The Red Robin

Chapter 6

Felix:

It's chaotic here. It has been since Jamie stormed out. I can't understand what put her in such a horrible mood, especially because if anything, Skylark's situation is more my fault than her fault. No one knows what to do - I followed Jamie outside and she just disappeared. Katya has already asked me where Jamie is, but I couldn't give her an answer. I have my suspicions, but I don't want to believe them just yet. I also know I can't leave and go and search for her - as much as I want to, I can't leave everybody else here. There's so much I wanted to tell her, that I was going to tell her; but she got up and left before I had the chance to. I leave it for four or five days (I lose count after a while), but when it's obvious that Jamie isnt' going to come back, I call everyone except Lexi and Skylark to the middle of the tent, and we sit down. For a long time no one says anything, but then Aimee surprises me by saying, "Well? What are we going to do?" I'm not sure what to say to that, so I avoid her gaze and shake my head.

"What, you're just gonna sit there and not do anything? Like you did with Skylark?" The words come from Adam, who is usually someone who doesn't participate in most conversations.

"Hey, that's true. How come you didn't notice that Skylark was missing sooner?" I'm not looking, so I don't see who says it, but I think it might have been Oscar.

"That means it's your fault that Skylark is how she is now, isn't it? You weren't paying enough attention. You're supposed to be our leader." Puts in Aimee, but it's the next comment that really hits home.

Katya looks me in the eyes and says, "You lost us Skylark. You've just lost us Jamie. Who are you going to lose next, huh? Me? Oscar? Why don't you try doing your job for once?"

I get up and leave. I don't want to be a part of their hateful conversation, talking about Skylark like she's a hindrance to our cause. They just don't understand, because they aren't in my head. They can't hear the thoughts fighting each other for space and attention. I go back to my room, sit down on my bed and think for a bit. I must have been sitting there for ages, because soon enough, Katya, Aimee, Oscar and Adam walk past, heading to their own bedrooms. Not one of them even gives me a second glance, and I can hear them whispering. It's not hard to guess who they're whispering about.

I stay there until early morning, about 1am. That's when I decide to move. I'll show them who the cowards are now. They're too scared to do anything about Jamie - probably afraid they'll go missing as well. I creep past a sleeping Lexi - she must be so exhausted. Looking after Skylark is visibly draining her. When I get back, I'll ask Jamie to help her. I round the corner of the tent where I know Jamie went, and stop in my tracks. There's a forest there, a cold and dank one that smells of burnt wood and smoke. I push my way through the undergrowth, and find myself in a clearing with a fire burning in the middle. There's a rustle in the bushes behind me, and I whirl round to see the entrance closing up behind me.

"Breathe, Felix, breathe." The voice startles me from my state of shock, and it's achingly familiar. However, at the moment all I can see is black. Maybe I passed out? I'm not even sure at this point. Slowly, painstakingly, the scene comes back into focus. The blurred outline of a fire comes into view next to me, as well as a worried face above me. I sit up so fast I feel dizzy, so I wait a few seconds before looking again. I've never been so pleased to see someone in my whole life. It's obvious Jamie has been here for a while - the fire is burning low, like it's been going for a long time. The arms around me are strong and comforting, and it reminds me of when my mother used to hug me after I'd had a bad day at school. My mother's face comes into my mind unbidden and unexpected, so I pull away from Jamie before the tears come.