Piano Keys

Chapter 6

Harry and I had been sitting at the tree we had stopped at for quite some time. Our breathing and heart rates had returned to a normal pace once again. I sat there with my mind whizzing in every direction, I tried to talk about what had happened but Harry wanted nothing to do with it. He merely wrapped the cut on his arm and sat against his tree. 

At this point I was growing rather restless, I wanted to either talk or move and since Harry wouldn't talk then walking was my best bet. I stood up and brushed the dirt off of my gifted clothes. "Harry, I'm going for a walk." No response. "Harry." Nothing still.  I strode on over to the place he was resting and examined the still body. His arms were crossed over his strong chest and were rising and falling steadily. He was asleep.

I decided that I didn't want to wake the sleeping giant and that I would probably be back before he was awake anyway so I went on with my walk. Instead of taking the road and risk possibly running into someone, I went deeper into the forest. I had been walking for a few mins when I saw a beautiful tree with branches sprawling out in every direction.  I decided that it would be a nice place to perch on one of the branches, so I strode on over and began my climb. One of the lower branches was huge and extended out from itself so perfectly that I couldn't resist calling that one my nesting place.

As I nestled myself into the tree I saw above me what looked to be two baby squirrels, they wrestled as they both fought for the nut that hang from the tree.  Back home this scene would probably be filled with a book in my hand, a picnic basket and blanket at the base of the old tree, and a glass of lemonade. Back home. How I longed to be back there.  The smells, the safety, Mom. And it was at that moment that i realized that I never came home to her that night, she either thought I was dead or would be soon. My heart ached for her, first she lost the man she loved, and now her only girl.

"Cali!!" The screams jolted me from my thoughts.  The sound of Harry's restless raspy voice calling for me echoing through the trees.

"I'm here!" I called back "In the tree." I saw the silhouette of a tired body walking through the dead leaves on the ground come into view.

"What the hell are you doing up there?" He crossed his arms over his chest and let out a sigh.

"Same thing you've been doing down there, resting." I knew he was probably furious I left without a word and I was just waiting for him to bring it up.

"You left me..." here it is.  "Without a word." I began to slowly climb down the tree as he continued his little rant. "Why the fuck would you do that?"

"Well for one, I didn't think waking up a criminal who's exhausted and in pain would end well for me. And two, there's no rules saying I can't take a walk." I placed my hands on his shoulders and looked him in the eyes "You're getting frown lines though so quit worrying!"

"Quit worrying? Are you fucking insane?-"

"Harry." I cut him off.  He looked at me, eyes returning to their usual bright selves, and furrowed brows relaxing. "I'm okay. I'm a big girl. I can handle walking around on my own. I know that's not what you're really worried about, but that's all that happened."

"I just think we should stick together." He looked so innocent when those words spilled from his lips. Like a lost child waiting for his mother.

"Harry, how do we stick together when I'm trying to get home and you're from here?"

"You? Make it home alone? HA, don't make me laugh." He chuckled and threw a pebble into the bushes. "With your tracking record you'd end up right back in that shit hole. I'm making sure you get home safe!"

"Harry-"

"Ah ah" he interrupted me. "It's not up for debate. I'm taking you home. Now let's get some food in you, buttercup"

Buttercup? He was such a sassy brat when he wanted to be. Although I have to say, I was relieved that he would be joining me on my journey home. For one, he knew the area best. Two, he was a runaway his whole life, he's got that part in the bag. And three, I did feel safe with him.

We walked back to our little tree stop and sat down next to our bags. We dug out some food and started munching on it happily.

"Alright so the next town isn't for about 10 more miles. Judging by the time of day it'll be night before we get there. That can be good or bad. Night time means less people looking for us and easier escapes but it also means we can't see them before they see us." He put a piece of food in his mouth and paused his thoughts.

"You're the expert here so you decide."

"Then it's settled. We will head out at night fall so rest up."

***

As the stars twinkled above us and the moon lit the way, we walked to our next destination. The plan was to stalk up on more food and rest somewhere during the day and then do it all over again.

Our path wasn't the only thing being lit by the moon as we walked. Harry's eyes caught the light and gleamed just as bright as the stars. There was a beauty about the mysterious boy. As if the secrets enchanted your view of him.  Every once and awhile I would catch those glittering green eyes staring as we walked and they'ed be jerked away just as quickly as they'ed been caught.

"Alright hop on." Harry crouched down in front of me.

"Excuse me?" What the hell was he pulling?

"You're like a giant stomping around. You'll get us caught, breaking every branch and damn leaf. So hop on my back!" I didn't argue but Instead did as he told. Truthfully, I was making just as much noise as him, this was just his sneaky way of getting closer to be.

"How do you know I don't have a boyfriend back home?" I teased.

"Ha ha oh Hun, if I was making a move it wouldn't be that innocent. Plus even if you had a boyfriend back home, if I wanted you to, you'd be in my bed."

My eyes widened, I was entirely not used to a man talking to me in that way.  "Relax Cal." I calmed my body down but my whizzed with the thought of being in bed with Harry.