Beasts

17: Charlie Boy

"Charlie!" I hear Iridescent screech from outside the infirmary. I look over at Phoenix who just shrugs.

"Iridescent?" I peer inside and she's hugging this boy who looks to be ten.

"Guys! This is Charlie. One of the orphans." She said before turning back to the boy. He looked so confused. Like this was an alien world.

"Iridescent?" He said in a hoarse voice.

"I can't believe you're awake!" Se said, hugging him tighter. "Oh no, now we have to bring you along..." She said and dropped her arms.

"Hold on... Can't he stay here and watch the tribe?" Phoenix suggested.

"He's twelve. He can't stay here himself." Iridescent said in a matter-of-fact voice. Oh look, I'm wrong again. Surprise surprise.

"What can he do then?" I ask and set my violin case on the ground. The infirmary was packed. The entire tribe was propped against the walls. Some on beds, chairs, or even desks.

"Oh, that's simple. He's an earth spirit." She said then pointed to the a woman beside them. The nurse from the first day I was here. "That's his mom." I could see it now. The green features were so alike. Lucky magic only people. They get magic from the start while everyone else has to wait until they're eighteen. Though, I didn't understand how he was awake.

"Charlie?" I said walking over to him and kneeling down. "What happened to you during the festival?" He just stared at me with his big green eyes. Then-

"Mum saved me. The wolf got her back." He explained.

"Did you get withdraw?" I asked and he nodded. I stood back up and turned to Iridescent. "Get him some food and water. Then we have to leave. No more time to spare." She nodded and took Charlie's hand.

"Somebody got all bossy when she passed out." Phoenix teased.

"It's called: leading." I shot back with a proud smile.

"Well I'm calling it bossy." He said and picked up my violin for me.

"Oh, so should I tell my dad you think he's bossy?"

"What!? No! I didn't mean that-no!" I laughed at his jumbled protest. Messing with his was too fun.

After we got some food and water in Charlie, we made him pack everything he has. "I still can't believe you're okay!" Iridescent chimed as Charlie slung on his messenger bag.

"Yes, I cannot believe it too." He said turning to us. "So, the Wolves really are real, huh?" We nodded sadly. This kid may of been young but he knew about as much as I did on this place. Probably more. "Well, what are we waiting for?" He said and marched out the door between Phoenix and I.

"I like this kid!" Iridescent said following him.

"Those two are just two crazies in a pot, aren't they?" Phoenix said and closed the door.

"You mean 'peas'?" I raised an eyebrow.

"No," he shook his head. "I mean 'crazies'." He said quickening his pace to catch up with the others.

We stopped. The bonfire was so dull looking. I gulped and gripped Phoenix's hand. He looked down at me but I kept my eyes forward. He then held Charlie's hand. Then he held Iridescent's. "Let's go die." Phoenix said but I couldn't tell if he was joking or not. He raised my hand with his and let go. Before I could drop my hand, he threw a fireball into the logs. A fire erupted instantly and burned so bright. Brighter than it was in the dark. I threw one also which gave the fire a white and gold glow. Charlie sent a green pulse through the ground and little poppies grew out. Iridescent bent down and touched four.

One turned orange.

Another turned blue.

The next turned green.

The last turned gold.

"Well this is too sentimental for me so can we go now?" Phoenix said, breaking the silence and letting go.

"Charge!" I pumped my violin into the air and marched through the poppies. Then, right as my foot steps beyond the first bush, I freeze. "Um..." Is all I can say. All that adrenaline in me turned to fear like a coin going from heads to tails. "D-do we have to do this? Can't we jump into the bonfire and live our ghost lives being called cowards?" I said and glanced back at the gorgeous fire and flowers. I looked back at Phoenix that gave this look that said "Really?" I sighed and took a step forward.

Ten minutes later...

"Can we take a break?" I ask and step over a log. I've fallen for their tricks one to many things. Damn logs.

"It's only been ten minutes." Iridescent called back.

"Of nonstop walking!" I said and stopped at a large tree off the path. I sat down against the trunk and felt the cool air against my skin. The was so fresh here and it was peaceful. Back in the city, places like this were known as dreams.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Just a few seconds. That's all.

1...

2...

3...

4...

5...

I wish I could fall asleep here. Forget any of this was real. Let my body die happy here. "Kitten?" Of course.

"Sorry." I opened my eyes and got back up. Phoenix took one last look at me before turning back to the path. Which was good because he didn't get to see my fall on another stupid log. "Ow..." I groaned as Phoenix helped me up. "I think log are out to get me." I said and rubbed the dust of my hands.

"Hey, at least you didn't get cut." Phoenix said. Was that supposed to cheer me up? I've fallen on more logs in my time here than ever. I'm cursed, I tell you. Cursed.

"Look!" I held my arm out to stop the others and pointed to my left with my violin. A little chickadee was sitting up in a tree watching us. Phoenix whistled this melody so sweet and pure. After a moment, the chickadee responded. I watched with a big smile as they talked back and forth. Finally, Phoenix threw a piece of cracker at it and it swooped down to eat it. "What did you say to it?" I asked once we were moving again.

"No idea." He replied with a dumb smile. Can I strangle him? Is that too much to ask for?