When Given a Lemon

Part 19

“We were walking in circles.” I provide; it's the only thing that has happened that I can be completely sure of.

I don't know how it happened, or why I had been able to recognize it first, but I'm glad that Denyel is also able to see it now too. I didn't want to end up running an endless lap until the sun went down only for us to get trapped out here again, which actually could have happened had I not intervened. The more I thought about it the more unsettling it felt.

Still, I feel guilty for nabbing him right in his face like that; I can't tell if he realizes what I'd actually done.

Once again, he turns and looks back at me, gazing intently into my eyes before nodding sharply then hurrying over to another tree, this time a shorter, squatter species of unknown tree, and places his hand on it just like before. Which only makes this whole thing even weirder.

I almost warned him against it, thinking it's possible that it was the trees that did it; that they sent us to chase our tails. But then I remembered that trees don't speak or hypnotize humans so my imagination is only running away with me.

After a moment of concentration he took off in a whole new direction with all the other ducklings trailing behind him as if he was their lifeline.

Leaving me to chase after them.

We cut through this new, uneven path so briskly that I almost have to jog to keep pace. It darts up sharp inclines and hops over rotten logs, winds around stone before cutting back. Up and down and across this far-less even, and much less enjoyable terrain, we hike far too fast for my poor, tortured legs. It isn’t until we’ve crossed through two natural fields, slipped over a muddy creek bed, and slid down a hill of frozen bluegrass that he allows us to go back to a more sustainable pace.

I’m exhausted and so confused right now, not knowing what had just happened to us, or why. I’ve never experienced anything like this before, nor do I want to. I try asking him again what actually just happened, hopeful he will provide me with much needed answers.

Still no response, from anyone; so I give up talking.

If Lemon were here they would at least argue with me rather than ignore me. Ridiculous when I think that arguing with that idiot is a preferred alternative to anything.

When Denyel finally stops, I’ve already given up trying to understand what is going on or why I am still just following him when the last time took us in circles. I've literally just been going along with it, which sounds asinine, because it is. It only gets worse when out of the blue he slaps both Saiya and Bill hard across their faces.

“...!”

I just gape, careful of his proximity in case he decides to try that on me. I really hope not. Even if I got him first; he's a lot stronger than I am! I may have raised my blade up a little in warning.

Both of our companions react the same way that he had earlier, except that time it had been done accidentally!

They look around at both of us and their surroundings, rubbing their cheeks like they don’t know what hit them. I’m realizing they may not. Denyel doesn't stay to try and explain anything, instead tugging on their shirt ends and nodding in the direction he intended to go.

Then we are off again, this time at least back to a more normal marching rhythm. Denyel no longer takes his time being sure of the trail or letting me cut away loose branches and overgrowth, opting instead to shove it roughly to the side for us to pass.

The trail seems endless until he suddenly grabs hold of each of us and yanks us all down to our knees, practically shoving our faces into the frozen brush. I'm about to ask what the hell is going on now when voices float to us in the distance. I can't yet hear what is being said, but it’s obvious they are heading toward us; adult humans by the sound of it.