Escape from Aelendor

Chapter 8

"What is your obsession with plants?" Amari asked as I picked my 16th flower.

After we had awakened to the sound of an anonymous rooster, I forced myself awake even though I unfortunately didn't feel any less tired. I washed my mouth and face with the lake water that was surprisingly fresh and took some medicine that dulled the weakness in my bones. Amari re-did my dressing and after a quick breakfast of a slice of bread and grapes, I donned the cloak I had been using to sleep and packed up my blanket. Thankfully, everything I didn't want to carry fit into the magical purple box. Amari did the same, stuffed the box into his pocket and we set off into the depths of the forest in search of a close by road. My companion said he saw one "off to the right" as he entered the forest, but he was proving to be a terrible map. We had been wandering for at least more than an hour with no sign of mankind.

But I did gain valuable insight along the way, like that Amari was terrified of bees and anything remotely similar to it.

"If it crawls or flies, it dies," he declared earlier scornfully as he tripped past another hoard of bees.

"Whatever you say bud," I muttered in response, picking another mysterious but gorgeous flower.

Unlike Amari, I loved the forest. It was so full of life and beautiful, vibrant colors. Interestingly, it seemed to be changing seasons too. For a while we had been walking through the same auburn autumn leaves. But slowly, the wide, thick oak trees disappeared, replaced by cypresses and junipers that stood tall and allowed for more sunlight.

The best part was the variety of plants we came across. From ugly brown vines that tried to ensnare our ankles to silver petaled lilacs that healed my scabs at a touch, I felt like I had entered a collector's paradise.

But just like our world, plants and flowers attract bees much the same, and perhaps that was the reason Amari was so adamant I stop collecting them.

"This is the last one," I lied, plucking a neon green clover from the wet mud and shoving it in my pocket.

"It better be," he scowled and trudged off.

I rolled my eyes and caught up with him, shoes squelching in the dirt. I couldn't tell if it was the mud or not, but walking was proving to be more difficult than the previous day. I felt fine this morning after taking the medicine. But now, I felt like there were small weights in each of my shoes, and if I attempted to run, I was short of breath. It was like living on low power mode. I knew I had some battery left, but not much.

As I caught my breath, I felt a twinge of loneliness as I was reminded of my friends and family once again.

"So, this is random, but I've been wondering, how do you know Sorine?"

Amari frowned. "Why do you ask?"

"Because she's my friend, and I'm curious"

"She's your friend?"

"Yeah, you remember? That day in the cafeteria? I was standing next to her."

"No, you weren't," he scoffed.

"You seriously don't remember? That was like 2 days ago!" I huffed when he shook his head. "Respectfully, do you have the mental capacity of a child?"

"Funny coming from someone who wears dia-HEY!"

Before he could finish, I grabbed the nearest bug I could find and chucked it at him. Amari jumped and swatted it away wildly, ending with a disdainful look my way.

"Answer my question." My tone left no room for argument.

He glared. "Fine. We have a lot of classes together, and she always asks for my help to do the homework."