Resilience Run

Chapter 23

That sleep was one of the best sleeps of my life, in an actual good-quality bed in what felt like forever. When I woke up the next morning, I stretched and got out of bed, feeling really good, good enough to go for a morning walk, something I hadn't done in a while.

"I used to walk around campus on weekends," I told Felice as I slipped out of the tavern and started walking around the village, "Back when I had the time of course."

"You've mentioned your coursework could be debilitating at time," Felice said, "Just thinking of it causes you to become anxious."

"Yeah, college work does that to you." I said, waving back to some people who were waving and calling hello to me, "Honestly, this place seems like heaven by comparison, since you don't need higher education to live comfortably however you want."

"The grass is greener on the other side," said Felice, "I believe that's a saying from your world that might apply here?"

"Uh, maybe." I said, "Who knows? All I know is that I would love to like like this - cottage in a little village like this, waking up at the morning sun instead of a loud alarm, being able to do what I like..."

"Living with Rhys and the boys?" Felice asked.

"Yeah." I said, imagining it - Rhys and I parenting in a nice little accepting village, the boys playing with other children in the village and growing up to be good men, Rhys and I growing old together...

I had been so lost in my own little world that I hadn't realized Daniel was coming up behind me until he tapped me on the shoulder, causing me to jump about a mile in the air.

"Sorry about that." said Daniel, once I realized it was him, "Didn't mean to startle you there."

"No worries." I said, "How did you sleep?"

"To be honest, I never sleep well," said Daniel, "I'm always on edge, waiting to get jumped from the shadows. I try to sleep with one eye open, is what I'm saying."

"I can understand that." I said, stopping near the edge of the village to admire some colorful flowers. A particular batch stood out to me on the edge near the trees since they were bright indigo-colored.

"Those flowers look beautiful." I said, stepping forward to get a closer look.

"Careful," said Daniel, "I think they look familiar. Plus, you never know which flowers might be poisonous around here."

Before I could take another step, Felice took control of me like she had suddenly grabbed me from behind and hauled me back.

"Don't go near those!" Felice yelled, "Those are histonic flowers, they're extremely poisonous!"

"Felice, hold on," said Daniel, "I know those types of flowers, those things are only poisonous ingested!"

Felice was no longer listening, instead dragging me back and freezing me to the spot.

"What's gotten into you?" I yelled, "Give me my body back right now!"

Felice kept me frozen to the ground, just for a couple more seconds. I started pulling back just as she let go, sending me to the ground.

"Moor-acu!" Felice said, "I... I'm so sorry!"

"Felice, calm down please." I said, "What's going on?"

"I just... I just don't like those flowers." said Felice, Please, can we go somewhere else? Please?"

"Sure." I said, shrugging to Daniel as the two of us hurried away from the groups of flowers. Felice's anxiety started to lower, but I decided not to question her anymore after she had been so scared of those flowers.