Imperfect (Disappeared #1)

Chapter Twenty-Six

It was night in the Nextic world. Hurrying away from the row of baobabs, Theodosia passed into the forest. Lamps were threaded through the trees, their red and golden shades casting warm light on the thick foliage around them. Fireflies bobbed lazily overtop and the sweet scent of earth and fresh growth hung in the air.

Theodosia scanned the woods for danger. No menacing shadows lurked. But something was definitely off. The lamps seemed hazy, as if they were only half there. Even the forest itself seemed faded. And she could see the shadowy outlines of buildings in the distance. They seemed taller than the ruined cottages, and she knew the Nextic didn't build enclosed spaces.

She couldn't worry about that yet. She had to find Ahuil. Theodosia realized with a start that she had no idea how to trace her way to either his house or Xochitl's. She didn't fancy wandering the woods alone with half-beasts about. With growing desperation, she recognized that she hadn't thought out her plan well, perhaps because horrible visions of finding Ahuil hurt or dead had prevented her from thinking further.

She had better think fast now.

Ahuil had felt her coming through the baobab. He could translate their words using her energy. Perhaps she could concentrate her energy (or will, she wasn't quite sure what it was) and send a signal to him.

Theodosia put down her bag and dropped to her knees in front of the warmly glowing lights. The ground felt chilled on her knees. Focusing every bit of her concentration, she silently pleaded:

Please, Ahuil. Come find me in these woods. I came back for you, foolish woman that I am. Tell me that you're safe. Take me back to your home. Let it be like it was before when I lay awake and listened to you breathe...

This last point made Theodosia blush and broke her concentration. She opened her eyes. The night hummed with activity as before, but Ahuil was nowhere to be seen. Her heart began to hammer in her chest with fear. Sleeping in the woods alone at night had not been part of her plan. Yet there was nothing to do but wait and hope that Ahuil had received her message.

Theodosia wrapped herself in her overcoat and curled up on the grass, her head on her carpetbag. She shivered with cold. At least homesickness was impossible - her fear was too strong. At the same time, she hadn't rested one wink the night before, and soon the physical need to rest overtook her. After some time, Theodosia fell into a light sleep.

She woke suddenly to feel a hand on her arm.

"Theo! What are you doing here?"

Alarmed, she started up. Familiar golden eyes looked down at her. They were pierced with worry, fraught with despair. She remained speechless for a moment, unable to believe that he was in front of her, alive and in one piece. Then she launched forward into his arms, holding him tightly, partly out of happiness and partly out of relief. He went rigid and then seemed to melt. He gathered her close to his heart and kissed her hair, her face.

"Please don't be angry at me," she whispered. "I know you told me not to come back. But I had to know you were well. I couldn't live without knowing. I'm selfish. I'm nutty. And I need you. I had no choice. Believe me please and don't hate me..."

He drew back and stroked her face. "Theo, I've been out of my mind thinking about you. These past two months I've thought of nothing else. Knowing I banished you, that you would never come back, that I would be alone..."

She placed a finger over his lips. "Ahuil, wait. What do you mean these past two months? I left you only yesterday."

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Well ... that doesn't compute.

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