Timeweaver

Escape

The face staring back at her wasn't hers. The dirty, tearstained girl with hair that strongly resembled a bird's nest wasn't her. It couldn't be. Catalina splashed her hand in the bowl of water to get rid of her reflection. She was done being the weak one. She had let Tabitha make the decisions for a long time, and after crying through the first few hours after hearing her friend's voice, Cat decided to pull herself together and escape.

Flame didn't question her actions when he saw the determination on her face. She took out her knife and hacked at the chains with renewed strength. On the third or fourth chop, the chain snapped. "Let's go," she told Flame firmly, without a margin for protest. Flame prayed she had a plan. He hadn't told Cat that Gwendolyn was a witch, and a very evil witch at that. "Stop shaking," she said to Flame, "We're going to make it out." Catalina whistled loudly. What happened next was somewhat of a blur.

Gwendolyn opened the basement door to check on them but immediately ran back out, leaving the door ajar. They could hear birds squawking and squirrels chattering and even a bear roaring. Catalina yanked Flame up the stairs by the small length of chain still wrapped around his neck.

They entered the witch's living room, which was full of lavish furniture. Catalina looked out the front door just in time to see Gwendolyn chasing after one of the crows Cat had yelled at in the forest clutching a long, blonde wig in his talons. She hadn't expected that but had to admit it was good thinking. Gwendolyn had pulled a scarf over her head and disappeared into the black trees, yelling curses at the animals, who were clearly enjoying the excitement.

"Come on," Cat pulled Flame into the trees and began heading in the opposite direction. Once again in the Golden Forest, they finally found themselves in a clearing full of shops, unique buildings, and oddball people. Cat braced herself against a wall made of golden wood to catch her breath. Flame stood panting next to her.

"Problem solved," a male voice said a few yards away. Catalina peeked around the corner and saw a tall, handsome boy standing next to a girl, at least a whole head shorter, with a long, brown ponytail. The girl's back was turned to her, but Cat knew it was Tabitha right away.

"Don't even think about it," Flame whispered.

"What? Why not? Gwendolyn's out somewhere in the forest, and she'll probably be busy for a while. Tabitha's my friend," Cat whined. All of the things she held against Tabitha evaporated as soon as she saw her again.

"We have to hide," Flame insisted. "You can't just go out in the open like that. Many of the Magdilus Guard double as spies for Gwendolyn, and she will know it's you. I mean, how many ratty, young girls do you see out there?" Flame had a point, but she still argued.

"What if I never see her again?" Catalina choked back her tears. "What if we never find each other again?" She couldn't just stand there as her friend walked away.

"If you're willing to risk your life just to say hello, then be my guest, but I can't protect you from the consequences. Besides, it looks like she's doing just fine without you." Cat realized it was true. Tabitha was smiling like she had completely forgotten about her. And maybe she had.

"Keep an eye on her," she whispered to a cardinal sitting on a branch above her friend.

"You got it," it replied in a high, nasally voice, following Tabitha with its eyes.

Flame stared up at her. "What?" she asked defensively. "It's just in case." Flame nodded somberly. They slunk into the shadows and disappeared.