Love My Wings

Chapter 7

Rory checked his watch as they exited the shop. "Woah! You know what time it is Lei?" Lei shook his head, distracted by his fresh tattoos. "It's 11:00 p.m..." Lei clenched his teeth in surprise.

"We should probably go h-" Rory cut him off.

"Do you really want to go back?" Lei stared at him in silence, thinking of how to reply. Where did that come from?

"I- Well, no. Not really? But what else would we do? It's not safe. I mean, I don't know. What if something happens, and-" Rory put his hand over Lei's blabbering mouth.

"RELAX. A little fun won't hurt anyone. Let's go see what we can find out there. I think I know a place..." He pulled Rory's hand off of his mouth to speak.

"Where?"

"There's a part of the forest that I want you to see, we can walk through there for a while. It's hard to explain, you'll have to see it with your own eyes."

"Is it a light forest?"

"You've seen one?

"Kind of but... Aren't there any goblins out there?" Rory chuckled, although Lei's concern was serious.

"No, those are in the West, and they're not even real, but if they were, I'd make sure they didn't get their crusty claws on you." Lei grinned.

"Sounds good to me then."

They heel-and-toed through the streets and slowly reached parts that were less illuminated than the city, slowly into the depths of the forest. Lei followed Rory without hesitation. When he was with him it was easier to do the reckless things he would normally fear. Perhaps he for once felt like he wasn't alone.

Lei only remembered seeing a light forest when he was little. The memory was foggy, almost like a dream. It seemed so faded that he had almost forgotten it wasn't a dream. He wondered if would be the same in this world.

While he was lost in his thoughts he stumbled over a pebble on the ground and fell to his knees with a sharp squeal. Rory turned around and rolled his eyes as he helped him up.

"What am I gonna do with you!? You're more fragile than my mom's old China. Look how scraped your knees are."

Lei blinked rapidly while he shook the dust off. "I'm sorry." Rory shook his head as he scooped a palmful of water from the river. Within seconds the water floated up over his hands and danced in the air. It was glowing, bright luminescent shades of blue. Lei was mesmerized once again by Rory's magic which was now a miniature tornado of glowing liquid surrounding his knees. He touched it carefully as it came to his fingers and turned into a walking cat figure before evaporating. He stared in awe where the mystical liquid had disappeared.

"All fixed!" Rory said. 

"How do you even do that? How do you know I like cats?"

"Hah, because I know you." Lei touched his knees in surprise. 

"Wait... The scratches are gone."

"You just noticed that? That was the point. Don't get any bigger cuts because I can't fix those."

"Yessir!"

They continued walking for a few minutes before Rory untied the handkerchief he was using as a belt. "Do you trust me?" Lei nodded.

"Okay, close your eyes." He said, tying the handkerchief over Lei's eyes. "When I count to three, start flying and make sure to hold on to my arm." Lei overlooked his doubts and followed directions.

"But where-" Rory interrupted him. 

"Do you trust me or not?" There was a sharp silence. Enough to hear crickets and other creatures that lurked around.