Sparks

Chapter 64

I slip out of bed quietly and go to the closet, where I grab a bra and a jacket. As the doors downstairs are likely to be monitored by cameras or something, I quickly put on the clothing and open the window. It's raining so I find an umbrella I stashed in my room at some point and tuck it in my belt. There's a steep drop, but there is a gutter on the wall that I should theoretically be able to climb down. I swallow hard. Am I really doing this? Surveying the gutter, I see several places where it's wired to the concrete. They will serve as handholds, I think. Just to be sure I grab the closest one and pull as hard as I can. Doesn't budge at all, good. I slip gloves on my hands and sit on the windowsill.

I'm sure I look a mess. Wearing mostly pyjamas, I look like I should be asleep. At least I chose relatively clothes-like pyjamas - leggings and an oversized t-shirt, then the long jacket I just put on. I take a deep breath and reach for the first handhold. When that hand is securely in place, I look down. Time for a leap of faith...

I let go and reach with the rest of my body to the hand and foot-holds. My chest slams into the wall but I'm alive and still holding on. Letting out a sigh of relief, I begin my descent. Rain pelts my head and shoulders but I keep moving. Finally, after far too long of climbing, I reach solid ground. The car will be too loud if I start it here...I'll have to put it in neutral and push it down the road a bit. I proceed to do so, and even with all my training, the car's almost too heavy but once I get it rolling it gets much easier. Inertia, I guess. Eventually I pass the clump of trees separating the base from the rest of the world so I release the car and get in again, finally starting it.

-

I'm unbelievably anxious, stopping as close to the woods as I can get. Will I remember my way back? I guess I always have GPS if worst comes to worst. I start off into the woods and open my umbrella. The path I've been down twice now, once with Jamie and once on my own, seems much different in the low light and rain. I can only hope that I'm going in the right direction. Farther and farther in I go, until I reach the place with the logs where Jamie and I sat once. Right... now, I guess I'll go out in a spiral pattern? She can't be too far from here.

It takes probably fifteen minutes before I finally happen upon something out of place - an army green hammock with a black tarp over it, at least twelve feet up. I would've missed it if I didn't know I was looking for a hammock.

I tap my foot. I don't want to scare Jamie, and she's obviously asleep. Her sweatshirt is hanging off the side of the hammock, out of the way but protected from the rain. My eyes flicker over to a tree right next to the one she's sleeping in, and I nod to myself and walk over to it. Handhold after handhold, foothold after foothold, I partake in an activity I haven't done since I was twelve - I climb the tree.

The hammock's swinging in the wind, but if I look carefully I can see movement other than that. Crap, did I wake her up?

Suddenly, two things happen at once.

Jamie slides gracefully from the sleeping bag, brandishing a knife, eye glowing.

And I, startled, lose my grip and fall.

I hear an exclamation of "Shoot!" then she lunges at me, rolls over in the air once, and lands on one knee, shielding me with her body the whole time.

I'm in shock.

I am also currently in Jamie's arms, bridal style.

She stands up swiftly, still carrying me. "What the hell was that, Aryn? I could've killed you!"

"Uh."

"What?"

My face gets redder than I thought was possible. "Can you p-put me down, p-please?"