabe found himself becoming furious at the idea of it all.

“Gabe, you have been in your own private little world for too long. Soon enough, nobody is going to have a shot at a normal life. Not if Baal has his way.” Uri argued. Gabe fell silent, hanging his head as he considered his friend’s words. “Look, I’m running out of time. I have been needing to talk to you anyways, I suppose now is as good a time as any. I have a huge favor to ask you.”

“Oh no, here it comes.” Gabe replied in a snarky tone.

“Really? It just keeps coming with you, doesn’t it?” Uri barked in astonishment as the two walked into the tiny cabin.

“Just saying, I figured out a long time ago that’s how things work when it comes to Guardians. They tend to only come around when they want something from you.” Gabe explained, confident in his opinion. “When you need them though, they are nowhere to be found.”

“You’re a Guardian whether you like it or not. You left us, Gabe! We didn’t abandon you, we respected your choice. Do you think it’s been easy to stay away?” Uri was losing his patience quickly. “I thought maybe you would have grown up a little in these past five years.”

“Excuse me?” Gabe asked, not disguising that he was offended.

Uri walked over to the pile of bedding and sprawled his long body out, resting his head on his hands and forearms behind his head. “For your information, nobody else knows I’m here. There is no big conspiracy to pull you back in. Life went on without you just fine, and it will continue to. I came here because out of everyone I have left, I trust you the most for what I was going to ask. But it’s fine, if we are too much trouble to bother you with, I get it. When Rachel gets back, we’ll clear out.” Uri closed his eyes, the exhausting conversation taking its toll.

Gabe felt conflicted; on one hand, he regretted ever leaving Rampart. He was young, a child, his feelings were hurt, and he wanted to escape it. After he was gone for so long, he felt like he couldn’t go back, too much had happened for him to just slip back into that life. He also felt bitter towards the Guardians, used and now unwanted.

“I’m sorry, Uri.” Gabe said quietly. “I shouldn’t take my frustrations out on you. I know you’re a true friend.”

Uri opened one eye, and with a cocked eyebrow asked, “What? The great and mighty Gabe Harwood just apologized?”

“Come on, don’t be like that.”

Closing his eye, Uri didn’t move as he continued, “Gabe, you’re the one who