The Bane

Chapter Four

Eventually I recovered enough to speak.

“You?” I exclaimed. “But why?”

Athan shrugged. “I already told you. I’ve never thought it was fair to imprison you. After I talked to you, I decided that I wasn’t going to allow them to keep you anymore.”

 “Thank you.” There wasn’t really anything else to say. 

There was a long awkward silence. I opened my mouth to say something, but I was interrupted by the loud sound of people crashing through the forest.

I watched in terror as a dozen guards came towards our tree. They were going to catch us! And while Athan would get off without any punishment, I was sure I would be put to death. Fate is so cruel, I decided. 

But to my surprise, the guards didn’t look up and continued onward.

I let out a deep breath that I didn’t know I was holding. I couldn’t believe it. I had been sure I was done for! How could we get so lucky?

“How far can you jump?” Athan whispered after a minute or two, looking straight at another tree. I stared at him, already knowing why he was asking me. Was he really that insane?

“Not far enough to make it to that tree. Are you crazy? That’s like six feet away!”

“Six feet isn’t that far.”

I shook my head. I wasn’t about to commit suicide so soon after finally having my freedom. If Athan wanted to jump, well that was good for him. But I wasn’t as crazy. I was perfectly happy with staying in my tree.

“If we don’t start moving, the soldiers will eventually find us. We need to go now!”

“Well, maybe they won’t,” I said stubbornly. “It looks like a pretty big forest. Maybe I’ll be just fine.”

He sighed. “I really didn’t want to threaten you, but if you don’t follow me I’ll tell the soldiers where you are. You don’t want that, do you?”

I scowled and shook my head at him. He knew he had beaten me, and a smile spread across his face. Who knew Perfect Boy could look so smug?

“If I die, you do know this will all be a waste?” I asked with a glare.

“We’re not going to die.” He sounded so confident, I almost believed him. But, not quite.

Athan carefully stood on the branch, sticking both arms out for balance. I watched as he stepped to the end of the branch. With a deep breath, he bended his legs and jumped. My mouth fell open in astonishment as his arms wrapped around the branch of the other tree and he pulled himself up.

“See?” He called up to me. “Easy.”

“I’m going to die,” I said, feeling sick. Nevertheless, I shakily rose to my feet and began to copy what Athan had done. Several times I started losing my balance, but I would always regain it. I reached it to the end of the branch safely, and stared across at Athan with a terrified expression.

“Please tell me I don’t have to do this,” I begged. 

“You’re going to be fine,” he assured me. “I’m right here to catch you. Trust me.”

My heart beat rapidly. I barely knew him! We had only really had one decent conversation. Why should I trust him? Yes, he had freed me and for that I was grateful. But I still didn’t know he wasn’t just trying to trick me. By then, I doubted that was the case, but still.

I took a shaky breath. I really only had one choice. I closed my eyes. After a few brief moments, I opened my eyes and jumped.

As I flew through the air, I realized how stupid my decision was. Though it was almost enjoyable, I knew straight away that I wouldn’t make it to the branch. I let out a high-pitched scream.