The Hollows

Chapter 10 - Who Were You?

          Moving was slow and painful. Cassius rested frequently and cursed just as much. He tried to keep up with Heather but he couldn't deny that he had tumbled and been crushed. His breathing was laboured and his feet dragged more frequently. He was a fighter, but there is only so much pain one can endure. Heather had found some wild berries to feed on as well as some mushrooms that tasted better when cooked, a liberty they did not have just yet. She frowned many times as he tripped over more often, nearly begging for him to be more careful. As much as the time stretch before them, they hadn't been walking for too many hours, possibly only for three hours. The sun had risen higher and warmed the air, making the sweat on the brows grow denser. Their skins were covered in dirt, grass and blood, a sticky combination when mixed with sweat. There weren't that many rivers or waterbeds in the area for them to wash up and quench their thirst. A heavy thud stopped Heather's trudge through the forest, she spun around to find her companion's legs had given up on him. She groaned and sat herself down on a tree stump. They both sat, quietly listening to the chirping of birds that gently calmed their struggling lungs.

           "How long until we get there?" Cassius murmured, the pain clearly worsened by the sound of his voice.

           "At this pace, another three hours." She sighed, they had only travelled half the way.

           "Fuck..." He attempted to push himself back up, clearly pushing the journey onto himself.

           "Oh no you don't," she walked over and pressed his shoulders down, forcing him to remain seated. His face came up to her thighs, but his glowering eyes met hers regardless. "You need rest. You look too heavy to carry, let alone drag through this forest."

           He wanted to fend off the pain and gravity, alas reality was still something he reluctantly accepted, "Give me about ten minutes."

           "Fifteen." She was not tempted to risk him giving out again.

           His head dropped, defeated both mentally and physically. He laid himself down, grunting in the process, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. A couple of sunrays sometimes illuminated his facial features when the leaves would gently rustle in the wind. It was hard for Heather to not stare, despite the mess, the peaceful surrounding and light made him ethereal enough to spark her interest. He looked peaceful. His shirt had been torn and crumpled, and his skin looked both soft and rough, his feathers needed pruning but then so did hers. His collarbone was sleek. Goosebumps occasionally revealed themselves on his neck, where you could see his heartbeat work furiously. She had been too quiet, too controlled. His hair was unkept and daring her to run her fingers through the strands. His temple furrowed, and he opened his eyes gently, the sun made him glow and a very gentle smile quivered onto his lips. Another new expression. His gentle and tired eyes gave way to a discreet gleam, one she knew too well. He caught her staring. She turned on her heels, finally grasping onto the resolve to look for herbs to eat and treat their wounds. Did she want to punch him? Most likely. Did she want to gently stroke the few strands that had bothered his eyes? Somehow yes, she had wanted to do that too.

           Her stomach grumbled, she was hungry but hunting was a little too complicated since she had an injured Prince with her. She walked around, investigating bushes and plants, checking whether some held medicinal properties. She considered herself lucky by finding some wild strawberries, a little sugar would give them some energy to continue their journey. She would have to moderate their intake to avoid triggering their laxative and diuretic properties. She gathered them in clothing material, wrapping them gently. She stood up and rejoiced to see familiar flowers, ones with white flowers and deep purple bracts. Acanthus mollis, Bear's breech. The leaves held properties to treat and clean wounds, she had previously noticed some anti-inflammatory results, but she needed to study the plant's effects more to be certain. She noticed some blue flowered perennial plants called Ajuga reptans not so far from her, but using Bear's breech would be more effective in wound-healing. The only plant she would hope to find now was Arnica montana, a plant that goes by Arnica or Leopard's bane, she could use the yellow flower if fever were to torment them. However, they also helped muscle aches reduction, she would use it on their bruises, especially the ones Cassius hid under his shirt. She sighed and made her way back to Cassius.