The Place where Dreams Fade (Book Two of the Forgotten Truths Series)

Chapter Thirteen: Caught?

~Hidden~

The hooves of the two bucks finally came to a stop. Hidden had somehow found herself hiding behind a bush. She jumped out from behind it; her hair practically unmistakable from a bird's nest.

  She had been waiting in that bush for awhile. One of the more upper-ranked guards snapped at her for accidentally spilling over a bucket of water in the prison while she was cleaning out a stall. —A horse's stall. Hidden got terrified, and leaped into a bush near where Wisp and Rustic would return.

  Once they did, she quickly darted out.

  "Where were you?" She asked; yet again loudly. She couldn't help talking loud, or talking so quiet that others couldn't hear her.

  Hidden blinked at the others and gave a small wave. A bit embarrassed by how loud she just was.

  "Welcome back," She said to the group arriving.

  Hidden positioned herself to make it look at if she had only just darted over to help them get out. Queen Edge immediately stalked out, and didn't even thank her. She was fine with that, though. The less she had to talk — Especially with upper-ranks — the better.

  Well, that was a lie. Hidden loved to be around Wisp and Rustic, who had only just been promoted to a very higher rank than that of the one they previously owned. She gave them a half smile. Always had to be a bit cautious.

  Rustic grinned a bright smile back to her. He ruffled her already messed-up hair even more.

  Wisp jumped out from behind Rustic to startle him. After she was satisfied from his spook, she then proceeded to pat him on the head.
Hidden giggled. She really did miss them.

  She felt in the mood to announce her feelings: "I know it's only been a couple hours, but I really did miss you guys,"

  Wisp nodded and smiled, which made her styled-up thick wavy hair bounce. Then she pulled them all in for a hug.

  "I did too," Rustic murmured happily.

  "We," Wisp corrected.

  It was funny. Sometimes she saw them as her closest, bestest friends. Other times they were practically her siblings. Then, at times like now, they felt like the parents she would never get.

  Interrupting their little moment, Kawasumi walked out. She looked at the three of them, then turned her gaze to Myeong-Jun, who'd just came.

  Myeong-Jun's right hand was behind her—almost like she was pulling someone or something.

  "Hurry up, idiot!" Myeong-Jun snapped. She then pulled Ken'ichi into the room—Ken'ichi who looked as if he was just minding his own business until she came along.

  "Oh hello!" Ken'ichi waved to them—with his back turned to Myeong-Jun. This wasn't going to turn out well.

  Rustic was laughing, but then quickly cut himself off. His whole expression dimmed. He looked around quickly to see if there were any other guards or wandering servants nearby. No one was nearby...

That was strange.

She decided she didn't like that.

  "Can... uh, can we go somewhere more private?" He mumbled to the group.

  "Sure." Myeong-Jun shrugged.

  Kawasumi and Ken'ichi also nodded in response.

~*~

  "What's wrong, Rustic?" Hidden finally managed to tug on his shirt.

  He had been moving so fast. Rustic led them over to their little secret home above Wisp's bedroom. This whole place felt so much like home, that she was confused for a moment on what he had said on "somewhere private."