Tent World

Chapter Five--The Cliff Dwellers

"It's Tent World," Wendy exclaimed as she emerged next to her sister. "Come on. We've got to find Fern and Wind."

"This can't be happening," Cheryl said. Her head spun as she tried to comprehend it all. "Where's our house?"

"It's in there somewhere," Wendy said. She pointed over Cheryl's shoulder.

Turning, Cheryl saw only a tree trunk. She pressed her hand against the gnarled wood as if to test whether it was solid or not. It was.

"Over here," Wendy called. She was walking through the fern along the hill.

"Hey, wait up," Cheryl said, and she ran after her sister. "Stop for a minute," she commanded as she caught up.

"Why?" Wendy asked. "The village is this way." She pointed along the hill.

"I don't know where we are or what we're doing here," Cheryl said, "but I can't have you running off like this. It's not safe."

"I wasn't running off," Wendy argued. "It's just we don't have much time."

"I don't care," Cheryl said. "I'm the oldest, so I'm in charge. You stay with me, and don't run off."

Wendy's face darkened. She turned abruptly and continued along the hill. Cheryl grabbed her arm.

"Let go of me," Wendy insisted. She tried to pull away.

"Not until you agree to stay with me," Cheryl said.

"You're hurting me."

"Agree, and I'll let you go."

"Okay!" Wendy cried. "But being older doesn't mean you can hurt me."

Cheryl relaxed her grip, and Wendy jerked her arm free.

"Just remember who's in charge," Cheryl said. She backed up a step and crossed her arms, waiting to see if Wendy would try anything else. She didn't. "Now," Cheryl continued, "which way do we go?"

"If you know so much, you decide," Wendy said. She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Okay, I will." Cheryl scanned the forest around her. They were on the side of a gentle incline. On their right, the forest seemed to fall away forever, but the crest of the hill on their left seemed to be only a little way off. "We'll go to the top of this hill," Cheryl declared, "and see what's on the other side."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Wendy said.

"I've decided."

"Don't you want to hear what I think?"

"No," Cheryl said. "You had your chance."

The two girls walked up the hill in stubborn silence. What appeared to be the top was only a plateau with another hill beyond it. Cheryl led them up it as well.

As they gained elevation, the forest changed. The fir became more sparse, and another variety of trees unknown to either Cheryl or Wendy began to take its place. The ferns disappeared as well, and knee-high brush with unforgiving branches replaced it. The ends were sharp and poked through their jeans, hurting their skin.

The sun hung low in the sky by the time they approached another summit. Cheryl hoped from there, they would be able to see the lay of the land and get their bearings.