Anomaly

The Walk

Tessa Alma contemplated her own vulnerability as she walked a clumsy two steps behind Finnegan. Every few minutes he would look back to her, his eyes cloudy, but certainly kind. He was watching out for her, or at least that was what the optimistic part of her felt. The other, more trained part of her, was deeply skeptical. Although, she was able to recognize that most of this sensation came from fear. She was not exactly sure of what, but she had learned since she left the Sem Academy that vagueness could be terrifying. Finnegan pivoted his large shoulders back towards her and locked eyes.

"We can stop here for a moment" His expression was entirely transparent. Those kind eyes were filled with pity for her. She did not appreciate this look, it made her feel inferior.

"No reason to" She said after finishing a large breath. She was in rough shape; she knew that, but for him to accommodate for her glaring weakness felt unacceptable.

"I'm tired" he said plainly, faking a pained breath. "I need to give my legs a rest" He was lying. He was not sure if this would work on her, but her stubbornness would only drive her back into exhaustion. She was tough, but he knew her leg wouldn't allow her to keep pace. Even with two good legs not many could keep up with him, this land was his home ever since he was boy. He spent most of his time exploring these mountains and his endurance was on par with some of the mountain beasts. He had to convince her to rest, otherwise he might be forced to carry her again. He felt the small ripple of protectiveness for her flush through him again. He could feel his cheeks getting warm, he knew they'd be red. He quickly turned away from her and sat down on the damp moss that littered the side of the mountain.

"Okay" She said, accepting the lie. She was confused at his sudden turning away but decided not to pry. She plopped down beside him on the green fluff. She reached down at the soft material and ran her fingers through it.

"What is this?" Her voice was one of intrigue.

"This? Uh, this is called moss" Finnegan said cherishing her amazement at seemingly normal things.

"Moss" she said slowly continuing to caress the fine curly green hairs. "Why is it here? I thought this land was desolate?"

"Is that what they told you?" His voice was filled with astonishment.

"Well, yes. That was the standard belief of all within the seven cities. Beyond our borders were gravel fields, and the beasts. They taught us that plants could only exist under the councils control" Her voice was flat, as if reciting a line from a textbook.

"Only under the councils control?" This statement almost seemed too ridiculous to believe. He knew that weather could be controlled as well as agriculture, but to believe in the absence of humans it would not continue, seemed beyond egotistical.

"Of course" she said "The council was able to create life from the desolate land it had originated in, and without it nothing would flourish" Her voice stayed the same robotic tone.

"Well, here is life. In its purist form, absent of human medaling" He smiled at her with this.

"Indeed it is" Her hand was still on the fluffy green. Part of her felt resentment towards him for pointing out this glaring disparity in what she believed and what the truth was. She could not deny the findings, plants were becoming more and more common as they trekked. She knew that the seven cities reach did not extend this far. Although, a part of her, she did not understand, wished it did. She did not like the confirmation of her life long belief in lies to be so painfully waved in front of her face.