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Chapter Six - Still Waters Run Deep

CHAPTER 6

3 days later,

The mid-day sun shone through the clouds as the small round table settled under the shaded tree. Hazel's fingers tried to grip the wire between her thumb and index finger. She tried to weave the wire, wrapping it to create a pendant she was vexing to make. But was failing at the task. Multi-colored beads, gemstones, and pearls were strewn across the table. The girls sat huddled around it.

Robyn, Claudette, and Iggy's hands were busy making beautiful jewelry they skillfully made. Dawn, a perky woman she had met on her first day joined them. She was carefree with a feisty nature. Her blonde hair wild and untamed.

Iggy glanced at Hazel's wire wannabee pendant and pulled her lips tight. "Don't worry you'll get a hang of it soon enough." She said. "I'll teach you beaded jewelry instead." Her smile was sympathetic.

Things were becoming slowly easier for Hazel at Rocky Peaks. She was settling in gradually with her roommates and the rest of the people at the compound. She had a warm bed to sleep in. Friendly strangers that welcomed her and a full stomach every day. And all of this was for free. She just had to pitch in and do her share of work. She hadn't met everybody yet but was getting to know the people that lived here little by little. Hazel asked questions along the way. Some were answered clearly, while others were vague.

There was one person they didn't hold back from talking. They practically praised the man. The General. Anticipation grew to see him whenever that would happen. It was days since he didn't grace them with his presence. Which Hazel didn't at all mind. She wasn't sure she wanted to meet their leader. She had gotten used to the place as is and meeting somebody that led Rocky Peaks was daunting. The girls made him sound like a god. Zeus, combined with Cupid and Ares from Mount Olympus.

There was one more topic the girls liked to talk about. Life. But not just about life. They talked about how 'precious' it was and finding the meaning of it. They talked strange, like they were on some spiritual path or something? Hazel resolved they were just really into nature. Who wouldn't be, though? This forest was beautiful.

"There! They all done." Claudette said. Her tray was filled with bright gemstone necklaces and bracelets. "All ready for Sunday's flea market."

"They're really beautiful." Hazel said as she grasped one, admiring it. It was a Tiger Eye bracelet. The gem was bound with a thin black leather band. Her finger brushed over the silky golden-brown gem smudged with inky black.

Claudette chuckled. "Thanks!" She watched Hazel admire the Tiger Eye. "That color matches your eyes." She said. "Why don't you take that? It seems like it belongs to you."

Hazel snapped her light brown eyes to Claudette. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah! I make hundreds of them. They sell like hot cakes at the market." Claudette smiled. "You're lucky to get that one. It's the last Tiger Eye I had. It's a stone of protection, you know. It wards off evil. It has the power to focus the mind, to gain mental clarity. You'll resolve problems, and it dispels fear without clouding your emotions."

Hazel raised an eyebrow. "Wow... That's interesting." She said as she studied the golden gem more closely. It was a good thing to have all those abilities.

"It's nicknamed The Shapeshifter." Claudette continued, sparking Hazel's interest. Hazel smiled impressively and placed the bracelet on her left wrist.

"You girls ready for tomorrow night?" Iggy asked Robyn and Dawn. They both nodded their heads and stood up to leave.

"What are you girls doing tomorrow night?" Hazel asked Iggy.

"Just running a few errands. You don't have to worry about it." Iggy said.