Heroes

Chapter Twelve

The twigs crunched under Celia's boots as she slowly headed into the forest. She ducked under branches and maneuvered herself stealthily behind the trees so that Jake wouldn't be able to find her. She could hear him following her, and she didn't want any more pity.

The leaves brushed her skin, so she swatted them impatiently away from her as she observed her surroundings for her memory's benefit. She would need some way to get back to Cedar Crest. The rushing sound of water began to reach Celia's ears, so she walked faster until she was in front of a stream. It was only then that she stopped, and even she herself didn't know if it was because she wanted to or because the water had blocked her path.

A massive boulder was beside the stream, and she settled herself onto the ground, resting her back against the rock. She hugged herself, but no tears leaked from her eyes; Celia felt hollow.

She listened to the gurgle of the stream silently and focused on the river for a little while. Eventually though, her mind glazed over and she found herself in her own little world. It was only broken by someone sitting next to her.

Celia didn't have to turn to know who it was. His blue eyes and sandy blonde hair were easily recognizable from her lonely spot on the ground. She expected him to say something to her, but he sat beside her in silence and observed the stream.

They sat there for hours before Jake spoke. "I know what it's like to lose someone. I'm sorry." When she looked over at him, she recognized her emotions in himself, and she realized that he had lost Al too.

She nodded numbly and stiffly rose from her spot. Jake moved slightly, but he stayed on the ground. "Are you coming?" she asked numbly.

"Go ahead without me. I'll be there soon," he replied. Celia nodded and walked away through the trees, giving him time alone to think.

Once she walked through the front door, Rory was there standing in a fighting stance. When he recognized her, he relaxed and rushed towards her. She didn't return his hug. "I saw the news. I thought you guys were dead." The fear in his voice broke through her shell of grief, and she knew that she still had to be leader, even if her grandfather had just died.

"It's okay. I told you, we weren't going to leave you." Celia tried to soothe him in her state. After a few moments of Rory nodding and agreeing, Celia attempted to walk towards the stairs. "I'm sorry Rory, but I just need to be alone right now."

His mouth formed an "o" of surprise, and he nodded. "Okay. I made dinner, so I'll bring it up to you."

Celia visibly cringed. "I'm sorry Rory," she stated as she headed towards the stairs. "I just lost Al. I can't eat anything right now." She didn't want to watch his face fall, so she hurried up the last steps and walked to her room, shutting the door firmly behind her.

It was an hour later until Jake emerged from the trees. Celia was watching from her window to ensure that everyone in Cedar Crest was safe, but once she saw him walking, she allowed herself to collapse onto her bed in the darkness. Clutching a pillow, she stared at the fabric on the bed tearlessly.

She still had so many questions. She hadn't had the chance to ask Al about Cedar Crest before she came there, and she hadn't had the chance to ask him why he didn't tell her about everything before he died. Feeling hopeless, Celia stayed in her room for three days, only picking at the food that Jake and Rory would bring up for her. But on that third night, realizing that sulking wasn't going to help anyone, Celia opened the door with renewed determination.

After changing out of her wrinkled, old clothes, Celia brushed her teeth and took a shower. She made herself look new, and she felt as though she might be able to face the day with open eyes.