Awakening

Chapter 11

Travelling with Dominic was not half as horrible as I thought it would be, despite the near constant aching in my legs and feet from all the walking we did. We rarely stopped for rest, and we rarely conversed. Both quiet by nature, we quickly fell into an easy silence as we weaved through the barren trees. I could tell we were moving north again from the way the air grew crisper, but spring had finally settled in because our breath no longer hung in the air and we awoke to dew on the trees instead of frost. 

Three days had passed since I'd left Evelyn and Tom in the cave, but I'd grown no closer to discovering what was awaiting me at the falls. In the few moments Dominic appeared at ease enough to chance prying, he was quick to find a reason to be busy. Suddenly we'd need more firewood, or the perimeter should be checked, the canteens filled, and so on. I was growing frustrated, I had been the most well behaved captive and I'd received nothing in return.

Currently we were making our way along a steep river bank, and my flimsy Mage-made boots weren't making the treacherous walk very easy. The spring thaw had made the bank loose and muddy, and a few times already I'd lost my footing and almost tumbled into the frigid waters below. Beneath me the river raced along, carrying large chunks of ice that had broken free with it. With my good hand I clutched the roots of trees that poked through the soil, hoping that they would save me if the mud slid out from under my feet.

Up ahead Dominic was wedging himself along the embankment awkwardly, for his bulky frame was too wide to walk along it normally like I was. I tried to go ahead because I was lighter and the path was less likely to give out under my weight, but he'd stubbornly insisted on leading the way. Apparently only his eyes were sharp enough to detect the tunnel that would lead us down to the base of the falls, even if my plan was by far more logical. We had been at this for what felt like hours, and I tensed every time he slipped or dirt tumbled from beneath him.

A nagging voice in the back of my mind begged for him to fall, for if the waters swept him away, I would have no problem escaping. I could easily pull myself up the bank and disappear into the woods before he even surfaced, and by the time he swam free of the current and found a bend in the river he could climb out at, I would be near impossible to find. There was also the chance he might drown and I would never have to see him again, and I would be free. Free to help my sisters.

I could even push him, if I needed too.

Shaking myself of the thought, I reached forward to grab the next root, but found there were none in arms reach. Grimacing, I realized I would have to use my broken hand to help steady myself against the wall as I shuffled forward. Just as I was about to place my bruised fingers against the dirt, Dominic caught my wrist in his hand. Firmly he guided me forward until I could get a strong hold of my own, catching my eyes before wordlessly moving on. My stomach twisted, how could I even think of pushing another human being to their death who had shown me kindness?

"I think I should really go in front," I sighed, watching Dominic rip out another root that would have easily held my weight.

"Oh and how exactly are you going to get there?" he asked, brow raised. His back was pressed against the wall, and his chest took up almost the entire width of the path.

Determined, I inched as close to him as possible before swinging my left leg out and over his, making sure it was firmly planted between his legs. Moving my left hand to the other side of his head I held on to the biggest root I could find and moved my right leg so it was next to my left. I made the mistake of looking up into his eyes, only now noticing how close I'd gotten. He seemed unphased- only mildly curious as always- while I could feel my heart start to palpitate. His warm breath on my neck,  his chest rising and brushing against mine... Suddenly I was sick to my stomach. I squeezed my broken hand and focused on the pain for a moment, centering myself. Quickly I swung my left leg over his, followed by my right, and I was free from the feeling again.