Manifestation

3: Let it Be

I watched the scarlet flames dance before my eyes. They licked and stroked the charring wood. They were completely free. They could take out an entire forest in a split second when they wanted to.

"Arizona?"

I snapped out of my trance and looked up at Jane.

"Will you help me find my knife? I dropped it somewhere back there."

"Yeah sure."

I pushed myself off of the tree I was leaning against and walked deeper into the forest with Jane. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ryan eyeing me. I could tell he didn't approve of this either.

What had gotten into him? He has never said anything like that. Was it the stress from the past month? Or was he starting to get annoyed with me?

"Did you guys get into a fight because of me?"

I turned and looked into her teary eyes.

I cleared my throat. "No. No don't think that. It wasn't a fight."

"It sounded like you two were yelling."

I stopped walking. "You didn't drop your knife, did you?"

She stopped and looked at her feet.

"I needed to talk to you without Ryan getting suspicious."

I laughed. "I'm pretty sure he is already suspicious."

"I just don't want you guys to split up because of me." She said quietly.

"We aren't going to break up because of one little fight. Fights are actually good for relationships."

She looked up at me. "Really?"

I nodded.

She smiled weakly and turned around to walk back to camp.

"Did you find it?" Ryan asked when we got back.

Jane held up her short knife.

"We are going to set up camp here tonight." Jack said.

"Great." I smiled and looked at Ryan. He was sharpening his knife on a rock.

"I've got first watch." Jack said again.

I sat down up against a tree and closed my eyes. I was exhausted. Being mad at Ryan was hard. I want to be curled up against his chest right now, him gently caressing my hair. It felt just like we were back at camp. Not being able to express our feelings to each other. Maybe I should just apologize and this would all be over. But why should I apologize when I did nothing wrong? Being in a relationship is about compromise and understanding, so I should leave it that way.

I couldn't sleep. Maybe it was the hard tree I was leaning against, or the uncomfortability of having Ryan mad at me.

I opened my eyes and saw Jack dozing off.

"I'll take it from here." I said.

He snapped his eyes open. "I'm sorry."

He leaned up against a nearby tree and immediately fell asleep.

I put my head in my hands and looked over at Ryan, who was fast asleep on the ground.

I scooted next to him and turned my head sideways to look at his calm face. I stretched my hand out and my fingers touched his soft skin. It gave me a jolt of happiness. Just touching him, feeling him, knowing he is there.

He rolled over so his back was to me. A tear dripped down my cheek.

I turned back around and scanned the camp. A creeper was lurking behind Jane.