The Magical Islands Of Da

16. The Woods Of Waning

As Cole scanned the woods, only a gut aching feeling went over him. The woods seemed dark and cold, no joy or happiness but rather a gloomy presence. 

"Who knows what's going to be in store for us, we better be prepared like you said." Jessica said. Cole looked back at her and nodded before he checked out the woods again. 

Eventually the group was in the woods, walking down the dirt slowly, in the thick of night. Shawn was holding a stick on fire, Elijah had some sort of light attached to his candy cane as he was ahead with Shawn lighting the way. Yuna would stay behind Cole and would constantly look behind.

"Wow this place is surely grim. Heh...there's like no light or barely at all, all these trees look like they're in need of some trim or shaving." Jessica said.

"Yeah, you aren't kidding, look at this place. It went from sunset to pitch black dark. Why'd it have to get so...well eerie." Cole responded. 

He also felt himself get a little anxious as his palms would sweat.

Cole felt a sense of drowsiness sweep over him. He stumbled slightly to the ground, trying to catch his breath. Everyone stopped and surrounded him. 

"Cole you alright? Why does he look so pale and tired all of a sudden?" Yuna asked. 

She kneeled down and turned him over on his back, Cole would face up towards the night sky. Yuna touched Cole's forehead, while Shawn put two fingers on the boy's neck. 

"He's sweating and cold, but his eyes are open. Is he dead?" Yuna looked over at Shawn anxiously.

"No, he's far from dead, he has a pulse and he's breathing at least, but he's barely moving. Try to get up kid, we need you." 

Cole would wince as he tried to get up off the ground, his arms and body would shake slightly from the aches. 

His eyes closed as he tried to lift himself up off the ground, he fell back down on the ground, followed by a loud thud that would ring out across the woods. Cole gasped heavily as he looked back up at the sky, at all his friends who looked over him.

"I don't know what's gone over me, it feels like a terrible curse has dawned upon me, and there's nothing I can...please help." 

Shawn gave the torch to Jessica, the skeleton soldier picked up Cole with both his hands. 

The group found a river close; they went off the trail and into the woods, there was some open space next to the river. They made a small trail, to not get lost from the main dirt path. 

The whole group slugged as they set up camp, Shawn made a campfire while Yuna stayed far away from it, she walked up to Jessica. 

"How's he doing? Is he resting well?" Yuna asked. She peeked over Jessica's shoulder to see Cole, who was lying on the fear flag.

"Yeah he's resting well, he's recovering slowly. Look let me get one thing straight with you doll girl, I understand he's friends with you, and I know you've been wanting to see him."

Yuna was slightly taken aback.

"I know you don't want problems, neither do any of us. So going forward, you might want to watch yourself." Jessica said. 

Yuna crossed her arms slightly, her eyes expressed being ticked off.

"Yeah I get what you mean, but he trusted me to go on this journey with him, just like you. So whatever he did for you, he's done for me. I'm willing to take that risk." Yuna said. 

Jessica approached Yuna a little closer.

"Don't ever say I can't handle myself." Yuna made clear.

She shot a mean look to Jessica before walking past them, Jessica looked back at her.

Yuna laid next to Cole, he seemed to be less pale than before, he breathed more normally now. 

"Ah good, you seem to be getting better! That's good, that's really good. Once you get feeling better, then we'll be on with our journey. You know I'm really glad that you're still here with us and I'm happy that I get to well, to see you again. You have no idea..."

Cole held her hand to reassure.

"It's okay, I get what you mean. I felt the same, I definitely missed you, being able to talk to you again. Yeah, I really missed you. Also, with you both meeting my new friends."

He slowly sat up and took a breather, he no longer sweat as bad as he did before.

Yuna's face was emitted by the light from the campfire, a contrast of warmth and joy emitted from her smile and gazing eyes. His heart would start to race as he realized; they both were close. 

He looked away towards the river nearby.

"Hey, I'm gonna go to the river, just to look at the water. If you want to join me then cool, if not then that's cool too." Cole said. He got up and put the fear flag in his satchel bag, Yuna also stood up and looked back at the group.

"I think I'm going to see what everyone else is doing, thanks though. Thank you Cole." 

They both went their separate paths away from each other, Cole would look back at her a couple of times while he approached the river. 

He sat down by the river, the river had a little glow reflecting off of it due to a moon that started to form in the sky. The sounds of the river would run through the boy's ears, one continuous sound that was not only relaxing but also peaceful. The sound of crickets and birds in the night would surround the area.

Peace for once, from all this chaos. Finally.

The sound of leaves crunching would be heard slowly getting louder by each crunch. Eventually the noises stopped close to The Boy's side, so Cole looked over slowly. 

"Oh hey, what brings you here? Away from the fire I mean." Cole asked.

(I hope that it was a chapter well worth the wait. It definitely is a different change of pace, however there is a second part. If you liked it, then a vote on the chapter always helps but if not then I'm glad you checked it out! 

You have a great day, theories. What do you think will happen next?)