Delirium - Fire & Ice Trilogy Skylar Book 1

Chapter 12 - End Of Innocence

As Scott had told them they followed the winding path down till it started to level off, here he had warned them would be hidden marshes and covered holes so they would do well not to stray from the path. They walked on the best they could even when the mud got very deep at unexpected points. Grey Coat had been right about the route being tough, only now when they were doing it did they realise just how tough it was and how it would be virtually impossible for any of the ambling creatures to make it up even just a little bit.

Still heading downhill they noticed the ground was getting dryer meaning there was less mud, they were all grateful for that and started to make better progress along it. The path seemed to slant though as down on their left was a river which cut through the valley giving a possible reason why the path was dryer. They headed into a bunch of trees which were much more inviting than the dark forest so they entered without hesitation; it was bright and airy with lots of small flowers growing in between the trees, each of which reminded them of the fact it was nearing Christmas and if none of this had happened they would each be decorating a tree similar to the ones around them now. The path weaved in between the trees and they started to have a little fun again, they pranced around the trees making fun of each other even Annie joined in to everyone's surprise and relief.

Soon they led out of the trees and began to climb up a slight hill however what they could see from the top was not good news although for once the wind had died down and was no longer blowing them about. A large town spread out before them with several buildings reaching up high while others were scattered around them but before that was the one place none of them wanted to go.

"Bingo" stated Skylar noticing her last object.

"You're supposed to say spot bingo" Farren moaned although she had totally forgotten about it.

"Does it really matter" quizzed Skylar; she really couldn't tell what the problem was. The boys started down deciding to leave them to it.

"Not really, I just always wanted to see what it would sound like" Farren replied twitching slightly "my brothers were always doing it to me."

"Blister" remarked Skylar as Farren tenderly placed her foot down.

"I've got blisters on my blisters" grumbled Farren as she attempted to rub her ankle without toppling over but it didn't help. The pair followed the others down trying not to aggravate the many blisters they both had.

Finally they reached the bottom which George half expected to be boggy or at least muddy but it was neither, he was rather disappointed by the dry solid ground. They stopped walking for a moment and searched around for another option but if they wanted to stay travelling south this was their only option.

A graveyard stretched for as far as they could see, they had to go through it or face the long arduous journey around. Just like with the dark forest it was a go around and hope for another route or go through and hope for the best dilemma.

"We go through" declared Oliver taking charge, Skylar quickly agreed though George was not so sure.

"We have to go through there" he whimpered, he did not like graveyards at the best of times, "but won't there be creatures in there."

"We can easily out manoeuvre them can't we, we just need to stay alert" Skylar informed but even she wasn't best pleased about it.

"That's my line" moaned Oliver; he gave Skylar an amused smirk although her attention was still on George.

"But do we really need to go through" George whined again.

"Yes the route around will take too long" she insisted then crouched down to him "if we just keep moving they may not pay much attention to us. You just stick close by and you'll be fine." George shivered slightly grabbing tight hold of her arm; he would be sticking to it like glue.