The Lost Gems

Chapter 8

March 5th 1034
7:30 p.m

We had been walking till it was almost dark out. We took breaks along the way to eat and quick rests. My feet were killing me and so were everyone else. Sal and I were extra tired from the hours of walking because we were up so early and only got a few hours to sleep. We weren't going to make it to the village in time before dark.

"Should we set up camp here?" Diamond questioned.

"Yeah, there are a lot of trees and leaves we can use." I replied.

"I brought both the blankets from the cabin we can use!" Tanzanite said.

I immediately began to wonder who was going to have to share a blanket. There were four of us and only two blankets. I'm guessing I would have to share with Sal. I don't mind having to share but I don't know how he would feel about it, having that we just met early this morning. We did bond though and he was like my shadow never leaving my side while we were walking. He always asked about my hand and if it was ok or if it needed wrapped again. So maybe he did genuinely care. You could tell he was comfortable being with us probably due to the fact that he could relate to our situation. He was smart too and had lots of survival skills.

We looked around the area for a flat but elevated spot. Incase it rained it wouldn't gather into a puddle and we'd be soaked in the morning. The sun had pretty much dried up all the puddles from the rain during the day, so we might be able to make a decent fire.

We all set to work. Tanz went to go collect big leaves with her giant sword that was given to her by her father before the tragedy. I went to go collect little pieces of stray bark and dried up leaves while Diamond and Sal went to go chop wood with the axe.

I headed a different direction from everyone else and went a way that we haven't been to yet. It was getting dark so I needed to hurry. The tall dark trees were intimidating. I had a hard time finding any fallen off bark. The woods was oddly perfect nothing was out of order. I walked farther and farther away from our so called camp until I found a tree that looked like it was about to die. I felt bad about ripping off its bark but I had to. I've always had a love for nature and little things. Tanz and Diamond have even called me a tree hugger at times when I wouldn't chop down a tree or pick a flower. So killing this tree even more really bothered me. After I painfully pulled off a few good strips of bark I headed back to camp. It was almost dark now and l was having a hard time seeing. I tried retracing my steps but it wouldn't work, nothing seemed familiar.

How could I be lost! I only walked about ten minutes away from everyone else. The woods almost seemed fake and everything was the same. I looked to see which way the sun was setting. I think I remember the sun being behind us right before we found the perfect spot. So now I walked towards the setting sun but after 5 minutes of cluelessly wandering I figured it was no use.

"Diamond! Tanz! Sal!" I yelled hoping that someone would hear me. No answer.

It was dark now. I had never been to brave when it came to scary things especially the dark. My body instantly started to shake, I thought of the other night when I heard the whisperings at my house. I started to panic and tried yelling again.

"Sal! Diamond! Tanz!" I screamed. No one answered.

I began to cry. The thought of being alone scared me. Times like this is when I wished i had my mother around to comfort me. I sat down on a log and tried to calm down but by now my vision was blurred and my throat burned from crying. I had nothing with me or else I would have pulled out my flashlight. I started to stand up when u heard a loud rustle coming from behind me. My heart instantly dropped. I was petrified and praying it was only the girls or Sal. The sound became louder and closer. I heard a twig snap and almost jumped out of my skin.

"I'm surely going to die!" I thought to myself." A small creature like a mouse or rabbit wouldn't have made this much noise."

I felt a cold hand on my shoulder and screamed so loud I even scared myself.

"Hey hey hey, it's ok Aqua it's just me!" Sal said as his muscular arms engulfed me in a tight hug.

I was bawling so hard I left a puddle on his chest. I had been extremely stressed out lately with all the paranormal things going on and leaving the safety of our house that I had been emotionally unstable. I was so glad to be with him right now. He could tell that I was upset so he picked me and carried me bridal style. I was beginning to calm down.

"Everything's going to be ok, I know things have been overwhelming and different for you but it is all going to be worth it." Sal cooed in my ear.

After we had finally made it back to camp the girls had already put together a fire and we're eating little things that we had brought with us. I felt horrible for coming back emotional and empty handed but nobody seemed to mind. It was silent but Peaceful. Everyone was tired and Sal and I were about to collapse because we barely slept the night before. Tanz and Diamond went to bed and slept next to each other so they could share the blanket leaving me and Sal up. We had ate and stocked the fire.

"Let's go to bed Aqua." Sal yawned.

Without hesitating we both grabbed the blanket and laid next to each other on the ground. We laid side by side without touching each other.

I didn't know if he felt the same way as I had felt about him so I decided that I would just wait and see for him to make the first move. I know it seemed early but it was exciting to have a crush on someone and helped keep my mind off of things.

The night was cold and even though we were bundled up in clothes and the blanket I was still freezing. I started to shiver.

Sal wrapped his arms around my waist so we were even closer and so I would get warm. I smiled to myself knowing that he couldn't see my face.

"Goodnight Aqua." Sal whispered into my ear.

I immediately blushed shocked by his sudden movement.I was overjoyed.

"Goodnight Sal." I managed to whisper back through the giant smile on my face.

We both then drifted off to sleep wrapped around each other.