Their life was flipped upside down at the age of 8, after the disappearance of their older brother. 10 years later Ari is still feeling the effects as they watches their parents marriage crumble around them. All they have left is their friends, pote...
The sight of the glowing tree had me utterly mesmerized, and I found myself taking a step forward, drawn by its otherworldly radiance. But that moment was abruptly shattered by Levi's panicked yell. My head whipped around, and there, in his arms, was Ari, Levi's tear-filled eyes bore the weight of his deep concern, his distress palpable. My heart raced, a surge of helplessness washing over me as I witnessed the scene before me. A knot of unease twisted in my stomach, clenching my fists, I inhaled a shaky breath, forcing myself to take action. "Guys!!!" My voice pierced the tension like a lifeline, snapping everyone's attention towards me.
The others immediately turned their attention to me, their anxious expressions awaiting guidance. "They're okay! they just fainted," I ventured, my voice carrying a note of assurance even though uncertainty gripped me. "We should get out of here," I suggested, my voice tinged with a hint of urgency, "We have to get them home."
"Okay," Levi's voice was a mere whisper, his gaze still firmly fixed on Ari. Ollie's shakey voice chimes in, "Are they breathing?" I exchanged a glance with Levi, both of us uncertain. "Yeah," Levi managed to choke out, his voice a blend of relief and concern. Ollie's shoulders slumped in visible relief, and she offered a shaky smile. Without further hesitation, he gently scooped them up in his arms, holding them as if she were something immeasurably precious. We began to walk back in tense silence, our eyes alternating between Ari's still form and the ground ahead, our steps heavy with concern.
As we drew closer to the fence, the tension was palpable, and the unspoken questions hung heavy in the air. Finally, as we crossed the fence and the boundary between the path and our familiar world, Blair's voice quivered as she broke the silence. "So, what do we do now?" she asked, uncertainty colouring her words.
Levi's voice was soft but unwavering as he answered, "I'll take Ari home." His words cut through the unease, his intention clear. I exchanged a quick glance with Cody, our unspoken concern mirrored in each other's eyes. Blair spoke up again, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and worry, "Alone?"
Levi nodded, his gaze never leaving Ari's still form. "Yeah, alone." His voice held a sense of conviction that left little room for debate. Ollie's eyebrows furrowed in concern, "Shouldn't one of us go with you?"
Levi's response was gentle, "I appreciate that, but I think it's better this way. They'll be more comfortable. You know how they are about having guests, we don't need to give them any unnecessaries anxiety" There was a certain tenderness in his tone, a reassurance that he had Ari's best interests at heart.
Blair's eyes darted between Levi and Ari, her concern evident. "Are you sure they're okay? What if something happens?" Levi's grip on Ari tightened ever so slightly, his voice holding a mixture of determination and vulnerability. "I won't let anything happen to them. I promise. Plus I'll keep you all updated" His words hung in the air, a silent agreement among us all that Levi would do whatever it took to ensure Ari's safety.
As he walked away, cradling Ari carefully, the weight of the situation settled over us. Levi's decision to take Ari home alone wasn't born out of a desire to exclude us, but rather a testament to his deep connection with them. He was taking on the responsibility personally, a reflection of the profound care he felt for their well-being.
The rest of us watched them go, our worry and concern lingering even after they disappeared from sight. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the glowing path fading back into the woods behind us. It was Mike who broke the silence. "So, that was... something," he began, his voice laced with anxiety a stark contrast to his usual confidence.
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Blair nodded, her brow furrowed in concern. "Yeah, I can't believe Ari just fainted like that. What could have caused it?"
Ollie chimed in, "Surely it has to do with that glowing tree! Did you see how it lit up the whole area? It was like something out of a fantasy." She attempted to lighten the mood a bit. "Do you guys think they'll be back at school on Monday?" Blair questioned
Cody let out a small chuckle, a hint of fondness in his voice. "Knowing Ari, they'll probably be back before they really should be."As the night grew darker and the chill in the air became more pronounced, we knew it was time to part ways. Blair gave each of us a warm hug, her eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and hope. "Let's hope for the best, okay? And be there for each other."
Ollie nodded enthusiastically, her spirit undeterred by the evening's events. "Definitely! And let's keep an eye on Ari when they get back, and get to the bottom of what the heck happened tonight", Blair agreed "Maybe we should meet up at the library when we are all feeling better and look in the history of the forest, try to get some answers" Cody chimed in, his analytical mind already at work. "That sounds like a good plan. Researching the history might shed some light on what we encountered tonight."
Mike grinned, his usual playful self returning. "Well, count me in for some supernatural detective work!"
With our impromptu investigation plan in place, we all shared a sense of renewed purpose. The unsettling events of the evening had left us with more questions than answers, but we were determined to uncover the truth together.
