SONGS AND TRAILS (Book 1)

CHAPTER 31

Arabella and Caldor reached the wards of the dark forest and the demarcation made it obvious. The other side of the forest was darker, darker than normal even from the moonlit night. They stood outside looking inside through the dark trees and branches and weeds. Screeching could be heard from the other side and Caldor was starting to dread this idea.

"Don't even think of lighting a fire." Bella spoke. "It might expose us."

"Are you sure this is safe?"

"If you know where you're going, sort of."

"You know where you're going?" Caldor turned to her.

"Yeah." she looked at him.

"Of course you do." his gaze returned to the forest.

"I did say I have siren friends."

"I thought it was in the open waters."

"Yes. There too. They keep the balance and maintain the wards." Bella said. "Also they have an underwater tunnel that takes them out in the open waters."

"Well, can't they just swim off into the open waters from danger?"

"You know, if you don't want to do this you can leave." Bella turned to the forest.

"No... It's just... If we go in there, we leave our powers behind again." he was nervous.

"What?" she turned to him. "don't tell me you think... these wards are not like the ones in the mountain. They're normal wards."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah. They put them up because the monsters here were getting aggressive and attacking the town." Bella explains. "People died because of it so the sirens and Mima thought it was wise to do this."

"Clever!" he looked around, "Now, why would they need our help if they're the ones who put up these wards?"

Bella scoffed. "Are you always questioning everything?"

Before he could say anything, she walked through the wards and into the other side of the forest.

"Ms. Heydar..."

"You can't come through." She told him.

"One of us has to stay out here?"

"Yes, so that you can stick your hand in and pull me out."

"And how exactly were you planning to do this all on your own when you refused for me to come with?"

"Well... well... Mima would've come get me." she stuttered. She hadn't thought of it until he mentioned it.

"Ms. Heydar!" Caldor pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I would've thought of something."

"Clearly, you didn't."

Arabella scoffed and started her way ignoring Caldor's calls behind her. She walked forward knowing exactly where to go and then she heard footsteps.
She hid behind a tree ready to attack and just as they approached, she jumped forward to attack but was tackled and counter-attacked, her front, mostly her cheek pressed against a tree.

"Oww!" Bella groaned.

"Ms. Heydar?"

It was Caldor... of course.

"What are you doing?" he let her go.

"You pinned me against a tree!" she rubbed her wrists.

"You were going to attack me?" he folded his arms.