The Trip

Chapter 6 A Trip Begins

"Rise and shine sunshine," Gabriel said in a singing voice.

I opened my eyes and started to stretch. The sun was shining brightly through the window next to the bed. I looked out the window to see a beautiful landscape covered in pure white snow. It was just as beautiful when I first woke up in the forest.

"I got you some clothes. You've got to dress for the weather out there," Gabriel said, laying out the clothes. He also placed a pair of red boots next to the bed.

I slowly got up out of bed and placed my feet on the floor. I was scared I would feel the stinging pain again, but to my surprise, there was nothing.

"Oh wow!" I said in disbelief. I began jumping up and down happily. "I'm completely healed! What kind of medicine did you give me?" I asked.

"I told you, I have a healing touch." Gabriel was packing a small backpack; when he was done, he brought it to me. "I packed a couple things for you."

"Like what?" I asked him, opening the bag.

"Extra clothes, some snacks, hair stuff," he said proudly as if he had done something extraordinary.

"Hair stuff, huh?" I questioned, pulling out a brush and comb.

"Are they not hair things a girl uses?" he asked curiously as he took the comb from my hand.

"Dude, you're weird," I told him as I returned the comb.

"I am not weird. I just lack some knowledge," he said as he scratched the back of his neck. "Sit, I'll remove your bandages. You don't need them anymore."

"I could take them off myself," I said as I looked down at my wrapped ankle.

"But I want to do it." Gabriel folded his arms and looked at me, almost pouting.

"Fine, you big crybaby," I said. Gabriel gave me a warm smile and took the bandages off my ankle and the one off my head.

"All done, beautiful," he said happily. I started to blush a little. "Meet me outside when you get dressed." Without another word, he walked out the door.

I looked at the clothes placed on the bed. A black fitted shirt along with some black skinny jeans. However, the coat next to the outfit was dark red, trimmed in black, with golden buttons down the front and a large hood. The boots matched the coat perfectly. Putting it on, I noted that the coat was heavy and prolonged, coming down to my ankles. I placed my hands in the pockets and found some black gloves to complete the outfit.

"Wow. Gabriel really went all out," I mumbled as I admired the outfit.

After I had gotten dressed, I decided to put my hair in one puffy ponytail so I could put the hood over my head while traveling. It was a challenge since my hair was so thick, but wetting my brush made it doable. When I was done, I placed my old clothes in my backpack, hairbrush, and comb. I buttoned up my coat, grabbed the backpack, and headed out. I was nearly blinded by the bright sun reflecting off the white snow.

"Amara, over here," I heard Gabriel call out to me. He was readying a large horse that was black as night. The animal looked beautiful, surrounded by the white snow. Gabriel looked just as stunning, dressed in all black. Instead of a hood like the one on my coat, he had a black beanie. I hadn't noticed earlier, but he had two pairs of small golden hoops in each ear.

I started walking towards him, the snow crunching beneath my feet. The air was cold against my face.

"Well, you are looking dapper this morning," he said as he stared at me walking towards him. His golden eyes were welcoming as always, but for the briefest flicker of a moment, they looked grey.

"Dapper?" I asked.

"What? Is that not the right word?" he asked, fastening the horse's saddle.

"No, you just sound like an old man saying that." I chuckle.

"Well, I am old." He turned and looked at me, then grabbed the backpack out of my hand and packed it on the horse. "Come on, I'll help you up," he said, holding a handout to me.

"Huh?" before I knew it, I was on the horse, and Gabriel climbed behind me. He grabbed the reins, and the horse started galloping toward the snowy wilderness.