Conquered (previously known as Veni Vidi Vici)

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

    “Is there something bothering you?” Aspyn asked.

    “Yeah, but it’s really something that shouldn’t be bothering me. It’s just that, I don’t know, my family is being, how do I put this? Too nice.” Terrence answered.

    “Too nice?”

    “Yeah, I know it’s weird.”

    “Well, if it’s nice that’s bothering you, you’re in luck.”

    “What’s that supposed to mean?”

    “I was serious about teaching you how to climb a tree. It’s time to get over that fear of heights.”

    “What!?”

    “You heard me. I consider myself and excellent teacher.”

    “I don’t know about this.”

    “Come on, it’ll be fun!”

Terrence sighed and followed Aspyn outside. It took them about five minutes to find a good small sized tree for Terrence to learn on.

    “Okay,” said Aspyn, “just follow me. First you use your arms to push yourself up on this low branch, good that’s it. Now, just kind of keep doing the same thing with the other ones.”

    “Hey, I think I’m getting this!” Terrence exclaimed.

    “I told you I was a good teacher!” said Aspyn, “Come on, let’s find a bigger tree. You never know when you’re going to need one.”

    “Okay,” Terrence answered, “how hard can it be?”

Later, Terrence and Aspyn headed back towards the house.

    “Terrence, are you sure you’re okay?” Aspyn asked.

    “Just fine.” Terrence replied in a short, angered tone.

    “That was a pretty big fall you took there.” said Aspyn.

Terrence just grunted. They chose to climb the largest tree they could find and he fell out of a high branch. Luckily he didn’t break any bones, but he was bruised and scratched all over.

    “Don’t worry,” Aspyn reassured him, “you just need more practice. In no time, you’ll be climbing up a tree like a squirrel! We’ll try again tomorrow.”

    “Ugh, I thought my training was over.” Terrence complained.

    “Not while I’m here!” said Aspyn.

    While Aspyn was in a, sort of, good mood, Terrence thought it was a good time to ask her a question that had been nagging him since the games.

    “Aspyn, can I ask you something?”

    “You just did.”

    “You know what I mean.”

    “Sure, go ahead.”

    Terrence paused, “Why are you afraid of wolves?”

This seemed to shock Aspyn. She was silent for a while. Her gaze was far off, like she was remembering something.

    “I had a little sister named Lia. She was my best friend. I was ten and she was five, around your sister’s age. We were walking in the woods because she begged me to take her to a cave that she discovered. It turned out to be the home of a rabid wolf. Well, I won’t give you any details, but we were attacked, I was badly injured, and she… didn’t make it out.”

    “Oh. I’m sorry. I don’t know what I’d do if that happened to Ali.”

    “I know. I loved Lia. Ali is so much like her. I feel like I’ve found my second chance in your little sister. She’s amazing Terrence. Don’t ever let her go.”

    “I won’t.”

There was a long pause. Terrence was the one to break it.

    “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

    “It’s okay. I’ve been holding that in for so long. It’s about time I let it out.”