The Forest Behind Bars

Chapter IV: The reason

I stay locked in place as the chief walks back and away. Only long after his footsteps have faded, I move.

The boy is curled up on the floor, crying. I clear my thoughts and speak up. ''Is anything broken?''

The boy's head raises and his tear-stained eyes question me. ''Where did he hit you?'' He doesn't respond.

I sigh and try again. ''Tie something tightly around the wounds that are bleeding. And if food comes later, use some of the water to wash the wounds. Make sure you eat all the food, no matter how gross. You need your energy to heal.''

He blinks at me and shuffles back against the wall. He winces, but manages to lean against it.

Looking at me, he asks: ''What did he mean? When he asked if I reminded you of anyone?'' I open my mouth to respond, but close it again when no sound comes out.

How do I tell him? Why should I tell him?

The latest memories of my love are too painful to repeat.

I ignore the question instead of answering. ''What's your name?''

He seems surprised by the question but answers: ''Aster.''

I almost melt at the name. It is a name meaning star, or flower. The flowers can be from purple to blue to white. They bloom later than other flowers. Most consider them weeds, but before they were weeds, they were sacred.

''A flower.'' Is all I can say. How strange that a name can bring me such happiness and sadness at the same time.

The flowers had consumed valleys in the forest. They could grow where others couldn't. I might never see them again.

Aster looks at me strange with questioning eyes. ''What?''

''Aster means flower,'' I clarify.

''Hm,'' is all he says. I suppose he doesn't really care what his name means. We continue to be locked down here, anyway.

I sink to the ground at the back of my cell and lie down. If I imagine hard enough, I can imagine I am in the clearing, waiting for the clouds to clear so I can point at the constellations and tell their tales to him.

''What is your name? I never caught it.''

The daydream dissolves, and I am back in the cell. I push myself up on my elbows and turn my head to him.

''It's... Avery.'' The only person near who knows my name is Chief. He has poisoned my name with his words.

''Avery,'' he repeats. It sounds good coming from his lips, instead of Chief's.

''What did you do to end up here, Aster?''

''That's just it, nothing special to get put here. Well, I did steal something, but you don't end up here because of that.''

''What did you steal?'' I ask curiously.

''I stole some jewelry. It's easy to sell to the richer people for more money than it's worth. Just tell them it's a rare gem piece and they believe it.'' He explains it as a matter of fact.

Sounds like he had a good way to get money. Honest? No. Efficient? Yes. That's just how things are when you are a poor kid left to provide for yourself. It's how I met him.

The talking seems to distract him from his wounds, so I decide to offer him the temporary distraction of conversation.

''What happened then?''

''The shopkeeper saw me and came after me, so I ran to the town square to shake them off in the crowd. There was something going on there; there was an enormous crowd. But it seemed like a suitable cover, so I ran into the crowd. It seemed to work. That was until I reached the middle of the crowd where a man was giving some speech. I tripped and fell in front of him. The shopkeeper caught up with me and the man asked what had happened. So naturally, the shopkeeper told them I stole from his store and they took the jewelry from me. The man looked at me for a minute and then ordered me to be taken away. And then I was here.''

''Who was the man?'' I already know, but I ask him anyway.

''The man who just beat me up.'' He says flatly.

I groan internally. Aster wasn't put here purely for the stealing, but to be made an example of. And conveniently, he looked like someone Chief had beaten and could use to inflict more pain upon me. Aster was being used.

Aster pulls me from my thoughts. ''Why were you locked up here? I thought only monster got put here?''

I sigh. ''It's a long story, but basically I got caught because I was powerful. Chief, that man, ''I clarify, '' found out about me and laid a trap. I was very in love with someone and Chief used him to get to me. He tortured us both and then killed him. He didn't kill me because I was too precious and important.''

I say this all toneless, not wanting to be dragged back into those horrible memories.

Aster lets it sink in before speaking up again. ''What are you then?''

Remaining silent, I think about it for a second. I never defined myself by naming what I was. I suppose I am the embodiment of the forest. I am the ruler of the forest and its inhabitants. Not human, but not really a creature, either.

As he is still waiting for an answer. I shrug and say ''Powerful.''

At that, he smiles, but then winces in pain when his split lip pulls at his skin. It seems to pull us both back to the dark reality.

''Try to get some sleep.'' I say as I turn away onto my side.

The cold, damp stone floor digs painfully into my shoulder, but it is a welcome distraction from the weight of today.